QUEENS BOROUGH PRESIDENT DONOVAN RICHARDS JR. APPOINTS EBONY YOUNG AS DEPUTY BOROUGH PRESIDENT AND MICHAEL MALLON AS CHIEF OF STAFF

Outgoing Deputy Borough President Rhonda Binda leaving Queens Borough Hall to join the private sector and outgoing Chief of Staff & Senior Advisor Franck D. Joseph II to explore other opportunities

(November 3, 2021 at 9:53am)

Queens, NY — Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. announced the appointments of Ebony Young as the new Queens Deputy Borough President and Michael Mallon as the new Chief of Staff effective January 2022. Rhonda Binda, who currently serves as the Deputy Borough President, and Franck D. Joseph II, who currently serves as Chief of Staff & Senior Advisor, will leave Queens Borough Hall in the coming weeks. Binda will work in the private sector and Joseph will explore other professional opportunities. Binda and Joseph were appointed Deputy Borough President and Chief of Staff & Senior Advisor, respectively, in December 2020 when the Borough President first took office. 

“Ebony Young and Michael Mallon are talented individuals, demonstrating dedication to public service throughout their careers. Ebony’s track record in the non-profit and housing sectors and Michael’s work in government, including as my current Director of Intergovernmental Affairs, exemplify the kind of passion and perspective we need to move Queens forward. I look forward to serving with the incoming Deputy Borough President and Chief of Staff, and I can’t wait to continue the good work. In just ten months, the Queens Borough President’s office achieved so much, and Franck and Rhonda have been integral partners in what we’ve done. From launching the Gender Justice Initiative to working to place Queens on the map as a tech capital, Rhonda has been instrumental in getting the work started. As my first Chief of Staff & Senior Advisor, Franck has been my right hand and crucial in getting my office off the ground. From restructuring the office, launching new initiatives, and being a steady hand as a leader, I couldn’t be more thankful to have had him by my side. I thank them both for all they’ve done for our borough,” said Borough President RICHARDS. 

“It is with great honor that I accept the opportunity to serve my neighbors as Deputy Borough President of Queens. I believe in the vision of Queens Borough President Donovan Richards, and I look forward to building a Queens that works for everyone alongside him and his team. The commitment to continue my longstanding history of thoughtful and impactful advocacy is unwavering, and I offer that successful track record of leadership to the people of Queens. I thank Deputy Borough President Rhonda Binda for all of the work she has done in moving the people of Queens forward ,” said incoming Deputy Borough President Ebony Young.

“I am deeply honored to be appointed to serve as Queens Borough President Richards’s next Chief of Staff. Borough President Richards has truly delivered for the World’s Borough over the past year, and I remain committed to working alongside him and incoming Deputy Queens Borough President Ebony Young to build upon that progress. I am grateful for the solid foundation Deputy Queens Borough President Rhonda Binda and Chief of Staff & Senior Advisor Franck Joseph have laid at Borough Hall and for all that they have done to lift up the community,” said incoming Chief of Staff Michael Mallon. 

“It has been the privilege of a lifetime to serve Queens’ 2.4 million residents under the dynamic leadership of Borough President Richards, who prioritized equity and alongside an incredible staff that reflects the unparalleled diversity of Queens. I took this role very seriously and it was deeply meaningful to serve in the same year Vice President Kamala Devi Harris broke a significant glass ceiling for women of color in politics. As the Borough and New York City turns the corner, I’ll be leaving this position but won’t be going far. I am always available to help my beloved borough and city, and I am excited for the new ideas Ebony Young will bring as the incoming Deputy Borough President,” said outgoing Deputy Borough President Rhonda Binda.

“I would like to thank Queens Borough President Donovan Richards for the opportunity to lead this dynamic team for the past year, and his strong support as I look to my next chapter. It has been a privilege to lead alongside the Borough President, working toward a more equitable and just Queens which centers our most vulnerable and overlooked. Michael Mallon is a thoughtful leader and the right person to continue the work started this past year in his new role as Chief of Staff. Ebony Young brings with her a wide range of experiences,which will enhance the office as the new Deputy Borough President. Congratulations to them both,” said outgoing Chief of Staff & Senior Advisor Franck D. Joseph II.

About Ebony YoungEbony Young has spent over 20 years working in the Nonprofit sector as an Executive Leader at institutions including the Long Island City YMCA, TF Cornerstone, the Black Entrepreneur Initiative and the Ladies of Hope Ministries (LOHM).  She has been charged with leading, organizing, facilitating, and operating nonprofit organizations to the highest efficiency levels, specifically in the areas of youth development, healthy living, and social justice reform. She’s also spent time in the private sector as a Vice President of Corporate Social Responsibility. 

She previously served on several Queens boards, task forces, and advisory committees, serving youth, adults, seniors, athletes, artists and environmentalists in her local Queens community.  Giving back to the community with confidence, passion and innovation has led her to be a true communal builder, connector and educator. 

Ebony received her Bachelor of Science in Communications-Rad/TV/Film, from Indiana State University and is also a graduate of Indiana Tech where she received her Master’s degree in Organizational Leadership. Ebony is also a motivational speaker and certified life coach. She resides in Woodside, Queens with her husband and three children. 

About Michael MallonMichael Mallon has dedicated over a decade of his career to government service. He most recently served as Director of Intergovernmental Affairs for Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. where he oversaw the office’s events and productions, civic engagement initiatives, hate crimes and bias response, among other departments and areas of work. Michael previously served as Communications Director for the New York City Council Finance Chair. He has helped thousands of Queens residents overcome workplace and housing discrimination, immigration issues, domestic violence and other concerns. 

Michael became deeply involved in LGBTQ+ activism over a decade ago. He has organized for the passage of statewide legislation to secure workplace protections for transgender and gender nonconforming people, and is proud to have been a leader in the effort to curtail the practice of conversion therapy. As a founding member of CUNY’s LGBTQI Student Leadership Advisory Council, he has mentored students, hosted roundtable discussions for students and elected officials, and educated students on the workings of City government. Michael has raised tens of thousands of dollars for social service organizations that serve our City’s most marginalized communities. A fighter for better mass transit, Michael is a founding member of the Riders Alliance.  

Follow the Office of the Queens Borough President via @QnsBPRichards on Twitter and @QueensBPRichards on Facebook and Instagram  

###