About - The New Majority NYC

The New Majority NYC
If we did it once, we will do it again
if we did it, you can too

Our Mission

The New Majority NYC builds political power for all women. We achieve this by electing candidates running for office in New York City, identifying as women, and aligning with our values and bottom-line issues. Our diverse, inclusive, and active membership endorses and supports our candidates.

Check out the HERstory of our organization

Read our Why the Majority Matters Report

Our Values

These values drive The New Majority NYC. The determine how we work, who we work with, and the world that we want to make.

EQUITY AND OPPORTUNITY

ETHICAL LEADERSHIP AND CONDUCT

POLITICAL POWER
Off the bench, into the game

RACIAL, ECONOMIC & SOCIAL JUSTICE

JOYFUL, INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY

TRANSPARENT, COLLABORATIVE DECISION MAKING

MENTORSHIP & SUPPORTIVE NETWORKS

Leadership

We’re a group of women who work tirelessly for gender equity, are passionate for politics, and are obsessed with sending the elevator down to lift other women up.

The New Majority NYC’s Board of Directors

Yvette Buckner

Co-Chair

Yvette Buckner

Co-Chair

Yvette Buckner serves as the organization’s Board Chair. She is a Partner at AdamsBuckner Advisors where she utilizes her knowledge and experiences in government and community organizing to help clients navigate the ever-changing New York City and State political landscape. She has been recognized by Crain’s Business New York as a “Notable Black Leader and Executive” and City and State Magazine as one of NY’s top “Black Women Power Brokers.” She was also named a Top 50 NY Lobbyist in 2020 and 2021. Buckner earned her bachelor’s degree from the University of Connecticut and a master’s degree in Public Administration from Columbia University.

Teresa Gonzalez

Co-Chair

Teresa Gonzalez

Co-Chair

Teresa Gonzalez co-founded DalyGonzalez, a minority, and women-owned boutique government and community relations company. She is also currently a partner at Bolton-St. Johns, a government relations consulting firm. In addition to her work at The New Majority NYC, Teresa is also on the boards of the New York Immigration Coalition and the New York Women’s Foundation. She received her bachelor’s degree from Kutztown University (PA) and a master’s degree in Nonprofit Management from Milano – The New School.

Nia Alvarez-Mapp

Treasurer

Nia Alvarez-Mapp

Treasurer

Nia Alvarez-Mapp is the Organizing Director, New Yorkers for Equal Rights. She previously worked with Common Cause as their Rank The Vote Organizer, developing strategies, educating candidates and community-based organizations about Ranked Choice Voting (RCV). Nia was Manhattan Political Director for Kathy Hochul’s 2022 gubernatorial race. Nia’s primary research focus lies in Political-Theology and its impact on voting influenced by religious contexts, as evidenced in her Master’s thesis paper “CAMPAIGNS 20:16-20: The Ethical Boundaries of Evangelization from Sacred to Secular” from Union Theological Seminary. In addition, she is the Young Adult Chair of the NY Branch NAACP and the Social Action Chair for the NCNW Manhattan Section. Notably, Nia established the Greater Harlem Unite Candidate Forum—an innovative platform and one of the first of its kind—to familiarize Harlem constituents with Ranked Choice Voting (RCV) and to enhance youth outreach in 2020.

Ebony Meeks-Laidley

Secretary

Ebony Meeks-Laidley

Secretary

Ebony Meeks-Laidley is a Partner and head of New York at Empire Consulting Group, an African American-owned and operated public policy consulting firm specializing in government relations and corporate/regulatory law and public affairs. She has spent her career dedicated to public service and enhancing government to effectively serve its constituents. She recently served as Deputy Chief of Staff to New York City Council Speaker Corey Johnson. Previously, she was Deputy Press Secretary to New York State Assembly Speaker Carl E. Heastie and worked as Regional Surrogate Director for Hillary for America 2016. The Queens, NY native also served as a Presidential Appointee at the Department of Energy under President Obama. Ebony has worked in government and politics at the federal, state, and local levels in addition to her national labor work with AFSCME. Ebony is a proud graduate of Howard University’s School of Communication and is a member of the National Urban Fellowship Program, where she earned her Master’s in Public Administration from the Austin W. Marxe School of Public and International Affairs at Baruch College. She enjoys spending time with her husband and daughter, traveling, and listening to NPR quiz shows.

Dr. Debbie Almontaser

Dr. Debbie Almontaser

Dr. Debbie Almontaser is an internationally recognized, award-winning educator, entrepreneur, and author of Leading While Muslim: The Experiences of American Muslim Principles After 9/11. Dr. Almontaser is the Founder and CEO of Bridging Cultures Group Inc., a business that provides professional development and coaching for companies, nonprofits, firms, universities, and K-12 education personnel. She has received a Bachelor’s degree from St. Francis, a Master’s degree from Adelphi University, and an Ed.D from Fordham University.

Sharon Lee

Kassandra Perez-Desir

Juanita Scarlett

Juanita Scarlett

Juanita joined the Board in October 2021, bringing her vast experience in government, political strategy, PR, public policy and government affairs. Since February 2019, Juanita has been a partner at Bolton-St.John’s, a leading government relations and public affairs consulting firm where she advises clients in various sectors such as healthcare, energy and education on public policy objectives. Juanita began her career in public service in the Administration of Governor Mario Cuomo and has served three governors and two Attorney Generals in New York. She has been recognized by the city and state as the 100 Most Influential New Yorkers and Top 50 Public Affairs Consultants.

Camille Rivera

Camille Rivera

As a Partner at New Deal Strategies, Camille Rivera draws on deep ties to the labor movement and years of experience with issue campaigns in NYC and across the country. As an Afro-Latina born and raised in the Bronx, Camille understands the importance of bringing lived experiences to campaign leadership. Since joining New Deal, Camille has served as Senior Advisor on the NY operation for Sen. Elizabeth Warren’s 2020 presidential campaign, worked with SEIU to build out the National Latino Civic Engagement Table, and overseen the SEIU Latino independent expenditure program in key battleground states. Camille has also served as a consultant for Charles Booker’s first run for U.S. Senate in KY, and her team secured some of the biggest progressive NYC council victories of 2021 with Sandy Nurse, Tiffany Cabán, and Pierina Sanchez. She also serves as an advisor to the National Working Families Party and has offered political commentary on CNN, NY1, BBC, and WNYC’s The Takeaway. Camille previously held political and legislative leadership roles at RWDSU and SEIU. She is a proud mother of 3 children and lives in Brooklyn. Camille also serves as an adjunct professor at Columbia University.

Beatrice Sibblies

Beatrice Sibblies

Beatrice Sibblies is a managing partner of BOS Development, an urban real estate development company. Prior to founding BOS, Sibblies served as Vice President of Structured Finance at JPMorgan Chase as well as Assistant Vice President of Economics for the Lower Manhattan Development Corporation, which was formed to lead the redevelopment of the World Trade Center. Sibblies graduated from Yale University and received a Master’s in Business Administration from The Wharton School at the University of Pennsylvania.

Jordanna Zeigler

Alice Wong

Alice Wong

Alice Wong is Chief of Staff of Chinese-American Planning Council and is responsible for operation of executive affairs, management of board of directors and governance, and oversight of affiliate relations and special projects including the development of headquarters in the Lower East Side. Previously, Alice worked at Trinity Church Wall Street as the Director of Partnerships and Operations for philanthropy team. Alice served as a Deputy Assistant Director for the Mayor’s Office of Appointments and as a Senior Manager for the Family and Community Engagement Division at the New York City Department of Education. She began her career as a Community Affairs Liaison at the Brooklyn Borough President’s Office. She has a long history of civic engagement as a former Americorp member, Sunday school teacher, and member of her local political club. Alice is a proud product of Manhattan’s Chinatown, SUNY-New Paltz and NYU Wagner School of Public Service.

The New Majority NYC’s Staff

Ebonie Simpson

Executive Director

Ebonie Simpson

Executive Director

Ebonie Simpson’s background and passion lie at the intersection of social justice, equity, community efficacy, and public policy. She is the Executive Director of The New Majority NYC. Previously, she served in various roles at The Lower Eastside Girls Club of New York, including as Co-Executive Director from 2020 to 2023. During her tenure at the Girls Club, she oversaw government relations and special initiatives, created New Girl City—a citywide civic leadership initiative funded by the NYC Council—and spearheaded the Girls Club’s Center for Wellbeing and Happiness initiative and its replication in Brownsville, Brooklyn. Prior to her work at the Girls Club, Ebonie served as a 2012-13 NYC Urban Fellow and Associate Director at the NYC Mayor’s Office of Housing Recovery Operations. Ebonie earned a BA in Public Policy Studies from Duke University, where she received the University Distinguished Leadership and Service Award in 2012, and a Master’s in Public Policy from Princeton University in 2024. She has been honored by the NYS Assembly, Manhattan Borough President Mark Levine, Bronx Borough President Vanessa L. Gibson, Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, the New York Knicks, and others. In her spare time, she sings with the Resistance Revival Chorus and works on equity and policy efforts in New York City, New York State, and nationally. A military brat from Dallas, Texas, Ebonie is a long-term resident of Harlem, and proud to call NYC her chosen home.

Jacquelyn Smiley

Special Project Manager

Jacquelyn Smiley

Special Project Manager

Kylee Roberts

Communications Director

Kylee Roberts

Communications Director

Kylee is a multimedia producer and writer dedicated to giving a platform to underrepresented storytellers. As a native New Yorker she has watched the artist landscape change, and is excited to further engage with and produce more radical forms of expression. Learn more about “28” – the pilot she wrote and directed – produced by her collective, Fruit House Films here. Currently, she is the Media Coordinator & Producer for The Underbelly & Jessamyn Stanley Inc. Outside of ‘work’ you can find her blasting 90s R&B while laughing with friends in Brooklyn and making a mezcal cocktail.

Gabrielle Erves

Information Technology Coordinator

Gabrielle Erves

Information Technology Coordinator

The New Majority NYC’s Founders

Margaret Chin

Co-Founder

Margaret Chin

Co-Founder

Margaret is a former city council member and was the first Asian-American woman to serve on the council. She served for the 1st district from 2010- 2021. She is the former chair of the committee on Aging and a founding member of the Progressive Caucus. Margaret was also the Chairperson of the NY Immigration Coalition (NYIC), and was a founding member of Chinatown Partnership Local Development Corporation (CPLDC).

Elizabeth Crowley

Co-Founder

Elizabeth Crowley

Co-Founder

Elizabeth is a former City Council member for the 30th district from 2009 to 2017. Her experience in government and her passion for women’s equality is the reason this organization was started. She is currently running for State Senate to fight for safe, clean and livable communities.

Melissa Mark-Viverito

Co-Founder

Melissa Mark-Viverito

Co-Founder

Melissa was the former speaker of the City Council from 2014 to 2017, and a council member for the 8th district from 2006 to 2017. Being an equity-centered activist and seeing the decline in women in the council she fought to create a coalition to help women get into office. She has also been director at Power 4 Puerto Rico and is currently Chief Policy Officer at the Puerto Rican Cultural Center.

The New Majority NYC’s Interns

The New Majority NYC’s Young Leadership Council

Founded in 2023, the Young Leadership Council is made up of new and mid-level professionals who bring passion and philanthropic power to The New Majority NYC.

Young Leadership Council

Julie Jursik

Chair

Jesse Aman

Vice Chair

Ludy Thenor

Secretary

Evie Pope

Social Chair

The New Majority NYCIf we did it once, we will do it againif we did it, you can too

Our Mission

The New Majority NYC builds political power for all women. We achieve this by electing candidates running for office in New York City, identifying as women, and aligning with our values and bottom-line issues. Our diverse, inclusive, and active membership endorses and supports our candidates.

Our Values

EQUITY AND OPPORTUNITY

ETHICAL LEADERSHIP AND CONDUCT

POLITICAL POWEROff the bench, into the game

RACIAL, ECONOMIC & SOCIAL JUSTICE

JOYFUL, INCLUSIVE COMMUNITY

TRANSPARENT, COLLABORATIVE DECISION MAKING

MENTORSHIP & SUPPORTIVE NETWORKS

Leadership

The New Majority NYC’s Board of Directors

Sharon Lee

Kassandra Perez-Desir

The New Majority NYC’s Staff

The New Majority NYC’s Founders

The New Majority NYC’s Interns

The New Majority NYC’s Young Leadership Council

Young Leadership Council

Julie Jursik

Jesse Aman

Ludy Thenor

Evie Pope

Alina Agusti

Breeana Mulligan

Kristina Naplatarski

Chantelle Nasri

Monica Sibri

Cierra Smith

Madison Ball

Caitlin Neuhaus Kilgore

Alexa Arecchi

Becky Stern

The New Majority NYC
If we did it once, we will do it again
if we did it, you can too

POLITICAL POWER
Off the bench, into the game