| Nikki Lucas was introduced to civic involvement at the tender age of 8 as the child of parents who were heavily involved within their community and participated in local campaigns. Over time, her passion and drive progressed into active involvement with various community and elected leaders in all levels of city, state, and federal government. The desire for the betterment of her community has never wavered and she has become a stalwart advocate for those whose voices are never heard and often overlooked.
Ms. Lucas earned her degree in Liberal Arts at the Borough of Manhattan Community College and continued her studies at Syracuse University majoring in Policy Studies and Conflict Resolution.
As an over 30-year resident of Starrett City and an advocate for East New York residents, Ms. Lucas has implemented many programs and initiatives that continue to uplift and empower residents throughout Brooklyn and citywide. For the past three years Ms. Lucas has partnered with the New York for Seniors initiative, bringing the New York for Seniors Health & Wellness Resource Series to seniors and caregivers throughout New York City. Ms. Lucas is the host and moderator for the Healthcare Panel Discussion series, which gives her the opportunity to connect healthcare experts directly to seniors and caregivers,bringing much needed resources and information.
Ms. Lucas also partners with HealthyNYC, an initiative that brings healthcare information to families and children, including mental health awareness panel discussions and workshops. Ms. Lucas moderates the workshops and brings in experts to engage with families and children.
Ms. Lucas is the Founder and President of The People First Democratic Club and The People First Education Fund. This organization provides opportunities for members of the community to become educated and engaged in concerns and decisions with legislators of all levels of government, civil service agencies and organizations that impact their quality of life.
Ms. Lucas has recently been selected by Congressman Hakeem Jeffries, to serve as a member of the East New York Neighborhood Advisory Board. Ms. Lucas also served as a member of the Brookdale Hospital Advisory Board. Ms. Lucas also served on the Education, Economic Development and Sanitation /Environmental Protection committees on Community Board 5.
Ms. Lucas is also impassioned by issues such as affordable/low income housing and community/school-based health care centers. She served as an Executive Board member of P.S 10 PTA, a member of the PTA and SLT of The East New York School of Excellence (P.S. 677) and was a major contributor to their fundraising efforts. While also serving as a Learning Leader for New York City public Schools, Ms. Lucas also served as Vice Chairperson on the Delegate Agency Policy Committee at the McDonough Street Head Start Program located in Bedford Stuyvesant Brooklyn.
As an active single parent and volunteer, Ms. Lucas' direct involvement in fundraising efforts has resulted in the receipt of donations and implementation of educational restructuring that has affected positive change. As an active Board Member of the United Youth Aviators and Young Airmen's Association, Ms. Lucas has assisted the organization with raising funds and awareness for the program, which teaches youth how to become licensed pilots with hours of in-the-air flight training.
As a former Female Democratic State Committee Member for Assembly District 60, Ms. Lucas spent two years as an unpaid, elected district leader, continuing to advocate for the concerns of the community, and addressing issues such as less than humane conditions in New York City Housing Authority buildings, access to healthcare, affordable housing, increased housing with social service provisions for seniors and structure and increased funding for Community Based Organizations.
Additionally, Ms. Lucas has given over 1,000 book bags per year and school supplies to families with school aged children. Ms Lucas also assists the community through IFE, an organization that provides supplies to children, internationally through the organization IFE Omode. Each year Ms. Lucas provides turkeys and food packages to community members, churches, senior centers and shelters during the holiday seasons. Ms. Lucas also provides gifts and toys, during the Christmas season to hundreds of youth (infants to age 17).
Ms. Lucas is the co-founder and member of the East New York BROOKLYN Collaborative, which is an organization created to track and access funding to improve the access to educational resources and to increase the awareness and access to health (with emphasis on mental wellness).
Ms. Lucas is a 40 year member of Pilgrim Church previously under the late Archbishop Roy E. Brown and currently under Pastor Deborah A Crowe. |