Akeem Jamal’s new position
Akeem Jamal was recently named Assistant Vice President of Communications and Government Affairs for the Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) after serving as the Director of Communications for the City of Yonkers. RIOC is one of three municipal corporations that comprise New York City’s Department of Housing Preservation and Development.
Akeem Jamal brings years of experience to his new role, which includes implementing community relations strategies and overseeing media outreach efforts. He says he will focus on communicating balanced, accurate information to the public and media while maintaining the organization’s integrity. Mr. Jamal was raised in Queens, New York.
Mr. Jamal’s career began with a three-year stint in the Queens District Attorney’s Office, prosecuting tax fraud and narcotics crimes. The court system is where he developed his interest in education and community outreach efforts to help disenfranchised youth.
Before joining the housing authority, he served as Communications Director for the New York State Senate. He also worked in communications positions with the City Council of New York and was a Communications Officer for the Kings County District Attorney’s Office.
Akeem has also been a volunteer and is advocating for the Muslim community in the NYPD Muslim outreach program advisory council, where he is actively involved in the community organizing of events such as iftar dinners and other Muslim gatherings.
About Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC):
The Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation (RIOC) is a municipal corporation created by the New York State in 1984. The RIOC is an instrumentality of the City of New York. It operates and maintains the infrastructure on which its residents depend for essential services such as transportation, sanitation, water, and electricity. RIOC was formed to assure that public investment in Roosevelt Island will continue to benefit the community and the surrounding region.
About the Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD):
The New York City Department of Housing Preservation and Development (HPD) is committed to creating and preserving affordable housing for low- and moderate-income New Yorkers, including seniors, families with children, people with disabilities, and people who are homeless. HPD oversees a wide array of affordable housing programs that offer quality homes at affordable rents in both traditional forms and innovative programs such as shared-equity cooperatives.
The Roosevelt Island Operating Corporation has a grand vision of making Roosevelt Island a prosperous island. The housing authority is developing the island by constructing residential buildings and establishing recreational areas, including tennis courts, basketball and handball courts, parks, squares, and even gardens in which people will enjoy themselves in a safe and happy place and environment.