ANDRÉ WALLACE 

Mr. Wallace started his career early as a leader in the fields of entertainment and music. With over twenty years of professional success to his credit, Mr. Wallace wove an ability to get things done with a demonstrated flare for innovation. Areas where he has made a definite mark include promotions, marketing, event management, distribution, publishing, music and video production, corporate development and personal career management. An accomplished musician, dancer, and songwriter with a degree in audio engineering, Mr. Wallace worked with and represented dozens of professional entertainers and athletes.

Thereafter, Mr. Wallace shifted gears to follow another lifelong passion for building and design. As the president and owner of Creative Direction Construction & Design a successful contracting and development firm, Mr. Wallace found that the lessons learned in building things created a path for him to help people build futures, an even more profound measure of success.

Mr. Wallace purchased a building from the City of Mount Vernon and opened the first accredited educational training and apprenticeship/craftsmen program of its kind in the City. With a mission is to empower, educate, and mentor disadvantaged youth, men, and women in the construction and green industries, Mr. Wallace has far exceeded his goal by training over 1,400 students, placing more than 1000 participants in living wage positions in apprenticeship programs, union jobs, and full-time careers in the construction field over the past 10 years. Partnering with National Center for Construction Education and Research (NCCER) and Home Builder Institute (HBI/Pact) along with many others, Mr. Wallace also oversees Youth Build Youth’s creation of affordable housing for low- income residents, veterans, and homeless families helping to improve communities. As a testament to Mr. Wallace’s steadfast commitment, dedication, and selflessness in serving others throughout his lifetime. Mr. Wallace was awarded the “President's Lifetime Achievement Award” from Joe Biden, President of The United States of America.

Working hands-on with his community, Mr. Wallace discovered a passion for serving others, sparking within him the desire of running for public office. Serving as a City Councilman and the President of the City Council in one of the State’s largest cities, Councilman Wallace seized the chance to serve as an effective change-agent and to use the government’s resources to make a profound impact on the lives of his fellow residents. As Mayor of Mount Vernon, Mayor Wallace led from the front by bringing steady leadership and efficient problem-solving to a City recovering from a disruptive and chaotic period in the City’s history.

With demonstrated and real experience in the for profit, not-for-profit, non-Profit and government spheres, Mr. Wallace brings to the table success at all levels to effect lasting change for people in his community. He strives to continueextending his efforts to raise up his neighbors by drawing on his ability to lead, to build, and to care.