Commissioner Rafael Espinal

Rafael Espinal is the Commissioner of the New York City Mayor’s Office of Media and Entertainment, where he is focused on strengthening and expanding the city’s creative economy, strengthening and revitalizing film and television production in NYC, and ensuring the people who power the industries can afford to live and work here. His leadership centers on supporting creative workers, creating pathways into media and cultural careers, and reinforcing New York City as the place to create.

Born and raised in Brooklyn, Rafael became New York’s youngest elected official at age 26 when he was elected to the State Assembly in 2011. He later served on the New York City Council representing Brooklyn. On the Council, he secured historic investments in affordable housing, advanced environmental initiatives to address climate injustice, and negotiated a $250 million comprehensive investment plan for East New York - one of the city’s most underserved communities. In 2019, The New York Times recognized his career, writing, “In a 51-member body, Mr. Espinal has been a standout.”

He also emerged as a strong advocate for workers and the creative sector. He co-sponsored the landmark Freelance Isn’t Free Act, the first law of its kind to protect freelancers from nonpayment, and led the repeal of New York City’s archaic "No Dancing" Cabaret Law, while establishing the Office of Nightlife to support the city’s nighttime creative economy. In recognition of that leadership, Time Out New York named him a New Yorker of the Year.

In March 2020, just two weeks before COVID-19 shutdowns, Rafael became Executive Director of Freelancers Union, guiding the organization through a period of unprecedented need. He worked with federal leaders to secure Pandemic Unemployment Assistance for self-employed workers, created the Freelance Relief Fund to provide direct aid, expanded freelancer payment protections beyond New York City, and built the post-pandemic Freelancers Hub in Brooklyn to serve free coworking and resources to media and entertainment workers.

Now at MOME, Rafael is working to ensure New York City remains the global capital of culture and creativity by investing in talent, supporting production, creating good union jobs, and building an economy where artists, storytellers, and creative professionals can thrive.

As a screenwriter and filmmaker, who has developed original work, he understands the creative process from the inside and is committed to building an industry where creators are not only celebrated, but supported.

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