HON. INEZ DICKENS
Improving Quality of Life
Harlem native ASSEMBLYWOMAN INEZ E. DICKENS has dedicated over 30 years to improving the quality of life for the residents of her community. From 2006 to 2016 she was a member of the New York City Council, and in 2017 she was elected to represent the 70th District of the New York State Assembly. Her inspiration started with her late father, New York State Assemblyman and Harlem businessman Lloyd E. Dickens, and her uncle, State Supreme Justice Thomas K. Dickens.
Unfortunately, once the COVID-19 pandemic raged through New York City, making The Big Apple the virus’s US epicenter, the assemblywoman had to immediately close her offices and didn’t reopen until Phase 2 of the City’s reopening plan. During this time, thousands of people in her district were out of work and needed unemployment benefits.
“We were getting over 700 calls per day, mostly regarding unemployment checks,” said Dickens. “Although we were working remotely, we became advocates for our constituents, trying to help them with their unemployment benefits. We have contacted the unemployment office and have in some cases successfully advocated on their behalf, but getting the check and even responses regarding questions is a very slow process, but we are moving forward.”
The assemblywoman’s most recent undertaking is the Urban League Empowerment Center project on 125th Street, which will include 170 affordable housing units plus offices for the likes of Jazzmobile and 100 Black Men. “The National Urban League will be moving up to Harlem,” said the assemblywoman. “I am very happy about that move and the entire project.”
