Mayor Mike Spano swore in former Yonkers City Councilmember and community leader Symra Brandon to the Yonkers Board of Education. As trustee of the Yonkers Board of Education, Brandon is part of a nine-member Board, which is the official policy making body of the School District.
“As we continue to provide our students with the best education possible, I am proud to appoint Symra to the Board of Education as she brings a dynamic and diversified connection to the Yonkers community,” said Mayor Spano. “As a former Councilmember and active community member, her experience and leadership will be valuable assets to our District and our students.”
Brandon served as Yonkers’ first African American female Councilmember. During her twelve-year tenure, Brandon diligently worked on behalf of her constituents by sponsoring important legislation including mandating carbon monoxide detectors, landlord payment of Emergency Tenant Protection act fees, Senior Citizen, Veteran and Gold Star Parent property tax exemptions and the issuance of penalties for the use of inoperable or imitation weapons to commit crimes.
Brandon later was appointed as the Interim Legislator for Westchester County Legislative District 16. She continues to serve the community through her participation on many boards and organizations including Alpha Kappa Alpha Sorority, Terrace City Chapter #26, Black Democrats of Westchester, the NAACP, National Council of Negro Women, Aquehung Women’s Democratic Club, and Westchester Black Women’s Political Caucus. She is also a member of the Yonkers Community Action Program where she served as Chair, and Board of Directors of Saint Cabrini Nursing Home and WEOC’s Advisory Board. Brandon currently serves as the Director of Community Affairs for Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins’ District Office.
Symra Brandon is married with two children, both of whom are graduates of Yonkers Public Schools, and has five grandchildren. Brandon received a degree in Sociology at Morgan State College, and later obtained her Masters of Social Work from Hunter College School of Social Work, and a Masters in Public Administration from Pace University. She is a respected mediator and served as an Adjunct Professor for Elizabeth Seton, Iona University and Columbia University.
“I am deeply honored that Mayor Mike Spano has appointed me to serve as a Yonkers Board of Education Trustee,” said Symra Brandon. “I commit to amplifying diverse student voices, fostering educational environments for both students and staff, and ensuring every child has equitable opportunities to thrive. Our students’ successes are for the betterment of our community’s future.”
Board of Education President Dr. Rosalba Corrado Del Vecchio noted, “I am delighted to have Symra Brandon join the Yonkers Public Schools Board of Trustees. I have known her since the days of the YPS Education 2000 Initiative when she was an active participant on behalf of the NAACP. She is an advocate for education, equity and social justice. I also want to thank outgoing Trustee Lawrence Sykes for his loyal service and contributions to District Policy.”
Superintendent of Yonkers Public Schools Dr. Aníbal Soler, Jr., commented, “Ms. Symra Brandon’s lifelong dedication to Yonkers and her deep-rooted passion for community advocacy make her an exceptional addition to our school board. I look forward to working alongside her as we continue to champion opportunities, increase district funding, and support the success of every student in Yonkers Public Schools.”
Symra Brandon replaces Trustee Lawrence Sykes and will serve a five-year term expiring in 2031.
Mayor Spano added, “I want to extend my deepest gratitude to Larry Sykes for his dedicated years of service to the Board of Education who served our City and our students with loyalty, professionalism and distinction.”