The Corporation of Brown University

Brian A. Benjamin was elected to the New York State Senate on May 23rd, 2017. He represents New York's 30th Senate District, which encompasses Harlem, East Harlem, Upper West Side, Washington Heights, Hamilton Heights and Morningside Heights. Senator Benjamin was born on 135th Street and Lenox Avenue at Harlem Hospital. He is the son of Caribbean immigrants, who, to this day, work tirelessly to provide their family with access to opportunity. Brian's parents made sure that the value of community, public service and education were instilled in their children at a young age. These early experiences shaped Brian profoundly and cultivated a professional and personal commitment to service. After attending high school in New York City, Brian earned a bachelor's degree from Brown University and a master's degree from Harvard Business School. After school, he soon moved back to Harlem, where he became an entrepreneur, community representative and volunteer. Realizing the severity of New York City's housing crisis, Brian established a minority-owned affordable development business called Genesis Companies. Today, Genesis is responsible for the development of thousands of environmentally sustainable, low-income housing units in Manhattan. Genesis values workforce development, and provides good-paying jobs to local men and woman. Until his election to State Senate, Brian served as Chairman of Manhattan's Community Board #10. Here he also oversaw the Land Use Committee, which allowed him to develop an expertise on the important intricacies of community development and engagement. Growing up and witnessing first-hand the value of positive role models, Brian created a mentoring program at Harlem's Wadleigh High School that has seen tremendous success and continues to function today. Today, Senator Benjamin is fighting for a more equitable criminal justice system, addressing affordability and quality-of-life issues that impact our families, and spreading his parent's message about the importance of public service, educational opportunity and community.