Governor Kathy Hochul officially launched the historic New York State Community Commission on Reparations Remedies on Feb 29, the last day of Black History Month, and named its nine commissioners.
New York is the second state in the nation to pass a law in 2023 establishing a reparations commission that is slated to research the state’s role in perpetuating slavery in the U.S., study the years of racial discrimination after emancipation, create a report on their findings within a year after their first meeting, and make recommendations to remedy the harm done to descendants. This comes after decades of activism, demonstrations, and reports that underscore disparities that impact Black New Yorkers.
“As Americans, we have a solemn responsibility to reckon with our history and that includes understanding the painful legacy of slavery in New York,” said Hochul. “We have assembled an extraordinary group of highly-qualified individuals to serve on the new Commission, and will review their final recommendations.”
Hochul, Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins and Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie appointed the following leaders to the commission: Jennifer Jones Austin, CEO of Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies (FPWA); Timothy Hogues, State Department of Civil Service commissioner; Linda Brown-Robinson, former President of the Syracuse Onondaga NAACP; Dr. Darrick Hamilton, director of the Institute on Race, Power, and Political Economy at The New School; Historian Linda Tarrant-Reid; Seanelle Hawkins, president and CEO of the Urban League of Rochester; Dr. Ron Daniels founder of Institute of the Black World 21st Century (IBW); Lurie Daniel Favors, executive director of Center for Law and Social Justice at Medgar Evers College; and Rev. Dr. Deborah D. Jenkins from Faith @Work Christian Church.
Senator James Sanders Jr. and Assemblymember Michaelle C. Solages championed the reparations commission law, first introducing the bill in 2017.
“Today marks a monumental step towards healing and justice in New York. The launch of the Reparations Commission isn’t just about acknowledging the past, it’s about building a more equitable future for all. I believe this commission, with its diverse expertise and commitment to truth-seeking, has the power to craft transformative policies that address the systemic harms inflicted on Black communities for generations,” said Sanders in a statement.
Austin, in a statement, said she is deeply honored to serve on the commission and spoke to the immense responsibility they carry.
“Our work ahead is monumental,” said Austin. “It involves not only acknowledging the painful legacy of slavery and systemic discrimination, but actively crafting pathways to justice and equity. This commission represents a critical step forward in our collective journey towards civil rights and underscores New York’s leadership in what must become a national movement towards reconciliation and reparations.”
Hamilton added that he is “humbled, proud and grateful to be selected to serve on this historic Reparations Commission.” He said the commission is a first step for the state to begin to formally acknowledge and take responsibility for its well-documented sordid history and ongoing legacy of state-sanctioned economic and even violent exploitation of Black people from full participation in the economy.
The overall reparations community reported excitement at the appointments.
“The New York State Reparations Commission has the opportunity to study and redress the horrific past of slavery and racist laws that have negatively impacted Black New Yorkers for generations. In employment, housing, education, and the criminal justice system, Black New Yorkers currently face disproportionate challenges that stem from institutional and structural racism rooted in chattel slavery and discriminatory government policies,” said David Wheaton, Economic Justice Policy Fellow, NAACP Legal Defense and Educational Fund Inc. (LDF). “We are hopeful that the Commission will work diligently to help pave the way for reparative justice to Black New Yorkers.”
Congressmember Jamaal Bowman said, in a statement, that he is “incredibly proud as a Black man and a New Yorker” and looks forward to continuing to fight for reparations policies at the federal level.
“From Massena to Seneca Village, every zip code should be engaged in this path to reparations. Our collective healing must happen not just here in New York but across the country, so that we can truly root out the lasting impact of slavery. In Congress, we are working on transformative legislation to create a reparations commission, and we are grateful to the grassroots efforts like those here in New York for setting an inspiring example,” said Bowman.
Ariama C. Long is a Report for America corps member and writes about politics for the Amsterdam News. Your donation to match our RFA grant helps keep her writing stories like this one; please consider making a tax-deductible gift of any amount today by visiting https://bit.ly/amnews1.