13 New Community Board Members Take Their Posts In Central Brooklyn

CROWN HEIGHTS, NY — Some 13 new Community Board 8 members took their post this month, including a mix of long-term Central Brooklyn residents and newcomers.

Some 497 community board members across Brooklyn were officially sworn in last week at Brooklyn Borough Hall — including seven people under 20 years old.

This years' appointments included 179 first-time members and 318 reappointments, according to a representative of Borough President Antonio Reynoso's office.

"I'm really excited to listen, learn and contribute," said Robert Lapointe, a new member of Central Brooklyn's Community Board 8.

In Central Brooklyn, Community Board 8's appointees included many newcomers, like Akua Aidoo, a Crown Heights resident.

"This is a new experience for me and I'm just excited to get to work," Aidoo said.

Conor Ross, of Prospect Heights, similarly said the Community Board experience will be "very new," but he is eager to learn.

Others, like 45-year Crown Heights resident Sharon Alexis-Pierre, were inspired to join after seeing their long-time communities change. New appointee Lisa Maldonado also said she has been living in Prospect Heights for over 30 years.

"With all the changes that have taken place, I'd like to be part of the process," Alexis-Pierre said, met with many agreeing nods and cheers in the crowd.

Third Vice Chair Nizjoni Granville reminded new members the responsibility that comes with their new positions.

"As new members you are not just representing yourself, you're representing your neighbors," Granville said.

"If you're willing to listen and read, you'd be surprised how much you can learn."

Community Board members, appointed by borough presidents, serve two-year terms on a volunteer basis.

The new members to Community Board 8 include:

• Akua Aidoo
• Sharon Alexis-Pierre
• Edward Delman
• Brianna Peppers
• Christopher Johnson
• Robert Lapointe
• Lisa Maldonado
• David Mantell
• Taraya Pettway
• Robert Puca
• Anika Roach
• Conor Ross
• Samori Toure

This year, Reynoso was particularly focused on increasing community boards' diversity.

A 2022 report from Reynoso's office showed the average community board member is a white homeowner between 45-64-years-old with a Masters Degree.

In his State of the Borough speech in January, Reynoso emphasized the need for Brooklyn's community boards to reflect its residents.

"I’m not just talking race and ethnicity. I’m talking about interests, education, or ability status," Reynoso said during his speech. "Do you drive a car or take public transportation? Do you own a home or are you a renter? Are you a single parent? Are you a NYCHA resident?"

Given Brooklyn's significant population under 18 years old, Reynoso's office tried to attract young people — and this year's appointments included five people between ages 16-17 and two between 18-19.

The borough president has undertaken an effort to reform Brooklyn's community board oversight, which he will workshop at a public hearing on May 22 at Brooklyn Borough Hall.