Mayor Zohran Mamdani on Monday, Jan. 12, announced the appointment of Rafael Espinal as Commissioner of the New York City Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME).
Espinal will lead efforts to keep New York affordable for artists and creatives, supporting the city’s vibrant culture. He will report to Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su.
Mamdani said Espinal is the current executive director of the Freelancers Union, where he has advanced the protections and rights of independent workers nationally.
In 2019, the mayor said there were 1.3 million freelancers — around 34 % of the workforce — in New York City, many of whom work in the city’s creative industries.
Espinal’s focus will be on supporting creative workers, ensuring they can continue living and contributing to New York City.
Previously, Espinal served on the New York City Council, representing Bushwick, Brownsville, Cypress Hills, and East New York.
As a Council Member, the mayor said Espinal championed the rights and protections of artists and small businesses.
“You cannot tell the story of New York without the artists who have shaped it,” said Mayor Zohran Mamdani. “Yet, the cost-of-living crisis is driving creatives out of our city. That is a loss we cannot afford.
“As Commissioner, Rafael Espinal will support our city’s artists and help ensure New York City remains a place that every artist can call home,” he added. “He has led this work nationally, fighting for the rights and protections of independent workers, and he will bring that fight right here to New York City.”
“One of our top priorities is to make sure all of government works together and with the intention to grow industries that make this city vibrant, that reflect its beauty and creativity, and that bring good union jobs to New York City. MOME must lead in this space,” said Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su.
“I’m honored to join Mayor Mamdani’s administration and lead the Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment. New York City’s artists, creatives, and freelancers have made New York City into what it is today — if we want to keep our city’s culture, it is critical that they can afford to live and work here. I look forward to supporting our creative industries, expanding opportunities, and ensuring that the city remains a home for artists,” Espinal said.
The Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment supports New York City’s creative economy through its Film Office, NYC Media, Press Credential Office, and Programs and Initiatives divisions.
Together, Mamdani said these offices handle permitting and licensing, workforce development, incentives for creative projects, and oversight of the City’s public media outlets.
In 2017, the mayor said more than 293,000 people were employed in New York City’s creative economy, generating billions in economic activity.
MOME will focus on keeping creative jobs and workers in New York City, bolstering tourism and supporting affordability for those in the industry.
