Karim Camara

Biography

Karim Camara is the Reverend Assemblyman representing over 135,000 in the 43rd Assembly District in Brooklyn, New York where he serves a diverse constituency and represents them as a legislator in Albany and a leader in the community.

Born and raised in Crown Heights, Brooklyn, Karim Camara is the son of a retired nurse and his mother a school principal. He follows a long tradition of ministers who have been inspired by faith to engage in the political process to speak for the marginalized. Currently, he serves as the Executive Pastor of First Baptist Church of Crown Heights. Camara is married to Orelia Camara and they are the proud parents of a son.

A minister, motivational speaker and life coach whose purpose in life is to “inspire individuals, empower organizations and transform communities,” Assemblyman Camara exemplifies compassion for all humanity.

Camara received his Bachelor of Arts (BA) in English Literature and Chemistry from Xavier University of Louisiana. While attending Xavier University, he participated in the Biomedical Science Scholars Program at Meharry Medical College in Nashville, Tennessee. He received a Masters of Divinity (MDiv) from the New York Theological Seminary and also studied at Alfred University, Fordham University and Wesley Theological Seminary. In 1997, he participated in the National Capital Seminarians for a Semester Program where he studied Legislation and Ethics at Wesley Theological Seminary, DC campus, and worked with the Children’s Defense Fund and as a Congressional Intern for Congressman Major R. Owens (D-NY).

Prior to his election to the Assembly, Camara was the Director of Institutional Advancement(fundraising and organizational development) for the Cush Campus Schools, a pre-K - 8th grade independent school located in Crown Heights. He has also worked with the American Red Cross of Greater New York in their Emergency Family Center, a transitional housing shelter for displaced and abused women.

Camara is passionate about public service and believes that government can be used as a tool to help improve the lives of its citizens. As a student at Xavier University, he was both active in the political process and community service. In 1991, he joined a movement of college students across the state of Louisiana who rallied against David Duke’s campaign for governor.

In 1992, Camara was a leader in Xavier University’s nationally recognized community service organization entitled M.A.X. (Mobilization at Xavier). As part of this organization, he started and led a program called Project R.I.S.E. (Reducing Illiteracy Scars through Education), a literacy program at a New Orleans public school with some of the lowest reading scores in the city. Due to the success of this program, he was invited to meet President Bill Clinton and his Special Assistant Eli Segal to discuss the President’s idea for AmeriCorps, a National Community Service Program.

He spoke at the William J. Clinton Presidential Library, New York University School of Medicine, Verizon, American Red Cross of Greater NY and numerous companies, churches, colleges, schools and community organizations. In addition, he still finds time for volunteer service in his community. Assemblyman Camara recently founded the City of Hope Community & Economic Development Corporation to help revitalize urban communities. He has also served on the Community Advisory Board of the State University of New York Downstate Medical Center, The Faith Leader Advisory Committee of New Visions for Public Schools and the Board of Managers of the Bedford YMCA. He is a Certified Life Coach and is a member of the Christian Coaches Network (CCN) and the American Association of Christian Counselors (AACC), National Speakers Association and Toastmasters.

Awards and Distinctions:

• George Fox Award(Distinguished Alumni Award) – Brooklyn Friends School
• Young Elected Officials Network (YEO) – identified by the People for the American Way (a Washington, DC based political advocacy organization) as the most promising, progressive elected officials in the country
• Legislative Leadership Award – National Committee for Furtherance of Jewish Education
• Community Service Award – Bedford YMCA
• Assemblyman Camara has received numerous other awards from, churches, faith based organizations, schools and community organizations