Chirlane McCray: A Career in Writing, Public Service, and Mental Health Advocacy
Chirlane McCray has navigated a multifaceted career spanning journalism, high-level political speechwriting, and public health administration. From her early days as a groundbreaking voice in Black feminist literature to her role as a key figure in New York City's mental health initiatives, McCray has consistently operated at the intersection of communication and public policy.
Early Career and Literary Contributions
After completing her college education, McCray moved to New York City to begin her professional journey at Redbook. In 1979, she published a pivotal essay in Essence titled "I Am a Lesbian." This piece was later described by the magazine as groundbreaking, as it was potentially the first instance of a Black gay woman speaking openly and honestly about her sexuality within a Black publication. The essay sought to dispel the myth that gay Black people did not exist.
Beyond her essays, McCray's literary contributions include poetry featured in Home Girls: A Black Feminist Anthology.
Transition into Politics and Public Affairs
McCray entered the political arena in 1991, establishing herself as a skilled communicator. She served as a speechwriter for New York City Mayor David Dinkins and later worked as a public affairs specialist for the New York Foreign Press Center during the Clinton administration. Her expertise in speechwriting also led her to work for New York State Comptroller Carl McCall and New York City Comptroller Bill Thompson.
In 2004, McCray transitioned to the private sector, spending five years at Maimonides Medical Center. She also had a brief six-month tenure in the public relations department at Citigroup, though she concluded that the environment was not a good fit. During the 2013 mayoral campaign of her husband, Bill de Blasio, she provided strategic support by editing speeches and interviewing potential staff candidates.
Leadership in the de Blasio Administration
Following Bill de Blasio's election as mayor, McCray was appointed chair of the Mayor's Fund to Advance New York City. Under her leadership, the Fund prioritized projects related to immigration, youth workforce development, and mental health.
Her tenure with the Fund faced scrutiny in 2018 when The New York Times reported that she had not visited the Fund's offices since May 2017. While her public schedule indicated only 19.5 hours of work for the Fund in 2017, her spokeswoman estimated that the role occupied approximately 10% of her total work schedule.
The Launch and Evolution of ThriveNYC
In November 2015, McCray led the launch of ThriveNYC, an ambitious plan designed to overhaul substance abuse and mental health services across the city. The program utilized an integrated public health approach, emphasizing early identification and public awareness.
Criticism and Financial Scrutiny
Despite its goals, ThriveNYC became a lightning rod for criticism. By February 2019, Politico criticized the program for its "elusive metrics" and "opaque budget." The New York Times noted that while the plan succeeded in raising awareness, some initiatives failed to launch, and others overwhelmed existing services. Furthermore, a City Hall spreadsheet of nearly 500 data points reportedly contained almost no information regarding patient outcomes.
Financial concerns were prominent, with nearly $850 million in funding unaccounted for as of March 2019, with the program on track to spend $1 billion over five years. Bronx Councilman Ritchie Torres stated there was "no evidence it’s working."
Transition to the Office of Community Mental Health
In 2021, ThriveNYC was made permanent via executive order and rebranded as the Office of Community Mental Health, receiving an additional $115 million. A significant portion of this—$96 million—was allocated to B-HEARD, an initiative that dispatches social workers and EMTs as first responders to 911 calls involving mentally ill individuals to reduce police confrontations.
Key Facts
- Literary Milestone: Published a groundbreaking essay on sexuality in Essence in 1979.
- Political Experience: Speechwriter for Mayor David Dinkins, Comptroller Carl McCall, and Comptroller Bill Thompson.
- Public Health Leadership: Led the launch of ThriveNYC in 2015.
- Financial Scope: ThriveNYC was on track to spend $1 billion over five years.
- Program Evolution: ThriveNYC became the Office of Community Mental Health in 2021.
- B-HEARD Initiative: A $96 million program using EMTs and social workers for mental health crisis response.
| Period/Year | Organization/Role | Primary Focus |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | Essence (Contributor) | LGBTQ+ advocacy and writing |
| 1991+ | NYC Mayor/Comptrollers | Speechwriting and Public Affairs |
| 2004-2009 | Maimonides Medical Center | Private sector healthcare |
| 2014+ | Mayor's Fund to Advance NYC | Mental health, immigration, and youth |
| 2015-2021 | ThriveNYC | Mental health and substance abuse overhaul |
Political Ambitions
In March 2018, McCray indicated that she was "seriously considering" running for public office in 2021, coinciding with the end of Bill de Blasio's second term. However, she explicitly stated that she would not run for the position of Mayor of New York City.
Frequently Asked Questions
What was the significance of McCray's 1979 essay in Essence?
The essay, titled "I Am a Lesbian," is considered groundbreaking because it was one of the first times a Black gay woman spoke openly about her sexuality in a Black magazine, aiming to dispel myths about the existence of gay Black people.
What was ThriveNYC?
ThriveNYC was a city-wide plan launched in 2015 to overhaul mental health and substance abuse services using an integrated public health approach focused on awareness and early identification.
Why was ThriveNYC criticized?
The program faced criticism for its lack of transparent metrics, an opaque budget, and a failure to provide tangible records of patient outcomes, despite spending nearly $1 billion over five years.
What is the B-HEARD initiative?
B-HEARD is a program under the Office of Community Mental Health that dispatches social workers and EMTs as first responders to 911 calls involving mental health crises to prevent police confrontations.
Did Chirlane McCray run for Mayor of New York City?
No. While she mentioned in 2018 that she was considering running for office in 2021, she specifically stated she would not run for mayor.