Black History Month
February 29, 2024

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Ingrid Lewis-Martin, Chief Advisor to the Mayor: I love you. My nephew’s in the audience yelling, Auntie. Good evening. No, come on now. Good evening. It’s indeed an honor for me to be here once again — hey, Joe — as we celebrate Black History Month in Gracie Mansion. Actually, this is the first time I’ve been able to actually come to one of our Black History Month celebrations. All of the other times I had to deviate because there was something that needed my attention. So, I am especially honored and privileged to be here this evening.

You know, I don’t have to go into chapter and verse. I see all my people in the audience, my uncle Willie, my sisters in the back, this is family. These are all family ordained by God, so understand that. The commissioner, Laurie Combo, already explained to you our broad agenda, and she shared with you the mayor’s commitment to people of color, people of the African diaspora. But it’s not just us, he’s a mayor for all people. If you come to this great edifice  our edifice, our building you will find that we host these types of celebrations for
individuals who had never before stepped into these doors.