Brian Lear on

on WNYC. We continue now to meet the four new members of the New York City

Council who won their seats in the November election and today's new council member

is in a category of his own for being nationally known as one of the exonerated Central Park 5 from that wrongful conviction from way back 35 years ago arrested when he was just 15 years old and sent to prison for a crime.

The justice system later concluded he did not commit when they found the real attacker

of the woman known as the Central Park jogger.

Before being elected to city council,

Youssef Salaam had already become a renowned motivational speaker

and author of the book whose title reflects that

called Better Not Bitter.

Now he represents New York City Council District 9 centered in Harlem going up to Hamilton Heights

and down to Morningside Heights and the Manhattan Valley portion of the upper west side.

On his city council bio page he calls himself a family man, father, poet, activist, and

inspirational speaker.

And I'll add to that with a bit of poetic justice of its own.

Council Member Salaam has now been appointed chair of the New York City Council

Public Safety Committee. Councilman an honor to have you. to chair of the New York City Council public safety committee.

Councilman, an honor to have you on as part of the series.

Welcome back to WNYC.

My pleasure and thank you for having me.

Can I start by going back to when you were 12 years old?

Your book tells those of us who didn't know that you were admitted at that young age

...