Guyanese-American Sandra Chapman will work to make literacy programs easily available to residents throughout the borough of Brooklyn, as one of her top priorities as the new Brooklyn deputy borough president.
The former head of the Community Service Center in Borough Hall who was appointed to the position on Oct. 31 after Yvonne Graham stepped down, expressed her eagerness to continue her work in the department, with her larger role as deputy borough president.
“One of my priorities will be to transform my lifelong passion for reading into expanding the availability and scope of literary programs throughout Brooklyn,” said the career public servant.
Chapman, who resolved every day issues of Brooklyn residents, from finding affordable housing, to ensuring that trash was picked up – as head of the Community Service Center, was praised by Borough President Marty Markowitz as a proud daughter of Guyana who will continue to serve constituents well.
Markowitz added, “Sandra has gotten to know our borough and its residents by solving the issues handled by the Service center, everything from helping Brooklynites find affordable housing and navigate often complex city government agencies, to everyday, but no less important concerns such as trash pickup and fixing potholes.”
“Sandra knows what our constituents want and need, and that will serve her well as she embarks on this new and exciting chapter in her life of public service, Markowitz concluded.
Chapman, who has held public office for more than thirty years, expressed her gratitude to the Borough President’s Office by saying that it has been an honor to serve as director of the Community Service Center.
“Working alongside Marty has been a learning experience said the newly appointed deputy borough president who added that Markowitz has been committed to constituent services since his days as a state senator.
She added that he never hesitated to pick up a phone to get an answer or solve a problem – “qualities that have driven me to be the very best at providing Brooklyn residents with the services they need and deserve”.
Chapman, a Canarsie wife and mother of two, said that the fact that she, a Guyanese American immigrant was appointed deputy borough president is a testament to Marty’s commitment to Brooklynites, and enhancing Brooklyn’s international reputation as a proud home to everyone from everywhere.
Before joining Borough Hall in 1966, where she worked under then Borough President Howard Golden, Chapman was appointed senior planner with the Department of Housing and Development. Her roles as sales executive with the Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and supervisor with the National Council of Negro Women Day Care Center are leadership appointments that prepared her for a long and successful career at Borough Hall.
Chapman will indeed be filling big shoes left by Jamaican-born Yvonne Graham, but the Long Island University MBA alum, who graduated with honors could certainly hold her own in the office where she has spent most of her career.
