Biography | About | U.S. Congressman Jamaal Bowman of New York's 16th District

Meet Congressman Bowman

Rep Bowman was born and raised in New York City by his mom along with his three sisters. Living in public housing and rent controlled apartments during the crack cocaine era in a multicultural working class community shaped his commitment to community, equity, and justice. Rep Bowman now calls Yonkers home where he lives with his wife and two of his three children.

With an education career spanning two decades, Rep Bowman has been a tireless advocate for the rights of teachers, students, and families. Recognizing firsthand the systemic barriers that disadvantage low-income households and kids, he founded the Cornerstone Academy for Social Action Middle School (CASA) in the Bronx—an institution that has risen to prominence as one of New York City’s most recognized public middle schools.

Rep Bowman has been a tireless advocate for the rights of teachers, students, and families.

Beyond his role as an educator, Congressman Bowman has been a catalyst for change for working families through grassroots organizing. He has organized and been an integral part of movements such as the opt-out movement, rallying teachers and parents from diverse backgrounds to challenge harmful standardized testing practices. His leadership also extended to coalitions focused on improving early learning, culminating in his involvement with the New York State Early Childhood Blue Ribbon Committee and working to bring trauma-informed practices, equitable education funding, and culturally responsive education to every teacher and school in New York State.

Motivated by a deep-seated commitment to addressing societal inequities and our broken political systems, Rep Bowman took his advocacy to the next level. Witnessing the impact of the school-to-prison pipeline, homelessness, mental health issues, a flawed immigration system, and more, Rep Bowman recognized the need for change and decided to challenge the status quo. He spearheaded a grassroots, people-powered campaign against a 16-term incumbent in Congress. Rep Bowman has vowed to be a representative who prioritizes people over politics, community over corporations, and books over bombs, advocating for all of his constituents but specifically for the most vulnerable and marginalized across the district.

Congressman Bowman wasted no time in delivering tangible progress for New Yorkers.

After winning his election during the challenging times of the COVID-19 pandemic and George Floyd’s murder, Rep Bowman wasted no time in delivering tangible progress for New Yorkers. His advocacy resulted in FEMA opening a vaccination site in Yonkers and New York City establishing a vaccination site in Co-op City, each with the capacity to vaccinate 1,000 people a day.

Grounded in his district and community, Rep Bowman has been a visible and accessible representative. Over his three years in Congress, he has hosted 33 town halls, Coffees with the Congressman, and community conversations, engaging with constituents on crucial issues such as housing, immigration, gun violence, mental health, small businesses, jobs, apprenticeships, and foster care.

Congressman Jamaal Bowman's life work is dedicated to service, advocacy, community, and meaningful change—becoming a powerful force for justice and equity in Congress.

Rep Bowman has prioritized taxing the wealthy to invest in the community as a member of Congress and has secured over $125 million for NY-16. He has successfully advocated for major investments in local community organizations, including Montefiore Medical Center, Mount Vernon Neighborhood Health Center, Yonkers YMCA, New Rochelle YMCA, Justice Innovation, and more. Rep Bowman's commitment to justice extends beyond district lines. As a progressive leader in Congress, he stood with Amazon workers in Bessemer, Alabama, advocating for unionization and visited Laredo, Texas, to confront the challenges posed by the racist immigration system.

Senator Jamaal Bowman