Cory’s family has played an integral part in his life, teaching him the importance of education, access, and advocacy and building awareness through civic engagement–especially in the minds of our youth. Cory’s focus has always been on community engagement and he will use the office of State Committeeman to organize our community to actively address issues that affect all of our lives. From social
and environmental justice issues to concerns about development and gentrification, the voices of community residents need to be heard. Cory will use this position within the Democratic Party to bring in attention and resources to address local concerns, with a particular emphasis on the development and maintenance of affordable housing, access to educational opportunities, engaging the youth and generating local economic opportunity. Cory’s activism began at an early age, after graduating from Thomas Jefferson High School, where Cory served as Student Body President, in East New York Brooklyn; Cory continued his education at Brooklyn College. While earning his undergraduate degree, Philosophy (B.A.), Cory was active across campus. He was president of both the NAACP College Chapter at Brooklyn College and the campus’ Mentoring Alliance, often using the influence of these organizations to bring college students closer to the communities around them. One of the most significant initiatives Cory helped organize was the Brooklyn College Mentoring Alliance Shadow Day, which brought teenagers from lower socioeconomic backgrounds into college classrooms, giving them a glimpse of the promise of higher education. Cory would continue on to earn his Masters Degree in Urban Policy and Administration at Brooklyn College. He began his degree with an internship with both, Assemblyman William Scarborough of Jamaica, Queens and with the Brooklyn College Children Studies Center. During this time, Cory, the Assemblyman, and a host of very committed individuals, developed the Million Father’s Club, an organization charged with bringing resources together to develop healthy family relationships. Cory’s dedication to this cause allowed him the opportunity to remain a part of the organization’s steering committee even after the completion of his internship. While working on his education Cory also took time to work with the community. He worked with State Senator Kevin Parker on several community events, including Job Fairs that taught residents skills, helping them acquire access to employment. As well as spending time in the post-hurricane Katrina New Orleans with the People's Organizing Committee assisting in rebuilding efforts. In 2009, the graduate students at Brooklyn College elected Cory Provost as their class President. He was also elected the Chairperson of The University Student Senate that, since 1972, has been the only student governance body with elected student delegates from all the branches of The City University of New York, representing over 400,000 CUNY students across the five boroughs. Cory was the youngest member, from 2009-2011, of the Board of Trustees for the City University of New York (www.cuny.edu). As a trustee Cory was responsible for helping shape the direction of public higher education within New York City. During this time Cory also served as a Trustee to the Higher Education Services Corporation, the government agency responsible for managing the Tuition Assistance Program (TAP)--the country’s largest state grant program. In 2010, Cory would seek to engage his community in a new way--by launching a campaign for New York’s 58th Assembly District Male State Committeeman (District Leader). As a political neophyte, Cory organized a grassroots campaign of 50+ volunteers and by securing over 1700 petition signatures (more than triple the required amount) would be placed on the ballot in the 2010 election cycle. These efforts would command 44% of the vote on Election Day while also alerting the community of the strength of youth voters and young professionals. In 2011 Cory would be a finisher of NYC’s ING Marathon running in memory of his mentor Tyrek Richey while also raising over several thousand dollars for blood cancer research with the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society. Cory is now the Vice-President and Chief Operating Officer for Young Movement (www.youngmovement.org), a New York based not-for-profit think tank that provides research and advocacy on socioeconomic issues affecting young people ages 18–35, and forms meaningful partnerships for its members. Cory also serves as the Executive Liaison for the Haitian American Caucus (www.hacus.org): a driving coalition movement to improve the lives of the Haitian-American community and its allies; a board member for the High School of Sports Management Advisory Board and Dream Org. Incorporated. Cory has most recently been selected as a Fellow with the We Are All Brooklyn Coalition and as a Co-Chair for Recruitment with the National Coalition of Student Regent and Trustees.
