Government > City Officials > Common Council > Biographies > Ward 3 - Hon. Corey Ellis

Honorable Corey Ellis

Ward 3

Corey was born and raised in Albany and has been a lifelong resident of Albany. His childhood stemmed from his experiences in Arbor Hill and the South End. While attending school at Cathedral Academy and then Bishop Maginn High School, Corey became actively involved in community service. These experiences, along with his membership in St. John’s Church of God in Christ, encouraged Corey to become the leader he is today.

Corey left Albany in 1995 after receiving his associate’s degree from Hudson Valley Community College to attend Fordham University in New York City where he received his Bachelors of Art Degree in Political Science in 1997. Despite the long distance, Corey commuted back and forth to Albany on weekends and all summer long to maintain his connections to the Albany community. He participated in the Arbor Hill Men’s Softball League which he eventually became Commissioner of in 2002. Corey returned to Albany in 2000 and has established his residency in the 3^rd ward. Looking toward the future for change, Corey worked on David Soares’ campaign for Albany County District Attorney and has established working relationships with several leaders in the community.

Committed to improving the community in which he grew up in, Corey Ellis was elected to public office in November 2005, beating out a 12-year incumbent, on the Working Families party line. Corey promised “common sense for a change.” Corey is actively involved in a variety of activities. He serves on the Community Accountability Board of the District Attorney’s office, and is a coach and one of the organizers of the “Bring it to the Courts” program in partnership with the DA’s office. Corey is on the Board of Directors for Albany County Opportunity Inc. an organization which is dedicated to acting in partnership with individuals in the community to enhance the quality of life in Albany. Corey is also a mentor in the youth mentoring program through Catholic Charities, and he will be the commissioner of Arbor Hill little league fulfilling a campaign promise to bring little league back to the Arbor Hill community.

Corey believes that together we can make a difference. He encourages residents of the 3^rd ward to work as a team to improve not just their neighborhood but also the entire city of Albany. Currently, Corey is working to decrease the number of abandoned buildings in Albany. He wants to aid in the development of a library in the Arbor Hill area, so children have a place to continue their education. Corey was an organizer for health care workers and a community organizer for over 10 years and is committed to making a difference, and part of making a difference Corey is the Director of Trinity Institution’s Family and Neighborhood Resource Center, which serves the South-end neighborhoods in Albany, and serves the Arbor Hill community as well.

View a map of the 3rd ward.