Just Conversations | Reparations in New York City: A Path Toward Justice and Equity
Pictured: Slave Bill of Sale "for a Negro Wench Pegg" from George Van Brunt to Andrew Cropsey, 1797
In September 2024, four New York City elected officials introduced a series of groundbreaking bills aimed at advancing reparations for Black New Yorkers seeking to address the lasting impacts of systemic racism and historical injustices. Almost 200 years after slavery officially ended in New York, these measures acknowledge the ongoing effects of enslavement and envision a more just and equitable future for NYC’s Black community.
Enslaved people were first brought to New Amsterdam by Dutch settlers in the 1600s and by the 1700s New York City had one of the highest rates of slave ownership in the country, with between 15 and 20 percent of the population enslaved. While national discussions around reparations have stalled in Congress since the 1980s, New York City and other communities across the nation are taking it upon themselves to explore their own forms of reparative justice. In NYC these initiatives range from public apologies and memorials to addressing persistent inequalities in housing, healthcare, and legal services.
Join the elected officials behind this historic city-wide legislative effort -- NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and Council Members Crystal Hudson, Nantasha Williams and Farah Louis -- as they unpack the goals of their proposed bills, discuss the path toward reparations, and explore how restorative justice can create lasting change for Black communities in New York City. The panel will be moderated by Linda Tigani, Executive Director of the NYC Commission on Racial Equity, which is working closely with the NYC Council to create a meaningful framework for racial justice.
This program is part of our on-going series Just Conversations with Brooklyn Org and presented in partnership with Brooklyn Public Library's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council. It is the first of two that focus on local reparations initiatives. To learn more about the second, which explores reparations in New York State, click here.
Citation: Enslaved people bills of sale, 1794-1819 inclusive, Teunis G. Bergen collection of Van Brunt family genealogy papers Box 1 Folder 7; 1978.157, Brooklyn Public Library, Center for Brooklyn History
About Just Conversations
Just Conversations is a series co-presented by the Center for Brooklyn History and Brooklyn Org that brings into dialogue issues facing our borough, city, and society and gives voice to the change makers who move us towards a more equitable future.
Participants
Jumaane D. Williams is the Public Advocate of the City of New York. Previously, he served on the NYC Council representing the 45th District from 2010-2019.
Public Advocate Williams is a first-generation Brooklynite of Grenadian heritage. He graduated from the public school system, overcoming the difficulties of Tourette's and ADHD to earn a Master's Degree from Brooklyn College. He began his career as a community organizer at the Greater Flatbush Beacon School and later served as the Executive Director of NYS Tenants & Neighbors. There, he fought for truly affordable, income-targeted housing across New York City and State.
In the NYC Council, then-Councilman Williams championed landmark legislation that fundamentally transformed public safety in NYC. Jumaane sponsored the Community Safety Act, reforming the City's Police Department by addressing the abuse of Stop, Question, & Frisk. As former Co-Chair of the Council’s Task Force to Combat Gun Violence, he helped create New York’s Crisis Management System, which funds Cure Violence Groups that work to reduce shootings through a multi-pronged approach. He also served as Chair of the Committee on Housing and Buildings, where he helped to pass dozens of bills.
As Public Advocate, he has continued the fight to advance equity and combat injustices, while redefining the office’s role as legislator, community organizer, and voice of the people. In his first three years in office, he has passed more legislation than any previous Public Advocate, and nearly as many as all predecessors combined.
He has led the fight for true public safety, deeply affordable housing, and transparency and accountability in City government as an activist-elected official who brings the voices of everyday New Yorkers to City government and makes New York a truly progressive beacon for all.
Crystal Hudson is the Council Member for New York City’s District 35 in Brooklyn, representing the neighborhoods of Crown Heights, Prospect Heights, Clinton Hill, and Fort Greene. A third-generation Brooklynite and daughter of Jamaican and Honduran immigrants, she was elected in 2021 and made history as the first out gay Black woman ever elected in New York City. Crystal is a public servant committed to making government more accessible for more people. Her bill passed in September, establishes a “truth, healing and reconciliation process.”
Farah N. Louis represents the 45th Council District in Brooklyn, NY which includes the diverse neighborhoods of Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Flatlands, and Marine Park. Council Member Louis has fought for the affordability and livability of New Yorkers as a champion for fair and affordable housing.
During her tenure in the New York City Council, she prioritized critical legislation to protect survivors of Domestic Violence; she spearheaded policies to improve public safety measures, launched equitable contract opportunities for MWBEs and nonprofits, and expanded STEM programs in public schools. In addition, her staunch advocacy on maternal health and quality mental healthcare, helped launch a citywide response in underserved communities garnering over $5M in funding.
As Chair of the Committee of Women and Gender Equity, she continues to fight for access to housing affordability, quality education, reproductive rights, and equitable healthcare for District 45, Brooklyn, and the City of New York. A first-generation Brooklynite, Council Member Louis was raised in an immigrant and pro-union household; and continues to utilize her platform to tackle social issues to advance fair representation and justice for all.
Dr. Nantasha Williams is the representative for Council District 27 in Southeast Queens, NY and its communities of Cambria Heights, Hollis, Jamaica, St. Albans, Queens Village, Addisleigh Park, and Springfield Gardens. Dr. Williams is a community leader and social justice advocate committed to affecting real change in her community. Nationally recognized as a political strategist, she dedicates her life in service to marginalized communities throughout the country. Before her election, Dr. Williams was an activist, particularly focused on issues affecting women and girls. To further engage women in politics, Dr. Williams founded the New York City Black Women’s Political Club, an avenue to build political power for Black women across New York City in 2019. As Chair of the Committee on Civil and Human Rights, Dr. Williams has also passed legislation requiring the City of New York to provide anti-racism and anti-racial discrimination training for employees, interns, independent contractors, and volunteers of city agencies. Each employee of the city is now required to complete such training at least once per year. Her bill passed in September, establishes a task force to consider the creation of a citywide New York City freedom trail and a “Lower Manhattan freedom trail.”
Linda Tigani is the Chair and Executive Director of the NYC Commission on Racial Equity (CORE), where she leverages over a decade of government experience to work with New Yorkers to create meaningful change and advance racial equity. Prior to this role, Tigani was the acting Chief Equity and Strategy Officer for the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, where she led the Race to Justice team, an internal initiative to transform the agency into an anti-racist organization. She worked with New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan and across the health department to implement an equity-focused strategic plan in all agency programming and operations. Tigani also served as Senior Director for Children, Youth, and Families in the Office of Community Mental Health and as an Education Policy Advisor for First Deputy Mayor Fuleihan. Tigani's background as a social worker and long-time community advocate centering racial equity within education, health, environmental justice, and youth development prepared her for her government roles.
Pictured: Slave Bill of Sale "for a Negro Wench Pegg" from George Van Brunt to Andrew Cropsey, 1797
In September 2024, four New York City elected officials introduced a series of groundbreaking bills aimed at advancing reparations for Black New Yorkers seeking to address the lasting impacts of systemic racism and historical injustices. Almost 200 years after slavery officially ended in New York, these measures acknowledge the ongoing effects of enslavement and envision a more just and equitable future for NYC’s Black community.
Enslaved people were first brought to New Amsterdam by Dutch settlers in the 1600s and by the 1700s New York City had one of the highest rates of slave ownership in the country, with between 15 and 20 percent of the population enslaved. While national discussions around reparations have stalled in Congress since the 1980s, New York City and other communities across the nation are taking it upon themselves to explore their own forms of reparative justice. In NYC these initiatives range from public apologies and memorials to addressing persistent inequalities in housing, healthcare, and legal services.
Join the elected officials behind this historic city-wide legislative effort -- NYC Public Advocate Jumaane Williams and Council Members Crystal Hudson, Nantasha Williams and Farah Louis -- as they unpack the goals of their proposed bills, discuss the path toward reparations, and explore how restorative justice can create lasting change for Black communities in New York City. The panel will be moderated by Linda Tigani, Executive Director of the NYC Commission on Racial Equity, which is working closely with the NYC Council to create a meaningful framework for racial justice.
This program is part of our on-going series Just Conversations with Brooklyn Org and presented in partnership with Brooklyn Public Library's Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Council. It is the first of two that focus on local reparations initiatives. To learn more about the second, which explores reparations in New York State, click here.
Citation: Enslaved people bills of sale, 1794-1819 inclusive, Teunis G. Bergen collection of Van Brunt family genealogy papers Box 1 Folder 7; 1978.157, Brooklyn Public Library, Center for Brooklyn History
About Just Conversations
Just Conversations is a series co-presented by the Center for Brooklyn History and Brooklyn Org that brings into dialogue issues facing our borough, city, and society and gives voice to the change makers who move us towards a more equitable future.
Participants
Jumaane D. Williams is the Public Advocate of the City of New York. Previously, he served on the NYC Council representing the 45th District from 2010-2019.
Public Advocate Williams is a first-generation Brooklynite of Grenadian heritage. He graduated from the public school system, overcoming the difficulties of Tourette's and ADHD to earn a Master's Degree from Brooklyn College. He began his career as a community organizer at the Greater Flatbush Beacon School and later served as the Executive Director of NYS Tenants & Neighbors. There, he fought for truly affordable, income-targeted housing across New York City and State.
In the NYC Council, then-Councilman Williams championed landmark legislation that fundamentally transformed public safety in NYC. Jumaane sponsored the Community Safety Act, reforming the City's Police Department by addressing the abuse of Stop, Question, & Frisk. As former Co-Chair of the Council’s Task Force to Combat Gun Violence, he helped create New York’s Crisis Management System, which funds Cure Violence Groups that work to reduce shootings through a multi-pronged approach. He also served as Chair of the Committee on Housing and Buildings, where he helped to pass dozens of bills.
As Public Advocate, he has continued the fight to advance equity and combat injustices, while redefining the office’s role as legislator, community organizer, and voice of the people. In his first three years in office, he has passed more legislation than any previous Public Advocate, and nearly as many as all predecessors combined.
He has led the fight for true public safety, deeply affordable housing, and transparency and accountability in City government as an activist-elected official who brings the voices of everyday New Yorkers to City government and makes New York a truly progressive beacon for all.
Crystal Hudson is the Council Member for New York City’s District 35 in Brooklyn, representing the neighborhoods of Crown Heights, Prospect Heights, Clinton Hill, and Fort Greene. A third-generation Brooklynite and daughter of Jamaican and Honduran immigrants, she was elected in 2021 and made history as the first out gay Black woman ever elected in New York City. Crystal is a public servant committed to making government more accessible for more people. Her bill passed in September, establishes a “truth, healing and reconciliation process.”
Farah N. Louis represents the 45th Council District in Brooklyn, NY which includes the diverse neighborhoods of Flatbush, East Flatbush, Midwood, Flatlands, and Marine Park. Council Member Louis has fought for the affordability and livability of New Yorkers as a champion for fair and affordable housing.
During her tenure in the New York City Council, she prioritized critical legislation to protect survivors of Domestic Violence; she spearheaded policies to improve public safety measures, launched equitable contract opportunities for MWBEs and nonprofits, and expanded STEM programs in public schools. In addition, her staunch advocacy on maternal health and quality mental healthcare, helped launch a citywide response in underserved communities garnering over $5M in funding.
As Chair of the Committee of Women and Gender Equity, she continues to fight for access to housing affordability, quality education, reproductive rights, and equitable healthcare for District 45, Brooklyn, and the City of New York. A first-generation Brooklynite, Council Member Louis was raised in an immigrant and pro-union household; and continues to utilize her platform to tackle social issues to advance fair representation and justice for all.
Dr. Nantasha Williams is the representative for Council District 27 in Southeast Queens, NY and its communities of Cambria Heights, Hollis, Jamaica, St. Albans, Queens Village, Addisleigh Park, and Springfield Gardens. Dr. Williams is a community leader and social justice advocate committed to affecting real change in her community. Nationally recognized as a political strategist, she dedicates her life in service to marginalized communities throughout the country. Before her election, Dr. Williams was an activist, particularly focused on issues affecting women and girls. To further engage women in politics, Dr. Williams founded the New York City Black Women’s Political Club, an avenue to build political power for Black women across New York City in 2019. As Chair of the Committee on Civil and Human Rights, Dr. Williams has also passed legislation requiring the City of New York to provide anti-racism and anti-racial discrimination training for employees, interns, independent contractors, and volunteers of city agencies. Each employee of the city is now required to complete such training at least once per year. Her bill passed in September, establishes a task force to consider the creation of a citywide New York City freedom trail and a “Lower Manhattan freedom trail.”
Linda Tigani is the Chair and Executive Director of the NYC Commission on Racial Equity (CORE), where she leverages over a decade of government experience to work with New Yorkers to create meaningful change and advance racial equity. Prior to this role, Tigani was the acting Chief Equity and Strategy Officer for the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene, where she led the Race to Justice team, an internal initiative to transform the agency into an anti-racist organization. She worked with New York City Health Commissioner Dr. Ashwin Vasan and across the health department to implement an equity-focused strategic plan in all agency programming and operations. Tigani also served as Senior Director for Children, Youth, and Families in the Office of Community Mental Health and as an Education Policy Advisor for First Deputy Mayor Fuleihan. Tigani's background as a social worker and long-time community advocate centering racial equity within education, health, environmental justice, and youth development prepared her for her government roles.
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