Michael Blake with Ayana Harry at the Democratic Mayoral Forum on the Black Agenda at Medgar Evers College on Wednesday, April 23, 2025.
Photo by Kevin Williams
Eight Democratic candidates for the Mayoral race made their case for a Black Agenda for New York at the Medgar Evers College on Wednesday, April 23, 2025 in front of a packed hall.
Dr. Patricia Ramsey, President of Medgar Evers College speaking at the opening said, “The views expressed by these candidates in this forum are their own and not necessarily reflect the view or opinions of Medgar Evers College.”
Henry Butler, led the forum and introduced the candidates.
Ms. L Joy Williams – NAACP New York State Branch president said, “I am not here to endorse anybody, I am personally seeking candidates to rank myself.” She reminded the audience that how the importance of ranking candidates. “It is not just picking one, it is making sure that we are ranking the candidates that we would hear from.” “I also want to remind you about the power of our vote when we vote collectively with purpose and strategy,” she added.
Emmy Award-winning journalist Ayana Harry of Spectrum News NY1 who hosted the event focused her questions on Black Maternal Health, public security, affordable/low income housing, affordable child care, gentrification and the establishment of an ICE office on Rikers Island.
Mayoral candidates who participated in the event were Scott Stringer, Michael Blake, Former Governor Andrew Cuomo, State Senator Jessica Ramos, State Senator Zellnor Myrie, Assembly Member Zohran Mamdani, Former NYC Comptroller Scott Stringer and City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams
Scott Stringer speaking on the housing crisis said, “I believe we need to have a mayor who is going to represent the bottom up and build the housing that we need.” There is no reason who “We need to think about what do do with a thousand vacant lots. These thousand lots should not go to wealthy speculators but to non-for-profits, to the people. Give back city lands and build Mitchell-Lama 2.0.”
Speaking on public security Stringer said he would like to add 3,000 to the NYPD.
Assembly Member Mamdani said many politicians would say New York city is the greatest in the world but what good is it if you cannot afford the rent, your child care, your groceries and your Metro card. “I am running for mayor so that you can finally afford these thing,” said Mamdani.
Blake said he is running so that policies can be made so that people can make and keep more money in their pockets. He said that he does not believe that credit scores should be used for rent, and home ownership application.
Regarding a question from the moderator about his experience as vice chair of the DNC and lessons learned as to how he would apply the lessons as mayor while dealing with President Trump, Blake said, “You have to check the bully. You can’t be silent when you are dealing with a facist, sexist, demogogue.”
Speaker Adams responding to a question about President Trumps involvement in New York including congestion pricing and Penn Station said that the city has begun “Trump proofing” New York City. “We know that New York City Council has been the most fiscal responsible body,” she said. “We are now looking at the 2 billion as reserves we have put aside to begin ‘Trump proofing’ the city,” she added.
State Senator Myrie respsonding to the question as to what steps he would take to protect the health care safety net said, “We are in an existential crisis with the person that we have in the White House now. The proposal to cut Medicaid, and to cut it by the t billions would have a profound impact on health care in city. Six out of 10 New Yorkers rely on Medicaid. Our safety net hospitals rely almost exclusively on Medicaid.” “The first order of business is to go after Donald Trump,” said Myrie.
Former Governor Cuomo speaking on gentrification said, “People should not be forced to leave their community because they cannot afford to pay the rent.” He noted that more than 400,000 people left the city. “We lost middle class, we lost working families who just couln not afford to live here anymore.
