FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

May 20, 2010 Ronnie Sykes: 917 474 2287

BASIL SMIKLE ANNOUNCES CANDIDACY FOR NEW YORK

STATE’S 30TH SENATE SEAT IN UPPER MANHATTAN
NEW YORK, NY – Today, Basil Smikle announced his candidacy for New York State’s 30th
Senate District among supporters, outside of the historic, Londel’s supper club on Frederick
Douglass Boulevard in Harlem.

“There is fear and anxiety running parallel with palpable uncertainty of the future. Such fear has
been stoked by current State Senator Bill Perkins,” said Smikle. “He has provoked an
atmosphere that has set neighbor against neighbor, parent against parent and young resident
versus old, Harlem deserves better. For that reason, today I will formally announce my campaign
to represent Harlem and Upper Manhattan in the State Senate,” he continued.

Smikle’s announcement highlighted his campaign’s focus on job creation, education access and
preserving affordable housing in the 30th Senate district, which includes Harlem and Upper
Manhattan.

“Upper Manhattan is suffering under the weight of dramatic and pervasive unemployment. I
want to focus on the supply of good jobs through small businesses and the increase in skills
among potential workers needed for those same jobs,” stated Smikle.

Smikle holds a B.S. from Cornell University in Industrial and Labor Relations. He earned a
Masters Degree in Public Policy from Columbia University’s School of International and Public
Affairs and teaches Columbia as well. He also teaches adult worker education at CUNY.

“Such innovative programs for people going back to school after many years and paid for in part
by unions, are a source of pride for the students themselves and reinforces my desire to support
continuing education, said Smikle. “As a Senator, I¹ll provide adults with tools that enhance their
competitiveness in the job market,” he declared.

A staunch believer in education being the gateway to success, Smikle assisted in creating
Harlem’s Eagle Academy in the early stages of the project, working with Senator Clinton and 100
Black Men. Smikle also fervently supports traditional schools, where his mother is currently a
teacher, and says it’s all about providing parents with options for their children.

“Those of us who can credit a good education for all we have accomplished personally and
professionally, must realize that parents need not settle for limited options because of their zip
code. That¹s why I support charter schools and lifting the cap.”

Smikle, who also pledged to work to ensure that Harlem’s stock of affordable housing remains at
its current overall level concluded, “Myriad local, state and federal policies rightly address the
need to build more affordable housing. I will work to preserve existing affordable housing stock
so there is no net loss as landlords leave programs intended to support low-income families.”
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