Nick E. Smith is an experienced public policy change agent and executive. Over nearly 15 years, Nick has co-authored significant justice, labor and housing laws. Scores of New Yorkers have benefitted, including New Yorkers with justice system involvement, victims of discrimination, and members of the workforce.
Justice System Reform Expert
As Legislative Director in the NYC Council, Nick conceived of numerous policies and built coalitions to pass them. He played key roles in co-authoring #FairChanceNYC and Right to Record (Police) Act, and others.
Nick has authored or co-authored more than 50 local laws, and negotiated 200+, including a law that finally eliminated any calling fees for families trying to reach loved ones on Rikers Island.
Nick often speaks on solutions to gun violence. He and twin sister Nichole, experienced gun violence first hand, having hit the pavement during crossfire as kids. He works with leaders on solutions to the flow of guns and causes of their use. He conceived of the National Network to Combat Gun Violence in response.
housing policy strategist
Nick was lead staff for the City Council Housing Committee (2014-2017). Under then-Chair Williams, he worked with advocates and industry to pass laws increasing minimum apt. temperature, protecting tenants against harassment, reducing construction worker fatalities, encouraging bike-to-work and renewing rent regulation
Public Speaker
Nick speaks to varied audiences on enacting policy change and resilience. He combines his life story, the stories of those he's met along the way, with practical solutions as cornerstones of any talk.
Mentor
Nick routinely mentors young professionals looking for careers in public service. Recently, he spoke to the New York City Urban Fellows about his career path. "You don't have to follow the beaten path, you can chart your own course. You've got to remain resilient through it all," he said, in part.
We know the solutions to the problems we face. They're found among the New Yorkers that are traditionally ignored.