Selvena Brooks-Powers

Selvena N. Brooks-Powers (born March 1, 1983) is an American politician and community organizer serving as a member of the New York City Council from the 31st district. She assumed office on March 19, 2021. Brooks-Powers was named majority whip of the City Council in January 2022.

Early life and education Brooks-Powers was raised in Queens, New York City. She earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in sociology from Wilberforce University and a Master of Science in global affairs from New York University.

Career Brooks-Powers began her career as a staffer to Democratic members of the New York State Senate. She later worked on Dennis Herrera's campaign for mayor of San Francisco. In 2012 and 2013, she worked as a communications specialist for the Service Employees International Union. She also worked as a press officer in the office of the New York City Comptroller. Brooks-Powers has since worked as an independent political consultant. She was elected to the New York City Council on March 19, 2021.

The New York City Council In April 2025, Brooks-Powers and Councilwoman Lynn Schulman were removed as members from the New York City Council's budget committee by New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams. Speaker Adams ran for mayor of New York in the 2025 Democratic Primary, losing to Mayor Zohran Mamdani. Both Brooks-Powers and Schulman endorsed mayoral candidate Andrew Cuomo in March 2025.

Councilwoman Brooks-Powers also served as the Majority Whip of the City Council and Chair of the City Council's Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure throughout Eric Adams tenure as mayor, losing both roles in January 2026. The councilwoman came on record in March 2025 as a vocal opponent of the removal of cars from a bike lane in Downtown Far Rockaway, stating "It wasn’t supported by the community. ... In effect it’s not a bike lane quite honestly; no one uses it, they [drivers] park there. We would like to see the hard infrastructure removed."

As Councilwoman, she's led efforts on expanding the MTA's Fair Fares program, the legalization of jaywalking in New York City, expanding outreach on flood preparedness, and transferring land ownership of a vacant lot from NYCHA to the city for the building of a trauma center in Arverne.

Electoral history 2025

2023

2021