Jumaane Williams

Jumaane D. Williams (/dʒuˈmɑːni/ joo-MAH-nee; born May 11, 1976) is an American activist and politician who has served as the New York City Public Advocate since 2019. A member of the Democratic Party and a self-described democratic socialist, he is a former member of the New York City Council from the 45th district, which includes East Flatbush, Flatbush, Flatlands, Marine Park, and Midwood in Brooklyn.

Williams was a member of the New York City Council from 2010 to 2019. He served as the council's deputy leader and as chair of the Task Force on City Workforce Equity. A candidate for lieutenant governor of New York in 2018, he lost to incumbent Kathy Hochul. Williams was elected New York City Public Advocate in the February 2019 special and November 2019 general elections to complete the term of Letitia James, who resigned to become attorney general of New York. He was re-elected in 2021 and 2025. Williams ran for governor in 2022, losing to incumbent governor Kathy Hochul in the Democratic primary.

Williams's parents, Greg and Patricia Williams, are from St. Andrew, Grenada. His father was a footballer and cricketer before moving to the United States to study medicine. He has a brother.

Williams is an alumnus of Brooklyn Technical High School and Brooklyn College, where he earned a Bachelor of Arts in political science in 2001 and a Master of Arts in urban policy and administration in 2005.

Williams was elected after defeating incumbent Councilmember Kendall Stewart in the September 2009 Democratic primary by a margin of 12 points. Williams won the general election with an endorsement from the Working Families Party. He was easily reelected in 2013.

In June 2013, the New York City Council passed Williams's Community Safety Act, which established an Inspector General to oversee the New York Police Department and created an enforceable ban against bias-based profiling. The act was passed over then-Mayor Michael Bloomberg's veto. Williams has been an outspoken opponent of the NYPD's approach to stop-and-frisk in New York City.

In July 2013, Williams introduced "house party" legislation requiring parties with 40 or more people in attendance to register with the police. He also wants event organizers who advertise on social media and those charging admission to pay fines.

On June 29, 2015, Mayor Bill de Blasio signed Williams's legislation, the Fair Chance Act, commonly known as Ban the Box. The law prohibits public and private employers from inquiring about an applicant's criminal history until a conditional offer of employment is made.