About DeCosta Headley, Sr.

DeCosta Headley, Sr. is a Brooklyn native born and raised in Brownsville.  His illustrious career as a leader in East New York and Brownsville spans various posts for which he served in for many years. For over sixteen years, DeCosta Headley served as District Leader for the 40^th Assembly District in the East New York section of Kings County. 

As District Leader in the 40^th Assembly District, DeCosta Headley, Sr. has played an active role in the political landscape of Brooklyn, successfully operating the campaigns of candidates seeking seats on the city, state, and federal levels of government within and outside that state of New York.  Many of the judges serving in our state’s court system, assembly members, council members and congressional members in New York City and New York State, owe a debt of gratitude to the grassroots organizing of DeCosta Headley.  Mr. Headley possesses great expertise in the electoral process and has trained hundreds of community residents interested in serving on campaigns. 

DeCosta Headley, Sr. served on Community School District 19 School Board for 16 years and implemented the first bi-lingual education program in that district.  He has served on various local boards including Community Board 5 and was the founder of the community’s first Local Development Corporation, resulting in over 3,000 new jobs.  Mr. Headley was also the founder of the Federation of Block Associations for East New York.  He spent several years as a social worker, and in the late 1970’s became the executive director of numerous group homes for acting out adolescents within the East New York/Brownsville communities.  Among Mr. Headley’s notable achievements are the Federation of Addiction Agencies, established to provide a drug-free treatment program in East New York and Brownsville.  Mr. Headley was also appointed to the council for SUNY Downstate Health and Science Center, under Governor George Pataki.

Throughout his career, DeCosta Headley, Sr. has dedicated himself to enhancing the quality of life for his constituents.  Those efforts have resulted in college scholarships, employment opportunities, affordable housing, increased public services, as well as an extensive network of social services—such as senior citizen centers that provide hot meals, transportation and access to basic health care services.    

DeCosta Headley, Sr. is a philanthropist and entrepreneur. Mr. Headley is owner of Strong Power Consultants.  Always in the forefront of serving his community, Mr. Headley’s prior construction companies has built local medical and dental facilities for Oxford Health Plans, Brookdale Hospital & Medical Center, and Interfaith Medical Center, new housing, including a multi-level senior citizens apartment complex for Berean Missionary Baptist Church.  Mr. Headley has enhanced his entrepreneurial spirit by aiding local churches within the five boroughs acquire land for the use of building senior citizen housing and youth centers for communities in need of urban renewal. 

He is a liaison for various HMOs, assisting them in providing healthcare through facilities in lower income communities.  Mr. Headley works with doctors across the tri-state area and local churches and community block associations throughout Central Brooklyn to aid in the implementation of affordable healthcare programs for the underprivileged by setting up workshops and street fairs to educate the underprivileged about healthcare.

DeCosta Headley, Sr. is the recipient of numerous community service awards including:  The Martin Luther King Jr. Foundation Award; Mayor’s Award for Community Service; Brookdale University Hospital Community Service Award; the Frances Hanberry Award for Development of Community Economic Literacy Programs and Initiatives; The North Brooklyn YMCA Citizens Recognition Award; and the Manhattan Jaycees Award and most recently the Bedford Stuyvesant Lions Club of which he is a member and the East New York Homeowners Association.  He has been honored with numerous citations and proclamations from a broad range of social service organizations. 

DeCosta’s has always lived by this motto: “It is not about permanent friends or permanent enemies but permanent interests.”   He is always willing to help someone in need. “It is about community empowerment.  Our people need to know what politics is all about and how to play an active role to ensure that they are being successfully represented in government.  The residents, businesspersons, law enforcement, and community based organizations make up the fabric of our neighborhoods.  We are to work cooperatively with government so that the lives of the residents within each community are enhanced for the betterment of all and the detriment of none.” 

DeCosta Headley, Sr. graduated from Shaw University in Raleigh, North Carolina, with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Behavioral Science.  DeCosta Headley Sr., along with his wife, is a member of Grace Baptist Church in Brooklyn, New York and a son and friend of many local churches in the East New York/Brownsville, religious and community organizations in New York. 

“If I Can Help Somebody, then my living is not in vain!”

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