Statement on Vile and Sexist Story by the New York Post

October 8, 2022

NEW YORK – The following is a statement from Fabien Levy, press secretary to New York City Mayor Eric Adams, on a vile and sexist story released by The New York Post this afternoon referring to the personal relationships of Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Sheena Wright and New York City Department of Education (DOE) Senior Advisor to the Deputy Chancellor for School Leadership Tracey Collins:

“The New York Post and everyone associated with this story should be ashamed of themselves for suggesting that Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Sheena Wright — an Ivy League-educated, former major non-profit executive, who has a long career of groundbreaking accomplishments — was hired as some sort of favor, or in return for ‘sleeping’ with her long-term partner. This sexist rhetoric and vile insinuation are beyond the pale and have no place in public discourse.

“In addition, DOE Senior Advisor Tracey Collins is a veteran educator with more than 30 years of experience. There was a retirement in the Division of School Leadership this spring, and Tracey applied for the publicly posted, competitive position and went through a rigorous process that did not include City Hall’s oversight. DOE has made clear that she was, far and away, the most qualified of all applicants for the position, which is why she was the only finalist presented to Chancellor Banks. Once again, it is flat out sexist and vile to suggest an accomplished, highly trained, lifelong public servant was only given this position because of who her long-time partner may be.

“The New York Post owes both women an immediate apology.”

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