Rafael Espinal

A lifelong resident of Brooklyn, Rafael L. Espinal was born at Woodhull Hospital in Bedford Stuyvesant to Dominican immigrants. The third of six children, he was raised in Cypress Hills, attending and graduating from New York City public schools, P.S. 108, I.S. 302, and Franklin K. Lane High School. Following his primary education, Rafael attended Queens College and graduated with a Bachelors degree in English. Raised in a working class family, Rafael learned to value hard work at a very young age. Upon coming to America, both his father and mother found work in local garment factories and were later unionized with the International Ladies Garment Workers Union. His father later retired as a maintenance worker at JFK Airport and before she passed of Ovarian Cancer, his mother was a SEIU 1199, Home Care Attendant. His parents' sacrifice and dedication afforded Rafael the opportunity to learn and grow, and instilled in him the values and character that make him the hard working New Yorker he is today. At the age of 23, Rafael taught Adult Literacy and General Education Degree (GED) courses to the ethnically diverse communities of East New York, Cypress Hills and Bushwick. Unfortunately, the program soon came to a close due to the lack of funding, leaving over 200 adult students without an opportunity to continue their education. Soon after the adult program closures, Rafael was informed by Monsignor Peyton of St. Rita's Church of an opening at New York City Councilman Erik Martin Dilan's office. Determined to make a difference in the community, Rafael applied for the position and was hired in November of 2007. Espinal gave his all to his position as a council aide and was quickly promoted to become the Council Member’s Chief of Staff. As a staff member, Rafael assisted many constituents with city-related issues and played a vital role in saving senior centers, daycare centers, and school programs from proposed budget cuts. In 2010, New York State Senator Martin Malave Dilan and the Puerto Rican and Latino Caucus of the State of New York recognized Rafael's commitment and contribution to the community by honoring him with a Certificate of Achievement. In 2011, the Statewide Association of Minority Businesses presented him with a “Rising Star Award.” Later that year, Rafael Espinal stepped up to the opportunity of serving the 54th Assembly District by running in a contentious special election to succeed Commissioner Darryl Towns in the New York State Assembly. Espinal served two years in the State Assembly. In that time he passed 4 bills, fought for health care, immigration, and fiscal issues, and continued to help his community by putting pressure on City and State agencies to provide services the district needed and deserved. His work was recognized by the New York publication, City and State, in there “New York City’s Rising Stars 40 under 40” list. In 2014, Rafael Espinal was sworn in as the Council Member for the 37th District in Brooklyn. He will continue to fight to ensure that the residents in the 37th Council District receive all the benefits New York City has to offer, and be an advocate for those less fortunate by striving for equal opportunities for all.