Linda Lacewell, superintendent of financial services, has also announced Tremaine Wright — previous representative for the 56th district of the New York State Assembly — as the office’s first director. “This office will advance the Department’s strategic financial inclusion initiatives, beginning with an inventory of services available from community organizations, advocacy groups, and industry across […]
Linda Lacewell, superintendent of financial services, has also announced Tremaine Wright — previous representative for the 56th district of the New York State Assembly — as the office’s first director.
“This office will advance the Department’s strategic financial inclusion initiatives, beginning with an inventory of services available from community organizations, advocacy groups, and industry across the state. The office will also pilot and develop policy initiatives designed to help further financial inclusion and empowerment,” Lacewell said. “Tremaine Wright’s extensive background and expertise as a consumer advocacy leader and government representative will be a critical asset for the Department and for New Yorkers.”
As director, Wright will develop and implement policy and programs for the new office of financial inclusion and empowerment, the state’s first office focused on community wealth-building, DFS said. The office will work with stakeholders across the state to identify and develop strategies to increase household and community wealth, particularly for “historically underserved” populations, and to help connect consumers with local services.
The office of financial inclusion and empowerment will coordinate existing work and initiatives across New York with community partners to develop and incubate new ideas and approaches to “economic empowerment and justice,” and be a source of New York-related data analysis and research. The new office will maintain a centralized list of financial-services counseling providers — across housing, student loan, debt, and general financial literacy — throughout the state. It will also coordinate state and local services aimed at expanding access to credit and opportunities for wealth building.
“Lack of access to affordable banking products have traditionally led to exclusion and predatory lending within low-income communities and communities of color,” Wright said. “I look forward to joining the DFS team and supplementing their ongoing work with advocates and everyday New Yorkers to advance DFS’ economic-justice initiatives designed to identify and remove barriers to accessing financial services.”
About Wright
Before this appointment, Wright was elected to the New York State Assembly on Nov. 8, 2016, serving the Brooklyn borough of New York City. She was chair of the New York State Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian legislative caucus and chair of the Assembly Subcommittee on Foster Care.
Prior to her election to the Assembly, Wright practiced law at Brooklyn Legal Services and private law firms. She also owned and operated a neighborhood coffee house from March 2006 to September 2015. Wright earned her law degree from the University of Chicago Law School and her bachelor’s degree from Duke University.