Malik Wright

Malik Wright is the Political Director of the New York City Central Labor Council, AFL-CIO, where he helps decide when, where, and how the labor movement uses its political power. He is responsible for shaping and executing labor’s political strategy across elections, legislation, and governing, and bringing affiliates into alignment to build leverage and influence for working people and their unions when decisions are made at City Hall, in Albany, and beyond.

Raised in a union household, he grew up walking picket lines and canvassing his community, which shaped how he understands power, responsibility, and collective action. Over the last decade, Malik has worked at every level of New York politics and government, from state offices and city agencies to legislative bodies and electoral leadership, often at the intersection of public policy and the labor movement. Along the way, he’s held senior party leadership roles, led youth political organizations, advised at one of the state’s most influential public affairs firms, and co-hosted a critically acclaimed political podcast.

He’s been named a City & State 40 Under 40 Rising Star and featured in The Wall Street Journal, Observer, and PAPER. Known for his political intuition, vision, and grit, Malik is both a problem solver and a long-range thinker who believes strong unions are essential to a healthy democracy. He holds a B.A. in Political Science and Government from Colgate University. At the end of the day, he believes most people want two things from life: to feel good and to feel safe, and politics should do more of both.