Senator Siela A. Bynoe made history upon taking office, becoming the first Black person to represent Long Island in the New York State Senate. Senator Bynoe is a first-generation American, a housing and education advocate and a former Nassau County Legislator. After graduating from Westbury High School, she earned an Associate's Degree in Liberal Arts from Nassau County Community College and a Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from Hofstra University. Guided by the life lessons of her formative years, she embarked upon an extensive career in the public, not-for-profit, and private sectors. In her role as a mortgage loan consultant and credit loan officer, she administered the bank's commitment to the Community Reinvestment Act. Next, she joined Long Island Housing Partnership, where she launched their Nassau County branch, secured $3 million in aid for first-time home buyers, and established herself as an advocate for affordable housing solutions on Long Island. Upon her transition to the public sector, Senator Bynoe served as an Assistant Director of the North Hempstead Housing Authority before being named Executive Director of the Huntington Housing Authority. As a young professional, Senator Bynoe followed in her mother’s footsteps as an adult student pursuing higher education. In 2003, while completing her Master’s degree in Public Administration at LIU Post, she was diagnosed with breast cancer. While receiving treatments, she persisted with her weekend classes and continued working full time during the week. She graduated in 2006--two years after her final chemotherapy treatment. Senator Bynoe’s journey of public service led her to the Nassau County Legislature, where she was first elected in 2014 in a special election. During her five terms in the Legislature, she earned a reputation as a diligent and inventive lawmaker. In 2024, Siela A. Bynoe was elected to the New York State Senate to represent District Six.