New York City’s public education system, serving approximately one million students, will now be guided by Jamaican-born educator Kamar Samuels following his landmark appointment as Chancellor by Mayor Zohran Mamdani. This historic selection marks a significant achievement for both Samuels and the Caribbean diaspora community in New York.
Samuels assumes leadership of one of the world’s most complex educational networks, overseeing an institution with over 113,000 staff members and an annual budget approaching $40 billion. His educational journey began in Kingston, Jamaica, where he attended Hope Valley Experimental School before graduating from Jamaica College in 1993. Shortly thereafter, he immigrated to the United States, where he pursued accounting studies at Baruch College before obtaining a master’s degree in childhood education from Lehman College.
Prior to his elevation to chancellor, Samuels ascended through the ranks of New York’s educational leadership, serving in senior administrative positions including superintendent roles in both Brooklyn and Manhattan. His professional development was significantly influenced by the New Leaders for New Schools initiative implemented during former Mayor Michael Bloomberg’s administration.
In his initial statements following the appointment, Samuels emphasized his immigrant background and educational philosophy. “As a Jamaica-born immigrant, I am excited to create an educational system that is affordable for all students,” he declared, highlighting his commitment to equitable access to quality education.
The selection has garnered widespread acclaim from both American and Jamaican community leaders. Colleagues have characterized Samuels as a visionary educator dedicated to student achievement, while the Jamaican Consulate in New York celebrated his accomplishment as reflective of the substantial contributions made by Jamaicans living abroad.