Basil Smikle Jr. is the founder of Basil Smikle Associates, a political strategy and public relations firm based in New York. His public policy and political background combined with partnerships across the country provide a one-stop shop for strategic planning, government affairs and public relations consultation.
Smikle Associates has domestic and international relationships. We have election and campaign experience in the US, Europe, South American, the Caribbean and Africa. We have worked with governments, NGOs and private sector institutions to improve communications, management and service delivery.
In 1993, Basil graduated with a B.S. from Cornell University in Industrial and Labor Relations. During his years at Cornell, he worked at WVBR FM as an on-air radio personality and producer. He was able to produce his own show that mixed music and talk segments where he provided a forum to discuss local and national issues. His work earned him an award from Cornell for Outstanding Community Service.
In 1996, he received a Masters Degree in Public Policy from Columbia University’s School of International and Public Affairs. While there, he was awarded the Columbia University Departmental Fellowship and the Public Affairs Research Fellowship. As a student, his research allowed him the unique opportunity to co-author a welfare-to-work initiative currently operating in the City of Indianapolis; and consult on a project to improve efficiency among AIDS/HIV care providers in Philadelphia.
Basil spends a lot of time mentoring young people in schools across this City to promote public service and education. He participates in the Read-Aloud to Kids at a public school in Queens and started a literacy program for 5th graders there to help them become better writers and speakers. He worked with 100 Black Men to start the Eagle Academy in the Bronx and supports charters schools in their efforts to achieve success in New York City.
Basil is an often-quoted consultant. His observations may be found in a variety of media outlets including the New York Times, and Crain’s Insider. He has written for the online publication, TheDailyVoice.com and has appeared on local and national television to comment about politics and government policy.
Basil is an Adjunct Professor at both Columbia University’s Graduate School of International and Public Affairs and the City University of New York’s Murphy Institute for Worker Education.
Boards and Memberships
· Member, Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry
· Member, 100 Black Men of New York, Inc.
· Board Member of Young Athletes Inc.
· Board Member, REACH- Rewarding Achievement
· Honored by City Hall Magazine as one of the 50 Rising Stars in New York Politics
· Number 2 on the list of the “Most Beautiful Political People” in New York by The New York Observer
· Member, Joppa Lodge #55 - Prince Hall Free and Accepted Masons
