New York’s Groundbreaking Commission on Reparations: A New Dawn for Justice

Albany, NY – The New York State Community Commission on Reparations Remedies convened its inaugural meeting today, marking a significant step forward in addressing the legacy of slavery, subsequent discrimination against people of African descent, and the ongoing impact of these injustices. Governor Kathy Hochul signed bill S.1163-A/A.7691, sponsored by Senator James Sanders Jr. and Assemblymember Michaelle C. Solages, on December 19, 2023, establishing the Commission. The Commission is charged with examining the historical and present-day consequences of slavery and discrimination, with the goal of developing recommendations for reparative justice. Meet the Reparations Commission members: Jennifer Jones Austin, CEO and Executive Director of FPWA, an anti-poverty policy and advocacy nonprofit. Timothy R. Hogues, Commissioner for the Department of Civil Service and President of the Civil Service Commission.  Linda Brown-Robinson, Immediate Past President of the Syracuse Onondaga NAACP and NYS NAACP Western Region Director.  Darrick Hamilton, Ph.D., University Professor and founding director of the Institute on Race, Power and Political Economy at The New School.  Linda Tarrant-Reid, author, historian, and Executive Director of The Lincoln Park Conservancy.  Seanelle Hawkins, President and CEO of the Urban League of Rochester.  Dr. Ron Daniels, Founder and President of the Institute of the Black World...