Legislator Profile: Norma J. Chapman
In honoring her father’s legacy, Legislator created her own

ALBANY (Aug. 24, 2017) — Albany County Legislator Norma J. Chapman has been delivering human and social services to Albany’s West Hill neighborhood for decades, earning her the affectionate nickname “Aunty” and respect of those she serves.
A lifetime Albany resident, Chapman was the daughter of Lois Cole and Frank Chapman, the first African-American baggage and ticket agent at Albany’s Greyhound bus station. A recognized leader in her community who raised six children, Norma Chapman worked 37 years for the New York State Comptroller’s Office. She founded a non-profit organization — the Frank Chapman Memorial Institute — in West Hill to help inner-city kids and honor her father’s memory.
Chapman, a Democrat, has been elected three times to the Albany County Legislature. The chairwoman of the Civic Center Committee helped guide the $20 million renovation of Albany County’s Times Union Center through the Legislature, an important project for downtown Albany that is expected to be completed by November.
“It makes me feel very, very proud,” said Chapman, who toured new construction at the Times Union Center on Wednesday (story here). “With the Albany Capital Center opened nearby, the whole face of downtown is being changed, and to be a part of that makes me feel really good.”

August is an eventful month for Chapman, who represents Albany County Legislative District 4 (see district map here). At the Legislature’s monthly meeting on Aug. 14, she joined six other women members in signing a proclamation recognizing 100 years of women suffrage in New York.
Chapman is also planning the first “West Hill Festival” for noon to 7 p.m. Saturday, Aug. 26. She came up with the idea of a community block party on First Street between North Lake Avenue and Judson Street earlier this year, when she heard the annual Carnival on the Hill event would not be held.
Chapman plans to close the street to vehicular traffic so West Hill and city residents can enjoy food, entertainment, children’s activities and more. The rain site location is the Frank Chapman Memorial Institute at 340 First St., an organization Chapman created in 1995 to provide programming for kids from Arbor Hill, West Hill, the South End and North Albany.
Chapman’s father, Frank, dedicated his life to assisting low-income youngsters in Albany. He created apprentice programs that helped many in the community learn carpentry, landscaping and construction. Frank Chapman passed away in 1987, and Norma Chapman continued his legacy of giving. She started working with non-profit groups and government leaders to raise funds for recreation, employment training, after-school activities, mentoring, fashion shows, community gardens and more in West Hill.
“Dad is my role model,” Norma Chapman said.
At one time, the Frank Chapman Memorial Institute offered free summer camp programs at seven locations in collaboration with the City of Albany Summer Youth Employment program and AmeriCorps volunteers. The institute is a community resource that operates out of a building it acquired from the Albany United Methodist Society. Kids play basketball, rehearse group dances, learn about computers and more.

The institute hosts programs for senior citizens and visitors can pick up clothing and more from a thrift shop. The institute had received much of its funding through government grants, but has since much of that support, in part, because of Chapman’s status as an elected official. Chapman is always looking for volunteers to help her with programming, events and grant writing. You can learn more about the institute here.
“We’re here for the community,” Chapman said. “There’s such need with the at-risk kids and families that cannot provide the means for their kids.”

Born in Albany Memorial Hospital, Chapman grew up on Bassett Street in the South End, where she lived until age 12, when she moved to North Pearl Street with her family. She’s resided on First Street in West Hill for more than 30 years.
Chapman graduated from Albany Public Schools before attending the Albany Business College and receiving a degree in counseling and communications from what is now The Sage Colleges. She founded Asiatic Enterprises Fashion in Albany, and established a West Hill newsletter. Chapman retired in 2007 from the New York State Comptroller Office’s Retirement Employers Service Department.
Chapman was first elected to the Legislature in 2007. “I ran because I saw the need,” she said. In addition to serving as chairwoman of the Civic Center Committee, she is a member of the Legislature’s Social Services and Public Safety committees, and served as chair of the Albany County Youth Bureau Board.
Chapman devotes herself to the community and several advocacy groups. She organized African-American Cultural Festival Day and the Martin Luther King Jr. Observance March program at the Empire State Plaza in Albany, and the Black and Puerto Rican Caucus Youth Talent Showcase held in The Egg.
Chapman has also contributed time and energy to Equinox, the Northeast Regional Food Bank, Ronald McDonald House, Capital District African American Coalition on AIDS and the Black Leadership Commission on AIDS. She is a dedicated member of Sweet Pilgrim Baptist Church in Albany, and sings with its Praise Group. She is also a member of Alpha Chi Omega sorority and Local 293 Eastern Star of Troy.
“I’m just a person who likes to start something, a program or an event, and see a successful outcome,” Chapman said. “I like to make an impact.”
Legislator Chapman is always looking for volunteers to help youth in Albany’s West End. Call her at the office, 518–915–1377.
