Board Members

Appointed by Term

Joseph Favata                   Mayor                             January 1, 2021 – December 31, 2022

Mae Carter                        Mayor                             January 1, 2019 – December 31, 2023

Jose Marrero                     Mayor                             January 1, 2021 – December 31, 2023

Richard Levy                     1st District Councilor       January 1, 2021 – December 31, 2023

Harry Pratt                        2nd District Councilor     January 1, 2019 – December 31, 2022

Lori Nilsson                       3rd District Councilor      January 1, 2019 – December 31, 2024**

Vacant                                4th District Councilor      

Cynthia Brunson              5th District Councilor       January 1, 2020 – December 31, 2022

Bryn Lovejoy-Grinnell    At-Large Councilors        March 29, 2023 - December 31, 2025

Hatisha Holmes                At-Large Councilors        January 1, 2019 – December 31, 2024**

Jah-Quan Bey-Wright    At-Large Councilors        January 1, 2019 – December 31, 2024**

**Indicates a second term

 

Mae Carter is a personal-line insurance professional currently employed by OneGroup. She is a graduate of Nourishing Tomorrow's Leaders (NTL) through the Gifford Foundation and GC2, an organization started by the Gifford Foundation that also works with Syracuse University's South Side Initiative Office. Ms. Carter has also served on the YWCA Board and the Board for the Southside Community Coalition.

Lori Nilsson was born in Brooklyn, New York and moved to Syracuse in 1974 to attend Syracuse University.  Upon completion of the Bachelor of Science Program in the SU School of Social Work, she decided to make Syracuse her home.  Lori began working for New York State in the fall of 1978.  Over the years working for the Office of Persons with Developmental Disabilities, she provided direct care services to people with developmental delays, supervised staff and residents at the Syracuse Developmental Center as well as at group homes in the Onondaga Hill area. Her work for the State led her to become an activist in CSEA, the union representing the direct care staff.  This led to activism in the community through CSEA and the Greater Syracuse Labor Council. Lori retired from State service in the fall of 2014.  She looks forward to continuing community service through the CRB.

Richard Levy grew up in Baltimore, MD, before attending Vanderbilt University and graduating in 1979. In 1983, he graduated Northwestern University Dental School. From 1983-1987, he worked as an associate dentist for a private practice before moving to Syracuse, NY to take over the practice for a retiring dentist. He retired in October 2020 and has since worked on several political campaigns and volunteers at a local food pantry. He is a member of several dental organizations and was a board member of the JCC. 

JahQuan Khallid Allah Bey-Wright is a majority voted member of the CRB. He is a lifelong resident of Syracuse, New York. JahQuan holds degrees from Indiana Wesleyan University in Science, Criminal Justice and human services and has worked in the field of at-risk youth and mental health for over thirty years. He is the founder and CEO of Black Men United and Black Sun Entertainment locally in upstate New York and is involved in several community projects and initiatives. JahQuan has owned local businesses where he has employed and mentored future business owners as a way to give back and build local stability for grassroot companies and shops. JahQuan is the creator of Syracuse’s first “Suited Up For Solidarity” March and campaign to promote unity and brotherhood throughout our urban communities. JahQuan is a strong and public advocate for Black and Brown communities to be vaccinated during the pandemic as he’s spoken on several platforms and led many events to promote Black health, diversity and inclusion. 

Cynthia Brunson was born and raised in Syracuse, New York. She is a proud mother of three and grandmother of one. She is now retired after a long career working in the medical field. In addition to her work with the CRB, Cynthia works as an election inspector for the Onondaga County Board of Elections.