Maya Wiley facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Maya Wiley
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Wiley in 2015
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| President and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights | |
| Assumed office May 2, 2022 |
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| Preceded by | Wade Henderson |
| Chair of the New York City Civilian Complaint Review Board | |
| In office July 2016 – August 2017 |
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| Preceded by | Richard Emery |
| Succeeded by | Frederick Davie |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 2, 1964 Syracuse, New York, U.S. |
| Political party | Democratic |
| Spouse | Harlan Mandel |
| Children | 2 |
| Relatives | George Wiley (father) |
| Education | Dartmouth College (BA) Columbia University (JD) |
Maya D. Wiley, born on January 2, 1964, is an American lawyer, teacher, and a champion for civil rights. Since May 2022, she has been the leader of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. This group works to protect and advance the rights of all people.
She used to be a special advisor to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. From 2016 to 2017, she led the Civilian Complaint Review Board. This board looks into complaints about police behavior. She also shared her legal opinions on the TV channel MSNBC. In 2021, she ran to become the mayor of New York City. She finished third in the election. Currently, she works at The New School, teaching about social justice and fairness.
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Early Life and Education
Maya Wiley was born on January 2, 1964, in Syracuse, New York. She grew up in Washington, D.C.. Her father, George Wiley, was a civil rights leader and a scientist. Her mother, Wretha Frances Wiley, inspired her to care about fairness and social issues.
When Maya was nine years old, her father sadly passed away. He was sailing with Maya and her brother on Chesapeake Bay when he fell overboard.
Maya went to Dartmouth College and earned a degree in psychology in 1986. Later, she studied law at Columbia Law School.
Career Highlights
Maya Wiley started her legal career working for the U.S. Attorney's Office. This office handles legal cases for the government.
Before working for Mayor Bill de Blasio in 2014, she worked for important groups. These included the NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund and the American Civil Liberties Union. These groups work to protect people's rights.
As an advisor to Mayor de Blasio, she helped with many important decisions. She also started an organization called the Center for Social Inclusion. This group worked to end unfair systems that cause racism.
Maya Wiley has taught at The New School, where she created a program called the Digital Equity Laboratory. She also appeared on MSNBC to talk about politics and legal topics. In 2023, she received a special award for her work in civil and human rights.
Running for New York City Mayor
In 2021, Maya Wiley decided to run for mayor of New York City. Many people supported her campaign. U.S. Representative Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Senator Elizabeth Warren endorsed her. A large union in New York City also supported her.
The famous band The Strokes even helped her campaign. They included their song "Starting Again" in an advertisement. They also played a concert to help raise money for her campaign. In the election, Maya Wiley placed third.
Leading Civil Rights Efforts
In March 2022, Maya Wiley was chosen to be the president and CEO of the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights. This is a very important role in the civil rights movement. She also leads its sister group, The Leadership Conference Education Fund.
In 2023, she met with Vice President Kamala Harris to talk about new technologies like artificial intelligence (AI). They discussed how AI might affect people's rights. She also spoke at a meeting in the United States Senate about AI. Maya Wiley often attends meetings at the White House. There, she works with other civil rights leaders to make sure everyone has fair voting rights and good job opportunities.
Personal Life
Maya Wiley is married to Harlan Mandel. He is the CEO of a group called the Media Development Investment Fund. They live in Brooklyn with their two daughters.
