AIRPORT VOICE, FEBRUARY 2022 19
Pride and Personal Achievement
Assemblywoman Alicia
Hyndman (District 29)
“My first influencers were
my Parents”
"I’ve had many influences in my
life as a Black woman especially
in times where representation
was slim and finding your own
magic was just out of reach. My
first influences were my parents,
Yvonne and Stanley who moved
their family from London, England
to Hollis, Queens for the
opportunity to live the American
dream. Stanley taught me
to never give up and that education
was the key to my future. He
obtained his GED as I worked
to receive my High School diploma.
Yvonne was and still is
the strongest Black woman I
know. She left the island of Jamaica
to study nursing in the
United Kingdom in the 1960’s
and had to deal with racism and
sexism, but still persevered and
had a successful career as an
RN for over 40 years.
It is the strong influences of my
Jamaican and Guyanese heritage
that has influenced me
over the years and only later in
my political life do I fully know
the life stories of Betty Shabazz,
Fannie Lou Hammer, Shirley
Chisolm and Ella Baker. I attribute
the lives of these pioneering
women of the civil rights
movement to my journey in
elected government and know
their sacrifices are why I am
able to exists a NYS Assemblywoman.
People like Lewis Latimer,
Marie Van Brittan, Louis
Armstrong and Dr. Carter G.
Woodson are also Black change
makers that am inspired by as
they dared to be great and create
in a time where the glass
ceiling was extremely prevalent.
Lastly, James Baldwin and Malcolm
X's courage to teach and
learn are one of the main reasons
I am a strong education
advocate now. I am so happy
and proud to follow in the legacy
of amazing culture and change."
Assemblywoman Hyndman
is a member of the JFK Redevelopment
Advisory Council
representing the many airport
workers who live in adjacent
communities to JFK Airport.
Hon. George R. Dixon
I am inspired by the NAACP 2022
theme, “Fighting Forward”.
As we celebrate Black History,
which translates to American
History, I am inspired by my
family who were sharecroppers
from South Carolina; it is on their
shoulders that I stand. Their
hard work and suffering gave
me the opportunities to serve in
my community of Queens.
The first to get my attention was
Helen Marshall, who served
at every level of government in
Queens County. Helen offered
me the chance to be a part of
something greater than myself.
Jeffrion Aubry, another icon of
Queens and also a son of the
south, introduced me to Arthur
Hayes, John Bell and James
Bullard, members of the East
Elmhurst-Corona Civic Association.
These men showed me
what hard work and dedication
could accomplish.
David Dinkins was one of my inspirations.
It was his campaign
for the Mayor of New York City
that prompted me to join a political
party. I was also proud that
he and I served in the United
States Military, as African American
have done since the American
Revolution.
Dr. Hazel N. Dukes is the New
York State Conference President
of the National Association
for the Advancement of Colored
People. As a leader in the most
powerful civil right organization
in the world, she leads the
charge for equality in New York
State and America.
There are no words to describe
the impact made on me by the
election of President Barack H.
Obama. When he walked out on
stage with his family as President
Elect of the United States
of America, all I could do was
exhale.
My wife is my everyday inspiration
and the centerpiece of my
life. She encourages and gives
me the space needed to become
a dedicated member of
our community.
“The only one that I place higher
in my life is, my God”.
Giving honor and recognition to
all the above people energizes
me. Every step and breath we
take becomes Black and American
History.
I am inspired by the NAACP
2022 theme, “Fighting Forward”.
Dr. Anthony Andrews
"I owe a lot to Tom White, former
District Leader Fred Wilson”
I was born at Jamaica Hospital
and has resided in Queens
most of my life. As a longtime
South Jamaica resident I was
elected at the age of twenty one
and at the time was the youngest
elected Democratic official
in the history of New York State,
when I succeeded my longtime
mentor Tom White Jr. as the
Democratic State Committeeman.
"I owe a lot to Tom White,
former District Leader Fred Wilson,
and Councilmember Juanita
Watkins. They saw a young
man, born and raised on the
tough streets of Jamaica, who
could have easily gone down a
different path. Tom grew up on
those same streets, and I think
he saw some of himself in me.
I was kicked out of high school,
but Tom saw something special
in me, and cultivated my love for
community into a passion for
civic and political engagement.
I probably wouldn't have gone
to college and certainly wouldn't
be where I am today, without his
belief in me!"
I was elected Democratic District
Leader of the 32nd Assembly
District for close to the last
decade, as I toiled in the vineyards,
as a volunteer democratic
organizer. Since that time,
I have re-energized the democratic
base by re-establishing
the Fred Wilson Democratic
Club, and bringing candidates
for statewide and citywide office
to the community to explain their
platforms and ask for the support
of residents. I work full-time
at York College as the Associate
Director of Student Leadership
and Campus Programs and
have taught classes in Student
Leadership, Political Science
and American Government
However, I have now decided
to take his servant leadership
to another level as he has embarked
on a run for public office.
When asked why I say, “I have
served my community as a volunteer
activist for many years,
but I now seek to take my advocacy
to the next level as a State
Assemblyman. This community
needs so much more and with
my knowledge of the challenges
in our community and my commitment
and dedication, I know
that I can be the leader this community
deserves!”