A Rising Star: An Interview with NYCCHR’s Deputy Commissioner Franck Joseph
Franck Joseph II, the Commission’s Deputy Commissioner for Community Relations was recently honored as one of City & State’s 40 Under 40 Rising Stars. These individuals, ranging from policymakers, public relations professionals, union leaders, and government officials are recognized for their work leading the way in their professions and challenging the status quo. We sat down with Franck to learn more about his career journey.
Q: How long have you been with the Commission on Human Rights?
FJ: I have been with the Commission for a little over three and a half years. March of 2020 will make it four years.
Q: Tell us about your career path — what were some roles along your way?
FJ: Most of my professional career has been with the city. Before working here, I was Chief of Staff for New York City Council Member Donovan Richards, and I worked with U.S. Congressmember Gregory Meeks before that. I was also active with student government in college, so public service has been a big part of my life as long as I can remember.
Q: Was working in government your vision from the beginning, or did you have another career path in mind?
FJ: I went into college intending to be active in government in some way, so everywhere I applied I was trying to get into political science programs. Before college, I had more experience with the federal government than anything else, but an opportunity opened up to work with Council Member Richards and I had the ability and grace to grow within his office and I guess it snowballed from there.
Q: The City & State piece mentions your experience with losing your father at a young age, then acting as a caretaker for your mother. How have those moments shaped your perspective and the work that you do?
FJ: After my dad died and my mom was hit by a car, our family struggled economically, and that struggle made me want to do more. I wanted to help other people so they didn’t have to struggle the way we did growing up. I’ve been on public assistance, I’ve been homeless, I’ve been all of those things. Even through all of this, my mom’s generous spirit never swayed. No matter what little bit she had she was always ready to give. For her, it’s not asking about what she doesn’t have, but it was giving a little bit of what she did have. And I think that perspective is one that I’ve carried with me all my life. That’s why I work to protect New York’s underserved communities.
Q: Why did you join the Commission?
FJ: I was speaking to a mentor of mine, Rosemonde Pierre Louis, who told me about the great work of the Commission and of our Commissioner Carmelyn P. Malalis. After doing some research and seeing the work that the Commissioner laid forth, I was excited and decided to apply. Additionally, since the 2016 Presidential election was well underway by that point, I began to see more examples of hateful rhetoric and discrimination, particularly in Queens, where I’m from. Queens is the most diverse county in the U.S., and even though we celebrate that diversity, I was aware that across the borough issues were rising. So in working with the Commission, I thought I could help people fight back against the discrimination and harassment they were experiencing.
Q: Tell us more about your role at the Commission.
FJ: As Deputy Commissioner for Community Relations, I am responsible for the strategic direction of the Community Relations Bureau (CRB). The Bureau educates New Yorkers on the City Human Rights Law, organizes programs that foster intergroup relations and celebrate communities that have long been marginalized. My job as Deputy Commissioner is to help support the team as they’re creating various programming, deepening community relations, and leading the Commission’s Bias Response Team. I’m always looking to connect the Commission with underserved communities to ensure they know about the NYC Human Rights Law and their right to work and live free from discrimination.
Q: What is your proudest accomplishment since working here?
FJ: In Flatbush, Brooklyn after a bias incident at a nail salon, there were some tensions between the Asian and Pacific Islander (API) and African American communities. People were threatening to boycott different businesses. We saw it as an opportunity for me and others at the Commission to leverage relationships with API and Black community leaders to promote positive intergroup relations. We attended a rally in the pouring rain to raise awareness of the work we do, reaching out to both communities about how we want to work together. That day we worked with these leaders who, in turn, brought their communities back together and reconciled. I’ll always be proud of this because of how quickly the Commission mobilized and confronted hate without fear.
Q: What is your next big goal at the Commission?
FJ: I want to make more New Yorkers aware of our agency. The reality is that we are a small agency in comparison to some of the others across the city, and a lot of the work we do is relevant and beneficial to many who may not be aware of the resources we have. I plan to continue reaching out to different ethnic, cultural, and socioeconomic groups to extend our reach and ensure all New Yorkers know their rights under the Human Rights Law.
Q: What does it mean to you to be recognized by City & State?
FJ: It’s huge, to be honest. A lot of my mentors were also recognized by City & State in the past, including my former boss, Councilmember Donovan Richards. So all around me, there are people who earned this recognition and they’ve, in turn, poured their belief and confidence in me. To even be nominated just means a lot. It also means that the work of our agency is being noticed. Because this recognition is really about the impact the CRB team and the Commission are having. I am fortunate that this year I was the person in our agency to be recognized. But I have a feeling that the Commission will be back on this list next year and in the years to come.
