AMHERST, N.Y. – Speaker of the New York State Assembly Carl Heastie will share his vision on creating education, training and employment pathways for the state’s youth as Daemen College’s Distinguished Leaders Lecture Series speaker at 3:30 p.m. Oct. 20 in the Wick Campus Center’s Alumni Lounge. The event is free and open to the public.

“We are honored to have Assembly Speaker Heastie come to Daemen to talk about providing education and employment opportunities for youth in communities across our state,” said Daemen President Gary A. Olson.

Heastie was elected speaker of the New York State Assembly in 2015, making him the first African American to serve in this important role. He has been one of the Assembly’s staunchest advocates for children, education, housing, after-school programs, and job training for youth.

“The Assembly Majority recognizes that the road to success is paved with opportunities and resources that do not present themselves equally to everyone,” said Heastie. “That is why we fight to close the gaps that would otherwise exclude many New Yorkers by increasing and improving opportunity programs, making sure that higher education is attainable and affordable, and establishing programs that promote cradle-to-college supportive strategies such as My Brother’s Keeper.”

Heastie earned a master’s degree in business administration with a concentration in finance from Bernard M. Baruch College, and a bachelor’s degree in applied mathematics and statistics from Stony Brook University.   

The Daemen Distinguished Leaders Lecture Series brings top government and public officials and business leaders to campus to share their unique perspective on critical state, national and international issues. It is sponsored by Harris Beach PLLC, a major New York-based law firm with offices in Buffalo, Rochester, Syracuse, Albany, Ithaca, White Plains, New York City and Long Island.