NEW YORK, United States (CMC) — Michael Blake, a son of Jamaican immigrants, says his decision to run for the post of mayor is driven by his belief that “New York City deserves better and is due the best in leadership”.

Blake, who grew up in a working-class family in the Bronx, told the Caribbean Media Corporation (CMC) that he is “committed to tackling the issues that affect the everyday lives of New Yorkers, especially those who have been marginalised”.

His mother was a 40-year manufacturer who raised four boys, and his late father, was a member of the labour union 1199SEIU. He worked as a maintenance supervisor at St Barnabas Hospital in the Bronx.

Blake, 43, a former state assemblyman and a veteran of the Obama administration, said his platform centres on several key areas, namely addressing the true cost of living; affordable housing and homelessness; managing efficient and effective government; as well as education and youth empowerment.

Blake said he intends to address the true cost of living in New York City with strategies like guaranteed income and incentives to increase wages, especially for childcare and homecare providers.

He also seeks to create job opportunities by investing in small businesses and creating a fairer economic landscape for all.

With rising and unaffordable rents and housing costs, Blake said he plans to establish a Mitchell Lama 2.0 strategy to address the housing crisis and will also increase affordable housing construction, invest in support services for unhoused New Yorkers and people in mental health crisis, and remove credit scores from rent and mortgage applications.

Blake, an ordained minister, said he wants to “bring trust and integrity back to city hall by restoring accountability and innovating on how public services are delivered”.

He said his priorities will focus on improved public safety, public transportation and strengthening access to arts, culture, sports and entertainment.

Believing that education is “the key to unlocking opportunity”, Blake said he aims to invest more in public schools, particularly those in underserved communities, expand access to higher education and skilled trades for students of colour, and fully fund universal childcare to all families.

Blake said he embodies “the spirit of resilience and community” — values instilled in him by his parents, who, he said, “worked tirelessly to build a better life for their family”.

As he runs for mayor of New York City, he draws on his faith and service, along with his rich background in public service, business and social justice “to offer a clear vision for the city’s future”.

He said his upbringing in an immigrant family taught him the importance of hard work, community support and the pursuit of opportunities.

Blake said his experience growing up in the Bronx has shaped his understanding of the challenges faced by working-class New Yorkers and has fuelled his commitment to creating opportunities for all, particularly communities of colour.

He often jokes about being able to manage three jobs because of his roots.

Blake’s early life was defined by a deep sense of responsibility. In 2014, he was elected to the New York State Assembly, representing the 79th District in the Bronx.  During his three terms, he became known for his advocacy on behalf of small businesses, education and social justice.

He said his advocacy led to legislation that reduced the payment period for small businesses contracting with New York State from 30 days to 15 days.

Blake was also instrumental in extending the Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) programme, which has provided millions of dollars in contracts for minority-owned businesses.

He said he led efforts to pass the “Raise The Age” legislation, which ensures that 16 and 17-year-olds are no longer tried as adults in criminal court and that his commitment to reforming the criminal justice system also included securing funding for lead remediation in public housing and pushing for more diversity in the medical field through scholarships for students of colour.

Blake said he successfully created the first state-wide “My Brother’s Keeper” programme in New York, which has raised more than US$74 million over four years to support young people of colour and improve educational outcomes.

He said these legislative accomplishments reflect his “deep commitment to equity and fairness,” which is central to his vision for the future of New York City.

Blake’s leadership extends beyond New York. From 2017 to 2021, he served as vice chair-at-large of the Democratic National Committee (DNC), becoming the first black man elected to a DNC leadership role since Ron Brown in 1989.

Blake said he worked to mobilise young voters, communities of colour and local candidates across the country, working in the Obama-Biden administration as associate director of public engagement, where he focused on outreach to African American, minority, and women business owners.

He also played a key role in launching the White House Urban Entrepreneurship Summit, and worked to increase federal procurement for minority and women-owned businesses, resulting in record high spending on these enterprises.

“I’m here for the people. For Blake, running for mayor is not just about seeking office, it’s about ensuring that every New Yorker, regardless of background, has an opportunity to thrive,”  Blake said, adding that he is poised to do well as the only candidate representing his native borough of the Bronx, and Harlem.

Likewise, as a member of the Jamaican community, he said he will leverage his relationships in Central Brooklyn and Southeast Queens.

His exuded strong confidence in winning the mayoral race, bolstered by his deep connections to New York City, where he said he has built a reputation for being “a tireless advocate for underserved communities”.

Blake said his clear vision for a more equitable and inclusive city resonates with a broad base of voters who are looking for change — making him a strong candidate to be ranked second or third on ballots, when voters already have a favourite in mind.

With his wealth of experience in both public service and community organising, Blake said he is “well-equipped to address the city’s most pressing issues”.

He said his leadership, rooted in a genuine commitment to social justice, makes him a strong contender in the race.

As the city grapples with economic disparity, housing shortages and calls for reform, Blake said his message of hope, progress and integrity presents “a compelling case” for his leadership.

But he said he is “not just running for mayor”; he’s “running to build a better, fairer New York for everyone” and that his campaign is about creating a city where every New Yorker has the chance to succeed, regardless of their background.

“Tomorrow begins today!” he stressed.