In the Press

August 26, 2026

Sweet Sundays: A Taste of Haiti in Prospect Lefferts Gardens

A second feature highlights Debbie Louis and Felix Cesar’s expansion of Sweet Sundays, its Haitian roots and its role as a welcoming community gathering place.

The BK Brief Desk - The BK Brief

March 24, 2026

Brooklyn Honors Its Best at the Brooklyn Power List

Brooklyn Paper names Debbie Louis among Schneps Media’s 2026 Brooklyn Power List honorees celebrating leaders who make a difference across the borough.

Claude Solnik - Brooklyn Paper

Marxe Alumni Spotlight: Debbie Esther Louis, M.S. (MPA ’25)

Baruch’s Marxe School spotlights Debbie Louis’s leadership in state government, public service and mentorship of the next generation.

Marxe School - Baruch College

October 21, 2024

The 2024 NYC 40 Under 40

City & State recognizes Debbie Louis for her work in government, community leadership and intergovernmental affairs.

Erica Scalise - City & State New York

June 27, 2022

What Is a State Committee Member and Who Are Your District Leaders? We Spoke with Senator Kevin Parker to Find Out!

State Sen. Kevin Parker explains the role of district leaders and discusses his 2022 slate with Esther Debbie Louis.

Brooklyn Eagle Staff - Brooklyn Eagle

Debbie Esther Louis, Haitian

A profile of Debbie Esther Louis’s work in civic engagement, language access and community organizing.

NYC Civic Engagement Commission

Sep 29, 2021

Voting Week 2021 — Ranked-Choice Voting: Panel and Simulation

Columbia names Debbie Louis as one of three experts leading a student panel and simulation on ranked-choice voting.

Undergraduate Student Life - Columbia University

May 8, 2022

Accessible Subways

An argument for making New York City’s subway system more accessible to riders with disabilities.

New York Daily News

April 25, 2022

Dr. Steeve Coupeau Goes One-on-One with Esther Debbie Louis, District Leader for Assembly District 58, Brooklyn

A conversation about Haitian-Creole voting rights, civic education and Debbie Louis’s path to district leadership.

NYIHA MEDIA - NYIHA / Medium

May 16, 2022

Esther Debbie Louis Weighs In on Mass Shootings: “Domestic Terrorism”

Debbie Esther Louis responds to the Buffalo and Laguna Woods mass shootings and calls the violence domestic terrorism.

Right On Digital

Rank the Vote NYC Press Conference on Ranked-Choice Voting

Debbie Louis speaks at a press conference supporting ranked-choice voting in New York City.

Rank the Vote NYC - Rank the Vote NYC / Facebook

Jul 19, 2021

Assembly Elections Committee Debates the Merits of Ranked-Choice Voting

Debbie Louis argues that ranked-choice voting delivered a more democratic election during an Assembly Elections Committee hearing.

Ariel Pacheco - PoliticsNY

July 15, 2021

Some NYC Council Members Consider Ending Ranked-Choice Voting

City Council members consider whether New York City should continue using ranked-choice voting.

Emily Ngo - NY1

July 24, 2021

Ranked-Choice Voting in New York City

National coverage examines New York City’s first mayoral primary conducted under ranked-choice voting.

The New York Times

July 9, 2021

How Ranked-Choice Did and Didn’t Live Up to Its Promise

Debbie Louis assesses what ranked-choice voting delivered—and where its first citywide rollout fell short.

Jacob Kaye - Queens Daily Eagle

July 20, 2021

Ranked-Choice Voting Allies and Foes Sound Off During Lengthy Hearing

Debbie Louis joins voting-reform advocates as supporters & opponents debate ranked-choice voting before the City Council.

Brigid Bergin - Gothamist
July 19, 2021

Study of Contrasts at Hearing on Ranked-Choice Voting

Supporters and critics present sharply different assessments of New York City’s ranked-choice voting system.

NY1

June 22, 2021

NYC Spent Nearly $15 Million to Publicize Ranked-Choice Voting. Some Say It Came Too Late.

A review of New York City’s nearly $15 million ranked-choice voting education campaign and concerns that it started too late.

Ese Olumhense - City Limits

Jan 28, 2021

Rank Choice Voting — What You Need to Know

Debbie Louis explains ranked-choice voting and what New Yorkers needed to know before the 2021 primary.

Amoy Barnes and Althea Stevens - On the Run NYC

August 19, 2026

Sweet Sundays Spreads Its Roots in Prospect-Lefferts Gardens

A Caribbean-owned Flatbush favorite expands to Prospect-Lefferts Gardens with a second location on Nostrand Avenue.

Krista Bryant - BKReader

March 19, 2026

Brooklyn Power List 2026

Schneps Media recognizes Debbie Louis among Brooklyn’s influential business leaders and civic champions.

Schneps Media - Schneps Media

August 28, 2025

J’Ouvert in Flatbush: A Celebration of Caribbean Culture, Resistance and Community

A guide to Flatbush’s Caribbean businesses identifies Sweet Sundays, founded by Felix Cesar and Debbie Esther Louis, as a beloved destination rooted in Haitian tradition.

Nelson A. King - Caribbean Life

Voting Voices Campaign — Debbie Louis

Women Creating Change profiles Debbie Louis for her dedication to social change, education and advocacy for underrepresented communities.

Women Creating Change - Women Creating Change

May 11, 2021

Voting Groups, Candidates Slowly Start In-Person Engagement Efforts

Voting organizations and candidates resume in-person outreach ahead of New York City’s 2021 elections.

The Haitian Times
May 24, 2021

Organizations Look to Raise Awareness of Ranked-Choice Voting Ahead of June Primary

Community organizations work to educate New Yorkers about ranked-choice voting before the June primary.

News 12 The Bronx

New York Events Spotlight Black Maternal Health Week

New York events highlight Black Maternal Health Week and the movement to improve outcomes for Black mothers.

Black Star News
Jun 25, 2024

Haitian American Opens Sweet Sundays Cafe

Community leaders celebrate the opening of Sweet Sundays, the Haitian and Black-owned café created by Felix Cesar with Debbie Esther Louis.

Orlande Fleury - Caribbean Life

Our Fellows 2023 — Debbie Esther Louis

BridgesNY profiles Debbie Louis as a fellow and highlights her work in government, political organizing, education and community building.

BridgesNY Fellowship - BridgesNY Fellowship

Jan 11, 2023

Honoring Debbie Esther Louis Upon Her Special Recognition by ANS Association

A New York State Senate resolution honors Debbie Esther Louis for her community service, advocacy, education and civic leadership.

New York State Senate - New York State Senate

According to RP — Ep. 169: Caribbean Heritage Month ft. Esther Debbie Louis

Esther Debbie Louis joins According to RP for a conversation marking Caribbean Heritage Month.

According to RP - According to RP

Jul 31, 2023

The 2023 Brooklyn Power 100

City & State ranks Debbie Louis No. 97 on its Brooklyn Power 100 and highlights her government, campaign and community leadership.

City & State - City & State New York

Feb 8, 2023

Haitian American Debbie Esther Louis Honored

Debbie Esther Louis is recognized for her leadership and service to New York’s Haitian-American community.

Orlande Fleury - Caribbean Life