Nelson Castro (politician)
Encyclopedia
Nelson Castro is an American politician from the state of New York
. A Democrat
, he serves in the New York State Assembly
representing the 86th district, which covers the University Heights
, Tremont
, and Fordham
sections of the Bronx.
Elected in 2008, he succeeded Luis Diaz
and is the first Dominican to represent the Bronx in the State Assembly. He took office in January 2009.
Biography:
Nelson Castro was born on January 25, 1972, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, arriving in New York City at the age of 11, where he was enrolled in the public school system. Along with his mother and brother, they had to abruptly relocate to the state of Michigan, where he completed high school at Berrien Springs High and continued his undergraduate studies at Andrews University, earning a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. There he became co-founder of the Latin American Student Club. Upon his return to New York, he also attended Empire State College. In the summer of 1994, he returned to New York and moved into a humble apartment in the West Bronx.
Nelson was able to get first-hand experience by serving as chief of staff for Adriano Espaillat, state Assemblyman for the 72nd District. There he handled cases from immigration to housing to domestic violence, among others. It was in this function where it became evident that he had a calling to become a servant of the people. In November 2008, Nelson Castro made history by becoming the first Dominican American elected to public office in the Bronx.
For over 10 years, Nelson has contributed to the development of communities of color in the West Bronx, as well as in upper Manhattan. His public service career solidified with his involvement in organizations such as the Children Arts & Science Workshop, the American Latin Association of New York (ALANY), the UMCED, the Washington Heights and Inwood Coalition, the Dominican Community Service Center, Plaza Las Americas, the Washington Heights Arts Center, and Dominicans 2000. These organizations focused on providing different services to people of limited resources. Within these organizations, Nelson occupied various capacities ranging from co-founder, director, president of the board, or simply being an active member.
Nelson continues to work on the well-being of the community. He continues to reside in the Bronx. He is an active member of ALANY and the Inwood and Marble Hill Chamber of Commerce, serving as board member or advisor. He has also recently established the organization “We Are United for Progress,” and is a founding influence in the Dominican American Civil Rights Council. Simultaneously, he dedicates himself to working with different organizations and groups that represent the senior population to offer them a better option in their comprehensive medical coverage.
Nelson has published various articles on the importance of our right to vote and has participated in public forums that have encouraged people to exercise their right to vote. Asked of his greatest accomplishments, Nelson says, “Having made history by becoming the first Dominican American elected to public office in the Bronx and my children.” He is a loving father of his daughter, Jennel (16) and son, Christopher (11).
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
. A Democrat
Democratic Party (United States)
The Democratic Party is one of two major contemporary political parties in the United States, along with the Republican Party. The party's socially liberal and progressive platform is largely considered center-left in the U.S. political spectrum. The party has the lengthiest record of continuous...
, he serves in the New York State Assembly
New York State Assembly
The New York State Assembly is the lower house of the New York State Legislature. The Assembly is composed of 150 members representing an equal number of districts, with each district having an average population of 128,652...
representing the 86th district, which covers the University Heights
University Heights, Bronx
University Heights is a residential neighborhood of the West Bronx in New York City. The neighborhood is part of Bronx Community Board 5 and Bronx Community Board 7. Its boundaries, starting from the north and moving clockwise, are: West 190th Street to the north, Jerome Avenue to the east, West...
, Tremont
Tremont, Bronx
Tremont is a low income residential neighborhood geographically located in the west Bronx, New York City. The neighborhood is part of Bronx Community Board 5. Its boundaries, starting from the north and moving clockwise are: East 183rd Street to the north, Webster Avenue to the east, the...
, and Fordham
Fordham, Bronx
Fordham is a neighborhood of New York City, United States, located in the West Bronx. The neighborhood is part of Bronx Community Board 5. It is bordered by Fordham Road to the north, Webster Avenue to the east, East 183rd Street to the south, and Jerome Avenue to the west...
sections of the Bronx.
Elected in 2008, he succeeded Luis Diaz
Luis Diaz (politician)
Luis Diaz is a former New York State Assembly member for the 86th district, first elected in 2002 . He is a Democrat. He stood down at the 2008 elections....
and is the first Dominican to represent the Bronx in the State Assembly. He took office in January 2009.
Biography:
Nelson Castro was born on January 25, 1972, in Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic, arriving in New York City at the age of 11, where he was enrolled in the public school system. Along with his mother and brother, they had to abruptly relocate to the state of Michigan, where he completed high school at Berrien Springs High and continued his undergraduate studies at Andrews University, earning a bachelor’s degree in Business Administration. There he became co-founder of the Latin American Student Club. Upon his return to New York, he also attended Empire State College. In the summer of 1994, he returned to New York and moved into a humble apartment in the West Bronx.
Nelson was able to get first-hand experience by serving as chief of staff for Adriano Espaillat, state Assemblyman for the 72nd District. There he handled cases from immigration to housing to domestic violence, among others. It was in this function where it became evident that he had a calling to become a servant of the people. In November 2008, Nelson Castro made history by becoming the first Dominican American elected to public office in the Bronx.
For over 10 years, Nelson has contributed to the development of communities of color in the West Bronx, as well as in upper Manhattan. His public service career solidified with his involvement in organizations such as the Children Arts & Science Workshop, the American Latin Association of New York (ALANY), the UMCED, the Washington Heights and Inwood Coalition, the Dominican Community Service Center, Plaza Las Americas, the Washington Heights Arts Center, and Dominicans 2000. These organizations focused on providing different services to people of limited resources. Within these organizations, Nelson occupied various capacities ranging from co-founder, director, president of the board, or simply being an active member.
Nelson continues to work on the well-being of the community. He continues to reside in the Bronx. He is an active member of ALANY and the Inwood and Marble Hill Chamber of Commerce, serving as board member or advisor. He has also recently established the organization “We Are United for Progress,” and is a founding influence in the Dominican American Civil Rights Council. Simultaneously, he dedicates himself to working with different organizations and groups that represent the senior population to offer them a better option in their comprehensive medical coverage.
Nelson has published various articles on the importance of our right to vote and has participated in public forums that have encouraged people to exercise their right to vote. Asked of his greatest accomplishments, Nelson says, “Having made history by becoming the first Dominican American elected to public office in the Bronx and my children.” He is a loving father of his daughter, Jennel (16) and son, Christopher (11).