Who we are

Astrudge McLean has been a longtime resident of Coney Island for 40 years. She is self-employed and works in talent logistics for major television production companies. Additionally, she is the director of the NYC Horror Film Virtual Festival (NYCHFF). An NYU graduate, Astrudge has a long record of community involvement in Coney Island. Her involvement began when she worked at Astella Development Corporation as a Commercial Liaison, managing a micro loan program to help merchants revitalize their storefronts and sourcing business partners willing to invest in the community. She was also responsible for reestablishing the Coney Island's Board of Trade, which had over 50 members. Astrudge was a Mayoral appointee to the Coney Island Development Corporation (C.I.D.C), which was responsible for advocating for the redevelopment of the Coney Island amusement area, repairing some of the infrastructure, and recognizing the community needs of the West End Coney Island.

Born and raised in Coney Island, Yvonne Mayo has been living in the community for over 40 years. She is employed as a School Counselor with the New York City Department of Education and is participating in the critically, conscious educators rising program with the Steinhardt school of education at NYU, which focuses on equity and educational settings. Yvonne is active in her homeowners block association and is on the steering committee of the Seaside Independent Democrats.

Brooklyn native, Anthony Batista, lives with his family in Coney Island. His children attend public school on the peninsula where he raises them. A combat veteran, he is a Squad leader in National Guard. Anthony is the Vice Chair of Neighborhood Advisory Board (NAB)15 where he helps ensure that programs serving low-income residents receive adequate funding. Anthony has a college degree in Criminal Justice and recently served as the Director of Constituent Services for Assembly District 46.

Sharaya Means was born and raised in Coney Island and has been living in the community for almost 40 years. She is a Certified Kemetic Yoga Instructor, employed by Lifestyle Performance Gym. She is involved in many community improvement initiatives, including the Local Pressure Collective which she co- Founded in 2020 with a childhood friend. The organization organized the first annual Juneteenth celebration for the Coney Island community.

Ann Valdez was born and raised in Coney Island and has been living in the community for over 50 years. She is a well-known community organizer for NYCHA tenant rights. She serves as the co-Chair for the Coney Islanders for an Ocean Side Ferry and is involved with United Front Against Displacement. Over the years, she’s worked as a housing organizer for Community Voices Heard, as a clerk for the Taxi and Limousine Commission and as a calculation clerk for the Queensborough Correctional Facility. She also conducted data entry for the Brooklyn Veterans Administration.

Dr. Mathylde Frontus has lived in Coney Island for almost 40 years. She is the founder of multiple nonprofit organizations and civic groups and is a well-known community activist. She recently served as the New York State Assemblywoman for Southern Brooklyn (2018-2022) where she served as the Chair of the Minority Mental Health Subcommittee from 2021-2022. She is an Adjunct Assistant Professor at Columbia University School of Social Work and the NYU Silver School of Social Work where she has created and taught new courses including Advocacy and Social Justice, as well as Political Social Work for Advocacy & Social Change. Mathylde is a proud graduate of NYU, Teacher's College, Columbia University, Harvard Divinity School and the Columbia University School of Social Work where she earned her PhD.