 Starting in 1996 , he served two years as a legislative assistant to the Buffalo Common Council . In early 1998 , he was named executive director of the Office of Urban Initiatives , which is a community development corporation that endeavors to improve business opportunities for minorities . After then @-@ City Councilman Byron Brown was elected to the New York State Senate in November 2000 , Thompson was favored for an appointment as Brown 's city council successor . 
