From Autism advocacy to Albany ambitions: Latoya LeGrand’s community-driven campaign gains momentum

LeGrand, seeking to succeed retiring Assemblymember Vivian Cook in the Queens neighborhoods of Jamaica, Rochdale Village, Locust, Hillside, South Jamaica, Baisley, Cedar Manor, and South Ozone Park, opened her campaign headquarters at 141-28 Rockaway Blvd., where she hopes to win over local voters with a campaign centered on community empowerment, education, public safety, and expanding resources for working families across Southeast Queens.

Among the community leaders on hand at the press conference included New York State Senator James Sanders Jr.; Assembly Member Khaleel Anderson; and Jasmine Gripper, State Director and Chair of the New York Working Families Party (NYWFP).

“This campaign is about bringing real leadership, transparency, and results to District 32,” LeGrand said. “I look forward to connecting with the community and sharing a path forward that reflects the voices and needs of our residents.”

LeGrand, who previously ran for New York City Council in 2025, did not grow up with privilege and political connections. LeGrand grew up in foster care during her youth, became a teen mother, lived in a shelter, and later resided in NYCHA housing. This kind of upbringing inspired and motivated LeGrand to pursue leadership in government and public service to fight for residents facing many of the same challenges she once experienced herself. As a result, she has dedicated more than 15 years of her life to supporting and advocating for working families, foster youth, NYCHA residents, and underserved communities throughout District 32.

“We need somebody who is going to go fight for this community because we need a fighter,” Sanders Jr. said at the press conference. “We need some new types of leadership. We need more grandeur leaders. If only I knew where to find this grandeur leadership,” pointing to LeGrand as that leader. The crowd responded with applause in support of his remarks.

Sanders added that he is “very proud” to endorse LeGrand, reiterating his support by stating, “My stance is with LeGrand,” and emphasizing her campaign momentum. He noted that “nobody else has turned in the most petition signatures, nobody else has the most money in this campaign, thanks to campaign finance,” referencing what he described as the strength of her early organizing and fundraising efforts.

At the press conference, LeGrand spoke openly about having a brother with autism and raising a child with an Individualized Education Program (IEP), experiences that have shaped her advocacy for foster youth, children with special needs, and working families throughout Southeast Queens.

“With my child having an IEP and autism, you understand the system a little bit differently as Black and marginalized children are not being provided with the resources that they are entitled to,” LeGrand said. “Going through that system with my son, going through the NYC Department of Education (DOE), suing the DOE and winning those cases, in that experience I came to realize, what about those parents where English is not their first language? They don’t understand what an IEP is, what their rights are as parents, and what their children’s rights are.”

LeGrand said she intends to be a voice for those families navigating similar challenges. She is the founder and chief executive officer of Projects II Projects Inc., a 501(c)(3) nonprofit based in South Jamaica, Queens. The organization provides community support services, including school supplies, backpacks, mentorship programs, and family assistance resources for children and families across Southeast Queens. Projects II Projects has become widely recognized for its work supporting NYCHA residents, foster youth, and families living in shelters. The organization also provides advocacy for families navigating Individualized Education Programs (IEPs) and autism-related educational support systems.  

The non-profit further places a strong emphasis on education, youth empowerment, workforce development, and community mentorship. Through its iDrone initiative, LeGrand has partnered with local community leaders to introduce NYCHA youth to drone technology and STEM career pathways, exposing young people to industries and opportunities often inaccessible in underserved communities.

“She’s always outside, always involved, always connecting with people,” one supporter said at the May 11 press conference. 

Currently, LeGrand serves as district manager in the office of State Senator James Sanders Jr., where she supports district operations and constituent services across Southeast Queens. She also serves as chair of the Education Committee for Community Board 12 under the Office of the Queens Borough President, where she helps advance youth-focused initiatives, educational equity, and increased investment in local schools.

Previously, LeGrand worked as a housing assistant with the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA), where she assisted residents with housing issues and public assistance navigation. Moreover, as a community liaison and constituent services representative in state government, she helped working-class families access government services and resources.

“I am grateful to be here supporting Latoya LeGrand as she opens her campaign headquarters right here in South Ozone Park,” Assemlymember Anderson said as attendees applauded and cheered. “What warms my heart this morning is seeing so many community leaders willing to fight for the future our communities deserve. We have leaders here from Rochdale Village, South Ozone Park, and South Jamaica, and that represents a candidate who is reaching across the full spectrum of our neighborhoods.”

Anderson described LeGrand as a community-rooted candidate who understands the daily struggles facing working families throughout Southeast Queens. “Too often, people feel leaders are selected instead of elected,” Anderson said. “Today, we are saying that stops here by electing Latoya LeGrand. We are saying the people are smart enough to choose their own leaders.”

He also pointed to LeGrand’s personal and professional experiences as reasons he believes she is prepared to represent District 32 in Albany.

“This is someone who has fought the Board of Education to make sure her child and family members living with autism received the services they deserved,” Anderson said. “This is someone who lived in public housing and understands the struggles facing NYCHA residents and families in government-supported housing. She understands the foreclosure crisis impacting this district and is committed to fighting for homeowners and working families across Southeast Queens.”

Grassroots organizations such as the Working Families Party, DRUM Beats NYC, Citizen Action of New York, New York Progressive Action Network, and Eleanor’s Legacy are among the community organizations endorsing LeGrand, citing her deep roots in Southeast Queens and long-standing commitment to working families. Supporters have pointed to her advocacy for housing affordability, opportunities for young people, educational equity, and stronger youth programming as key reasons behind their support.

When asked what the race means to her, LeGrand said her campaign is about “giving people hope” and representing every corner of the district. LeGrand stated that the campaign is “about the people, not the title,” emphasizing that she has already been doing the work through her non-profit organization, much of which she said has been funded personally through her own resources.

For LeGrand, the headquarters opening may represent the start of a formal campaign operation. But for many in Southeast Queens, the work itself has already been years in the making.

For more information about LeGrand’s campaign for Assembly District 32, visit LeGrand for Assembly.