Women are no longer outsiders in state-building processes; they’re active participants. Cordell Cleare, a Democrat who has served her community since the late 1990s, proves it. Learn more about her and her fight for social equality on manhattanyes.
Political Career
Cordell Cleare was born on December 5, 1965, in Harlem, Manhattan—a neighborhood renowned for its jazz clubs, soul food, and rich African-American traditions. She worked for New York State Senator Bill Perkins for over 18 years, serving as his chief of staff for several.
Cleare was a member of Community Education Council District 3 and the Community School Board for six years. In 2008, she was involved in Barack Obama’s presidential campaign, and four years later, she supported his re-election bid. In 2017, Cleare ran for New York City Council, aiming to represent the 9th District, but lost the election. She made another attempt in 2021, which was also unsuccessful. In September of that year, the Manhattan Democratic Committee nominated Cleare for a special election as the representative for New York State Senate District 30. She won with over 88% of the vote and was overwhelmingly re-elected in 2022.
Senator Cleare’s Achievements
The 30th District, which Cleare represents, covers nearly all of Harlem, as well as the Upper West Side, Morningside Heights, Manhattanville, Hamilton Heights, and Washington Heights. Cordell Cleare is only the second woman in history to hold this position. The late Manhattan Borough President and judge Constance Baker Motley was the first to represent the 30th District. As of February 2025, they are the only two Black women elected to the New York State Senate from Manhattan.
Cleare was appointed Chair of the Senate Committee on Aging. She also serves on several other committees, including those responsible for finance, culture, education, housing, and social services. As a member of the Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislative Caucus, Cleare chairs the Subcommittee on Housing and is an active participant in the Cannabis Task Force. Whether in the Senate or within legislative groups, Cleare has initiated numerous laws that aim to alleviate the sense of hopelessness in her district. In 2023 alone, she authored and introduced 238 bills, focusing on issues like elder care, ensuring equality, and providing affordable housing—all vital concerns for her community.
Cleare successfully prevented the closure of much-needed schools and senior centers in Manhattan’s most impoverished areas. She was instrumental in combating the COVID-19 pandemic by distributing personal protective equipment and advocating for better access to vaccines. Cleare also helped hundreds of individuals register and complete the necessary forms to vote in party primaries, special elections, and general elections.
Activism
After her son suffered lead poisoning, Cordell Cleare became a fierce advocate for raising awareness about the dangers of lead. She spoke about lead toxicity in schools, community centers, health events, and directly to officials. In 1997, she received the Brooke Russell Astor Award from the New York Public Library for her activism, which included a $10,000 prize.
Lead is particularly dangerous for children and women of reproductive age. Once ingested, it can have toxic effects on the brain, blood, gastrointestinal, nervous, and cardiovascular systems, as well as the kidneys. The risk of chronic lead poisoning in children is heightened by the use of toys, clothing, and textiles made from substandard materials. Therefore, parents should prioritize product quality over low cost. Among adults, lead intoxication is most often caused by working in battery manufacturing and in the production of PVC window components that use lead-containing stabilizers. Cleare initiated the creation of a bill to prevent childhood lead poisoning, which the New York City Council passed in 2004.
Furthermore, Cleare has championed ending fossil fuel use for the Metropolitan Transportation Authority and protecting green spaces. She’s also known for her fight for reparations, affordable housing, quality schools, equitable education, access to healthy food, and economic, environmental, and racial justice. Cordell Cleare firmly believes that political change through education and community engagement forms the bedrock of a strong democracy.
In summary, Cleare uses her influence primarily to improve affordable housing; address challenges in education, healthcare, and business; and ensure conditions for equal income for all residents of her district. She champions workforce development, job creation, and the cessation of gun and domestic violence. A proud Manhattan native, she is dedicated to her service and sincerely committed to the fight for social equality.