Rev. Michael Blake Shares the Power of “Black Men for Harris” Campaign

New York State Assembly Member Michael Alexander Blake was born and raised in The Bronx, New York and is a son of Jamaican immigrants. His mother is a retired 40 year manufacturer and his late Father was an 1199SEIU maintenance supervisor at St. Barnabas Hospital in The Bronx.

Michael is a third term Assembly Member in the New York State Assembly representing the 79th District in The Bronx, New York. Blake has helped lead the efforts to create the first and only statewide My Brother’s Keeper education program in the country, now totaling more $56 million in three years. Moreover, Blake helped lead the charge to Raise The Age of criminal responsibility so that 16 and 17 year olds are not tried as adults in criminal court, increase funding for New York City public housing, continue to fund Diversity in Medicine medical scholarships and had his signature piece of legislation signed into law for Small, Minority and Women owned Business Enterprises with less than 300 employees who contract with New York state get paid in 15 days instead of 30.

Blake is also a Vice Chair at Large of the Democratic National Committee helping lead efforts in engaging with millennials, communities of color, local elected candidates and training. Blake has traveled to 31 states and to Japan since the DNC election in February 2017 ranging from candidate trainings to mobilizing base communities across the country.

Interview conducted by Dara Kennedy’s Emmy award-winning experience spans global and local TV and radio networks, covering news, sports, and politics. Having traveled to over 50 countries, she has moderated for brands like JPMorgan Chase, the NBA, and at the United Nations. Currently a news anchor in New York City, Dara also collaborates with global streamer Politics In Color on “Join The Conversation,” covering the 2024 U.S. presidential campaign. Her standout moments include President-elect Barack Obama’s victory in Grant Park and the University of Michigan’s national college football championship.