Thompson brings extensive expertise with public health, urban planning, and policy to the Brooklyn Communities Collaborative Board
Brooklyn, NY (February 26, 2025) – Today, Brooklyn Communities Collaborative (BCC) – a non-profit focused on strengthening health and wealth in Brooklyn – announced the appointment of J. Phillip Thompson to serve on its Board of Directors. Thompson, currently a Professor of Urban Planning and Politics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology, will bring a national lens and extensive experience with the intersection between urban planning and community empowerment.
An urban planner, political scientist and former Deputy Mayor of Strategic Initiatives for the City of New York, Thompson has been a longtime champion of diversity and community-action. As Deputy Mayor, he was responsible for spearheading a diverse collection of priority initiatives and oversaw New York City’s signature Pre-K for All program, as well as overseeing the Minority and Women-owned Business Enterprises Program, the Mayor’s Office of Workforce Development, Department of Youth and Community Development, and the Department of Small Business Services, among others. Prior to his role as Deputy Mayor, Thompson worked as Deputy General Manager of the New York Housing Authority and as Director of the Mayor’s Office of Housing Coordination. He continues to be a frequent advisor to trade unions in their efforts to work with immigrant and community groups across the United States.
“We are thrilled to welcome Phil Thompson, a longtime advisor and partner, to Brooklyn Communities Collaborative’s Board of Directors,” said BCC Executive Director Shari Suchoff. “A decades-long advocate for health and economic equity in New York City, he brings a unique and innovative lens to BCC. His expertise on green energy and the just energy transition, policy and urban planning, and harnessing community priorities and power will all strengthen BCC’s core mission and work.”
Thompson is a strong supporter of the anchor mission and participatory action research, both of which are approaches that underpin BCC’s approach. Throughout his career, Thompson has been a constant advocate for community-led solutions, and his work has prioritized equity and sustainability. Thompson’s leadership will help BCC ensure that Brooklyn’s diverse communities are not only heard, but are actively engaged in shaping the solutions that define their future.
“I am honored to join BCC’s Board of Directors, and am committed to advancing their mission to advance health equity for all Brooklynites,” said Phillip Thompson. “I look forward to innovating and strengthening their efforts to increase health, wealth, and equity in Brooklyn communities. Alongside BCC leadership and my fellow members of the Board of Directors, we will forge new partnerships, amplify current programs, and create a healthier Brooklyn.”