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, 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. 

In March 2020, 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, in his role at MOME, and 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.