Jahmila K. Joseph

Jahmila K. Joseph, a native of greater Boston, is an emerging labor leader and political operative from New York City. With an academic background in cultural studies, professional experience in labor and politics, and a personal passion for fighting inequality, Ms. Joseph takes pride in her career and in always “doing the right thing.”

Ms. Joseph earned her bachelor’s degree from the New School University where she studied abroad at the Universidad de la Habana, Cuba, graduating with honors in 2005. She began working for the City of New York in multiple capacities until moving to the private sector in 2009, when she became a registered lobbyist and fundraising consultant. In 2012, Ms. Joseph returned to work for the City as Public Advocate, Bill de Blasio’s Deputy Chief of Staff , and after seeing him through his election to Mayor of the City of New York, was then appointed Executive Director of the Office of Intergovernmental Affairs for the New York City Department of Education, the nation’s largest public school system.

In 2015, Ms. Joseph accepted the position of Assistant Associate Director of District Council 37, New York City’s largest municipal labor union, representing more than 121,000 city workers and 60,000 retirees. In her current role, she diligently oversees the Council’s political operations, strategic campaigns and external partnerships. Currently, her work is focused on implementing new strategies for engaging union households; most recently, the union’s inaugural student debt program was launched, helping members to find financial relief in an age where students are often drowning in student loans.

In addition to her busy and exciting professional career, Ms. Joseph is a volunteer mentor with the Brotherhood Sister-Sol in Harlem, New York, and she serves on the Board of Directors for the New School Alumni Association. There, Ms. Joseph is an active ambassador, contributing to student enrichment through career mentorship and collaborations with faculty and university leadership.

Although her family is split between Boston and Hawaii, Ms. Joseph happily resides in the Crown Heights section of Brooklyn.