Grace Lee

Grace Lee lives in lower Manhattan. Lee earned a B.A. in economics and philosophy from Columbia University in 2002 and an M.B.A. in finance and entrepreneurship from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business in 2010.[1] Lee co-founded Children First, a coalition focused on mercury brownfield cleanup, and the co-founder of Nine Naturals, a beauty line.[2]

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Who are you? Tell us about yourself.

I'm the mother of three young daughters, a small business owner and a first-generation, Asian American proud to call Lower Manhattan my home for 15 years. I'm the co-founder of Children First, a parent-led activist group fighting for the safe cleanup of a toxic site located across from two elementary schools in the South Street Seaport. I'm entering public service with experience as a successful political organizer and entrepreneur. Prior to Children First, I helped flip the House in 2018 as the New York events director for Swing Left. I'm also the co-founder of Nine Naturals, a toxin-free beauty line for pregnant and new moms. I received my BA from Columbia University and my MBA from the University of Chicago Booth School of Business.

Please list below 3 key messages of your campaign. What are the main points you want voters to remember about your goals for your time in office?

Pass the New York Health Act to guarantee health care for all New Yorkers and make COVID-19 testing and vaccines free and available for all.Fully fund our public schools and invest in education technology by having the most well off New Yorkers pay their fair share.Create new jobs through investing in infrastructure and domestic manufacturing, while providing universal basic income to ensure our communities' financial security.

What areas of public policy are you personally passionate about?

My concern for the public health and economic well-being of my community is what inspired me to get involved in public service. When I learned a proposed development site across from my daughter's school was once the nation's largest thermometer factory, with 1000 times natural mercury levels in the soil, I co-founded a parent-led coalition to ensure our children's safety. Our local elected officials were ineffective in taking action with us, and I quickly learned that wasn't the only issue where our leadership was falling short. I decided if they wouldn't step up, I would go to Albany myself and make it happen. Now, as we recover from a pandemic and face national recession and unrest, the stakes are higher than ever in determining our leadership and putting forward a vision to build a better New York.