Erik Martin Dilan is a lifelong resident of North Brooklyn. Born of Puerto Rican and African American descent, Erik was born in the Bushwick section of Brooklyn on May 11th, 1974 to former New York state Senator Martin Malave-Dilan and Debra Dilan.

A product of New York City public schools, Erik graduated from Norman Thomas High School, Philippa Schuyler Middle School and P.S. 151. Erik later attended St. John’s University, where he received his associate of science in business administration.

Erik Martin Dilan was first sworn in the New York State Assembly in 2015, where he has since served the people of the 54th District that covers parts of Bedford Stuyvesant, Bushwick, Cypress-Hills and East New York.

During Erik’s tenure in the Assembly, won an enactment of legislation that supports people with disabilities by making sure they are not discriminated against when using support animals to help their symptoms.

In 2023, Erik was appointed Chair of the Correction Committee, and passed legislation ensuring people being released from prison have proper identification materials, so they don’t need to experience unnecessary hardship after custody. Erik also passed legislation making sure prisons are transparent to the families of incarcerated people mandating emergency contacts be notified if they are hospitalized.

Along with being Chair of the Correction Committee Erik is also a member of the Energy, Insurance and, Ways & Means committees. Erik is also a part of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislative Caucus and the Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force.

Prior to his election to the State Assembly, Erik served for 12 years in the New York City Council. During his tenure in the Council, he served as the chairperson for the Housing & Building committee, chairperson of the Brooklyn Delegation and as a member of the budget negotiating team. In these roles, Erik had the honor of setting legislative priorities related to housing and construction in the City of New York, being a point person and consensus builder for the Council’s Brooklyn Delegation on, major legislative items, passage of City budget, funding to Brooklyn cultural groups and not for profit organizations.

While Erik was always active in his community from a very young age, he began his career in public service as a member of Community School Board #32. Where he was able to work with other board members, to find the best educators and policies to serve the children of Bushwick. He also served on Brooklyn’s Community Board #4.

Erik currently resides in the Cypress-Hills section of Brooklyn with his wife Jannitza and children Daniel, Lea, and Matthew.