New York City has a candidate for US Congress that holds the future of his community as the driving force behind his ambition to represent one of our most vibrant and diverse districts – New York’s 15th Congressional district.  Vincent Morgan makes his living as a community banker, but has committed his life to making Upper Manhattan a great place for all of us to live, work, and raise our families.  Vince is a family man that is not interested in the power and money that has influenced too many New York politicians for too long – he wants to represent NY-15 to make New York a better place for us all.  ”The bottom line for me,” says Vince, “is that my family comes first. The best way I know to make a better life for my family is to work hard to improve the community we call home.”

Since making New York’s 15th District his home, Vince has been busy as a hands-on worker and advocate for his community. Today, Vince serves as chairman of the 125th Street Business Improvement District and is a director of The Riverside Theater. He serves on the advisory boards of the Harlem Biennale, Touro College of Osteopathic Medicine, and AlianzaDominicana. He is also a board member and mentor for the Future Giants in Harlem, an organization dedicated to at-risk youth ages 16 to 18 years old.

Vince recognizes the value of education and guidance for our young people, as he has learned and built on his personal trials.  Raised by a single mother in Chicago’s tough Bronzeville community, Vince dropped out of high school at age 16. With the support of concerned adults and his own determination, he turned his life around. He obtained his GED; went on to attend Howard University in Washington, D.C.; graduated with a bachelor’s degree in business management from the University of Illinois at Chicago; and earned a Master’s degree in public administration from New York’s Columbia University.

While his turnaround and credentials are impressive, Vince continues to be a down-to-earth guy, very much in touch with the reality of the community he hopes to serve. “I know what it means to drop out of school and work a minimum wage job. I grew up with an absentee father, a mother who had to work so much I hardly saw her, and a grandmother who didn’t believe in sparing the rod.”

Those experiences forged a character that fuels Vince’s understanding about real-life issues and his desire to solve them. “I’m in touch with reality every month when my wife and I pay the daycare bill for our two babies and then struggle to make ends meet for the next 30 days.

Vince uses the knowledge he gains from his work as a community banker to help fuel development of the neighborhood and district in which he lives.  ”I’m a community banker,” he says, “My role in the banking industry is to find opportunities for our bank to invest in communities by financing affordable housing and by loaning funds to organizations that offer services to low-to-moderate income families.”  Under the job title of Vice-President and Community Banking Officer, Vince is credited with increasing bank relationships and revenues with some of the most well-known business, non-profit and community entities Uptown and around the State of New York.

On the political front, Vince believes “Democracy is based on people.” That’s why in 2001, he volunteered for service in the Harlem office of Congressman Charles B. Rangel. In 2002, he was appointed campaign director for the Congressman’s successful re-election.  In 2007, he led the creation of Harlem NOW, a non-partisan group dedicated to mobilizing people to work together in solving grassroots issues.

Vince Morgan is the leader the 15th Congressional District of New York needs NOW.  His story and dedication to our community should inspire hope for us all.  With your help, Vince will provide the people of our District the inspired and caring representation we deserve.

Download here: http://morgan4congress.com/wp-content/uploads/Bio-Vincent-Morgan1.pdf

CAREER HIGHLIGHTS

Member, NY County Democratic Committee Elected to represent the 7th Electoral District of the 70th Assembly District in Harlem. Working to ensure our party’s values and issues are implemented to better the lives of all New Yorkers.

Community Banker, US Commercial Bank For almost 5 years he has been a community banker working with local small businesses, not-for-profits and individuals; providing counsel and connecting them with products and services that help them succeed.  Vince works primarily with organizations that build affordable housing or provide social services in low income communities.

Founder, Harlem NOW Vince founded this non-partisan organization to bring the diverse residents of Harlem together around common issues and community activism. The organization’s “Neighbors United” theme is a reminder that we are all in this together.

Chairman, 125th Steet Business Improvement District He serves as Chairman of the Board of  this organization dedicated to promoting Harlem’s main commercial corridor. The BID is responsible for safety and sanitation and manages programs that attract visitors and investment on 125th Street.

Director, The Upper Manhattan Empowerment Zone He served as the Director of Marketing for Upper Manhattan’s premier economic development organization. During his tenure he created the “Swing Uptown” tourism initiative to attract visitors Uptown.

Special Assistant/Constituent Services, 15th Congressional District of NY Proudly worked for the people of Upper Manhattan in the busy Congressional district office. Assisted residents with issues that included housing, immigration, healthcare, social security, education and economic development.