Crystal Hudson
“My commitment to public service started when I became a caregiver for my mother, who lived with Alzheimer’s disease for eight years,” Crystal Hudson tells GO. Through her lived experience caring for her mother, Hudson saw firsthand how difficult it is for families to navigate the system to get the services, resources, and support they need. Armed with an impassioned drive to make local government resources more accessible to those who face barriers, Hudson ran for New York City Council in 2021. She made history as one of the first out gay Black women ever elected in NYC, and currently serves as Council Member for District 35 in Brooklyn. “It’s been incredible serving my neighbors and community members, and providing real, tangible change for those who need it most,” she says. Hudson is committed to prioritizing equitable resources, such as affordable housing, food security, community safety, and education, for the most marginalized communities in NYC, including Black and Brown folks, working people, immigrants, people living with disabilities, youth, older adults, and the LGBTQ+ community. She draws on the strength of her ancestors to push forward in her work and advocate for the most marginalized groups. “I know that my own legacy stands on the shoulders of so many Black women who came before me—and our contemporaries who fight for dignity and justice every day,” Hudson tells GO. “I channel the energy of my ancestors who continue to guide me in my work. I know I am their wildest dreams.” –LC
