Children’s video educator Rachel Griffin Accurso, known to child viewers on YouTube as ‘Ms Rachel’, is the latest addition to New York Mayor-elect Zohran Mamdani‘s inaugural committee.
Mamdani, who is set to be sworn into office on the first day of new year, said he plans to celebrate with an inauguration party, with much of the inaugural committee in attendance.
Ms Rachel’s inclusion in the committee has garnered attention from all corners. Here is what we know about her.
Who is ‘Ms Rachel’?
A popular YouTuber, Rachel Griffin Accurso has spoken against Israel and in defence of Palestinians several times. In November, she accepted Glamour Magazine’s Woman of the Year award while wearing an outfit adorned with drawings by children from Gaza. She was also nominated for Antisemite of the Year by ‘StopAntisemitism’.
“For those Jewish New Yorkers considering relocating, StopAntisemitism is happy to put them in touch with realtors eager to help in Florida, Texas, and other locations where they will be safe,” the organisation said following the announcement of Ms Rachel’s inclusion in Mamdani’s committee.
Why is this inclusion controversial?
Mamdani has been accused of harbouring anti-Israel views in the past. Adding to the debate, Ms. Rachael’s outspoken support for Palestine is likely to intensify discussions, as her views may be perceived as politically charged in the context of a sensitive international issue. Moreover, several other team members have previously attracted media attention for various reasons, raising questions about the overall composition of the team and the potential implications of their collective perspectives.
Most recently, Mysonne Linen, a Bronx-born rapper-turned-activist with a felony conviction for armed robbery, was added to Mamdani’s transition team.
Linen had been appointed by Mamdani to be a part of the team’s public safety and criminal justice committees.
Mamdani had faced considerable backlash for the appointment. Critics like ‘Jews Fight Back’ on X had labelled the move to be “insane”, while law enforcement and conservatives decried putting a convicted robber in charge of crime strategy.
“New York City is being handed over to radicals, extremists and outright terrorists…Watch this space. This is going to get even uglier,” the group said.
Mamdani will succeed outgoing Mayor Eric Adams as the city’s youngest ever and first Muslim Mayor on January 1, 2026.