Albert Vann | |
|---|---|
.jpg) Vann in 1977 | |
| Member of theNew York City Council from the36th district | |
| In office January 1, 2002 – December 31, 2013 | |
| Preceded by | Annette Robinson |
| Succeeded by | Robert Cornegy |
| Member of theNew York State Assembly from the 56th district | |
| In office January 1, 1975 – December 31, 2001 | |
| Preceded by | Calvin Williams |
| Succeeded by | Annette Robinson |
| Personal details | |
| Born | (1934-11-19)November 19, 1934 New York City, U.S. |
| Died | July 14, 2022(2022-07-14) (aged 87) New York City, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 4 |
| Alma mater | |
| Military service | |
| Branch/service | United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1952–1955 |
Albert Vann (November 19, 1934 – July 14, 2022) was an American politician and a member of theNew York City Council fromBrooklyn, representing the36th district, which includes parts ofBedford-Stuyvesant andCrown Heights. He was aDemocrat.[1]
Vann was born to Nina (McGlone) Vann and Benjamin Palme on November 19, 1934, inBrooklyn, New York City; his parents had moved there fromNorth Carolina during theGreat Migration.[2][3] He attendedFranklin K. Lane High School and was in theUnited States Marine Corps from 1952 to 1955.[3] After that, he earned aBBA fromToledo University in 1959, and later earned master's degrees from bothYeshiva University (in education), andLong Island University (in guidance counseling).[3] He has served in different capacities as a teacher and administrator inNew York public schools over the course of his professional career.[1]
He was a member ofAlpha Phi Alpha fraternity.[4]
He was one of the founders ofMedgar Evers College of theCity University of New York, and was also one of the founders of the African American Teachers Association. Vann was a past instructor atVassar College's Urban Center for Black Studies.[5]
Vann was a member of theNew York State Assembly (56th D.) from 1975 to 2001, sitting in the181st,182nd,183rd,184th,185th,186th,187th,188th,189th,190th,191st,192nd,193rd, and194th New York State Legislatures.
Vann exchanged seats withAnnette Robinson after the New York City Council enacted a term limit.[6] Vann was elected to theNew York City Council in November 2001, and ex-City Councilwoman Robinson was elected to the State Assembly in 2002 to fill the vacancy. Both represented the 36th City Council District, and Vann remained in the City Council until 2013.
In the November 3, 2009 election Vann was challenged byMark Winston Griffith (Drum Major Institute's executive director), who ran on theWorking Families Party ballot line.[7] Vann defeated Griffith and went on to serve until 2013, when term limits prevented him from seeking re-election. He was succeeded by fellow DemocratRobert Cornegy on January 1, 2014.
In response to the police shooting ofSean Bell in 2006, Vann alleged that the incident arose from "institutional racism."[8] He then proceeded to mock the suggestion that African-American New Yorkers living in high-crime neighborhoods should adopt certain behaviors to avoid confrontations with police officers.[9]
On October 23, 2009 Vann voted to extend term limits for theNew York City Mayor and the City Council.[10][11]
Vann married Mildred Cooke in 1967, and they had four children.[3] He was a resident ofBedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn, where he died on July 14, 2022, aged 87.[3] An array of political figures memorialized him, includingLetitia James,Eric Adams,Adrienne Adams, andHakeem Jeffries.[9][12]
| New York State Assembly | ||
|---|---|---|
| Preceded by | New York State Assembly 56th district 1975–2001 | Succeeded by |
| New York City Council | ||
| Preceded by | New York City Council 36th district 2002–2013 | Succeeded by |
| International | |
|---|---|
| National | |
