Uncrowned Community Builders

Antoine Maurice Thompson was born March 1, 1970 to Richard Allen Thompson and Wanda Strong Thompson at Sisters of Charity Hospital in Buffalo, New York. He is a graduate of public schools #60, #61 and Bennett High School. In high school, Antoine received All-High and Western New York honors in Cross-Country and Track & Field, meanwhile serving as the captain of both teams during his senior year.

A graduate of the State University of New York College at Brockport, he has studied extensively Black, African and American history and government. Antoine received a dual Bachelor of Science degree in History. In 1994, Antoine studied at the University of Ghana, West Africa, on government and social change. He presented papers on subjects related to Black theology and history of American Slavery.

In January 1996, Antoine was hired as a Legislative Assistant for the Buffalo Common Council Central Staff. He was well versed in policy analysis and legislative research. His greatest public policy work was in the area of conducting research and preparing recommendations related to Affirmative Action policies and minority business development.

In March 1998, Antoine Thompson was appointed Executive Director of the Office of Urban Initiatives, Inc. (OUI) an economic development corporation that focused on minority and women-owned business development and various urban policy issues.

On January 4, 2001, the Buffalo Common Council unanimously appointed Antoine Masten District Council Member. He was a member of the Committee on Community Development, and served as chairperson for Committees on Education and Minority & Women Business Enterprise. He sponsored Buffalo's Inclusion Law providing Minority & Women-Owned Businesses with thirty percent (30%) of the work on all construction projects. Antoine secured $75 million for community development projects like the Wading Pool in Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Park, the largest man-made wading pool in New York State and one of the largest in the country; the Frank E. Merriweather, Jr. Library; and the restoration of 60 Hedley Place, a 19th Century farmhouse.

On December 10, 2004, Antoine participated in the Electoral College and the political process of choosing the President of the United States. Antoine has received various athletic, civic and community awards. He received the Community Star Award from the Stop the Violence Coalition, and the 1490 Enterprise's 33rd Annual 2005 Black Achievers in Industry Award, and many more.

On January 3, 2007, Mr. Thompson was sworn in as New York State Senator for the 60th District. He serves in a leadership position as the Ranking Member on the Cities Committee and the Environmental Conservation Committee. Senator Thompson also serves on the following committees: Finance; Insurance; Commerce, Economic Development, and Small Business; Tourism, Recreation, and Sports Development; and Veterans, Homeland Security, and Military Affairs. He is also a Co-Chair of the Senate's MWBE Taskforce. His areas of focus include education, jobs, healthcare, business development, and transportation.

His commitment to community service is reflected by membership with Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Citizen Action of New York, Grassroots Inc., F.L.A.R.E., the NAACP, SCLC, the Afro-American Historical Association, Hamlin Park Community and Taxpayer's Association and a member of many other groups and organizations. He is also a member of Calvary Baptist Church, and the loving husband of Merle Thompson, and the devoted father of Deja LaShay and Joseph Antoine Alexander Thompson. Senator Thompson is host of Western New York on the Move, a weekly radio broadcast. It is on the radio every Thursday at 12:00 pm. on 1080 AM.

Ranking Minority Member

Cities

Environmental Conservation

Committees

Commerce, Economic Development & Small Business

Finance

Insurance

Tourism, Recreation & Sports Development

Veterans, Homeland Security & Military Affairs