Chirlane McCray

McCray in 2013

Chirlane Irene McCray (born November 29, 1954 in Springfield, Massachusetts)[1] is an American writer, editor and activist. She is married to New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio. McCray was described as the "closest advisor" for de Blasio.[2] McCray is the chairwoman for the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City and leads ThriveNYC.[3] She has also published poetry. McCray worked in politics as a speechwriter.

Involvement in the de Blasio administration

When de Blasio became mayor, he hired the publicist Rachel Noerdlinger as McCray's chief of staff.[4] Noerdlinger, however, later resigned her post due to several controversies with her behavior and the behaviors of certain people around her.[5]

During his second month in office, de Blasio named McCray the chair of the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City.[6] Beginning from then, the group was focused on immigration, mental health and youth workforce projects.[7]

In November 2015, McCray led the launch of ThriveNYC, a plan for overhauling the city's mental health and substance abuse services.[8] ThriveNYC promotes a change from the more traditionally more reactive model. That model can strain police, hospitals, prisons and schools,[9] into an integrated public health approach on being aware and being identified early.[10]

ThriveNYC drew harsh criticism over accusations of not being properly managed and accusations that the group failed to produce any records with the proper results. As of March 2019, almost $850 million in funding in McCray's program was unaccounted for. Also, the program was on track to spend just over $1 billion over almost five years. A Bronx Councilman criticized ThriveNYC. He said there was no evidence that the program was working.[11]

Chirlane McCray Media

Related pages

References

  1. Chirlane McCray in a Sling After Birthday InjuriesThe New York Daily Times. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  2. De Blasio Gripes About the Rules Barring SpousesThe New York Post. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  3. Chirlane McCray, de Blasio's Wife, is Questioned over His 'Revolutionary' $1 Billion Mental Health PlanNew York Times. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  4. At City Hall, Backstage Player is Cast in the Main Stage UproarsThe New York Times. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  5. Rachel Noerdlinger, the Former Chirlane McCray Aide, Kept an Ex-Con Boyfriend Updated Through the ControversyThe New York Daily News. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  6. De Blasio Appoints Chirlane McCray, His Wife, to Lead a Nonprofit GroupNew York Times. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  7. Priority Areas-A Mayor's Fundwww1.nyc.gov. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  8. The New York City First Lady Chirlane McCray Weighs in on a Federal Mental Health ReformObserver. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  9. Chirlane McCray and First Limits of LadyshipThe New York Times. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  10. Mental Health is a Public Health IssueFund for Public Health - New York. Retrieved July 18, 2021.
  11. There is Too Much Money in Chirlane McCray's HandsNew York Post. Retrieved July 18, 2021.