Photography by KELLY MCCARTHY

CHI OSSÉ

New York City Council Member

The youngest New York City Council Member in history is showing politicians across the country how to harness social media to cut through the noise. Exhibit A: His video series "Why Is Shit Not Working."

WHAT’S SOMETHING PEOPLE GET WRONG ABOUT YOU? Some people think I don’t take my job seriously because I have fun with it. I get sarcastic comments about my “little videos” and not doing the hard work of government. But I do both. I think we have to.

“Some people think I don’t take my job seriously because I have fun with it. I get sarcastic comments about my “little videos” and not doing the hard work of government. But I do both. I think we have to.”

WHAT DO YOU THINK IS YOUR BIGGEST CONTRIBUTION TO CULTURE? Politics are increasingly driven by cultural kinship instead of policy. I’m trying to make political participation accessible and cool. I try to make this work fun and engaging. People spend more time on TikTok and Instagram Reels than TV or Netflix these days. They’re coming for entertainment. I try to have fun and make it fun to come along for the ride, and I think we’re seeing that play a pretty central role in the ongoing merger of culture and politics. Last year, I defeated the real estate lobby in New York to pass the FARE Act, which ended forced rental broker fees. Big money had beaten every previous attempt, but I used social media power to mobilize the people and win. That was both a contribution to culture and a use of cultural strength to change lives.

WHAT DO YOU WANT TO SEE MORE OF IN YOUR INDUSTRY? LESS OF? More spine! Fewer spineless people bending over for big money!

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