Q&A
Assessment of MOERJ and CORE's progress in implementing racial equity measures
2:42:16
·
4 min
Council Member Williams asks the speakers if they believe MOERJ and CORE are on the right track based on the testimony heard. The speakers respond positively, noting the unprecedented nature of the work and the challenges involved in implementation. They emphasize the importance of laying the right structural foundation and the need for full administrative support and resources.
- Speakers highlight the critical role of budgeting and agency involvement in advancing equity
- They express hope for the first set of racial equity plans while acknowledging the need for continued oversight
- The speakers urge the administration to fully embrace the mandate given by voters and move forward with all deliberate speed
Nantasha M. Williams
2:42:16
Thank you.
2:42:17
I appreciate the testimony.
2:42:19
I guess, do you feel that MOERJ, and KORE are on the right track per the testimony you heard today.
Jennifer Jones Austin
2:42:32
I believe that they are moving in the right direction.
2:42:37
The challenge that we have is that work is unprecedented in many respects.
2:42:41
New York City is the 1st large municipality to attempt to something of this type.
2:42:47
And so as we all know and appreciate, you know, the the results of your efforts are influenced by design and by implementation.
2:42:58
And we have yet to see you know, what the effects are because we're not yet fully through the design and the inflation.
2:43:04
I do the implementation.
2:43:06
I do believe that it's critically important that the structural foundation be reset in ways that help us to appreciate what are the levers of government that that that will have the greatest impact in bringing about racial justice and equity for all of New York City.
2:43:24
And the mayor's office of of Equity and racial justice is centering on that as Jim as miss Japan.
2:43:33
I'm I'm used to calling him Jenny, and he meant he me Jennifer, as he's talked about.
2:43:39
Budgeting is critical.
2:43:40
And it's not just kind of budgeting coming in at the last minute.
2:43:44
But, you know, how each of these agencies, every 1 of these agencies looks at their work and their role in responsibility in advancing equity as foundational core is key.
2:43:54
I have not had the benefit of sitting in on the training.
2:43:57
So I can't tell you, you know, how they're helping to develop a shared language understanding.
2:44:04
Appreciation for how, you know, how how you live and breathe equity.
2:44:08
So, you know, I like many people are waiting to see.
2:44:11
What this first set of racial equity plans looks like.
2:44:15
I do believe the sincerity of heart is there on the part of Commissioner Sherman and her team and also with respect to executive director, Tashani and her commissioners.
2:44:26
So I'm hopeful I stay very close.
2:44:29
They can tell you I stay very close.
2:44:31
I don't let up.
2:44:32
And chair Williams, you know me.
2:44:34
I don't let up about anything that I care about, and I care about.
2:44:38
People in this city and especially those who've been marginalized.
2:44:41
So, again, you know, they have to control for the consequences that are intended and the consequences that aren't intended.
2:44:51
I think that they are working very diligently to lay the right foundation.
2:44:55
But there are a lot of challenges along the way.
2:44:58
I will tell you that I'll just be very candid and tell you that I think that the the measures provide for New York City the the justification to to go go go to do do do do do.
2:45:21
And there are moments when I felt like the city has not leaned in, having been given the mandate to the police extent that it could.
2:45:30
That's not to say that there aren't hardworking people in the administration, but it it it it it it hasn't been essentially given the prominence that I think it justly deserves, especially in this moment.
Jimmy Pan
2:45:45
I would echo that.
2:45:46
You know, certainly having worked alongside chief equity officer Sherman and and having known chair money and seen her hard work.
2:45:57
I think what they've offered here today before the council is a very compelling vision of racial equity government that I actually don't see articulated anywhere else in the country to this extent.
2:46:07
So I think that if they're able to actualize, what they've put forward here.
2:46:11
I think that'd be a really great thing, not just for New Yorkers, but eventually the country.
2:46:18
As Jennifer, the chair has mentioned, you know, speed is a function often of of how many resources the administration has given to a body.
2:46:29
Right?
2:46:29
I don't I don't really want to talk about any person or or think about, you know, what could have happened, but to the point just made it a moment ago, people voted for these things overwhelmingly.
2:46:43
I think that is a mandate So, for permission to say, actually, this administration should unlock every barrier, should devote every resource, should celebrate when winds happen and claim that mantle of leading racial equity in the city and and true transformation.
2:46:59
I would urge the administration to move forward with all deliberate speed or all full speed, and the council should keep hounding on that.
2:47:07
But, yes, I I think it's in the right direction.