Tremaine Wright Is Running For New York State Senate In 2020

This Patch article is sponsored by Tremaine Wright for New York State Senate.

Tremaine Wright is running for the 2020 New York State Senate elections. Learn more about Wright's experience, priorities and upcoming events in this exclusive Patch one-on-one:

Patch: Tell us a bit about yourself and your campaign.

Wright: I am running for NYS Senate because our community deserves a committed leader with experience. I currently serve as the NYS Assembly Member 56th AD which represents Northern Crown Heights and Bedford-Stuyvesant. I understand that my job is to listen to our community voices. The community guides the work that I engage in. In Albany, I have sponsored, supported and voted for legislation that addresses needs and concerns of the entire community.

Patch: What attracted you to the line of work you’re in, and how did you get started?

Wright: When I reflect on what steered me to work in politics, I recall always serving the needs of others and understanding that I had to advocate for myself. I was a Girl Scout. I participated in student government. I went to a middle school whose motto is, “To whom much is given, much is required.” Growing up, our block association had a weekly block cleanup, which meant my sister and I, and two of the other kids on the block, got up every Saturday morning and swept the block, end to end. I have been involved in and taken responsibility for my community for as long as I can remember. While at law school at the University of Chicago, my constitutional law professor inspired me to be a change agent. Then, Professor Barack Obama challenged me to begin with my community and build out.

I was encouraged to believe, both in my academic and personal life. Therefore, if I wanted a change, I could work and realize that change is possible. When I returned to NYC after finishing school, my entire social life existed in Manhattan. Folks rolled their eyes at the mere idea of doing anything in Brooklyn. Although I loved Brooklyn and wouldn’t consider living anywhere else, everyone else had not yet realized that Brooklyn is fantastic.

But in fairness, I had to acknowledge that there were some things missing. I grew up here, so I recalled a time when butchers and markets, news stands and shoe repairs, dry cleaners and eat-in restaurants existed. And I knew where the remaining ones were. But we didn’t have the coffee shops, bars, boutiques and “hot spots” that folks my age wanted. So, I decided to open a gathering space in the area. Initially, I just knew I had to open a place that would be open and welcoming to the entire community. Around this same time I discovered the community board. I learned that there was a group in my neighborhood that made decisions about the neighborhood. I went to the meetings, and I joined a committee. Committee membership is open to the public, so I became very active. I was rejected the first time I applied for board appointment. Still, I kept going and participating on my committee. The following year, I applied for the second time and was appointed as a board member.

While I was learning all about the community board and everything happening here in the neighborhood, I was also planning my gathering place. It’s important to understand that these things were happening concurrently, because what I learned reinforced the desire to open a business. It also helped me determine the right business for that moment in time — a coffee shop with seating. Over three years I planned and finally in March 2007, I opened the doors of Common Grounds A Neighborhood Coffee House. It was one of two shops in Bedford-Stuyvesant and the only one that could accommodate seating. I hired locally and welcomed all. As a small-business owner, I employed individuals who were seeking their first job and/or re-entering the workforce.

As a community organizer for 14 years (community board), I developed alliances with the 79th Precinct and local merchants, and we worked together to form the Tompkins Avenue Merchants Association (TAMA). At the time I opened Common Grounds, Tompkins Avenue was struggling with blight. Nonetheless, Common Grounds helped to transform Tompkins Avenue into a destination. Common Grounds welcomed families with kids, young adults, elders and everyone in between. The roster of regulars reflected the diversity of people in our community. A $1 milkshake happy hour had the power to pull us all together.

Operating the coffee shop and volunteering on the community board helped me learn a great deal about the community. It also helped me to learn a lot about the city and how it operates, as well as the necessity for community and elected officials to work together. I sat on just about every community board committee and served as the executive secretary, treasurer, budget coordinator, vice chair and chair person. Finally, I realized that my background, talents, work experience and volunteer work prepared me to run for the NYS Assembly seat in 2016. I was committed to creating the community I wanted to live in. I am willing to try, I’m willing to go the extra mile. I believe it’s possible — all of it.

Patch: What’s the most satisfying part of your job?

Wright: The most satisfying part of my job is working with people who are smart, energetic and bold to pass legislation and policy that will improve our lives and the lives of our neighbors. We work to ensure that rules, policies and spending reflect the values and understanding of the people in our community.

Patch: What’s the best piece of advice you’ve ever been given when it comes to success?

Wright: One of the best pieces of advice I ever received was offered to me at my high school graduation. I was told, “Study everything and anything you want.” It was a reminder that education is a gift to be fully embraced. Those words validated exploration and experimentation. These words also speak to faithfulness and trust. As a result, I followed my interests, nurtured dreams and believed. That landed me here, in an elected position where I am constantly helping to shape thoughts and legislation.

As an assembly member and chair of the caucus, I have demonstrated leadership and concern for my community. Brooklyn deserves someone who will listen and hear their concerns. We deserve a public servant that understands that we have to move beyond sound bites and pass legislation.
I am committed to preserving and improving Brooklyn. Because of that commitment I have the endorsements and full support of the NYS Senator Velmanette Montgomery, Congress Member Hakeem Jeffries, Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams, and NYC Council Speaker Corey Johnson; as well as a host of Central Brooklyn pastors, labor unions and women’s organizations.

Patch: Are there any new projects or endeavors you’re working on that you’re extra excited about?

Wright: One of the more exciting projects that I am working on is the senior housing that is being developed on Herkimer Street. As part of the Vital Brooklyn initiative we are building senior housing which will have wrap-around support services. We have a shortage of affordable, desirable and safe senior housing. Seniors want to remain in their neighborhoods, and this 76-unit building will allow them to do just that.

Some other exciting work that I have been involved with includes a number of civil rights bills that have become law and are protecting people, as well as helping to redefine social norms. I sponsored a workplace discrimination bill that was passed in 2018 as part of the budget bill. It demands that entities applying for state contracts certify that they are in compliance with NYS Anti-Discrimination laws.

We also passed the CROWN Act in 2019. That legislation protects natural hair and hair styles in the workplace and school.

Patch: How can Patch readers learn more about your work and business?

Wright: On June 23, vote for proven leadership, commitment and leadership that you can trust. Vote Tremaine Wright for NYS Senate. Visit my website to learn more and follow me on Twitter and Instagram.