Born in Los Angeles,California,Flake grew up in Houston,Texas,as one of fifteen children of Robert Flake,Sr. and Rosie Lee Johnson-Flake. During his childhood,he was influenced by his parents' Christian moral beliefs. After high school,he obtained his Bachelor of Arts degree from Wilberforce University in Wilberforce,Ohio,becoming the first member of his family to graduate from college.
He served as a social worker and then worked for Xerox as a marketing analyst. Flake next worked as director of student affairs at Lincoln University and dean of students and director of the Afro-American Center at Boston University. In 1976,he was asked to head the Allen African Methodist Episcopal Church (now The Greater Allen Cathedral of New York). Under Flake's leadership,the church grew from having about 1,400 members to over 23,000 parishioners.
In Congress,Flake garnered a reputation for working with conservative Republicans,despite representing an overwhelmingly liberal,Democratic district. He also endorsed Republicans George Pataki for New York State Governor and Rudy Giuliani for New York City mayor.
In 1991,Flake joined an amicus brief in support of the New York City Council in the case Richmond Boro Gun Club v. City of New York,which upheld the council's prohibition on "the possession or transfer" within New York City of "assault weapons" and certain ammunition feeding devices.
Business interests
Flake has an ownership interest in Aqueduct Race Track Entertainment Group (AEG) which in January 2010 was awarded a contract to operate a 4,500 slot machineracino at the Aqueduct Race Track by then-Governor David Paterson. The process generated controversy after claims had been made that Paterson required affirmative action ownership in the company (rapper Jay-Z also joined AEG),that AEG was allowed to change its bid from the lowest to the highest and because Paterson allegedly awarded the bid two days after Flake threatened to back Andrew Cuomo in the 2010 governor race. U.S. prosecutors reportedly investigated the process and New York house speaker Sheldon Silver threatened not to sign off on the deal. Paterson has maintained there was no quid pro quo.[2] On March 9,2010,Flake withdrew from the project saying that it was distracting from his other projects. Jay-Z and Paterson also withdrew from the projects.[3][4]
Greater Allen A. M. E. Cathedral of New York
Flake is the senior pastor of the Greater Allen A. M. E. Cathedral of New York in Jamaica,Queens,New York City. According to a published marketing message,"The church and its subsidiary corporations operate with an annual budget of over $34 million. The church also owns expansive commercial and residential developments;a 750-student private school founded by Flake and his wife Elaine,and various commercial and social service enterprises,which has placed it among the nation's most productive religious and urban development institutions. The corporations,church administrative offices,school,and ministries comprise one of the Borough of Queens' largest private sector employers." The Church is recognized as a major real estate developer.
In honor of his role as a Queens community leader,Merrick Boulevard in southeastern Queens was renamed for Flake in October 2020.[5][6]
Personal life
Flake is married to Margaret Elaine McCollins and has four children.[citation needed]
In 1990,Flake and his wife were indicted for alleged fraud and embezzlement of church funds. The couple pleaded not guilty. In 1991,after hearing three weeks of prosecution witnesses,the judge assigned to the case dismissed so much of the prosecutor's case that he opted to drop all remaining charges. Interviews with jurors afterward indicated that,had the prosecutor opted to continue prosecution,the jury would not have found the couple guilty of any of these remaining charges.[7]
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