🎙️ Episode 22 — The People’s Majority: Crystal Peoples-Stokes on Power, Purpose & Policy in New York

Policy & Culture Podcast

Hosted by Dan Lloyd & Andrew Ayodeji

In this landmark episode, we sit down with Crystal D. Peoples-Stokes, Majority Leader of the New York State Assembly and a living example of what it means to lead with purpose, conviction, and community at the center.

From her early beginnings as a teacher and community advocate in Buffalo, to becoming the first woman and first African American to hold the position of Assembly Majority Leader, Peoples-Stokes has broken barriers at every stage of her career. But her legacy isn’t just about “firsts” it’s about impact.

With over two decades in public office, she has consistently championed policies that uplift marginalized communities, open doors for Minority and Women-Owned Businesses (MWBEs), and shift systems toward justice — most notably as the lead sponsor of the Marijuana Regulation & Taxation Act (MRTA), one of the most equity-centered cannabis laws in the country.

🔊 In this episode, we explore:

• The boldness it took to win two tough Democratic primaries and step into state leadership
• The 8-year journey behind the scenes to pass MRTA — and what’s needed to make it real for communities most harmed by prohibition
• Her deep commitment to MWBE access and the hard truths about state contracting equity
• The importance of growing teacher and healthcare pipelines through diversity-focused legislation
• How her faith, family, and Buffalo roots continue to ground her in service over politics
• Her advice to future leaders: why the long game is worth it, and how to stay rooted in the people you’re called to serve

Majority Leader Crystal Peoples-Stokes doesn’t just hold power she redefines how it’s used. This episode is a rare and raw conversation with a woman who’s helped shape the policy landscape of New York and continues to push for progress that’s both principled and people-first.

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#PolicynCulture #CannabisJustice #MWBE #BuffaloNY #NewYorkPolitics #BlackWomenLead #FaithAndLeadership #MRTA #CivicPower #PublicService #StateAssembly #MinorityMillennials

Support the show

Thanks for tuning in to Policy and Culture, where we bridge the gap between policy and culture. We're your hosts, Dan Lloyd and Drew Ayodeji.

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe to our podcast on your favorite platform. You can find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts.

For more content and updates, follow us on social media:

• Instagram: @PolicynCulture

Visit our website at www.policynculture.com for articles, videos, and more in-depth analysis on the topics we discuss.

Have a question or topic suggestion? Email us at policynculture@gmail.com

Remember, staying informed is the first step to making a difference. Until next time, this is Policy and Culture, empowering you to understand the world around us.

In this episode, we sit down with Alicia Gené Artessa, Esq., Director of the New York Offshore Wind Alliance (NYOWA), to explore the real forces shaping New York’s clean energy future from state politics and legislative processes to the promise of offshore wind as a tool for climate and economic transformation.

A seasoned attorney and government relations strategist, Alicia brings over seven years of experience working in the New York State Senate, leading lobbying campaigns, and crafting some of the state’s most consequential energy and environmental policies. Now, as the Director of NYOWA, she’s at the center of New York’s offshore wind buildout pushing for bold climate action and ensuring this generational opportunity delivers for all New Yorkers.

Alicia breaks down:

• Her journey from Assistant Counsel in the NYS Senate to becoming a leading voice in clean energy
• The role of NYOWA in accelerating offshore wind and advancing New York’s climate goals
• How policy, politics, and public education intersect in the energy transition
• What it takes to turn a complex, technical industry into a movement that resonates with communities
• The behind-the-scenes work of coalition building, budget negotiations, and environmental law
• Her advice for young professionals,entering policy and climate spaces

Before leading NYOWA, Alicia was a Vice President at one of Albany’s top lobbying firms, specializing in renewable energy, education, and environmental issues. She also served as an Assistant Counsel in the New York State Senate, where she played a pivotal role in shaping legislative and budget priorities across a range of sectors, including energy, telecommunications, housing, and agriculture.

A proud graduate of Vermont Law School, Alicia holds both a Juris Doctor and a Master’s in Environmental Law and Policy. Today, she continues to shape the energy and policy landscape with clarity, purpose, and an unwavering belief in New York’s clean energy promise.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to Policy & Culture for more bold conversations with the people driving policy, shifting culture, and shaping the future.

Support the show

Thanks for tuning in to Policy & Culture, where we bridge the gap between policy and people. We’re your hosts, Dan Lloyd and Drew Ayodeji.

If you enjoyed this episode, be sure to subscribe on your favorite platform — Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, or wherever you listen.

For more content and updates, follow us on social media:

📱 Instagram: @PolicynCulture

🌐 Visit our website: www.policynculture.com

Have a question or want to suggest a guest or topic? Email us: policynculture@gmail.com

Support the show

Thanks for tuning in to Policy and Culture, where we bridge the gap between policy and culture. We're your hosts, Dan Lloyd and Drew Ayodeji.

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe to our podcast on your favorite platform. You can find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts.

For more content and updates, follow us on social media:

• Instagram: @PolicynCulture

Visit our website at www.policynculture.com for articles, videos, and more in-depth analysis on the topics we discuss.

Have a question or topic suggestion? Email us at policynculture@gmail.com

Remember, staying informed is the first step to making a difference. Until next time, this is Policy and Culture, empowering you to understand the world around us.

Episode Title: Built for This Moment: Chris Alexander on Carrying the NAACP Legacy Forward

Welcome to Episode 20 of Policy & Culture — where power meets the people.

In this powerful conversation, we sit down with Chris Alexander, newly appointed Executive Director of the NAACP New York State Conference, to unpack what it means to lead the oldest and largest civil rights organization in America during one of the most urgent moments for racial, economic, and social justice.

The NAACP New York State Conference has been a cornerstone of advocacy for 89 of the organization’s 115-year history, driving forward campaigns for voting rights, police reform, education equity, and economic inclusion. Now, under Chris’s leadership, it’s entering a new era , one rooted in community organizing, legislative power, and unapologetic Black leadership.

Chris shares:

• His vision to grow the NAACP’s membership and advocacy footprint across New York
• His personal journey from Queens to the Capitol, as a policy expert and criminal justice reformer
• What it took to launch New York’s legal cannabis market and create over $500M in economic activity
• Why the intersection of civil rights, cannabis justice, and community reinvestment matters more than ever
• The behind-the-scenes of writing and passing the Marijuana Regulation and Taxation Act (MRTA)

Before taking the helm at the NAACP NYS Conference, Chris Alexander made history as the inaugural Executive Director of New York’s Office of Cannabis Management (OCM) — leading the rollout of one of the country’s most ambitious equity-centered cannabis programs, generating over 10,000 new jobs and reshaping the economic landscape.

He’s also served as:

• Associate Counsel in the NYS Senate, where he led efforts to end solitary confinement and reform parole
• Policy Coordinator at Drug Policy Alliance, where he launched the Start SMART NY campaign
• A former Legislative Aide in Congress and Field Director for the NYS Democratic Party

Chris brings a unique blend of movement roots and policymaking mastery to this episode — and shares how he’s preparing to elevate the next generation of Black leadership across New York State.

🔔 Don’t forget to like, comment, and subscribe to Policy & Culture for more bold conversations with leaders transforming our politics, economy, and culture.

Support the show

Thanks for tuning in to Policy and Culture, where we bridge the gap between policy and culture. We're your hosts, Dan Lloyd and Drew Ayodeji.

If you enjoyed this episode, don't forget to subscribe to our podcast on your favorite platform. You can find us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Google Podcasts, and wherever else you get your podcasts.

For more content and updates, follow us on social media:

• Instagram: @PolicynCulture

Visit our website at www.policynculture.com for articles, videos, and more in-depth analysis on the topics we discuss.

Have a question or topic suggestion? Email us at policynculture@gmail.com

Remember, staying informed is the first step to making a difference. Until next time, this is Policy and Culture, empowering you to understand the world around us.