East Harlem.Com

April 1997 - Federico has been active in the life of the East Harlem community for the last few years.

Early History
Federico Colon was born in Salinas, Puerto Rico. He came to New York at the age of 17. Federico graduated from Brandeis High School. From there he attended Mechanic Institute, and the Borough of Manhattan Community College.

Community Service
As a resident of New York City Housing Authority’s Douglas Houses on the West Side’s Manhattan Valley, Federico became a community activist. He was President of the Parents and Teacher’s Association at his children’s school. He is an active member of the board of the Children’s Aide Society. He was a spokesperson for the Save Our Schools program. He served briefly as a member the Metropolitan Hospital Center Community Advisory Board. Lately, he assisted East Harlem community activist, Lisa Cortez with the East Harlem Welfare Reform Rally held in Albany during March 1997.

Chief of Staff
Federico currently works at Councilman Adam Powell’s district office as the Councilman’s Chief of Staff. As such he serves as a Councilmanic representative to Community Board 11 in Manhattan, Community Board 1 in the Bronx, and as an ex-officio member of Metropolitan Hospital Center’s Community Advisory Board.

Candidate for City Council
Mr. Colon is a candidate for Councilman Adam Powell’s 8th Councilmanic seat, in the 1997 Democratic Primary.  Councilman Powell did not run for reelection because he is running for Manhattan Borough President. And Councilman Powell can not run for both seats at the same time.

Editor’s Update (April 19, 1998): Mr. Colon lost election as the Democratic nominee for city council.  He came in second to Democratic District Leader Philip Reed.