Editor's Note
Editor’s note: City & State’s advisory board refreshes lineup of experts
The oversight panel now has 15 members, ensuring that our news coverage reflects New York’s diverse communities.
City & State created its first advisory board in 2021, a panel of experts who have ensured that our weekly magazine, online news, rankings and other lists have reflected New York’s diverse communities, all while continuing to fulfill our mission of delivering the best coverage of politics, policy and personalities in the state.
Now, four years later, City & State is announcing a refresh of the board’s lineup, and a recommitment to providing this important oversight. Please read on to learn more about our newly expanded, 15-member board.
The bios and photos of the members follow, reflecting the ethnic, gender, ideological, political and regional diversity of New York. Please take a moment to congratulate this exciting group!
Sheryl Huggins-Salomon, Advisory Board Chair
Sheryl Huggins-Salomon is the advisory board chair for City & State New York. A veteran journalist, she has held editorial leadership positions at several online news outlets that provided political, cultural and justice coverage for Black audiences – as managing editor of The Root and AOL Black Voices, as well as editorial director of NewsOne.com. Huggins-Salomon is an executive council member of the Deadline Club – Society of Professional Journalists’ New York City chapter. She has been a contributor to Livestrong.com and a contributing writer for Everyday Health, for which her work has garnered silver and bronze Digital Health Awards. She also is the director of strategic communications for the NYU Silver School of Social Work. Prior to that, she was the chief communications officer for the NYU McSilver Institute for Poverty Policy and Research.
Murad Awawdeh
Murad Awawdeh is a relentless architect of justice and one of the nation’s most effective strategists. As president and CEO of the New York Immigration Coalition, the country’s oldest and largest immigrant rights organization, he leads with a clear mandate: shift power to the people and deliver results that last. The proud son of Palestinian immigrants, Awawdeh has spent more than 25 years organizing alongside low-income communities of color, securing over $10 billion in community reinvestment and advancing transformative policies that protect and empower millions. From driving local, state and federal campaigns to leading mass mobilizations against hate and xenophobia, he turns moments of crisis into durable coalitions and wins. Awawdeh brings the same rigor to policy design that he brings to street-level organizing: real solutions and real impact. A movement builder, political strategist and lifelong organizer, Awawdeh’s leadership is disciplined in strategy, grounded in strength and powered by an unshakeable belief in collective liberation and justice.
Amit Singh Bagga
Amit Singh Bagga is the principal of Public Progress, a campaign strategy and public affairs firm with one client: New Yorkers.
Founded in 2024 after nearly two decades in federal, city, and state government, Public Progress’ clients and partners include Yes on Affordable Housing, Democracy Alliance, Battleground New York, the Working Families Party and 1199SEIU.
A frequent guest on local and national media, Bagga has advised dozens of campaigns, including those of Brad Lander and Zohran Mamdani, and is a member of The Choice, which is The New York Times’ panel of experts advising on the mayoral race. In partnership with Zenith Research, Bagga also produced the most in-depth 2025 mayoral poll to date and the first to be offered in four languages.
While in government, Bagga served as deputy secretary of intergovernmental affairs to Gov. Kathy Hochul and in several de Blasio administration and congressional roles. He crafted the city’s 2020 census campaign, which saved New York a congressional seat and brought three new legislative seats to New York City, and also implemented new labor laws: the Paid Sick Leave law, Freelance Isn’t Free Act and the Fair Workweek Law. Bagga has also worked extensively on issues of consumer protection, social services and immigration.
A native of the Bronx and a resident of Queens, Bagga is a proud queer South Asian and a product of New York City’s public schools.
José Bayona
José Bayona is the founder and CEO of Grassroots Strategies and Grassroots Media, and a bilingual consulting professional specializing in multicultural communications, multiethnic community affairs, and ethnic and community media advertising.
From January 2022 to May 2024, Bayona served as the founding executive director of the New York City Mayor’s Office of Ethnic and Community Media, the first of its kind in the U.S. Previously, he was a spokesperson for Mayor Bill de Blasio and held the titles of director of community and ethnic media and deputy press secretary at the mayor’s office. In those roles, he oversaw Executive Order 47 and the implementation of Local Law 83 of 2021, both of which set goals for city agencies to allocate advertising budgets to ethnic and community media outlets throughout the city.
Before entering government, Bayona spent a decade in journalism, beginning as a community reporter for the Daily News. He also worked as a writer for NY1 Noticias and as metro editor for El Diario. Bayona holds an M.A. in journalism from the CUNY Graduate School of Journalism and a B.A. in journalism and political science from Baruch College.
Gregg Bishop
Born in Grenada and raised in East Flatbush, Brooklyn, Gregg Bishop serves on several boards, including the Red Hook Initiative, Pursuit (formerly New York Business Development Corp.), the Robert Sterling Clark Foundation, Association for a Better New York and the Grenada Investment Development Corp. He currently is executive director of the Joe and Clara Tsai Foundation’s Social Justice Fund, which is focused on economic mobility and racial justice in Brooklyn. He has worked extensively in the nonprofit world and served as the commissioner of the New York City Department of Small Business Services, where he connected small-business owners to more than $200 million and certified a record 9,000 minority- and women-owned business enterprises. He also developed and launched several initiatives aimed at removing barriers women and people of color face, including Black Entrepreneurs NYC and Women Entrepreneurs NYC.
Larry Scott Blackmon
Larry Scott Blackmon is the CEO of The Blackmon Organization, a full-service, New York City MWBE (minority- and women-owned business enterprise) certified firm specializing in government affairs lobbying, public relations and entertainment services, where he connects clients with influential figures across New York City to deliver on noteworthy and transformational projects.
With over two decades of government experience, Blackmon previously held several high level, senior positions in the city of New York, including the position of deputy commissioner for community outreach at the New York City Department of Parks and Recreation. He has worked under the administrations of two former New York City mayors, U.S. Sen. Charles Schumer, former first lady Hillary Rodham Clinton and served as senior manager of public affairs for the New York Jets.
Blackmon has earned numerous accolades for his leadership and service:
— Named one of New York City’s “50 most powerful Black leaders” (2016-2025) and honored in City & State magazine’s “100 Most Powerful of the Bronx.”
— Recognized by Crain’s New York Business as one of the “2022 Notable Black Leaders”
— Included in City & State New York’s 2024 “Who’s Who in Government Relations” for his advocacy and influence
— Awarded the “Outstanding Alumni Brother of the Year” (2021–2023) by Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.
Blackmon holds a B.A. in communications and Black studies from SUNY New Paltz and a master’s degree from Metropolitan College of New York. He attended Harvard University’s Executive Leadership program and Northwestern University’s Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion instruction program. He’s a graduate of the Coro Leadership New York program and a member of the Pi Alpha Alpha National Honor Society. As an educator, he has taught courses such as Intergovernmental Relations, Non-Profit Management, Collaborative Leadership, and Introduction to Public Administration at Metropolitan College of New York, served as a substitute adjunct professor under former Mayor David Dinkins at Columbia University, and has guest lectured at John Jay College.Blackmon is the current board chair for the Better Business Bureau of Metropolitan New York. A two-time co-author of ”Suited for Success” (2018), a guide aimed at personal advancement, is actively involved in organizations like 100 Black Men of New York and the Prince Hall Masons, and is New York state president of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity Inc.
Tyquana Henderson-Rivers
Tyquana “Ty” Henderson-Rivers is the founder, president and CEO of Connective Strategies. In her more than 30 years in politics and advocacy, she has built an impressive track record of helping firms, organizations and political candidates build their brands and position themselves for success.
Henderson-Rivers, a registered lobbyist and certified MWBE business owner, has played critical and leading roles in countless winning political campaigns including: Gov. Kathy Hochul, Rep. Gregory Meeks, Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, Borough Presidents Donovan Richards and Vanessa Gibson, Mark Levine, Ty Hankerson and several other elected officials across the state.
Her lobbying credentials are equally impressive, and she is among the most sought-after organizers in New York because of her ability to find ways to forge common ground and create commonsense policy with diverse and often competing individuals, organizations and constituents. Past and present clients include: Altria Client Services LLC, Newtown Creek Group, Healthcare Education Project, FedEx, NYC Health and Hospitals Corporation, NYC Votes and REBNY, to name just a few.
Gary Lewi
Gary Lewi is a managing director at Rubenstein Communications with decades of experience in communications and public policy who brings to his work his previous experience as a broadcast journalist and government press secretary. Prior to Rubenstein, he served as director of communications for U.S. Sen. Alfonse D’Amato during his first term.
At Rubenstein, Lewi has created innovative programs for clients who have required media, public affairs and community affairs strategies. Sectors include transportation and infrastructure, energy, health, the law, land use, education and litigation support.
Lewi has lectured on public relations at Columbia, Stony Brook and Hofstra Universities as well as before business symposiums. He is a member of Rubenstein’s management committee.
Lewi’s clients include Northrop Grumman, Veolia Environmental, PSEG Long Island, the General Contractors Association of New York, The Association for a Better Long Island. Prior clients included the consortium that built the $1.8 billion LIRR Expansion Project, Carnival Cruise, Archer Daniels Midland, The History Channel, and Disney. A Long Island resident, he is a founding trustee of The Museum of American Armor.
Tara L. Martin
Tara L. Martin is redefining what it means to move power with purpose. As founder and CEO of TLM Strategic Advisors, a boutique social impact and government affairs firm, she bridges the worlds of policy, business, entertainment and culture to help organizations tell their stories, build influence and drive sustainable change. With over two decades of experience in politics, labor and public affairs, Martin has become a trusted strategist for leaders and institutions seeking to align their mission with measurable impact.
Her career spans the halls of government to the heart of culture – advising labor unions and nonprofits, crafting field and political strategies for U.S. presidential campaigns, and producing events that fuse civic engagement with creative expression. As a former political director and chief lobbyist for the New York State Nurses Association and regional head of public affairs for REEF Technology, she brings a deep understanding of people, power and persuasion. Martin has worked alongside public leaders, including Rep. Yvette Clarke, Dr. Una Clarke and Marty Markowitz. Through TLMSA, she continues to shape narratives across health care, cannabis, sports and music – anchored in her belief that real power is inclusive, intentional and transformational.
Jack O’Donnell
Jack O’Donnell is the managing partner of O’Donnell & Associates, a top New York government relations and public affairs firm advocating for Fortune 500 companies, political candidates and nonprofits in every sector, from health care to energy to arts and culture.
A lifelong New Yorker, O’Donnell splits his time between Buffalo, Albany and New York City, giving him a firsthand perspective of how decisions in the Capitol and City Hall impact businesses across the state.
Under his leadership, O’Donnell & Associates has received recognition on multiple City & State New York Power 100 lists and was named a Fast Track Company by Buffalo Business First.
Before launching OD&A, O’Donnell held senior government roles, advised campaigns at all levels – including a score of statewide races – and remains a trusted voice in New York politics.
His award-winning Monday Morning Memo reaches thousands of readers, and he hosts a weekly podcast, “From the Lobby with Jack O’Donnell.” He is the author of “Bitten by the Tiger,” a true story of New York’s only impeached governor.
He and his wife, Marina, have two children, Thomas and Elsie, along with an energetic Black Labrador retriever named Martha Washington.
William F. B. O’Reilly
Bill O’Reilly is a partner at The November Team, a New York-based political and corporate communications firm, and a longtime former political columnist for Newsday. He has served as a strategist and spokesperson for candidates, causes and private corporations across the nation for more than 30 years. His observations regularly appear on television, radio and in national print media.
O’Reilly is a former board member of the American Association of Political Consultants, a current board member at The Buckley Institute at Yale University, a former president of the Metropolitan Republican Club in Manhattan, a former officer of Community Board 8 in Manhattan and a former library trustee in Mount Kisco, New York.
O’Reilly and his wife, Corrinne, have three daughters and live in New York’s Westchester County.
Juanita Scarlett
Juanita Scarlett is a partner at Bolton St. Johns, where she advises clients in the health care, energy, economic development and education sectors on their public policy and public affairs objectives. Before joining Bolton St. Johns, Scarlett was a managing director at Park Strategies, a government relations firm, and a managing director at McKenna Long & Aldridge, an international law and public policy firm. Previously, Scarlett served in the administration of then-Gov. Andrew Cuomo as executive vice president for strategy, policy and public affairs at the Empire State Development. She also was the director of intergovernmental affairs to then-state Attorney General Andrew Cuomo. Scarlett served in the administration of Gov. Eliot Spitzer as the executive adviser for New York government affairs at the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. She was press secretary to then-state Attorney General Eliot Spitzer from 2000-2006 and served as speechwriter for the Department of Law. She began her career in public service as a press officer to then-Gov. Mario Cuomo.
Lupe Todd-Medina
Lupe Todd-Medina is the founder of Effective Media Strategies, a full-service communications and public relations firm in New York City. Born in the Republic of Panama, Todd-Medina’s firsthand knowledge and understanding of many of the social issues affecting immigrant populations has helped her shape and implement communications campaigns in diverse communities. As director of communications for the first Black district attorney of Brooklyn, Todd-Medina was charged with raising the profile of District Attorney Kenneth Thompson’s office. Before returning to government, Todd-Medina spearheaded communications for the successful campaigns of Democratic Rep. Hakeem Jeffries. Todd-Medina was also the first press secretary for then-Newark Mayor Cory Booker and the chief spokesperson for the city of Newark. Todd-Medina has been a spokesperson for national, state and city elected officials for over 25 years. Her background in strategic campaign communications, crisis management and rapid response aided the winning political campaigns for Assembly Member Jeffrion Aubry, Assembly Member Grace Lee and others. Todd-Medina served as a senior communications consultant for the reelection campaign for the first female governor of the state of New York, Gov. Kathy Hochul.
Laura Washington
Laura Washington is president and CEO of the Community Foundations of the Hudson Valley, where she strengthens regional philanthropy by connecting caring donors with organizations advancing solutions to the community’s most pressing concerns – and those that make the Hudson Valley a place people are proud to call home.
Before joining CFHV, she served as chief communications officer and vice president for strategic partnerships at the New-York Historical Society and established the Andrew W. Mellon Foundation’s inaugural communications function.
A native New Yorker with deep ties to the Hudson Valley, Washington holds a B.A. in history from Vassar College and an M.S. in strategic communications from Columbia University. She serves on the boards of the Hudson Valley Economic Development Corp. and Historic Huguenot Street and on the New York Regional Selection Committee for the Marshall Scholarship.
Trip Yang
Trip Yang is the founder and CEO of Trip Yang Strategies, a political strategy, direct mail and paid media consulting firm, which has helped to elect dozens of Democratic candidates to office. A New York-based Asian American-owned consulting firm, Trip Yang Strategies has been a consultant on many high-profile wins, including the elections of New York City Council Members Gale Brewer and Shekar Krishnan; Assembly Members Grace Lee and Steven Raga; state Sen. Cordell Cleare; Rep. Dan Goldman and former Rep. Max Rose. In its work on independent expenditure campaigns, Trip Yang Strategies has successfully turned out AAPI voters in Rep. Tom Suozzi’s competitive 2024 special election, as well as serving as the direct mail consultant for Gov. Wes Moore’s win in Maryland. Before he started his own firm, Yang spearheaded New York City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams’ landslide win as the campaign manager, and served as senior adviser for Letitia James’ 2018 state attorney general win and Eric Gonzalez’s 2017 Brooklyn district attorney’s victory. Yang started his career in electoral politics as a field organizer for President Barack Obama’s campaign in Iowa. He is a veteran of three presidential campaigns.