NYC Council District 9 Election: Athena Moore Seeks Harlem Seat

HARLEM, NY — Voters in New York City's 9th Council district, which includes all of Central Harlem and parts of East Harlem and Washington Heights, will see 13 names on their ballots when they vote in the June 22 primary election.

One of those names will be Athena Moore, a community advocate who currently works as Northern Manhattan Office Director for Manhattan Borough President Gale Brewer..

Patch reached out to all candidates in the election to create these profiles. Moore's responses are below.

Age (as of Election Day)

50

Position Sought

City Council

Party Affiliation

Democrat

Neighborhood of residence (i.e., East Village, Astoria, etc.)

Harlem

Family

(1) Daughter, Age 15

Does anyone in your family work in politics or government?

No

Education

B.A., Oberlin College
M.S. Urban Policy and Management, The New School for Social Research
Columbia University, Senior Leaders Program
Carnegie Mellon University, International Affairs Fellow

Occupation

Director, Northern Manhattan Office, Manhattan Borough President

Previous or Current Elected or Appointed Office

N/A

Campaign website

athenamoore.com

Why are you seeking elective office?

My 25-year career in advocacy, community organizing, and health and human service delivery has centered on working in diverse communities to bring about needed change. For the past seven years, I have helped more than 10,000 constituents and have made critical budget, land use, and policy decisions to allocate millions of dollars to community. I am also honored and privileged to be a mother and to serve as a mentor to many young people.
My maternal grandmother was a sharecropper from the south and raised me in NYC public housing. My paternal grandfather was a minister. My mother lived with mental illness and my father passed away from substance use after returning from the Korean War. Today, I stand on my grandparent’s shoulders. They inspired me to always work hard. And because of their efforts and support, I am a first-generation college graduate and the first in my immediate family to earn a master’s degree.
I have a deep personal passion for service to humanity and am eager to work with the residents of CD 9 to build a stronger, healthier, caring, and prosperous community

The single most pressing issue facing our (board, district, etc.) is _______, and this is what I intend to do about it.

The most important issue in the short- and medium-term is COVID-19 in conjunction with economic development and housing. Under this rubric, as a City Council member I will fight for:
Equitable access to good-paying jobs and benefits for residents,
Increased availability and accessibility of affordable housing for residents and the preservation of historic landmarks.
Revitalized and strong public schools that reliably provide high quality education to our students,
Increased supports for caregivers and essential workers who look after our children, our seniors, the physically and mentally ill, and for all of us in the community,
Increased resources that strengthen and grow our existing and new small businesses and arts and culture organizations.

What are the critical differences between you and the other candidates seeking this post?

I am the best candidate for this office, because I will work across all sectors to strengthen CD 9. I will focus on delivering concrete results. My 30-year career in advocacy, community organizing, and health and human service delivery has centered on working in diverse communities to bring about needed change. As Director of Manhattan Borough President's Northern Manhattan Office for the past seven years, I have helped more than 10,000 constituents and have made critical budget, land use, and policy decisions to allocate millions of dollars to community. As a City Council member, I will bring together nonprofit organizations, small and large businesses, and our schools, colleges, and health clinics to improve economic, health, environmental, and social outcomes for the residents of CD 9. I will leverage and expand coalition building and community partnerships to achieve sustained inclusive and equitable change.
I have a deep personal passion for service to humanity and am eager to work with the residents of CD 9 to build a stronger, healthier, caring, and prosperous community. I am also honored and privileged to be a mother and to serve as a mentor to many young people.

If you are a challenger, in what way has the current board or officeholder failed the community (or district or constituency)

The incumbent has failed to show up for numerous community meetings to make critical budget decisions and to vote on matters impacting the community when needed. The reason for his absences reportedly is tied to health conditions that prevent his leadership and to advocate and bring resources back to the district.

How do you think local officials performed in responding to the coronavirus? What if anything would you have done differently?

Efforts have remained underway by local officials to respond to the covid-19 pandemic of which I provided leadership directly in weekly meetings, zoom calls and briefings helping to facilitate direct on-the-ground constituent response. However, there are still significant disparities, lack of resources and great need. As the Council Member, I would have negotiated more resources, testing, vaccinations, and PPE supplies and funding to be allocated to the district expeditiously. I would have assured greater supports for our caregivers and frontline essential workers. I would have proposed new policy actions to strengthen services and healthcare provisions for the areas in greatest need. I would have promoted more interagency coordination and communication to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles and barriers to service delivery.

Many in Harlem are worried about gentrification and the displacement of longtime residents. What is one specific policy you would push for to slow gentrification?

I will propose a policy review of the current standard for determining AMIs that reflect the needs of District 9 residents and urge responsible developments that prioritizes set asides for the availability of more affordable units. I will fight against displacement and hold accountable predatory landlords who inflate prices that should otherwise remain affordable. I will fight to keep seniors in their homes as well as work with the Rent Guidelines Board to keep rent increases minimal and protect the district's affordable housing stock, especially rent regulated apartments.

Some Harlem residents complain that the neighborhood is "over-saturated" with methadone clinics. Would you welcome more services for vulnerable people in the neighborhood, or push for a moratorium?

Harlem and East Harlem have suffered from a rise in illegal drug use and sales; homelessness; and crime. We must use every resource possible to address these concerns. Medical redlining is also a significant problem. African American and Latino communities have experienced significant barriers and lack of access to services. However, the location of SIF and methadone clinics must be thoughtfully planned specific to the data and need in recognition of the historic and pervasive unfair treatment of our communities. As a City Council member, I will advocate for legislation that prioritizes evidence-based prevention, treatment and care and improved safety outcomes in our neighborhoods. Safe Injection Facilities (SIF) have shown a steep reduction in deaths by overdose and is one method to help combat the opioid crisis, which has been exacerbated by the Covid-19 pandemic. However, the proliferation has led to an oversaturation in Harlem and East Harlem. I support a moratorium on methadone clinics and fair share of harm reduction facilities. Harlem bears a disproportionate burden of facilities and I strongly believe we must correct this imbalance. We must have equity in determining the location of these sites and ensure an increase in funding and resources for public safety, sanitation/trash removal, mental health assistance and homeless prevention. For nearly a decade, I have worked directly with the 125th St TaskForce, the District Attorney’s Office, NYPD, DOH, 125th St BID, MMPCIA, local block associations and others to encourage cross-agency coordination and I will continue to facilitate necessary planning with the Mayor, City Council and city agencies to address the growing concerns. I will support increased police presence and drug surveillance in identified high crime and drug areas. I have worked with Greater Harlem Coalition since it’s inception and will remain vigilant in advocacy and action. I will advocate for culturally responsive services and address related stigma to ensure that the needs of substance abuse, homelessness, and mental health are met with dignity and compassion but not to the expense of the quality of life and safety of local residents.

Many Harlemites have complained of dirty streets during the pandemic. How would you help clean up the sidewalks?

Currently, I serve on 125 BID and as part of our on-going efforts have coordinated multiple street clean-up efforts and launched the Clean Healthy Harlem Campaign. In addition, I regularly attend meetings of the CB10 District Service Cabinet and work with the NYC Dept of Sanitation to respond to constituent complaints and requests for additional services. Also, I will continue in advocacy with local block associations for increased funding for litter/trash bins in local neighborhoods in areas of greatest need. As a Council Member, I will bring together the NYC Dept. of Sanitation, Dept. of Health, Dept. of Environmental Protection and WeAct for Social Justice to address related quality of life issues.

Plans were recently unveiled for a large new development on 145th Street — it would include up to 282 affordable apartments, but some neighbors suggested that the buildings are too large for the neighborhood. As Council Member, would you support this project, oppose it, or push to change it?

I would advocate for responsible development including byu not limited to mandatory inclusionary housing and zoning supportive housing and historic preservation. As a Council Member, I would ensure the proposed project undergoes extensive review in the Uniform Land Use Review Process (ULURP) with input from the community board, city planning, the Manhattan Borough President's Office, and local residents directly impacted. I would push for the maximum amount of affordable units and assurance of benefits for the community.

Describe the other issues that define your campaign platform.

Health Care: The COVID-19 pandemic decimated black and brown families and communities. We must work together to improve our health and to build better and trusting relationships with health care systems. I will bring together community stakeholders to address the district’s health care needs and create community-oriented solutions to improve health outcomes.
Education: The COVID-19 pandemic created serious problems for our already stressed education system. Remote learning was a quick response to the crisis. We must now re-open our schools for in-person learning and give our children, parents, educators, and administrators the support they need to remain healthy as we provide quality educational instruction. We have a large number of stakeholders that need to come together. I will work collaboratively to ensure our public schools are successful. As I have done in the past, I will continue supporting our public education system, so that our children can receive the best possible education and are well-equipped to live economically secure, healthy, and safe lives upon graduation.
Environmental Justice: I will bring together community stakeholders and businesses to develop a sustainability plan for our district as we increasingly face challenges pertaining, but not limited, to climate change, food security, energy shortages, transportation gaps, and the fragility of our district’s infrastructure.
Civic Engagement: Residents of our district must become active participants in our democracy. We must not be silent or sit on the sidelines in the face of racial injustice, gender injustice, environmental injustice, and economic injustice. We must be a part of the solution. Active participation in our democracy ensures that we contribute to the discourse and increase our opportunity to shape inclusive and equitable policies and practices. I will continue and expand the Civically Yours series that I launched in 2020 to engage the next generation in policy and advocacy.

What accomplishments in your past would you cite as evidence you can handle this job?

CURRENT OCCUPATION
Former Director, Northern Manhattan Office, Manhattan Borough President
PREVIOUS OCCUPATION(S)
Director, Public Policy, National Black Leadership Commission on HIV/AIDS
Associate Executive Director, National Association of Social Workers-NYC Chapter
Exec Director, Black Equity Alliance at the United Way of New York City
Senior Manager, Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies
Budget and Policy Analyst for Bronx Borough President Fernando Ferrer
Educator/Professor - NYU & Hostos Community College
Cultural Artist, Dancer, and Poet

The best advice ever shared with me was:

"Service is the rent you pay for living" - Marian Wright Edelman

What else would you like voters to know about yourself and your positions?

I have dedicated my life to public service which has been informed by my lived experiences. I was raised in NYC public housing by maternal grandmother, sharecropper from the south; I was caregiver to my mother who battled mental illness after my father(Korean War veteran) lost his life to substance abuse when I was 6. My paternal grandfather was a minister and instilled deep faith in me. I’m a proud member of Harlem’s historic Abyssinian Baptist Church. I hope to use my life as an example for others and through my service to continue to life others [the next generation] as I climb.