Queens, NY — The New York State Community Commission on Reparations Remedies (NYSCCRR) will host its second public hearing on Monday, December 16, 2024, at the Rochdale Ballroom, 169-65 137th Avenue, Jamaica, NY 11434. The event will begin with a Business Meeting at 4:30 PM, followed by the Public Hearing from 5:30 PM to 9:30 PM.

Building on the momentum of its inaugural hearing in Buffalo, NY, which drew nearly 200 attendees, this event will address the historical and ongoing harms of slavery and systemic racism with a particular focus on the Queens and New York City areas. The hearing will feature an educational segment, providing historical context, and a testimony segment, where community members are invited to share personal accounts, insights, and ideas for reparative measures. Participants will also have the opportunity to learn about the enduring legacy of slavery and systemic racism in Queens, NY.

“The voices of New Yorkers are fundamental to the work of the Commission,” said Dr. Seanelle Hawkins, Chair of the NYSCCRR. “Established through the passage of Senate Bill S1163A, signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul in 2023, our Commission is tasked with addressing the lasting consequences of slavery and systemic discrimination in New York State. This legislation, sponsored by Senator James Sanders Jr. and Assembly Member Michaelle Solages, represents a pivotal moment in the pursuit of justice and equity, as it seeks to dismantle entrenched structural inequalities. We encourage the community to actively engage in this process, offering their testimonies and perspectives to inform the recommendations for reparative measures grounded in historical truth and collective accountability.”

The NYSCCRR is composed of nine distinguished commissioners, each bringing a wealth of expertise, diverse perspectives, and a shared commitment to advancing reparative justice across New York State. Representing a broad range of disciplines and communities from across the state, these commissioners are uniquely positioned to address the complex legacy of historical injustices. Through rigorous research into the economic, social, and political impacts of systemic racism and slavery, they are dedicated to uncovering the truth of these enduring harms. Central to their mission is the amplification of community voices, ensuring that public insights and lived experiences form the foundation of their recommendations for meaningful reparative measures.

Commission Members

• Seanelle Hawkins, Chair, President and CEO, Urban League of Rochester
• Dr. Deborah D. Jenkins, Vice Chair, Founding Pastor, Faith @Work Christian Church
• Linda Tarrant-Reid, Secretary, Author, Historian, and Executive Director, The Lincoln Park Conservancy
• Jennifer Jones Austin, Treasurer, CEO and Executive Director, FPWA
• Timothy R. Hogues, Commissioner for the Department of Civil Service
• Linda Brown-Robinson, Immediate Past President, Syracuse Onondaga NAACP
• Darrick Hamilton, University Professor and Founding Director, The New School
• Ron Daniels, Founder and President, Institute of the Black World 21st Century
• Lurie Daniel Favors, Esq., Executive Director, Center for Law and Social Justice at Medgar Evers College

Event Details
Business Meeting: 4:30 PM - 5:30 PM
Public Hearing: 5:30 PM - 9:30 PM

How to Participate
Community members are strongly encouraged to attend and contribute to this pivotal event. Registration for prepared testimonies will be available on-site. For those unable to attend in person, written submissions can be sent to ReparationsCommission@reparations.ny.gov.

Learn More
For additional information about NYSCCRR’s mission, resources, and future events, visit: www.ny.gov/reparations

Media Contact
Dr. Seanelle Hawkins
Chair, NYS Community Commission on Reparations Remedies
Email: ReparationsCommission@reparations.ny.gov