Chirlane McCray facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Chirlane McCray
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McCray in 2019
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| First Lady of New York City | |
| In role January 1, 2014 – December 31, 2021 |
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| Preceded by | Diana Taylor (de facto) |
| Succeeded by | Tracey Collins (de facto) |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Chirlane Irene McCray
November 29, 1954 Springfield, Massachusetts, U.S. |
| Spouse | |
| Children | 2 |
| Education | Wellesley College (BA) |
Chirlane Irene McCray (born November 29, 1954) is an American writer, editor, and activist. She is married to Bill de Blasio, the former New York City Mayor. When her husband was mayor, she was often called his "closest advisor." McCray has published poetry and worked in politics as a speechwriter. She also led the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City and a major city program called ThriveNYC.
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Early Life and Schooling
Chirlane McCray was born in Springfield, Massachusetts. Her mother, Katharine, worked at an electronics factory, and her father, Robert, was a clerk at a military base. Her family background is from the Caribbean islands of Barbados and St. Lucia.
When she was ten, her family moved to Longmeadow, Massachusetts. They were one of the first black families to live in that town. Some neighbors were not welcoming. Because of this, McCray was often the only black student in her school. She said that facing racism and bullying led her to start writing poetry to express her feelings. She even wrote a column for her school newspaper speaking out against racism from her classmates.
In 1972, McCray started at Wellesley College. During her time there, she joined the Combahee River Collective, a black feminist group.
Career Journey
Writing and Politics
After college, McCray moved to New York City and worked for Redbook magazine. She also published an essay in Essence magazine in 1979. Some of her poetry was included in the book Home Girls: A Black Feminist Anthology.
In 1991, McCray began working in politics. She was a speechwriter for New York City Mayor David Dinkins. She later worked for the New York Foreign Press Center during the Clinton administration. She also wrote speeches for New York State Comptroller Carl McCall and New York City Comptroller Bill Thompson.
In 2004, McCray left politics to work for Maimonides Medical Center for five years. She also briefly worked in public relations for Citigroup. When her husband, Bill de Blasio, ran for mayor in 2013, she was a key part of his campaign. She helped edit his speeches and interview people for important jobs.
Role as First Lady of New York City
When Bill de Blasio became mayor, McCray took on an active role. She was named the head of the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City. The fund worked on projects related to mental health, helping immigrants, and creating jobs for young people.
What Was ThriveNYC?
In 2015, McCray launched a program called ThriveNYC. Its goal was to improve the city's services for mental health. The program aimed to make people more aware of mental health issues and help them get support early.
However, ThriveNYC faced criticism. Some people said it was not clear how the program's large budget was being spent. News reports in 2019 pointed out that it was hard to measure the program's success. While health officials said the program helped bring attention to mental health, some of its projects did not get started or put too much pressure on existing services. Critics, like Councilman Ritchie Torres, said there was "no evidence it’s working."
In 2021, the program was renamed the Office of Community Mental Health. It was given more funding for new projects, including one that sends social workers and EMTs to 911 calls about mental health emergencies.
Future in Politics
In 2018, McCray said she was thinking about running for a political office in 2021, after her husband's time as mayor ended. However, she stated that she would not run for mayor of New York City.
Personal Life
McCray met Bill de Blasio in 1991. They both worked at New York City Hall for Mayor David Dinkins. They got married in 1994 in Prospect Park, Brooklyn.
McCray and de Blasio have a daughter, Chiara, and a son, Dante. The family lived in Park Slope, Brooklyn. In 2014, they moved into Gracie Mansion, the official home for the Mayor of New York City.
In July 2023, McCray and de Blasio announced they were separating. They said they would start dating other people but were not planning to divorce.
