The New York State Affiliation of Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislators, Inc. (NYSABPRHAL) lately hosted its 54th Annual Legislative Convention, which was held from Friday, Feb.14, to Sunday, Feb. 16, on the State Authorities Legislative Workplace Constructing and Albany Hilton in Albany, N.Y.
The convention featured a collection of legislative workshops, panel discussions, networking receptions, awards ceremonies, and a scholarship gala dinner. It’s a discussion board that gathers policymakers, thought leaders, advocates, and change-makers who’re dedicated to addressing essentially the most urgent points going through the US democracy and New Yorkers.
The convention’s main spotlight was a thought-provoking dialogue on Variety, Fairness, and Inclusion (DEI), led by New York State Lawyer Common Letitia James, Meeting Member Latrice Walker, and State Senator Roxanne Persaud. Letitia James Led this highly effective panel by introducing a distinguished panel of consultants.
James welcomed Arva Rice, President and CEO of the New York City League; Rabia Muqaddam, Particular Counsel for Federal Initiatives on the Workplace of the New York State Lawyer Common; Jeffrey Lang, Deputy Solicitor of Appeals and Opinions for the Workplace of the New York State Lawyer Common, who argues instances earlier than the U.S. Supreme Courtroom and Courtroom of Enchantment; and moderator Bianca Wheeler, Chief Variety Officer on the Workplace of the New York State Lawyer Common.
James started the session by expressing gratitude to the panelists, stating, “Please let me acknowledge and thank our panelists.” The dialogue underlined the group’s excellent dedication to preventing for variety, fairness, and inclusion. “Fairness, variety, and inclusion will not be soiled phrases,” mentioned James. “What we would like is entry to alternatives.”
That assertion resonated deeply with the viewers because it signaled the significance of DEI as a central challenge in up to date coverage at present. Furthermore, James acknowledged her litigation crew’s latest work, stating, “We have been in court docket yesterday searching for a preliminary injunction to cease President Trump, Elon Musk, and the Treasury Division from accessing your private data equivalent to your social safety, tax, and banking particulars.” This highlighted James’ workplace’s efforts to guard privateness and promote equity within the struggle for fairness.
Throughout the dialogue, the legal professional basic and different panelists offered an in depth clarification of the chief orders that have been handed by the President of the US, which they perceived these orders as concentrating on DEI applications, together with Government Order 14151, titled Ending Radical and Wasteful Authorities DEI Applications and Preferencing; Ending Unlawful Discrimination and Restoring Benefit-Primarily based Alternative; and Defending Girls from Gender Ideology Extremism and Restoring Organic Fact to the Federal Authorities.
The panelists defined every govt order and mentioned its implications for DEI initiatives. All through the dialog, the panel opened the ground to the viewers, inviting questions and permitting attendees to specific their considerations and ideas relating to the orders.
One attendee took the ground and requested the panel, “What precautions is the Lawyer Common’s workplace taking, and what’s at the moment being executed on the state, metropolis, and native ranges of presidency to explicitly defend Black individuals from these assaults?”
In response, Lawyer Common Letitia James mentioned, “Our major position proper now could be to reply to these govt orders, that are an assault on Black individuals, communities of coloration and all. At any time when the President points an govt order, we instantly transfer to court docket inside 48 to 72 hours to hunt a brief restraining order (TRO) and a preliminary injunction.“ She added that her workplace has been profitable in difficult these govt orders.
“DEI initiatives do greater than simply stop discrimination; they foster respect, understanding, and numerous views. For instance, within the Lawyer Common’s workplace, which serves a various inhabitants, it’s essential that everybody feels welcomed, supported, and handled pretty. The aim is for our youngsters to succeed and have higher alternatives, far past what we’ve got at present, with out limitations on their goals. Moreover, variety doesn’t imply hiring unqualified candidates or decreasing requirements. DEI isn’t about race or gender-based preferences; it’s about making certain entry to alternatives for all,“ mentioned James.
A number of different attendees stepped as much as the rostrum to ask questions on subjects equivalent to citizenship, birthright, immigration insurance policies, deportation, abortion rights, and far more. To conclude the dialogue, Letitia James inspired the viewers to become involved and make their voices heard. She emphasised, “It doesn’t finish right here. Be certain your voice is heard.”
One other spotlight was the Minority and Girls-Owned Enterprise Enterprises (MWBE) workshop and networking reception. These workshops and receptions are aimed to empower minority and women-owned companies, provide strategic instruments, and supply networking alternatives to help their progress and success.
The NYC MWBE (Minority- and Girls-Owned Enterprise Enterprises) program is a metropolis initiative that promotes the expansion and success of companies owned by minorities and ladies. This system works to extend alternatives for these companies to take part in metropolis contracts and procurements. It supplies help via certification, sources, and networking alternatives to assist MWBEs navigate the general public contracting course of, entry funding, and develop their companies. The aim is to foster financial inclusion and variety in New York Metropolis’s enterprise panorama, making certain that these companies have equal entry to contracting alternatives with town.
Photograph by Orlande Fleury
The panelists included Francilia Wilkins Rahim, CEO of R.F. Wilkins Consultants and AYO Labs. Rahim said, “We’re right here to debate the vital want for equitable participation of MWBEs in contracting alternatives throughout New York State. As we proceed to advocate for insurance policies that foster inclusivity, it’s crucial that we implement strategic, forward-thinking options that take away obstacles, create entry, and guarantee MWBEs can thrive on this evolving financial panorama.”
Meeting Member Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn and Senator James Sanders, Jr. chaired the workshop. It featured a distinguished panel of eight New York State and Metropolis consultants who offered priceless options to the challenges confronted by minority- and women-owned enterprise enterprises (MWBEs).
Throughout the dialogue, one attendee took the stand and requested the panel, “With a struggle being raged on inclusion, how are you going to leverage your initiatives to make sure job creation inside our communities? What alternatives are there for numerous companies to take part and obtain contracts that additional the implementation of this aim?“
Michael J. Garner, NYC Mayor Workplace of M/WBEs’ chief enterprise variety officer, responded, “New York Metropolis has lately enacted laws to strengthen its dedication to workforce growth and neighborhood hiring. The important thing authorized framework supporting these initiatives is printed in Chapter 79 of the New York Metropolis Constitution, titled neighborhood hiring and workforce growth.“
“MWBEs are key monetary drivers in our financial system. It supplied tangible sources for companies to develop and deepen their influence inside their respective corporations. Whereas DEI initiatives stay vital, MWBE applications are constructed on strong, performance-based frameworks that proceed to safe entry to public contracts and drive sustained progress,” mentioned Dr. Teri Coaxum, founder and CEO of Coaxum Connects Host of the Coaxum Report.
The occasion concluded with the scholarship dinner gala. This ceremony raises funds to supply monetary help to New York college students pursuing greater training.
Meeting Member Latrice M. Walker, who chaired the NYSABPRHAL convention, additionally hosted the scholarship gala. “Since I used to be elected chair of the New York State Affiliation of Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislators in 2017 (NYSABPRHAL), one in all my prime priorities has been to supply alternatives for college kids.
“Underneath my crew’s management and with the help of donors and sponsors, we’ve got awarded greater than $140,000 in scholarships to a whole bunch of younger individuals. After I mirror on my time working with the Affiliation, I believe that’s the factor I’m most happy with. The Affiliation has honored this dedication since its inception in 1985. Congratulations to all of the winners. I am assured that they may go on to realize nice issues of their chosen fields of research and in their careers,” said Walker throughout her speech on the scholarship gala dinner held on Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025, on the legislative constructing in Albany, N.Y.
The NYSABPRHAL’s 54th Annual Legislative Convention was organized by Chairwoman, Meeting Member Latrice Walker, and Government Director Charlene Gayle, with robust help from the Board of Administrators, together with Meeting Members Gary Pretlow, Crystal Folks-Stokes, Brian Cunningham, Eddie Gibbs, and Khaleel Anderson. Collectively, they ensured that the convention was pivotal for selling empowerment, variety, and legislative excellence.
