Glynda Carr is Rising Star

Education Voters of New York Executive Director Glynda Carr was named one of the 40 Rising Stars Under 40 by Albany’s The Capitol. Read the full article here, and the section on Glynda below.

Glynda Carr
Executive Director of Education Voters of New York
Age: 37
Theme Song: “My Favorite Things,” from The Sound of Music

Glynda Carr grew up in inner-city Hartford but rode a bus each morning to a school in a wealthy suburb, where she was one of only a handful of students of color. There, she immersed herself in music and art classes, encouraged by her parents—who later pushed her to get involved in politics. Her father, a West Indian immigrant, and her mother, who is African-American, had long been involved in community organizing. On her 18th birthday, she recalled, the whole family trudged to City Hall so she could register to vote.

“Who I am today is based on the kind of education I received,” Carr said. “It showed me a well-rounded education can be attained by all. It’s just based on will.”

After graduating from the University of Hartford with a degree in music, Carr did stints at several nonprofits, including the Thurgood Marshall Scholarship fund, where she managed a $2-million portfolio before her 30th birthday.

In 2001, she caught the eye of State Sen. Kevin Parker (D) when she volunteered for his campaign, and he asked her to become his chief of staff. His overtures surprised her, since she was a political novice.

“I was like, ‘You want me?!’” she recalled. Parker replied that he was looking for someone who could listen to the concerns of his largely Caribbean-American district and translate them into policy. Carr fit the bill. She focused on economic and youth development and ran his 2006 re-election campaign.

Just over a year ago, Carr began a new chapter at Education Voters of New York, an advocacy group that has played a key role in several tight races in recent years with cash infusions and public campaigns highlighting candidates’ positions on education funding.

“I’m excited to be part of an organization that is in the right place at the right time,” Carr said.

How did your past jobs get you to where you are now? “The offer came at a point where I felt like my experience as a staffer in the legislature would allow me to be an advocate.”

If you weren’t working in politics, what would you be doing? “I hope I would be retired, sitting on the beach reading a book.”

Five years from now, what is it going to say on your business card? “Education Voters! But I hope the discussion has changed, that we’ve built a full-fledged citizens movement on education reform, where everybody feels that they have a voice and a place at the table to help shape what our schools look like.”