Meet Yusef Salaam
I am a member of the Exonerated Five and a lifelong resident of Harlem. I serve as a Member of New York City Council representing New York City’s 9th Council District with a clear mission in mind: to serve as a voice for my community and work towards creating a better future for all New Yorkers. My experiences in the criminal justice system have taught me the importance of speaking up and advocating for those who are marginalized and forgotten by the powers that be.
Over the past two decades, I have dedicated my life to activism and education, using my platform to shed light on the impacts of mass incarceration and police brutality and to inspire change.
Over the past two decades, I have become a family man, father, poet, activist and inspirational speaker. It has been my mission to educate the public about the impact of mass incarceration and police brutality rooted in our justice system, regularly advocating for criminal justice reform, prison reform and the abolition of juvenile solitary confinement and capital punishment. I am working to restore humanity denied to those incarcerated and those downtrodden by the spiked wheels of justice.
As a board member of the Innocence Project, founding member of Justice 4 the Wrongfully Incarcerated, and 25-year member of the Frederick E. Samuel Community Democratic Club, I have a deep understanding of the issues facing our community. I believe that I have the knowledge, experience, and dedication to make a positive impact as a City Council member, and I am committed to always putting the needs of Harlem first.
My campaign is powered by the people and focused on building a coalition that represents the diverse voices of our district. We continue to reach out to constituents of all ages and backgrounds, including long-time residents, young activists, and disenchanted residents. We believe that by uniting our community and speaking to the systemic issues we face each day, we can energize and activate those who are eager for change.
Working-class people, people of color, and those who are disenchanted with the political process are central to our team. As a victim of a broken criminal justice system, I understand the challenges faced by those who are marginalized and neglected by the powers that be.
I believe that by speaking up and advocating for those in need, I can inspire and mobilize a new generation of voters who are passionate about creating a better future for all New Yorkers.