The Mayor's Community Affairs Unit is the Mayor's direct link to the
community and each borough is assigned at least one Borough Director. Borough
Directors live in the borough they represent and have strong relationships with
members of the community. They meet regularly with local community groups, civic
organizations, religious groups, and business leaders to discuss local issues
and offer assistance. They coordinate meetings with City agencies and
participate in walking tours to gain first hand knowledge. Borough Directors
also assist with emergency situations and crisis situations in the
community.
CAROLYN SANDERS-JAMES - BROOKLYN
Carolyn Sanders-James is
one of the Brooklyn Directors for the Mayor's Community Affairs Unit covering
North Brooklyn. She moved to New York City from her native South Carolina at an
early age and has made the Crown Heights community of Brooklyn her home since
1963. A graduate of New York Technical College and Pace University, she is
currently pursuing a master's degree at Long Island University.
Mrs. Sanders-James has worked in City government for 20 years, much of that
time at CAU helping improve the lives of the people in her community. She helped
lobby for Operation Trident (a division of Operation Impact) in East New York,
which helps to cut down on NYPD response times and maximize police officers.
Mrs. Sanders-James loves to play tennis, is a member of the Light House Society
and has collected over 500 miniature light houses. She also loves shopping at
the neighborhood Fairway Market because of the great variety of fresh
produce.
CHARLES GLOVER - BROOKLYN
Charles Glover covers South
Brooklyn. Before becoming Brooklyn Director, Charles interned with New York City
Councilmember Simcha Felder and with CAU. Born and raised in New York City, he
moved to California with his mother in 1993, but returned to the city for
college.
Charles holds dual degrees in Politics and History from New York University.
He spent his college years reacquainting himself with the city he had left as a
child. Charles appreciates his opportunity to work in one of the most vibrant
and diverse areas in the world. He continues to work to keep Kings County among
the Country’s best.
GEORGE TORRES - BRONX
MONICA TAVARES - BRONX
LOLITA K. JACKSON - MANHATTAN
Lolita K. Jackson is the
Manhattan Director for the Mayor's Community Affairs Unit and brings years of
experience in politics, finance, the arts, philanthropy, religion, and social
services to the unit. A resident of the Upper East Side of Manhattan for 17
years, she attended the University of Pennsylvania. Ms. Jackson is the founder
of Derby Day, which utilizes 300 volunteers to clean up 14 community sites
throughout the five boroughs and helped to launch Harmony in Harlem, a program
that teaches children to play jazz music made famous by Harlem composers.
Prior to joining CAU, Ms. Jackson worked on Wall Street for 14 years. She is
a former Community district leader, state committee member, and national
convention delegate. She serves as Deaconess of Redeemer Presbyterian Church and
in her spare time is the lead singer of a jazz quintet and has performed in
Shanghai, Sydney, London, and throughout the US, as well as Carnegie Hall.
JENNIFER MANLEY - QUEENS
Jennifer Manley is one of two
Queens Borough Directors for the Community Affairs Unit. She is a native of
Nottingham, NH, and a product of the Vermont State College System, having
graduated with a degree in Journalism, Creative Writing, and Literature from
Lyndon State College in May of 2001. After a four-year stint with a private fire
and explosion investigation firm, Ms. Manley made the move to New York City,
landing in Woodside, Queens, and has yet to tear herself away from the most
diverse county in the country.
She spent two years working as a reporter and editor at the Queens Chronicle,
learning the people and places of Queens as well as the many opportunities and
challenges facing the borough she now works on with CAU. She has a particular
passion for the arts and welcomes the chance to nourish the dynamic art culture
of the borough. Ms. Manley is honored to be working with the people of Queens.
CLAUDIA FILOMENA – QUEENS
Claudia Filomena is one of two
Queens Directors at the Community Affairs Unit covering Eastern Queens. Born and
raised in the borough, she received her Bachelors Degree from SUNY Albany in
Public Policy and Political Science in 2001 and her Masters Degree in Urban
Planning from Hunter College in 2007.
Prior to working at CAU, she served for three years under the Director of
Intergovernmental Affairs at the New York City Department of City Planning and
spent five years working as Executive Assistant to Representative Gary L.
Ackerman. She also interned with the New York City Department of Transportation
and the Hunger Action Network of New York State. Throughout her academic and
professional careers she has always taken great interest in development,
planning and public policy issues as well as exploring ways to improve the
quality of life of Queens residents. She is pleased and proud to work with her
community to accomplish these goals.
VICTORIA LARSEN - STATEN ISLAND
Victoria Larsen is the
Staten Island Director for the Mayor's Community Affairs Unit. A resident of
Great Kills, she worked on a wide range of issues affecting Staten Island for
the Congressman Vito Fossella in the 13th District. She took a particular
interest in traffic and overdevelopment and continues to expand her knowledge of
these issues as a member of the Mayor's staff.
She interned at the U.S. Small Business Administration in Washington, D.C.
where she studied U.S. Government and public policy. Upon graduating from
Messiah College where she earned a B.A. in English literature and a minor in
economics, Victoria worked as special assistant to Congressman Vito J. Fossella
in his Staten Island district office.
PAULINE YU - COMMUNITY OUTREACH SPECIALIST
Pauline Yu is
a Community Outreach Specialist for the Mayor's Community Affairs Unit and
serves as chief representative to the Asian-American communities in all five
boroughs, and also assists as Manhattan Borough Director. Born and raised in
Chinatown, she speaks fluent Mandarin and Cantonese and spent a semester at the
Chinese University of Hong Kong before graduating from Mount Holyoke College in
Massachusetts. Ms. Yu comes to the Mayor's Office after working in Governor
George Pataki's Administration and more recently at a Wall Street law firm.
Having worked in both the private and public sector, she has found public
service to be a humbling and fulfilling vocation and is honored to serve the
community in which she was brought up and regards with deep
respect.