Cordell Cleare was raised in Harlem and has lived there with 4 generations of her family. She is a product of the New York City public school system and has stood up on issues like housing, food environmental and racial justice. Cordell began as an activist and advocate over 30 years ago and has continued working as a public servant serving the community of Harlem throughout. Cordell’s activism peaked as a tenant organizer and as Chair of the New York City Coalition to End Lead Poisoning, where she fought hard to protect our children from the life threatening dangers of lead paint. Cordell served as a member and then president of Community School Board #3 and also became President of Community Education Council (CEC) #3 (1999 to 2006)For nearly two decades, she tirelessly served our community as Chief of Staff to Bill Perkins during his tenures in both the City Council and State Senate (1997 to 2016). As co-founder of the Michelle Obama Democratic Club, she has represented her community for many terms as the Democratic District Leader in Assembly District 68 and then in Assembly District 70 working to get numerous county committee, judicial, state city and federal officials including Barack Obama on the ballot an ultimately in office. Cordell fought successfully against school and senior center closures in our community.