Dion Michael Ashman was born and raised in Brooklyn by his parents, who were Jamaican immigrants and has deep roots in the Crown Heights community as a lifelong resident. He attended public schools, P.S. 161, I.S. 320, and Midwood High School. His father, Donald Ashman, was a scholar, school administrator, and researcher, while his mother, Dorothy, balanced her roles as a homemaker and radio technology specialist at Coney Island Hospital before becoming a real estate broker. These values—service, community, and dedication—are the strong foundation of Dion's work. He is now channeling those values into his campaign for a seat on the New York City Council to represent the 35th District.

 

Dion's mother died of a heart attack in 1990.  In his father's latter years, Dion became a caregiver for his father, who fell ill after suffering three strokes. His father made his transition in 2015. These personal experiences provide him with a profound understanding of the challenges that working families face when caring for a loved one while navigating the appropriate agencies to access vital services and resources. It is this understanding that fuels his passionate advocacy for the working class of Brooklyn and gives him an appreciation for the dedicated healthcare professionals who provide invaluable care to families in need.

Dion Michael Ashman studied Liberal Arts at New York City Technical College, graduating in 1985. He then attended Pace University on a full basketball scholarship, where he studied Speech Communications and graduated in 1988. Upon graduating, Dion founded Our Gang Productions, a communications company that created TV and radio programming to entertain and inform the community about African American news, arts, and culture. In 2008, Dion formed Our Gang Productions of NY, LLC, which continues to operate today.

 

Committed to being an effective grassroots leader, Dion held key positions, including Chairman and Youth Coordinator for Brooklyn Community Board 9 Youth Committee and Volunteer Counselor for the Crown Heights Youth Collective. He also served as the Athletic Director at two male juvenile detention centers. Driven by the pressing need for personal development in our community, Dion established Generation Not Deferred, a youth personal development program, and spearheaded Pure Fact, The Way It Is: Our Youth Speak Out on the Issues of the Day, a platform amplifying young voices on critical issues, including interactions with law enforcement.
 

Dion is an engaged advocate for his community’s socioeconomic well-being. He fights against overdevelopment that causes class and cultural displacement and consistently champions the growth of local businesses. When the City proposed a shelter in Crown Heights, Dion led the opposition, rallying neighbors and filing a lawsuit. This resulted in the creation of affordable housing units, offering pathways to permanent housing. During the pandemic, Dion organized workshops on navigating systemic challenges, acquiring government grants, and adapting to the new reality for local businesses. Dion currently serves on advisory boards of Rachel’s House Family Shelter and the Major R. Owens Health & Wellness Community Center and is a proud member of Alpha Phi Alpha Fraternity, Incorporated.

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As a candidate for New York City Council, Dion is committed to empowering residents and businesses of the 35th District to shape the future of our communities.