In 1968, New York City Mayor John Lindsay made Owens the commissioner of New York City's Community Development Agency. After serving in this position for approximately five years, successfully ran for and was elected to the New York Senate. He was a member of the New York State Senate from 1975 to 1982, sitting in the 181st, 182nd, 183rd and 184th New York State Legislatures."Featured African Americans" profile, Library of Congress (loc.gov)
