New York State Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte-Hermelyn.
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Picture courtesy Workplace of New York State Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte-Hermelyn
In recognition of Nationwide Black Historical past Month 2024, Brooklyn Democratic Occasion Chair, Assemblywoman Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn has honored “the unimaginable contributions and cultural affect of Black individuals who have formed our nation for the higher — and those that proceed to take action.”
“Black Historical past can be marked by the atrocious actions taken in opposition to us — and molded by our communities and heroes overcoming immense adversity by triumph,” mentioned Bichotte Hermelyn, the daughter of Haitian immigrants, who represents the 42nd Meeting District in Brooklyn.
“As we honor the previous, we should advance our continued efforts to make sure equality and overcome hatred,” she added. “The Brooklyn Democratic Occasion celebrates the pioneering contributions of those that paved a path earlier than us as a driving power in our battle for a fairer future.”
Bichotte Hermelyn mentioned the Brooklyn Democratic Occasion honors the late Dr. John Louis Flateau, “a lifelong public servant, group activist, political strategist and a devoted mentor.”
Serving as a professor and administrator at Brooklyn’s predominantly Black Medgar Evers Faculty, in addition to a districting commissioner for the town and state, Dr. Flateau died in late December.
A founding member of Brooklyn’s Vanguard Unbiased Democratic Membership (VIDA), Bichotte Hermelyn mentioned Dr. Flateau was “recognized by our social gathering members as a superb thoughts and strategist who helped form Brooklyn’s political panorama.
“Dr. Flateau will probably be drastically missed and his legacy will probably be felt for generations,” she mentioned.
Stating that New York and Brooklyn have at all times been on the heart of the battle for justice and equality, Bichotte Hermelyn mentioned Weeksville, Brooklyn, was residence to one of many first free Black communities in america.
“We’re additionally residence to the African Burial Floor, the primary nationwide monument devoted to Africans and African-People of New York’s earliest days, which may nonetheless be visited in the present day,” she mentioned.
The assemblywoman mentioned New Yorkers just like the late Shirley Chisholm – a local Brooklynite and daughter of Barbadian and Guyanese immigrants, who served within the state Meeting — turned the primary African-American girl to serve within the US Congress and later turned the primary feminine and first Black major-party candidate for president.
She mentioned Chisholm “confirmed and nonetheless encourage that greatness will be achieved, regardless of the limitations that exist.”
Bichotte Hermelyn mentioned Decide Rowan D. Wilson turned, in April final 12 months, the chief choose of the Courtroom of Appeals of the State of New York, New York’s highest courtroom.
“A trailblazer, devoted public servant, and champion for justice, Hon. Wilson is now the New York State’s first Black chief choose,” she mentioned. “Decide Wilson has been a high-achieving pioneer his complete profession, together with changing into the primary Black accomplice on the prestigious legislation agency Cravath, Swaine & Moore.
“Hon. Rowan D. Wilson has a longstanding monitor report of honest, prudent and neutral judicial rulings within the Appellate Courtroom which have uplifted New Yorkers whereas upholding our Democratic values,” she added.
Bichotte Hermelyn mentioned the Brooklyn Democratic Occasion is “proud to proceed to assist improve Black Brooklynites’ political illustration, together with many Black pioneers, at nearly each workplace within the metropolis, state and federal stage.”
She famous that a few of in the present day’s political pioneers who name Brooklyn residence embrace: Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, who’s the primary Black chief of a political social gathering in Congress; New York State Legal professional Common Letitia James, the primary Black particular person and girl to carry the function; and New York Metropolis Mayor Eric Adams, the town’s second Black Mayor, who additionally was Brooklyn’s first Black Borough President. The late David Dinkins was New York Metropolis’s first Black mayor.
“There are numerous different Black Brooklynites who proceed to interrupt limitations, whereas uplifting and galvanizing our social gathering and borough,” Bichotte Hermelyn mentioned. “This month, and each day, we honor them.”
This 12 months’s theme for Black Historical past Month is “African People and the Arts” — “honoring the myriad impacts Black People have had on visible arts, music, cultural actions, and extra,” Bichotte Hermelyn mentioned.
