Green Room New York

GREEN ROOM NEW YORK

New Commissioner of Media & Entertainment (released Tuesday, January 27, 2026) By Kimberly Burke The Mamdani Administration is working to ensure NYC remains a home for the artists who shaped it. Rafael Espinal is the current Executive Director of the Freelancers Union. During his work at Freelancers Union, Espinal, has advanced the protections and rights of independent workers nationally. Mayor Mamdani has appointed Rafeal Espinal as the new Commissioner of the New York City Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME). This appointment is meant for Espinal and Mamdani to work closely together to help ensure that the creative workforce in New York City can live in the city they have been so essential in creating. Rafael Espinal, in addition to his Executive position at Freelancers Union, he served on the New York City Council, representing Bushwick, Brownsville, Cypress Hills, East New York. As a Council Member, he championed the rights and protections of artists and small businesses. As Commissioner of the New York City Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment, Espinal will report to Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su. "You cannot tell the story of New York without the artists who have shaped it," said Mayor Zohran Mamdani. "Yet, the cost-of-living crisis is driving creatives out of our city. That is a loss we cannot afford. As Commissioner, Rafael Espinal will support our city's artists and help ensure New York City remains a place that every artist can call home. He has led this work nationally, fighting for the rights and protections of independent workers and he will bring that fight right here to New York City." "One of our top priorities is to make sure all of government works together and with the intention to grow industries that make this city vibrant, that reflect its beauty and creativity, and that bring good union jobs to New York City. MOME must lead in this space," said Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su. "I'm honored to join Mayor Mamdani's administration and lead the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment. New York City's artists, creatives, and freelancers have made New York City into what it is today — if we want to keep our city's culture, it is critical that they can afford to live and work here. I look forward to supporting our creative industries, expanding opportunities, and ensuring that the city remains a home for artists," said Rafael Espinal, Commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment. "The Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment supports New York City's creative economy through its Film Office, NYC Media, Press Credential Office, and Programs and Initiatives divisions. Together, these offices handle permitting and licensing, workforce development, incentives for creative projects, and oversight of the City's public media outlets. In 2017, more than 293,000 people were employed in New York City's creative economy, generating billions in economic activity. MOME will continue advancing work that keeps creative jobs in New York City, powers tourism, and ensures the people who do this work can afford to live here." You can see for yourself in the press conference announcement the passion both the Mayor and Rafael Espinal intentionally are bringing to the future of the government's ability to help create jobs, tourism, economic growth and security for all New Yorkers who live and work in an artistic creative profession.

New Commissioner of Media & Entertainment
(released Tuesday, January 27, 2026)
By Kimberly Burke

The Mamdani Administration is working to ensure NYC remains a home for the artists who shaped it. Rafael Espinal is the current Executive Director of the Freelancers Union. During his work at Freelancers Union, Espinal, has advanced the protections and rights of independent workers nationally. Mayor Mamdani has appointed Rafeal Espinal as the new Commissioner of the New York City Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment (MOME). This appointment is meant for Espinal and Mamdani to work closely together to help ensure that the creative workforce in New York City can live in the city they have been so essential in creating.

Rafael Espinal, in addition to his Executive position at Freelancers Union, he served on the New York City Council, representing Bushwick, Brownsville, Cypress Hills, East New York. As a Council Member, he championed the rights and protections of artists and small businesses. As Commissioner of the New York City Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment, Espinal will report to Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su.

"You cannot tell the story of New York without the artists who have shaped it," said Mayor Zohran Mamdani. "Yet, the cost-of-living crisis is driving creatives out of our city. That is a loss we cannot afford. As Commissioner, Rafael Espinal will support our city's artists and help ensure New York City remains a place that every artist can call home. He has led this work nationally, fighting for the rights and protections of independent workers and he will bring that fight right here to New York City."

"One of our top priorities is to make sure all of government works together and with the intention to grow industries that make this city vibrant, that reflect its beauty and creativity, and that bring good union jobs to New York City. MOME must lead in this space," said Deputy Mayor for Economic Justice Julie Su.

"I'm honored to join Mayor Mamdani's administration and lead the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment. New York City's artists, creatives, and freelancers have made New York City into what it is today — if we want to keep our city's culture, it is critical that they can afford to live and work here. I look forward to supporting our creative industries, expanding opportunities, and ensuring that the city remains a home for artists," said Rafael Espinal, Commissioner of the Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment.

"The Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment supports New York City's creative economy through its Film Office, NYC Media, Press Credential Office, and Programs and Initiatives divisions. Together, these offices handle permitting and licensing, workforce development, incentives for creative projects, and oversight of the City's public media outlets. In 2017, more than 293,000 people were employed in New York City's creative economy, generating billions in economic activity. MOME will continue advancing work that keeps creative jobs in New York City, powers tourism, and ensures the people who do this work can afford to live here."

You can see for yourself in the press conference announcement the passion both the Mayor and Rafael Espinal intentionally are bringing to the future of the government's ability to help create jobs, tourism, economic growth and security for all New Yorkers who live and work in an artistic creative profession.