Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes
Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes has faithfully served New York State’s 141st Assembly district since 2003. In January 2019, she was elevated to become the Majority Leader of the New York State Assembly.
An advocate with clear and principled service, she has always put people and policy before politics. She was appointed as Chair of the Assembly’s Committee on Governmental Operations in 2015. This committee maintains oversight on ethics reform and FOIL requests, state police, homeland security, disaster and emergency preparedness, MWBE, crime victims, human rights, and military and naval affairs. In June 2017, she was voted by her colleagues to be Chair of the New York State Legislative Women’s Caucus which is a bi-partisan and bi-cameral group.
Peoples-Stokes continues to fearlessly fight for diversity in our state. She has been an integral part of ensuring that Minority and Women-Owned Businesses have a fair chance in obtaining state contracts. Her Diversity in Medicine initiative has promoted entry into the medical field with academic and financial supports for promising students of color. Through a pilot program in Buffalo, a similar Diversity in Education initiative is currently working with teachers’ aides to help bridge the gap between their existing credentials and those required to teach in NYS. She was also a staunch advocate for the implementation and funding for community schools.
As a graduate of both Buffalo Public Schools and Buffalo State College, she earned a Bachelor’s Degree of Science in Elementary Education and a Master’s Degree in Student Personnel Administration. She was presented with an Honorary Doctorate Degree by Medaille College in May 2017. Assemblymember Peoples-Stokes attributes her achievements and abilities to her strong faith and family. She is a member of True Bethel Baptist Church and St. Luke’s AME Zion Church and currently resides in Buffalo, New York with her husband.