As part of our political coverage for the upcoming 2021 Citywide Elections, LittleAfrica BronxNews has launched our Meet The Candidate video interview series.
LittleAfrica BronxNews sat down with Yves Filius, a city council candidate for District 16 which includes the neighborhoods of Highbridge, Bathgate, Claremont Village, Concourse, Concourse Village, Morris Heights, and Morrisania.
Yves Filius interest in public service began with his parents – Haitian immigrants who taught him that a strong work ethic and community involvement will always lead to success, no matter one’s starting social or economic status.
Yves started his government affairs career as an intern and then Community Liaison in the New York State Assembly for the 79th and 77th Assembly Districts, helping constituents with quality of life issues. He transitioned to the New York City Council in the 16th District as Director of Outreach where he built partnerships with nonprofits to provide residents with essential services.
Yves went on to join the office of the New York City Public Advocate to support small business owners and community leaders with navigating city processes. At this time, Yves also served as the Political Director of the New York State Young Democrats Caucus of Color where he organized efforts to get out the vote (GOTV).
In 2016, Yves took on the role of Political Director for the Bronx Democratic Party, increasing voter participation by 7% across our borough. He then joined a local group to help elect progressive candidates to state legislative office. Yves went on to join the New York Civil Liberties Union – the ACLU of New York – a nonprofit where he fights for a fair New York on issues ranging from racial justice to immigrants’ and student rights to police transparency and accountability.
Yves is a graduate of Bronx Community College, received a B.A. from John Jay College of Criminal Justice, and is currently pursuing an Executive Master of Public Administration in the School of International and Public Affairs (SIPA) at Columbia University. Yves sits on the Boards of Directors at the Harriet Tubman/Ella Baker Charter School, Friends of Crotona Park, VIP Community Services, and Jerome A. Greene and Jackson Democratic Clubs.
Visit Yves’s website at https://nycyves.com/