30+ Black Clergy Members Endorse Andrew Cuomo for Mayor
Faith-Based Leaders Across Five Boroughs Cite Governor Cuomo’s Experience and Record of Delivering for their Communities
Andrew Cuomo’s leadership reflects the values we hold close: uplifting the marginalized, fighting for equity, and building a city where every person has the chance to thrive. Because of these shared values and our commitment to justice and compassion, we proudly support Andrew Cuomo for Mayor.
Governor Andrew M. Cuomo, candidate for Mayor of New York City, today proudly received the key endorsement of 32 prominent Black clergy members across the city, each representing culturally rich and spiritually devoted congregations whose deep relationships with him go back decades. In citing their decision to support Governor Cuomo, the pastors proclaimed that Governor Cuomo best understands the needs of their communities and possesses the experience and wisdom to lead New York City during these turbulent times.
"Our city is facing a crisis—rising inequality, public safety concerns, housing instability, and economic uncertainty—all while trust in government continues to fade. Leadership in City Hall must be bold, decisive, and focused on real solutions that elevate all New Yorkers, particularly Black and brown communities, who have long borne the weight of systemic injustice. Andrew Cuomo has repeatedly demonstrated the faith, courage, and commitment to fight for working families, challenge entrenched power, and bring about meaningful change. His leadership has improved our neighborhoods, and his unwavering moral compass has always prioritized the people of New York City. Andrew Cuomo’s leadership reflects the values we hold close: uplifting the marginalized, fighting for equity, and building a city where every person has the chance to thrive. Because of these shared values and our commitment to justice and compassion, we proudly support Andrew Cuomo for Mayor,” the prominent faith leaders said.
This clergy endorsement comes off the heels of Governor Cuomo’s visit to Mount Neboh Baptist Church following his campaign launch. These spiritual leaders have preached the gospel to inspire, galvanize, and educate their followers to improve their communities, become engaged participants in civic activism, and advance social justice.
Clergy members include:
Rev. Shon Adkins, Antioch Baptist Church, Manhattan
Rev. Dr. Tony Baker, St. Philips Baptist Church, Staten Island
Pastor Jamal Brantley, Grace City Church, Brookyln
Rev. Dr. Joseph Chukwu, Helping Hands Ministry, Brooklyn
Pastor David Celestin, Premiere Eglise D'Apocalypse, Queens
Pastor Sam Celestin, Family Life Worship Center, Queens
Rev. Dr. Phil Craig, Greater Springfield Community Church, Queens
Pastor Zulima Cox, Family Life Worship Center, Queens
Rev. James Duckett, Fort Mott Baptist Church, Bronx
Pastor James Duncan, Citadel Cathedral of Praise and Worship, Brooklyn
Bishop Orlando Findlayter, New Hope Christian Fellowship, Brooklyn
Rev. Craig Gaddy, Friendship Baptist Church, Brooklyn
Bishop Vaden Grant, Victory International Fellowship, Brooklyn
Rev. Johnnie Green, Mount Neboh Baptist Church, Manhattan
Pastor Carlos Haynes, Faith Assemblies of God Church, Brooklyn
Pastor Khalil James, Mount Zion AME Church, Manhattan
Rev. Alfred Joseph, Bethesda Church of God, Brooklyn
Rev. Kathy Lindsey, St. Phillips Baptist Church, Staten island
Rev. David Kelley, Christ Fellowship Baptist Church, Brooklyn
Pastor Patricia Malcolm, Churches United to Save and Heal, Brooklyn
Pastor Dorian Malloy, Carolina Baptist Church, Bronx
Bishop Wilmary Maxime, New Covenant Church, Queens
Rev. Greg Merriweather, Mt. Olivet Baptist Church, Manhattan
Rev. Faithlyn Morrison, New Hope Christian Fellowship, Brooklyn
Pastor James Richmond, Flatbush SDA Church, Brooklyn
Bishop Calvin Rice, New Jamaica Worship Center, Queens
Pastor Brian Scott, Union Baptist Church, Manhattan
Rev. Dr. Carl L. Washington Jr, New Mount Zion Baptist Church, Manhattan
Rev. Dr. Lorenzo Williamson, Deeper Life Tabernacle Inc., Brooklyn
Rev. Alonza Wright, New Canaan Baptist Church, Brooklyn
Rev. Patrick Young, First Baptist Church, Queens
Throughout his career in public service, Governor Cuomo has been a champion for working New Yorkers. He raised wages for millions, protected the right to organize when the Supreme Court tried to break the back of the labor movement, increased access to healthcare, enacted the nation's strongest paid family leave program and expanded apprenticeships, vocational training, and workforce development programs. He also advanced the most substantial infrastructure program in a generation, including the Second Avenue Subway, the Moynihan Train Hall and the new Kosciuszko Bridge and the new JFK and LaGuardia Airports – all major projects built with union labor.
These prolific clergy members join U.S. Rep. Ritchie Torres, former New York State Comptroller Carl McCall, former Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr., Brooklyn Democratic Chair, Assembly Member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, the Staten Island Democratic Party, Assembly Member Charles Fall, Assembly Member Eddie Gibbs, Assembly Member Yudelka Tapia, Assembly Member Latrice Walker, Assembly Member Erik Dilan, Assembly Member Jordan Wright, Assembly Member Stacey Pheffer Amato, Assembly Member Sam Berger, Assembly Member Vivian Cook, Assembly Member John Zaccaro, Assembly Member William Colton, Council Member Kamillah Hanks, Council Member Farah N. Louis, Council Member Susan Zhuang, Council Member Darlene Mealy, the New York City Deputy Sheriffs’ Benevolent Association, The Utility Workers Union of America Local 1-2, Teamsters Local 237, Local 3 IBEW, New York City and Vicinity District Council of Carpenters, District Council 9 of the International Union of Painters and Allied Trades, 35 District Leaders across the city, former National Director of the Anti-Defamation League Abe Foxman, the Village Reform Democratic Club, Taminent Regular Democratic Club, American Jewish Congress, and the Italian American Leadership Council in endorsing Governor Cuomo for Mayor of New York City.
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