Introduction
Albert Vann (born November 19, 1934) is a former member of the New York City Council from Brooklyn representing the 36th Council District, which includes parts of Bedford-Stuyvesant and Crown Heights. He is a Democrat.
Early life and education
Vann was born on November 19, 1934, in Brooklyn, New York City. He earned a BBA from Toledo University, and master's degrees from both Yeshiva University, and Long Island University. He has served in different capacities as a teacher and administrator in New York public schools over the course of his professional career.
He is a member of Alpha Phi Alpha fraternity.
He is one of the founders of Medgar Evers College of the City University of New York, and is also one of the founders of the African American Teachers Association. Vann is a former instructor at Vassar College's Urban Center for Black Studies.
Political career
Vann was a member of the New York State Assembly (56th D.) from 1975 to 2001, sitting in the 181st, 182nd, 183rd, 184th, 185th, 186th, 187th, 188th, 189th, 190th, 191st, 192nd, 193rd and 194th New York State Legislatures.
Vann exchanged seats with Annette Robinson after the New York City Council enacted a term limit. Vann was elected to the New York City Council in November 2001, and ex-City Councilwoman Robinson was elected to the State Assembly in 2002 to fill the vacancy. Both represented the 36th City Council District, and Vann remained in the City Council until 2013.
In the November 3, 2009 election Vann was challenged by Mark Winston Griffith (Drum Major Institute's executive director), who ran on the Working Families Party ballot line. Vann defeated Griffith and went on to serve until 2013, when term limits prevented him from seeking re-election. He was succeeded by fellow Democrat Robert Cornegy, Jr. on January 1, 2014.
In response to the police shooting of Sean Bell Vann alleged that his shooting was caused by "institutional racism." He then proceeded to mock the suggestion that African-American New Yorkers living in high-crime neighborhoods should adopt certain behaviors in order to avoid confrontations with police officers.
On October 23, 2009 Vann voted to extend term limits for the mayor and the City Council.