Born and raised in Rochester, NY, Assemblyman Demond Meeks is a dedicated public servant who has worked tirelessly to strengthen our community. Throughout his life, Assemblyman Meeks has been a stalwart advocate for quality education, housing, childcare, fair wages, worker rights, and other key issues facing residents and families.

Demond’s educational background includes an Associates from MCC and a BA from SUNY Brockport. He has received additional labor related training and certifications from Cornell University.

Prior to becoming the representative for the 137th NYS Assembly District, Demond worked as an Administrative Organizer with 1199SEIU, representing thousands of healthcare sector employees, and taking on an array of tasks including bargaining contracts and mobilizing workers around workplace and community issues. Demond also served as a member of the Rochester Chapter of the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists, served on the Civic Design Team of the Parent Leadership Training Institute, is an active member of the Omega Psi Phi Fraternity Incorporated, a proud mentor to youth, and a regular volunteer within his community.

Across his two terms in office, Assemblyman Demond Meeks has worked in close collaboration with his state colleagues to secure significant funding and enact transformative legislation in New York State.

Demond’s notable legislative achievements include championing the Fair Access to Victim Compensation Act, eliminating discriminatory barriers and making it easier for victims of violent crime to access compensation and much needed services. He played a pivotal role in passing the Clean Slate Act into law, which will automatically seal certain criminal convictions for members of our community that have paid their debt to society. This will allow individuals and families to move forward with their lives by creating equitable pathways to jobs, housing, and higher education. Demond has also been a strong supporter of environmental initiatives, co-sponsoring acts to achieve climate justice and emission reduction mandates.

His office has assisted constituents in over 1,921 cases, providing support on a wide range of issues from unemployment to housing to social security. Additionally, his advocacy has secured millions of dollars in state funding and resources for various initiatives such as:

• $36.2 million in new funding for the Gun Involved Violence Elimination (GIVE) Program through the Division of Criminal Justice Services. (SFY 2023-24 Budget)

• $24 billion in public school aid to fully fund Foundation Aid and every school district for the first time in New York’s history. (SFY 2023-24 Budget)

• $1.2 billion in funding for the Rochester City School District, including additional health services for our children and youth. (SFY 2023-24 Budget)
• $134 million to guarantee free school meals for up to 300,000 more students. (SFY 2023-24 Budget)
• $40 million for the Homeowner Protection Program, providing financial support that will support distressed families and help protect them against foreclosure. (SFY 2023-24 Budget)
• $25 million towards the creation of a First-Time Homeowners Program. (SFY 2023-24 Budget)
• $1.4 billion to support distressed and safety-net hospitals, as well as increasing the Medicaid reimbursement rate, and wages for home health aide workers. (SFY 2023-24 Budget)
• $150 million in funding for Universal Prekindergarten programs. (SFY 2023-24 Budget)
• $2 million towards the Double Up Food Bucks Program, which doubles the benefits of SNAP recipients for every dollar spent on fresh fruits and vegetables. These funds will be matched by another $2 million in federal funding. (SFY 2023-24 Budget)
• $300,000 for the Summer of Opportunity youth employment program to empower our students with paid summer jobs and practical work experience. (SFY 2023-24 Budget)
• $10 Million allocated towards Rochester’s Downtown Revitalization Initiative. (SFY 2023-24 Budget)
• $306 million towards upstate transit operating assistance, a $39 million total increase in funding from the prior year. (SFY 2023-24 Budget)
• $1.3 million towards statewide MWBE-owned business development and lending programs. (SFY 2023-24 Budget)
• Over $1 million to support improvements to the now fully renovated Lincoln Branch Library on Joseph Avenue.
• Millions of grant dollars secured for our neighborhood associations, including:
  • 19th Ward Community Association
  • Baden Street Settlement of Rochester, Inc.
  • Boys and Girls Club of Rochester, Inc.
  • The Center for Teen Empowerment, Inc.
  • Gates Public Library
  • S.W.A.N. Inc. at Montgomery Neighborhood Center
  • Urban League of Rochester, N.Y., Inc.
  • Willow Domestic Violence Center of Greater Rochester, Inc.
  • YWCA of Rochester and Monroe County
  • Latino Youth Development and Resource Center, Inc.
  • Ibero-American Action League, Inc.
  • Beyond the Sanctuary, Inc.
  • Changing the Community, Inc.
  • Mentors Inspiring Boys and Girls, Inc.
  • Rochester Family Mission
  • Recovery Houses of Rochester

Beyond funding and legislation, Demond has demonstrated his commitment to bringing local issues to the state level by organizing the first-ever convening of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, Asian (BPHA) Legislative Caucus Day of Service in Rochester. This event brought legislative colleagues from across New York State to see Rochester up close and personal for the first time. Together, the legislators met providers in the space of substance abuse and recovery to discuss successes as well as barriers, followed by a community clean sweep in the Clinton Avenue area in which they recovered hundreds of used needles and other drug paraphernalia.

Demond continues to apply the practices of an organizer to his current capacity as a State Assemblyman and public servant. He remains intentional in keeping the community informed through social media platforms, mailers, and conducting community town halls. His dedication has been recognized by a number of grassroots organizations and leaders in our community:

• Black Men Achieve Awards, Brother of the Year award, Civil and Human Rights Activist of the Year award
• Frederick Douglass Award from the Coalition of Black Trade Unionists
• 2022 Legislator of the Year from the American Red Cross
• Dr. Walter Cooper Community Service Award from the Rochester Black Bar Association
• Superior Community Service Award from Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, Inc.
• Certificate of Appreciation from the Coalition to Prevent Lead Poisoning
• Empowering Communities and Changing Lives Award from the National Urban League and NYS Affiliates

Demond resides in the 19th Ward with his wife Cratrina, a dedicated social worker, proud Girls Scout Troop Leader, graduate of the African American Leadership Development Program (AALDP), member of the Black Women Leadership Forum, and graduate of the Parent Leadership Training Institute. Together, they are the proud parents of four children and two grandchildren. Demond and his family worship at Aenon Missionary Baptist Church. As proud residents and neighbors, they remain committed to public service and improving the quality of life for all.

Demond believes that the power of the people is stronger than the people in power. He is a servant leader committed to the people!