Celebrating Black History Month, $390M Infrastructure Investment, Fatherhood Initiative, Accessible History Of Enslaved People In NYC, Career & Tech Ed In NYC, Week In Photos: Mayor Adams

March 14, 2025 NYC Mayor's Office 0 American Culture, Babies and Kids, Black Community, Black Culture, Business, Charity, Civil Rights, Culture, Digital life, Economy And Finances, Education, Equality, Health, Jobs and Careers, Local Voices, Media and Communication, Morality and Ethics, New York City News, News, Politics, Science and Technology, SI Communities, Staten Island Culture, Staten Island Families, Staten Island News, Staten Island Transportation, Staten Island Workers, Staten Islander Exclusive

Celebrating Black History Month, $390M Infrastructure Investment, Fatherhood Initiative, Accessible History Of Enslaved People In NYC, Career & Tech Ed In NYC, Week In Photos: Mayor Adams

Editor’s note: Last week’s Op-Ed by the Mayor detailed how migrants who have come the New York City for assistance and care have been helped along on the next steps of their journey by the City and the Mayor’s Office, which has resulted in a significant drop in migrants that are in need of care in the city right now. The Mayor’s rundown discussed some of the benefits to workers whose employers failed to follow the law, along with migrant shelter closures and help for low-income New Yorkers who use public transportation.

TRANSCRIPT: MAYOR ADAMS HOSTS RECEPTION CELEBRATING BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Deputy Mayor Tiffany Raspberry, Intergovernmental Affairs: My name is Tiffany Raspberry. I am the deputy mayor for Intergovernmental Affairs for New York’s 110th mayor, Eric L. Adams. Welcome and thank you for joining us this evening to commemorate Black History Month at Gracie Mansion. I would like to take a minute to reflect upon the origins of Black History Month and why we honor the culture and contributions of African Americans today.

As you all know, Black History Month was originally observed as Negro History Week in the 1920s and later expanded to a month-long commemoration in 1976 by President Gerald Ford. This occurred during the 200th anniversary celebration of America.

In a letter written to commemorate the occasion, President Ford acknowledged the contributions and accomplishments of Black Americans throughout American history, to our national life and culture, and urged all Americans to join him during the first national recognition of Black History Month. It’s been nearly 50 years since President Ford declared the first national Black History Month commemoration.

We’ve made great strides as Black people since that time but still have so much more work to do. As we prepare for the 250th anniversary of America next year, it is important to remember all of the people who paved the way for us to be here today. Like the first Black mayor of the City of New York, David Dinkins. The first African American man elected to the New York City Council and to represent New York in Congress, Reverend Adam Clayton Powell, Jr. And the first Black woman elected to the United States Congress, Shirley Chisholm.

I personally draw daily inspiration from these great leaders and stand in power on their shoulders every day. And as the only second Black mayor of the City of New York, Mayor Adams has made it his mission to honor the legacy of those who came before him by being a champion of the people of the City of New York. He has been committed to making the city more livable, safer, and affordable for New Yorkers since the day he took office. And for that, I wanna take a moment to honor and celebrate Mayor Adams for all that he has done for New Yorkers during this Black History Month celebration. You can clap.

Now, while we celebrate Black History Month during the month of February, I want us to remember that we are living in Black history every day. American history is Black history and New York City history is Black history. Thank you and happy Black History Month. I’d like to now introduce the Department of Small Business Commissioner, Ms. Dynishal Gross. Thank you.

Commissioner Dynishal Gross, Department of Small Business Services: Oh my goodness, the crowd has grown. And you’re gorgeous. You know what’s wonderful about being Black is I look across this room and I see diversity. And I love that for us.

It’s such a pleasure to be here with you tonight. My name is Dynishal Gross and I am the commissioner of the New York City Department of Small Business Services. Thank you, that’s very kind. SBS’s mission is to provide equity of opportunities to New Yorkers and we do that through a focus on connecting them to living wage jobs, helping New Yorkers launch businesses and operate thriving businesses, as well as supporting thriving commercial districts in our neighborhoods.

And we are in the midst of an amazing economic recovery in New York City where we’ve seen a surge of Black business creation, especially in our outer boroughs. And we’ve also seen a surge in the labor force participation by Black New Yorkers, up more than three points since the beginning of this administration and hitting an all-time record in October. And what does that tell us?

It tells us that Black New Yorkers are using their passion, their positive obsession, their skills, their expertise, and they are striving for economic opportunity in our city. And in doing so, they are contributing to the economic foundation for all of us. And that’s what work does. Work in public service is a privilege. I take it as a privilege every day, but all labor is honorable. All work is honorable and contributes to this city.

Earlier today, I took my staff on a tour for Black History Month. We visited the African Burial Ground National Monument in Lower Manhattan. And if you’ve never been to that site, I encourage you to visit it. It was a little heavy for a work excursion, but we handled it. And we handled it because it’s important to take advantage of the parts of New York City that really express the history of the city and tell the story of Black American labor participation in New York City.

So the story of Black enslavement and participation in the colonies wasn’t just a story of violence. It was a story of labor. And that labor built the foundations of this city, the very streets of this city that we walk today. And in that visit today, I was reflecting back on my family’s history. I wasn’t born as a New Yorker. I grew up in rural Southern Maryland on a tobacco farm. And I’m not that old.

But what shapes, what work opportunities a family has, it has to do with sometimes where you’re from, who you know, your access to education, your access to birth control, your access to opportunity.

And so coming from rural Maryland and a large family with 16 children in one generation, 12 children in the next, rural life was what we had to offer. But we were proud workers. And everyone in my family worked hard, and every hard worker in that family supported this schoolgirl in living her dreams. And in making my way in New York City, it was work more than anything, more than Cornell, more than CUNY, more than Columbia, that taught me about this city.

And I stand here today as a representative of the workers who encouraged me. And those workers led me to my doctorate in law, to my first job with a labor union out of law school, and to my role as commissioner of this agency. And so I’m so grateful tonight to stand in a room of leaders. And in a room of honorees who are supporting New Yorkers in connecting to their dreams of successful business ownership and operation, and successful work. Okay, because when we empower New Yorkers through work, we empower generations. And we also shape the telling of history.

Historicity, word for the night. It’s the quality of being actually part of history, not being a myth or a legend. We are not a myth or a legend. We have power in this moment. And we are using our power in this moment to empower others and empower generations. So thank you for your labor. Thank you for your work, whether it’s in public service, private sector, in the nonprofit sector, empowering New Yorkers to contribute, to live their dreams. We are shaping the history of this city through that labor. And I thank all of you and wish you the most meaningful Black History Month. Thank you so much.

Moderator: Introducing deputy mayor for administration, chief of staff, and special counsel to the mayor, Camille Joseph Varlack.

Deputy Mayor Camille Joseph Varlack, Administration: Good evening, everyone. I have to tell you, I’ve been in the back room and the energy feels a little low. So I’m going to say, welcome to the people’s house. Okay, that’s right, that’s right, that’s right. Because if there is ever a Black History Month where we need to be focused and we need to concentrate on what it means and how we got here, it is this month in 2025.

Tonight, I am proud to join you all here at the people’s house to celebrate Black History Month. Gracie Mansion is a unique place where we embrace our city’s history, diversity, and culture, and where we celebrate what it truly means to be a New Yorker. Under this administration and at the direct request of the mayor, we have made Gracie more inclusive than at any other time in recent history.

As I think was mentioned by Commissioner Sherman, Black history is American history. There has been no period in the history of the world and in this country where Black people have not contributed substantially to virtually every sector of our society. Let’s hear it. Yes, yes, yes.

As we celebrate and remember the lives of those that came before us, lives full of vision, resiliency, and purpose, we in turn pave the way for a more equitable and vibrant future for all. Some of you have heard me talk about my heritage. I was born in Trinidad and Tobago and came to the United States as a child, but the memories of my mother working double shifts, overnight shifts, putting herself through school, needing to leave me home alone so she could do what needed to be done, these are stories that transcend nationality.

As I look around this room and think of how far we have come as a people and about all of the work that we continue to do to make a difference for our community, I am grateful for the team that I have at City Hall and our incredible team of commissioners. This is the most diverse place that I have ever worked. And when we sit down to discuss issues, to develop solutions for our communities, you should know that we very much bring our lived experience and the experiences of our families and our ancestors to the table to ensure that we are designing solutions that work for all.

In a world of challenges, a world demanding perseverance, the work that we are all doing is what will move us forward. And so it is now my pleasure to introduce a man who lives Black history every day. I am proud to welcome the second Black mayor in the history of our city, the 110th mayor of the City of New York, Eric Adams. Thank you.

Mayor Eric Adams: Thanks so much. And it is really good to be here. And I think that Camille really verbalized what is important to us throughout the years of opening Gracie Mansion. You grace us with your presence. And so many people have been here and felt empowered because throughout living in the city, they’d never been here.

We opened the backyard, the tent area for different cultural events of all groups. And so one can’t say, well, we’re just focusing on the African-American community and the Caribbean diaspora and the Black experience. We have opened this place to all. We’ve allowed everyone to really feel empowered in this city under this administration.

And right now, you don’t get the full glimpse of what we have accomplished, but I am clear when people look back over our tenure as this administration, this is one of the greatest administrations in the history of this city for how we lift up everyday people.

I was at 1 Police Plaza the other day talking about a Black History Month event, and I reflected on a story that I often talked about, and I just want to share it here because I think it’s so fitting during this particular period of time. It was back when I was campaigning to become a state senator. And we were finishing up, we were campaigning, as you remember back then, we were campaigning until 1, 2 a.m. in the morning. And when I finished during the week, I would always want to drive to Queens to see my mother. We have that small house in South Jamaica, Queens, that she was in until the day of her transition.

And one night I went to see her, it was a cold night, it was raining, it was hailing, Mother Nature was doing its own thing, letting us all know that she’s in charge. And so I was driving on the Belt Parkway, and on the way, getting off at the Farmers Boulevard exit, there was a car on the side of the road with the hood up, and a man was under it. And inside the car, when I walked past it, I pulled over, you know, once a police officer, my brother Bernard would say, you’re always a police officer.

I pulled up next to him and asked him, was everything all right? But inside the car, there was a woman with a baby, she was holding it, and it was extremely cold. And he stated that, sir, my alternator was bad, and my battery died. And if I can get a boost and just move to the gas station on Farmers Boulevard in the North Conduit. And I stated that I will give you a boost.

I pulled up next to his car and pulled up my battery cables, and we couldn’t see because he was parked under an area where the light wasn’t. And I remember I had a book of matches, a book of matches. And I pulled out the first match, lit it, the wind blew it out. Second match, the wind blew out, third, fourth, the wind blew it out, several other matches. And finally, I remember when my dad used to smoke, he used to cuff the flame to prevent the wind from blowing it out. And we used about 12 or 13 matches, but finally, we were able to connect the positive, the negative to the cables. He started his car and he drove off, and I sat there in the car looking at [that] book of matches. And it’s representative of what we are right now.

Each match book, each match represents an individual, a human being. No matter who you are, we did not sign a contract in life that immortality is part of our existence. We’re mortal just like that flame. It will burn and then it will be extinguished. It will go out. The question is, what are we gonna do with our light?

Some people use their light as emotional awesomeness and burn the dreams of others and enjoy it. There were some books, some matches in the books that no matter how much I struck it, it would not light. Some folks are just mere insignificant pieces of paper with red tips on them. You gotta discard them.

But the most powerful part of it was that match one did not see the car drive off. Match one did its job. Match two, three, four, and five did their job. And so as we look at this relay race of life, don’t worry about who gets across the finish line. Just make sure you do the right hand off with the baton so the person can continue the race. Don’t get caught up in all that other stuff.

Lou Rawls used to say at the United Negro College Fund, mothers and grandmothers who never knew what college was about, they used to save jars of pennies and quarters on their mantelpiece, hoping that Black and brown people can go to HBCUs. And they did that not because they wanted you to buy a BMW. They wanted you to do something for the communities that you came from.

He did that without knowing what was the final progress. He did it without knowing what was the future to hold, but he knew it was the right thing to do with his match. Because a match can light a candle that can go for generations to come. And we’re still feeling the impact of Lou Rawls’ impact.

But finishing your leg, not Turner didn’t see Marcus Garvey, but he did his leg. Marcus didn’t see Rosa Parks, but he did his leg. Rosa Parks did not see Barack Obama, but she did her leg. Each leg of the race is to allow the next race to go through and continue to relay in the proper way.

David Dinkins has created our M/WBE program, but I took up the baton and made sure that the race he started, we’re doing it with 30 percent, 32 percent going to the M/WBEs. That’s where we are. And remember what happened when those flames were prematurely being blown out? What did we do? You had to cuff it.

There are people in our lives that are flickering right now. They’re about to go out for so many reasons. They’re in a state of depression. They’re in a state of mental health. They’re in a state of uncertainty. They’re in a state of homelessness. They’re in a state of abusive relationship. They’re going through some stuff and we see them and say, how are you doing? And they say, I’m hurting. And you say, have a nice day. Stop and cuff them, cuff them.

Stop the winds of adversity from blowing out the flame. Don’t just sit there and watch people prematurely lose their flame, because the flame you allow to go out prematurely is the flame you’re going to need in your life. So this is a biblical moment. You know, when Jesus was on the cross, he said, God, forgive them for they know not what they do. All these Negroes who were asking me to step down, God, forgive them.

Are you, are you stupid? I’m running my race right now. How, in the middle of the race, a race that has built more housing in year one and year two in the history of the city. A race where you put 33 percent, billions of dollars in M/WBEs. A race where you are witnessing more young people signed up for pre-K and 3-K in the history of the program. More people cycle out of homelessness into permanent housing in the history of individual years. More people moving from homelessness into permanent housing in the history of those independent years. More people participating in the FHEPS voucher program in the history of the program.

More jobs in the City of New York in its 400-year history. One in five jobs in small businesses started under this administration. Decreasing the cost of childcare so mothers can go back and be in the work environment from 55 hours a week to less than five hours a week. Taking 20,000 handguns up our street so bullets don’t carve highways of death, killing our young people so they can’t run their relay. Closing over 1,300 smoke shops in the city. Paying for the college tuition of foster care children so they can go to college and get a life coach until they’re 26 years old.

What we have done, you have to be stupid to try to stop me from running this race. It’s a level of buffoonery that’s going on that’s spreading as fast as COVID. Well, well, well, well, you shouldn’t be talking to the president. I’m the mayor of the biggest city in America. I will talk to who I want to talk to to bring services to your city. And so you have to understand why people are angry. I’m going to tell you this over and over again so it resonates. I’m you. I’m you. They want to talk about me, I talk about you. They want to fight me, I fight for you. I am you. And I’m going to continue to fight on your behalf.

We came in with a clear agenda, folks. We didn’t act like – go look at what I ran on. You go look at all the items that I ran on and you will check them off and see we accomplished them. I knew what I was doing when I became mayor. Because I knew if I stood close to you, if I stood true to you, regardless of what anyone states and says, I can deliver for you. And we assembled the right team to do it. You saw them speaking. You saw what they’re about. These are authentic, caring people with life stories. They’ve gone through a lot and we’re helping people who are going through a lot.

So my flame is still burning. And I’m going to leave the right foundation. We’re not going to see all of this throughout the years materialize based on what we’ve laid out. Think about Adam Powell. When Adam Powell was removed from Congress and a journalist came to him and put his mic in his face and said, look at you now, Adam. You’re no longer the big chairman that you were. You’re no longer this important person. And Adam looked at him with that cigar in his mouth and he said, keep the faith, baby. Keep the faith.

Adam already started the integration of the military services. He already put in place the economic stability and programs in place. He’s already started integrating the law enforcement communities and police communities. He knew that he had to run his mile. And he ran his mile. And he handed off the baton that others like Hakeem Jeffries and Rangel and others were able to continue to do the things that we had. So that’s what I want to say to you during this month where we celebrate a Black history. Just allow your flame to burn. That’s all.

Just do what you’re supposed to do during your time. And then you could move and rest in peace that you know you live the life that you’re supposed to do. Mommy raised the six of us. And she did it to know that one day we were going to have a real impact. Mommy wasn’t here when I became mayor. She died months away in transition. But she was at peace because she said, I let my flame light the flame for the next. So my baby can be the second Black mayor of the City of New York. So light your flame, people. Don’t let anyone extinguish it. Don’t let it go out prematurely. Make sure that it burns as long as it’s supposed to.

Moderator: Introducing honoree, Tanya Gayle, executive director of Green City Force.

Mayor Adams: We want to thank Tanya Gale, one of our honorees, whereas it is our joint responsibility to carry on the legacy of Black leaders who paved the way. And that means ensuring our commitment to actions and justice is not fulfilled passively. This event offers all New Yorkers an excellent opportunity to honor the impact of our Black sisters and brothers while creating a path forward for future change makers. I am pleased to applaud today’s honorees for their immensely positive change they have affected throughout the five boroughs. Eric Adams, mayor of the City of New York, to Tanya Gayle.

Tanya Gayle, Executive Director, Green City Force: Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Mayor. Thank you. I appreciate it. I appreciate this recognition of my work in Green City Force. And I’d just like to say, during this financially vulnerable time for so many New Yorkers and organizations, I call on anyone who’s able and willing to support organizations such as ours and others who are out focused on improving the quality of working class New Yorkers. Thank you for all that you do. And thank you very much. I appreciate it.

Moderator: Introducing honoree, Jeff Lindor, the founder and CEO of the Gentleman’s Factory.

Mayor Adams: You know, Jeff is an amazing brother. I remember when he first started the Gentleman’s Factory. He’s the CEO of the Gentleman’s Factory, which offers co-working spaces, barber and grooming stations and other services that support Black and Brown New Yorkers. The Gentleman’s Factory is committed to facilitating career and networking opportunities for working professionals. He’s done an amazing job in doing so. And congratulations to you, brother.

Jeff Lindor, Founder and CEO, Gentleman’s Factory: Good evening, everyone. Thank you so much for Mayor Adams, for your leadership for this great city, and for your amazing team. It’s such an honor, and it’s a privilege. I was born in Haiti, and I came to America at the age of three in 1989. And the city totally embraced me and was able to do a lot of great things. And it’s truly an honor to be standing in front of you here tonight, in front of my mother, my two sisters, and my father, who just recently passed. I know that he’s watching from above.

So I just want to thank you. And I want to say that Black men need spaces to be, to think, to create, to innovate, right? And we’re not looking to take anything from anyone else. We’re really just trying to just, you know, impact our communities, just like everyone else wants to. So Gentleman’s Factory serves as a space to create, to innovate, to invest, to invest in each other, to build businesses, and also to invest in our young people.

And, you know, it’s such an honor to have members of Gentleman’s Factory here, and my partners [Beatrice Kingsley-Dua] and [Dr. Ramon Geis], if he’s not here, he’s probably watching. So again, thank you all so much. And again, thank you, Mayor Adams, for the privilege and the honor of this citation. Thank you.

MAYOR ADAMS INVESTS $390 MILLION TO REVAMP INFRASTRUCTURE, REDUCE FLOODING, AND REPLACE LEAD SERVICE LINES IN BUSHWICK AS PART OF “CITY OF YES FOR HOUSING OPPORTUNITY” PLAN

Funding Will Upgrade Sewers and Catch Basins, Expand Local Sewer Capacity in Select Areas By Over 850 Percent, Alleviate Chronic Flooding in Bushwick

Project Will Also Replace Water Mains and Privately-Owned Lead Service Lines, Save Homeowners and Businesses Thousands of Dollars

Historic “City of Yes for Housing Opportunity Plan” Will Build 80,000 New Homes Over Next Decade and Invest $5 Billion in Critical Infrastructure Updates and Housing

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams, New York City Chief Climate Officer and New York City Department of Environmental Protection (DEP) Commissioner Rohit T. Aggarwala, and New York City Department of Transportation (DOT) Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez today announced that the city will — as part of the Adams administration’s historic “City of Yes for Housing Opportunity” plan — invest $390 million in critical infrastructure upgrades to alleviate chronic flooding in Bushwick, Brooklyn and help keep New Yorkers safe. Starting with Knickerbocker Avenue, the project will replace nearly three miles of sewers and upgrade all catch basins in the surrounding area to a modern model — expanding the local sewer system’s capacity in select areas by more than 850 percent and reducing the risk of flooding across approximately 2,300 acres in Bushwick. Additionally, the project will replace almost a mile of water mains to improve the neighborhood’s water distribution infrastructure. Moreover, all privately-owned water service lines — which connect private properties to water mains — that are found to contain lead will be replaced during construction at no cost to property owners, saving local businesses and homeowners thousands of dollars and ensuring a safer, healthier Bushwick. Finally, as part of the project, DOT will deliver a Vision Zero redesign of Knickerbocker Avenue to keep pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers safe; DOT will share a proposal with the community for review. The funding announced today is part of Mayor Adams’ “City of Yes for Housing Opportunity” plan, which the New York City Council passed into law in December 2024 and which invests $5 billion in housing and infrastructure upgrades across the five boroughs.

“With climate change on the rise, it’s more important than ever to protect our streets, homes, and businesses from extreme flooding. This nearly $400-million investment as part of our ‘City of Yes’ proposal will help do exactly that — bringing long-overdue relief to Knickerbocker Avenue, saving New Yorkers thousands of dollars, and fortifying our city for the decades ahead,” said Mayor Adams. “Along with the more than $1.2 billion our administration has already invested to prevent flooding and the $5 billion we are investing in housing and infrastructure through our historic ‘City of Yes’ initiative, our administration is not only creating vibrant neighborhoods across New York City but keeping them safe from climate change for generations to come.”

“The ‘City of Yes for Housing Opportunity’ and associated investments in housing capital and critical infrastructure signal the start of a new era of affordability and access for everyday New Yorkers,” said First Deputy Mayor Maria Torres-Springer. “I would like to thank our city agencies, partners in the City Council, and the diverse and tireless coalition of community advocates, faith leaders, labor leaders, and public servants who brought ‘City of Yes’ to fruition.”

“Bushwick has needed new sewer infrastructure since the 1960s — but the need has become more pronounced as more extreme weather has become our new normal in New York,” said Deputy Mayor for Operations Meera Joshi. “As we go neighborhood by neighborhood in our effort to keep New Yorkers and their property safe from extreme flooding, this is a marquee project that will deliver a better quality of life for thousands of Brooklynites. That’s something to be proud of.”

“This project represents the largest investment in Bushwick’s stormwater infrastructure in decades and will bring relief to a neighborhood that has dealt with chronic flooding since the 1960s,” said DEP Commissioner Aggarwala. “With input from the community, DEP found a solution to dramatically improve drainage, saving local businesses and homeowners thousands of dollars and ensuring a safer, healthier Bushwick.”

“This historic investment will mitigate decades of intense flooding on Knickerbocker Avenue, improving safety and quality of life for Bushwick residents, as this administration works to protect the city’s most vulnerable, flood-prone neighborhoods from increasingly intense storms driven by climate change,” said DOT Commissioner Rodriguez. “We are working closely with DEP and DDC to take advantage of these infrastructure repairs to deliver Vision Zero upgrades on the street above, making the roadway safer for pedestrians, cyclists, and drivers. We thank our sister agencies for their coordination so that we can more quickly and cost-effectively bring life-saving upgrades to this corridor.”

“DDC is an integral part of the city’s climate resiliency programs and will use this funding to improve street conditions and reduce flooding as we manage the effects of climate change,” said New York City Department of Design and Construction (DDC) Commissioner Thomas Foley. “We are also expanding our lead service line replacement program to this project and will replace any privately-owned lead service lines as we work. We look forward to this project being completed and for the residents of Bushwick to have better streets and more peace of mind.”

With a sewer system dating back to the early 1900s, parts of Bushwick have struggled with chronic flooding for decades. A large portion of Knickerbocker Avenue is lower than the surrounding areas, causing stormwater to run downhill and flood the corridor. More intense storms — driven by climate change — have only exacerbated the neighborhood’s challenges.

A recent analysis of the area has shown that the existing 7.5-foot-diameter sewer system is inadequate for even moderate rainstorms. The project will replace three miles of pipes along Knickerbocker Avenue — as well as on Wilson, Central, and Evergreen Avenues — with single-, double-, and triple-barrel box sewers, each measuring 10-feet by 9-feet. These investments will boost the system’s capacity from approximately 226 million gallons per day to around 1.9 billion gallons per day, an 857 percent increase in select areas.

By replacing three miles of sewers in Bushwick, the project will expand the local sewer system’s capacity by over 850 percent. Image Credit: DEP.

Additionally, replacing almost a mile of aging cast iron pipes with new water mains will improve service to thousands of neighborhood residents and businesses — giving them better water pressure, reducing the likelihood of disruptive water main breaks, offering more reliable water service to support fire protection, and ensuring delivery of New York’s high-quality water for decades to come. Construction is estimated to begin in 2029.

The $390 million investment unveiled today builds on the city’s work to address flooding in Bushwick and keep New Yorkers safe. Over the years, DEP has worked to improve drainage throughout Bushwick by adding green infrastructure to 16 public properties and building nearly 400 rain gardens that absorb, store, and filter stormwater. These projects reduce street flooding and intercept stormwater before it ever enters the sewer system.

Newly-installed FloodNet sensors placed on Knickerbocker Avenue at the intersections of Hart and Palmetto Streets provide real-time flooding information, allowing the city to monitor conditions and — if needed — alert residents, deploy emergency responders, remove debris, and clear drainage blockages. Moreover, slotted manhole covers on sidewalks — which help water flow into the sewer even if debris is covering the catch basin grate in the roadway — have been added to sidewalks at selected locations with a history of flooding complaints, such as Jefferson Avenue and Central Avenue.

Since the start of the Adams administration, New York City has invested over $1.2 billion in stormwater mitigation efforts, ranging from traditional sewer upgrades to innovative green infrastructure solutions and more. The city has installed dozens of miles of new sewers, significantly upgrading the system’s drainage capacity to handle millions of additional gallons of sudden and heavy rainfall during a storm. The administration recently completed two major projects in the frequently flooded Queens communities of Maspeth and College Point. The $106 million Maspeth project added more than a mile of new, very large sewers and nearly a mile of new water mains, and it used innovative construction techniques like micro-tunneling to significantly reduce the effects of construction on the local community. The $132 million College Point project added nearly 8.5 miles of new sewers and seven miles of new water mains, in addition to 300 new catch basins.

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES $7 MILLION EXPANSION OF CITY PROGRAM TO RECONNECT FATHERS TO THEIR CHILDREN, HELP PREVENT YOUNG PEOPLE FROM ENTERING CRIMINAL JUSTICE SYSTEM

City’s Fatherhood Initiative Supports Fathers by Helping Them Reconnect with Their Children, Provide Financial Support, and Develop Parenting Skills

Announcement Comes in Advance of City’s First-Ever Symposium Focused on Fatherhood

First Announced in Mayor Adams’ Fourth State of the City Address, Today’s Investment Builds on Adams Administration’s Efforts to Make New York City Best Place to Raise a Family

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced a $7 million expansion of the “Fatherhood Intiative,” which helps fathers reconnect with their children, provide financial support, and develop parenting skills. First announced in Mayor Adams’ 2025 State of the City, today’s expansion is part of the Adams administration’s commitment to make New York City the best place to raise a family. Studies have shown that children with involved fathers are less likely to enter the criminal justice system, benefiting the whole city and keeping communities safe. Overseen by the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD), the additional funding will help double the number of fathers served from 1,500 to 3,000 over the next two fiscal years. The investment comes in advance of the city’s first-ever symposium focused on fatherhood, “Empowering Fathers, Thriving Children: A Citywide Fatherhood Plan for Child Well-Being,” led by the New York City Children’s Cabinet on Friday, February 28.

“Throughout my life, I have held many official titles: police officer, state senator, borough president, and now mayor. However, the title that has always meant — and will always — mean the most to me is ‘dad,’” said Mayor Adams. “To be the best city to raise a family, we need to ensure families remain connected and receive holistic support from city government. DYCD’s ‘Fatherhood Initiative’ has a proven track record of investing in fathers and families for over two decades. Now, our administration is going even further by doubling the program, expanding services, and ensuring that families continue to thrive in our city.”

“Thanks to Mayor Adams’ forward-thinking investments and real-life experience as a father, DYCD will expand to serve twice as many dads and begin to serve custodial as well as non-custodial fathers, offering them more resources and support than ever before,” said DYCD Commissioner Keith Howard. “For many years, I was a single father raising two kids, and a recipient of services through the Real Dads Network. If it weren’t for that help, I would not have been able to raise Maya and Tyler in a loving and supportive environment. With this unprecedented growth of DYCD’s 23-year-old ‘Fatherhood Initiative,’ our outstanding network of providers will have the resources to make this the greatest city to raise a family.”

“The ‘Empowering Fathers, Thriving Children Symposium’ is more than just an event — it embodies the Children’s Cabinet’s deep commitment to supporting vulnerable children and families. By fostering a holistic approach, breaking down silos, and improving coordination, we can mobilize resources and enhance policies that shape children’s health, safety, and well-being,” said Children’s Cabinet Executive Director Ahsia Badi. “Our collaborative, inter-agency efforts — at both programmatic and leadership levels — along with initiatives like this symposium, reflect our broader mission to build a brighter future for New York City’s children.”

DYCD has operated and overseen the Fatherhood Initiative for over 20 years, supporting an average of more than 1,000 fathers and families. The program is informed by proven studies that show children with involved fathers are less likely to enter the criminal justice system, and that an active and nurturing style of fathering is associated with improved verbal skills for infants, greater patience for toddlers, and better intellectual functioning and academic achievement among adolescents. The Fatherhood Initiative offers dads and their children up to six months of case management — with follow-up services as needed for up to one year — and service plans that address five core areas: parenting skills development, effective co-parenting with the child’s guardian, employment/education, child support, and child visitation/placement. DYCD partners with other agency fatherhood efforts, and coordinates annual Father’s Day, Mother’s Day, and Dads Take Your Child to School Day events.

Today’s announcement builds on the work the Adams administration has done to dramatically increase early childhood education and build a sustainable program where demand matches supply. Under the Adams administration, a record 150,000 children are enrolled across the early childhood education system today, the out-of-pocket costs of child care subsidies have been reduced from $55 per week in 2022 to $5 per week today, and the Adams administration met its commitment to offer a seat to every child who applied for 3-K on time — the first time this has ever been done in the city’s history. The administration also invested $514 million to protect programs that were previously only temporarily funded with federal stimulus dollars. Finally, Mayor Adams and leadership of the New York City Council announced a historic joint effort to strengthen early childhood education across the five boroughs and address longstanding systemic issues, while boosting enrollment and connecting families with more Pre-K and 3-K seats. The strategic plan — developed by an unprecedented joint Adams administration-Council working group, chaired by Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Ana J. Almanzar and New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams — is anchored by $100 million in new city investment allocated in the Fiscal Year (FY) 2025 Adopted Budget to implement an action-oriented roadmap for outreach and seat allocation across the city. With the new $100 million investment, the total investment in the FY25 city budget for early childhood education is $3 billion.

MAYOR ADAMS ANNOUNCES AMBITIOUS PROJECT TO MAKE ACCESSIBLE HISTORICAL RECORDS OF ENSLAVED PEOPLE IN NYC

Led by Department of Records and Information Services, NYC Will Begin Transcribing Records Dating to 1660 to Help Historians and Everyday New Yorkers Locate Records Documenting Enslaved New Yorkers

City Calling for Volunteers to Help Transcribing Records as It Builds Searchable Database

Announcement Comes as Adams Administration Commemorates 400^th Anniversary of New York City and Black History Month

WATCH: Department of Records and Information Services Explain the Historical Records and Its Importance

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced an ambitious project to make accessible the historical records of thousands of formerly enslaved New Yorkers who lived in the five boroughs when the practice of slavery was legal here. Led by the New York City Department of Records and Information Services (DORIS), the project will transcribe digitized historical records dating from 1660 to 1827— when slavery became illegal in New York. Transcribed data will help historians and everyday New Yorkers locate the records of enslaved New Yorkers and even, in some cases, trace familial roots. To accomplish the project, the Adams administration is calling for volunteers to transcribe the digital records and help create searchable data. To learn more about the project, visit the digital archive, or volunteer, New Yorkers can visit Archives.nyc. This announcement comes as the city celebrates Black History Month and all the contributions Black New Yorkers have made to New York City, as well as the city’s 400^th anniversary this year.

“We cannot build a better, brighter future without first acknowledging and accepting our past,” said Mayor Adams. “This ambitious project allows everyday New Yorkers to understand the history of enslaved people who shaped our city into what it is today. For too long, enslaved people were forgotten and lost to the past. Today, with projects like this, we shed a light on their story, learn their names, and ensure that time does not leave them behind again.”

“This first phase of the transcription project will make available records documenting enslaved people in New York City, and subsequent phases we’ll be adding more records,” DORIS Commissioner Pauline Toole. “This is part of the Municipal Archives and Library initiative to engage communities with the historical records of the city.”

The Municipal Archives — a division within DORIS — preserves and makes available city government’s records, dating from 1636 to the present. The Municipal Archives currently has identified and digitized nine volumes of records from towns in Brooklyn, Queens, and Westchester counties, dating from 1660 to 1838. The documents include birth certificates naming enslaved children, and documents that granted enslaved individuals their freedom. The volumes range from 200 to 500 pages, including both original documents and hand-written transcriptions of records. Using From the Page — a platform designed for transcription — volunteers will enter information from each volume into a form that DORIS will then use to publish a searchable guide. The transcribed data will be easily searchable and will help researchers and the general public locate and view records of thousands of formerly enslaved New Yorkers who lived in New York City that would otherwise be difficult to trace.

In December 2024, Mayor Adams announced “Founded By NYC,” a year-long inclusive, comprehensive acknowledgement of the 400^th anniversary of New York City. In partnership with NYC Tourism + Conventions, Founded By NYC will celebrate how New York City has made history, and continues to do so — highlighting the achievements driven by the creativity and resilience of the five boroughs and it’s people, including the perspectives of marginalized audiences, like those of the Indigenous community, women, and people of color.

Throughout planning for New York City’s 400^th anniversary, the mayor’s office has also partnered with the Lenape Center to uplift the voices of the Lenape Indigenous community. Last year, Mayor Adams proclaimed November 20 “Lenape Heritage Day” in a ceremony at Gracie Mansion. This announcement came one year after Mayor Adams hosted the first-ever mayoral reception celebrating Native American and Indigenous heritage at Gracie Mansion, as the city ensures the past contributions and painful experiences of the Lenape people and other Indigenous communities are not lost to history.

“The history of enslaved New Yorkers is an essential part of our city’s story—one that must be preserved and made accessible,” said New York City Councilmember Dr. Nantasha Williams. “I commend Mayor Adams and the Department of Records and Information Services for this initiative to transcribe and digitize these records, ensuring the voices of those once enslaved are not lost to time. This effort deepens our understanding of the past and helps New Yorkers connect with their history. I encourage everyone to support this project by volunteering or engaging with these records as we work toward a fuller, more honest representation of our shared history.”

MAYOR ADAMS AND PUBLIC SCHOOLS CHANCELLOR AVILES-RAMOS CELEBRATE 120 YEARS OF CAREER AND TECHNICAL EDUCATION AT NEW YORK CITY PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Under Adams Administration, Students Have Earned Over $18 Million Through Paid Apprenticeships and Work-Based Learning Experiences

Adams Administration Has Broken All-Time Jobs Record Eight Times Since Start of Administration, Unemployment Down Across All Demographic Groups

NEW YORK – New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Public Schools Chancellor Melissa Aviles-Ramos today celebrated a milestone of over $18 million paid to students through apprenticeships and work-based learning over the past three years of the Adams administration. New York City’s Career and Technical Education (CTE) programs — which have been a part of the curriculum at New York City Public Schools for the past 120 years — have evolved to meet the changing needs of the city’s workforce, providing students with hands-on training, industry certifications, and direct pathways to careers and higher education. Today’s announcement to help the city’s youngest New Yorkers prepare for employment opportunities, comes as the city recently celebrated breaking the all-time high jobs record for the eighth time under the Adams administration alone, as well as drop in unemployment across all demographic groups since the start of the Adams administration.

“Public education is one of the most important ways we can support our New York City families, and paid work experience is an important part of that education,” said Mayor Adams. “Our administration is focused on giving our students the real-world experience they need to succeed when they enter the workforce, that’s why over the course of our administration, we have helped young people earn a record total of over $18 million in paid apprenticeships and work-based learning opportunities. As we celebrate 120 years of providing career and technical education at our city’s public schools, we commit to ensuring our leaders of tomorrow have what they need to achieve economic opportunity. Our mission is to keep New York City the greatest city in the world and the best place to raise a family, and with announcements like this, we are delivering on building family-sustaining careers today and for future generations to come.”

“For 120 years, New York City Public Schools’ Career and Technical Education programs have opened doors to economic mobility, equipping students with the skills, knowledge, and experience they need to thrive,” said Public Schools Chancellor Aviles-Ramos. “As we look to the future, we remain committed to strengthening these programs and ensuring all students have access to career-connected learning.”

The Adams administration continues to deliver on its commitment preparing students for success in high-demand industries with over 290 CTE programs in fields including fashion design, culinary arts, automotive technology, health care, business, technology, education, and more. In partnership with industry stakeholders, students gain real-world experience through internships, apprenticeships, and mentorships that prepare them for the competitive job market.

Under Mayor Adams’ leadership, the city has made unprecedented investments in supporting young people on their path to career success. In 2022, the Adams administration introduced FutureReadyNYC, which bridges career exploration in high-growth, high-wage occupations with opportunities for students to earn industry credentials, gain hands-on work experience, be exposed to rigorous academics, and access early college credits, as well as receive personalized advising from counselors and advisors. There are currently 135 schools participating in FutureReadyNYC, with support from Northwell Health, Google, Mount Sinai, and Memorial Sloan Kettering as anchor partners. Mayor Adams recently announced an expansion of the FutureReadyNYC program to reach 15,000 students and develop CTE pathways in heating, ventilation, air conditioning and decarbonization. A total of 60 FutureReadyNYC schools offer CTE programs side-by-side with their FutureReadyNYC programming.

In 2023, Mayor Adams introduced a $600-million, young-adult action plan, “Pathways to an Inclusive Economy: An Action Plan for Young Adult Career Success,” aimed at addressing longstanding inequities in employment. This comprehensive plan focuses on integrating career readiness, work-based learning, and apprenticeships into programs that empower young adults. Additionally, the Adams administration has significantly expanded the Summer Youth Employment and Summer Rising programs, reaching a record number of over 100,000 young people, and, through the Career Readiness and Modern Youth Apprenticeship program, with support from the New York City Jobs Council and CareerWise New York, the city has placed over 500 New York City Public School students in apprenticeships over the last three years.

In Fiscal Year 2024, the city also funded over 11,000 internships or apprenticeships for high school students during the academic year, both through New York City Public Schools and the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development’s “Work, Learn, and Grow” program. Additionally, the administration is on-track to meet Mayor Adams’ 2023 State of the City goal of delivering 30,000 apprenticeships by 2030.

To further support students in foster care, Mayor Adams and the New York City Administration for Children’s Services launched “College Choice,” a program designed to provide college students in foster care with stronger support networks, including financial support, so they can attend the college of their dreams without having to worry about the hefty price tag.

Recently, Mayor Adams announced a $12 million expansion of The City University of New York (CUNY) Inclusive Economy Initiative, an impactful program that strengthens college-to-career pathways for CUNY students. The city has also provided funding for over 2,000 college students through CUNY Career Launch, Cultural Corps, and various city internships.

“CTE is a vital tool to uplift our fellow New Yorkers, giving them the freedom to stand on their own two feet,” said New York State Assemblymember Jenifer Rajkumar.“Through the dedication of New York City Public Schools, our young people have earned over $18 million from apprenticeships and work-based learning, putting money in their pockets for food on the table and a roof over their heads. Most importantly, CTE provides thousands of future leaders with the skills needed for in-demand and rewarding careers, setting them on a smooth path to success. At a time when our city boasts a record number of jobs, we will ensure all New Yorkers reap the benefits of our red hot job market.”