Gratitude is important, especially in these harsh times. I’d imagine that’s why New York City Councilwoman Nantasha Williams – representing the residents of New York City’s 27th Council District – began her Saturday, February 7th State of the District address by thanking her staff and the producer of the event, the illustrious Margaret Denson.
But, interestingly, by the time the Councilwoman got around to delivering her address, she had already expressed her appreciation to a host of others – including a collection of community leaders that she used the occasion of Black History Month to recognize for their service to the residents of southeast Queens.
Each of the individuals/organizations – Jacqueline Denson and Preston Baker of the Forestdale Community Connection Family Enrichment Center; Aleeia Abraham of the BlaQue Resource Network; yours truly of A Better Jamaica; James Johnson, Executive Director of the Gateway JFK Business Improvement District; William Scarborough, President of the Addisleigh Park Civic Organization; Tyra Emerson of Cultural Collaborative Jamaica; the Community Captains of the D27 Community Captains Initiative; and the members of the SEQ Community Land Trust – was introduced by the host of the event, the munificent and omnipresent Gail Lewis, and given an opportunity to share what their organization does, and why.
Paying homage to Black History Month, Councilwoman Williams shared: “As we gather to celebrate 100 years of Black History Month, let’s take a moment to recognize the significance of being here together and the history we continue to shape. For 100 years, communities across the country have come together to commemorate Black history; not as something distant or finished, but as something living. A history shaped by people who organized, advocated, built institutions, protected one another, and demanded to be seen. That history is here in southeast Queens.”
In addition to the opportunity to express gratitude, the Councilwoman’s address also provided an opportunity for her to share her service philosophy: “This is the closest level of government to the people, and our responsibility is to make sure residents feel heard, safe, respected, and supported; not just once, but 24/7, 365. That’s why our office just doesn’t log cases. We try to solve problems. We escalate issues with agencies…and that’s why events like our community convos matter so much to me. They bring agencies face-to-face with residents. They allow people to ask questions directly, to raise concerns, and to understand how government actually works. We will continue to host these conversations in real time, listening and responding. I will continue to make those spaces available to our residents.”
After declaring that “Listening is what shapes the policy work I bring to the council,” Williams went on to provide the example of her work around flooding in southeast Queens. “Families in southeast Queens have for decades dealt with groundwater flooding issues. I introduced and passed legislation focused on flood mitigation and adaptation – Intro 1067 (https://intro.nyc/1067-2024+). That bill came directly from what people in the district shared with us. This is what it looks like when lived experiences inform policy.”
According to Williams, another major piece of her community-centered work has been the Jamaica Neighborhood Plan, which took more than two years of sustained negotiations, community engagement, and hard conversations to negotiate, but resulted – with the support of Council Speaker Adams – in the promise of over $700 million dollars being invested in southeast Queens – including over $300 million dollars for sewer infrastructure.
Finally, in an effort to make sure that the government is held accountable for delivering the promised $700 million after she and other elected officials leave office, the Councilwoman proudly shared that the Jamaica Neighborhood Plan includes funding for a permanent oversight taskforce to facilitate the community holding the government accountable for delivering on the $700 million dollars.
Entertainment at the State of the District celebration included the singing of the national anthem and Lift Every Voice and Sing by Regina Wilson, music by the Bartlett Contemporaries, a performance by students of the DeVore Dance Center, and poetry by Kevin Livingston of 100 Suits.
All activities took place at the Allen AME’s Shekinah Youth Church.
Nantasha Williams in the Deputy Speaker of the New York City Council.