February 9, 2013
 
CUSIB Welcomes Michael Benjamin to Advisory Board
 
The Committee for U. S. International Broadcasting welcomes Michael Benjamin to serve as a member of the Advisory Board.
Michael Benjamin has extensive experience in the fields of government, human services and politics.  He serves as a Member, Council on Foreign Relations State & Local Officials Program.  Michael was elected to four terms of office as a Member of the New York State Assembly.  Prior to entering the State Assembly in 2003, Michael headed the Bronx Board of Elections.  He was one of the first elected officials from New York State to endorse President Barack Obama in August 2007. In October 2010, AP News cited him as “one of the increasingly rare legislators respected by both parties in both houses.”
CUSIB Director Ted Lipien said that Michael Benjamin’s experience and deep concern for society’s oppressed and marginalized groups in the United States and abroad will help CUSIB’s campaign to strengthen civic journalism by taxpayer-funded entities of U.S. international broadcasting.
Michael has worked for members of the New York State Assembly, New York City Council and the United States Congress. He has coordinated presidential, congressional, city council, and Bronx-wide political campaigns.  His speeches, lectures and op-ed articles focus on government, education, electoral politics, redistricting, and race.
Michael has received numerous honors and awards, including: Courage Award, NYC Council of Imams/Mosque of the Muslim Brotherhood (2010); Partnership Award, US Census Bureau (2010); Good Neighbor Award, Supportive Housing Network of New York (2009); Centennial Award for Political Leadership, NAACP Bronx Coalition of Branches (2009); and the Legislator of the Year, American Red Cross/Bronx Chapter (2008)
Michael graduated from  Syracuse University where he earned his Bachelor of Arts in political science. Michael has done graduate work in public administration, public health, and urban affairs at SUNY-Binghamton, NYU, and Hunter College. In 2007, he and his wife, Kennedy were profiled in City Hall magazine as one of NYC’s Power Couples. Truth, hard work and love of his wife are bedrock values that informed his work in the Assembly.
Michael contributes op-ed articles to the NY Post, City and State NY, and Politico.
 
The Committee for U.S. International Broadcasting (CUSIB – www.cusib.org) is a nonpartisan, nongovernmental organization working to strengthen free flow of uncensored news from the United States to countries with restricted and developing media environments. CUSIB supports journalism in defense of media freedom and human rights and works closely with the executive branch, Congress, and media to promote effective multi-channel delivery of news and information to overcome press censorship.
For further information, please contact:
Ann Noonan, co-founder and Executive Director
Tel. 646-251-6069
Ted Lipien, co-founder
Tel. 415-793-1642
You may also email us at: contact@cusib.org.