What’s on Tap? with Bronx Borough President Ruben Diaz Jr.
ABNY YP
Bronx Borough President Ruben Dfaz Jr. spoke about his path into office, vision for the Bronx, and his plans for making that vision a reality.
ABNY uses its signature programs–Power Events, special briefings, educational events, Young Professionals programming, ABNY Women events, and special projects–to bolster civic engagement for all New Yorkers.
ABNY special projects build on the foundation created by the Census 2020 effort and work with community-based organizations to support and strengthen the most vulnerable New Yorkers and communities across the city and state.
To view photos from our past events, please visit the ABNY Flickr page here.
Bronx Borough President Ruben Dfaz Jr. spoke about his path into office, vision for the Bronx, and his plans for making that vision a reality.
YPs participated in the Hudson River Park Games, a day celebrating sports and supporting the park.
State Senator Andrew Gounardes joined YPs to discuss his journey to elected office and the significant legislation he worked to pass in 2019.
Lieutenant Governor Kathy Hochul reflected on her experiences leading up to becoming Lieutenant Governor, the challenges of being a working and traveling mother, and balancing it all.
Bradley Tusk joined YPs to discuss his career path, approach to political change, and the evolving political landscape in New York City.
Moses Gates, Vice President for Housing and Neighborhood Planning at RPA and Angela Pinsky, Executive Director at ABNY, talked about the recent legislative changes to rent regulations and implications for New Yorkers.
ABNY gathered policy experts to break down the impact of the 2019 legislative session on NYC. Topics and speakers were: climate change with Miles Farmer, NRDC; micro-mobility with Assemblymember Nily Rozic; prevailing wage with Zachary Steinberg, REBNY; sports betting with Katharine Neer, Greenberg Traurig; drivers' licenses for undocumented immigrants with Steve Choi, New York Immigration [...]
The Federal Reserve Bank of New York invited YPs on an exclusive tour to learn more about the bank's roles and responsibilities in the public and private sectors and to catch a glimpse of the world's largest accumulation of gold.
The YPs toured the Brooklyn Grange Rooftop Farm and spoke with Gwen Schantz, Co Founder and Chief Creative Officer, about the farm's development and how to promote sustainable living and local ecology through food, education, and events.
Governors Island's Vice President of Public Affairs, Sarah Krautheim, and Director of Operations Planning and Sustainability, Mollie McGinnis, led a tour of the one-time military base. They shared the island's history, from its transformation into one of NYC's top summer destinations to its plan to keep the island open year round.
NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS) Commissioner Gregg Bishop discussed his experiences in government, the path to his current position, and some of SBS's ongoing initiatives.
First Deputy Comptroller Alaina Gilligo provided an inside look at the Comptroller's office. She explained how the office safeguards the city's fiscal health, roots out waste, fraud, and abuse in local governments, and ensures that municipal agencies serve the needs of all New Yorkers.
Barnard College President Sian Beilock discussed her critically acclaimed book, Choke: What the Secrets of the Brain Reveal About Getting it Right When You Have To. She showed attendees what happens to our brains when we experience performance anxiety and provided tips for how to combat it.
Commissioner James P. O'Neill highlighted the challenges in sustaining the city's historic crime reductions amid an evolving political climate and examined public safety as a responsibility shared by everyone who lives and works in the nation's safest big city.
ABNY examined the Charter Revision proposals put forth on the November ballot. Gail Benjamin, Chair of the NYC Charter Revision Commission and Carl Weisbrod, Charter Revision Commissioner and Senior Advisor of HR&A, led a discussion moderated by Jennifer Jones Austin, CEO of the Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies.
Commissioner of the Administration for Children's Services (ACS), David A. Hansell, outlined the functions of ACS and the efforts to bring the child welfare system into the 21st Century.
Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of L&L MAG MaryAnne Gilmartin discussed her career path, her high-profile real estate projects, and her vision for NYC development.
Public Advocate Williams took the ABNY stage for the first time as Public Advocate. He shared his priorities for the City and his vision for how the Public Advocate's Office can help accomplish those goals for residents.
In partnership with the NYC Campaign Finance Board, ABNY held a policy brief to explain Ranked Choice Voting (RCV). Dr. Carlo Prato, assistant professor of Political Science at Columbia University, and Susan Lerner, Executive Director of Common Cause New York, helped the YPs better understand how RCV works.
Silvercup Studios offered ABNY an exclusive, behind-the-scenes tour with Chief Executive Officer Alan Suna. Mr. Suna led the ABNY Members and YPs through various soundstages and discussed the future of the film industry in NYC.
YPs rode the NYC Ferry from Wall Street to Bay Ridge, with Anastasija Kuprijanova, Manager of Business Development at Hornblower. Ms. Kuprijanova talked about the features and amenities offered, as well as the management and launch of the NYC Ferry service.
Brooklyn Borough President Eric Adams discussed his path to office and how his personal experiences shaped his perspective on issues such as health, education, and public safety.
ABNY held an exclusive tour of the Port Authority's New Jersey Marine Terminal. Michael Bozza, General Manager of the New Jersey Marine Terminal, gave a "Port 101" explanation and guided tour of the facilities.
Along with Tech:NYC and RPA, ABNY held a presentation to announce The David Prize, a monetary prize for five visionary New Yorkers working to create a better and brighter city. Executive Director for The David Prize, Erika Boll, explained the application process and criteria of the prize.
Panelists explained Environmental, Social, and Governance investing and finance, institutions' goals on these key themes, and the current regulatory environment and its implications. Vicki Cerullo, Bloomberg LP, moderated the conversation with Michael Garland, Office of the New York City Comptroller; Mark Hays, J.P. Morgan Asset Management; and Valerie Smith, Citi.
Sulin Carling, Senior Planner in Economic Development and Real Estate at DCP, presented on recent retail trends and storefront vacancies across the city in the context of shifting technology, economic forces, and consumer preferences.
ABNY with New York Counts 2020 and in partnership with Labor Counts! hosted the NYC Census Summit 2019 which brought together nearly 400 leaders and organizers from community-based organizations, government, and the private sector, all working to get out the count. NYC Council Speaker Corey Johnson, NYC Census Director Julie Menin, Council Member Carlina Rivera [...]
In partnership with The Metropolitan Museum of Art, ABNY hosted an event to celebrate the world renowned museum's 150th anniversary. President and Chief Executive Officer Dan Weiss addressed the museum's successes, its role as a global cultural institution, and its approach to navigating the challenges of evolving responsibilities in philanthropy. He then participated in a [...]
ABNY Executive Vice President Melva Miller presented a one-pager to help the borough Chambers of Commerce to engage their membership around the 2020 Census and outlined a series of actions businesses can take, including everything from posting on social media to designating Census Days to encourage participation. Attendees learned how businesses not only stand to [...]
ABNY and the NYC Employment and Training Coalition co-hosted an event at Hunter College to highlight how City and business leaders can come together to raise awareness about the Census job application process, requirements, and training. Workforce development leaders who attended the program received additional information on positions available to job seekers in their communities [...]
Carolyn Grossman Meagher, Director of Regional Planning at DCP, presented the "Geography of Jobs" report analyzing regional growth constraints as the economy expands faster than the housing supply. A panel discussion followed with Jonathan Bowles, Center for an Urban Future; Laura Curran, Nassau County Executive; Ruben Dfaz Jr., Bronx Borough President; Ingrid Gould Ellen, NYU; [...]
Governor Cuomo previewed the 2020 infrastructure and transportation agenda and unveiled the creation of the Empire Station Complex and improvements to the areas surrounding Penn Station in midtown Manhattan.
Michael Burger, Executive Director of the Sabin Center for Climate Change Law at Columbia Law School, discussed the history of climate change court cases and how the issue has been litigated, both in the U.S. generally, and in New York specifically. Following the presentation, Ellis Calvin, Data Research Manager with the Regional Plan Association and [...]
Borough President Adams spoke about his priorities for New York City and his vision for the future, covering topics from criminal justice to educational and economic opportunities for all communities.
Ms. De Constanzo discussed her career path and her policy work addressing climate pollution, energy efficiency, renewable energy deployment, and clean transportation.
Councilmember Salamanca shared his path to office, experiences in government, and vision for New York City. He also discussed his experiences as Chair of the influential Land Use Committee.
Blue Ripple Politics founders Adam Conner-Sax and Frank David presented on key “down-ballot” races, which are races not seen at the top of the ballot and are often smaller, local races, in 2020 and beyond and how they use data to help focus analyses and advice. Following the presentation, Mr. Conner-Sax and Mr. David engaged [...]
Governor Cuomo briefed the ABNY Steering Committee on New York State’s early response plan to the COVID-19 crisis.
Senator Schumer discussed the CARES Act and provided a description of how the funds would be allocated. While he highlighted the benefits due to New York live before the ABNY network, the U.S. House of Representatives voted to pass the historic bill at the same time as the briefing.
Commissioner Shea discussed policing issues in New York City, including the unprecedented challenges of personnel and resource allocation during the COVID-19 crisis, and how the NYPD continues to address crime and deliver public safety to New Yorkers.
Ms. Bhatia addressed the most pressing questions from YPs about the Census, from explaining how the ongoing public health crisis would affect results, to which of your roommates should fill out the form, and everything in between.
Dr. Corwin and Mr. Raske provided an update on how New York was coping with COVID-19 from inside New York City hospitals and their plans and projections for what was to come.
Dr. Frida Polli, Chief Executive Officer, and Founder, pymetrics, discussed how the platform leverages behavioral science and audited AI technology to help enterprise companies build diverse teams of top performers while reducing bias.
Adam Grossman Meagher, Vice President, Neighborhood Strategies, Planning Division, NYCEDC presented the Sunnyside Yard Master Plan, a new framework focused on building new public transit and affordable housing. The plan calls for the creation of the long-sought Sunnyside Station, 100 percent affordable housing with 12,000 homes, 60 acres of new open space, equitable homeownership opportunities, [...]
Mr. Cohen and Mr. Mulrow, former Secretaries to Governor Cuomo and NYS Forward appointees discussed the task force’s plans for revitalizing New York and strategies to restart the economy following the New York State on PAUSE Executive Order.
Inspector General Pokorny discussed her career path and her efforts to help the MTA improve its performance before, during, and after the COVID-19 pandemic.
Chairman Foye provided an update on the Metropolitan Transportation Authority’s (MTA’s) response to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and the challenges the agency faced in the spring of 2020, including eliminating overnight service to clean and sanitize the fleet of subway cars.
Ana Champeny, Director of City Studies, Citizens Budget Commission, discussed the property tax system in New York City. Ms. Champeny illustrated how properties are assessed and taxed, what classes of property exist, and at what rate properties are taxed.
Sana Arshad, Program Manager, Cubic Transportation Systems, discussed the ins and outs of One Metro New York (OMNY), the MTA’s new electronic fare payment system. Ms. Arshad also elaborated on the role of technology in NYC Transit and some of the impacts of the pandemic on the system.
Mr. Patchett discussed the New York City Economic Development Corporation’s (NYCEDC’s) immediate response to the COVID-19 pandemic, including helping New York City businesses pivot to manufacturing personal protective equipment (PPE), and the recovery ahead.
Jennifer Cohan, President, Edelman New York, discussed the findings of The Edelman Trust Barometer, the firm’s annual trust and credibility survey. The findings showed a remarkable shift in the landscape of trust globally since January and that government trust surged 11 points to an all-time high of 65 percent, which made it the most trusted [...]
Ms. Lappin discussed her work as President at Downtown Alliance, how the organization addressed COVID-19’s impact on Lower Manhattan, and her vision for the district.
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Richard Barth and Susan Hinkson-Carling, Group Leaders for the Land Use, Housing, and Real Estate Practice Group at Capalino+Company, explained the Uniform Land Use Review Procedure (ULURP) process, the land use actions that require approval through ULURP, and why the process is so drawn out.
Yojaira Alvarez, Director of Outreach and Intergovernmental Affairs and Harya Tarekegn, Senior Counsel for Policy and Advocacy at the CCRB discussed the independent agency responsible for receiving, investigating, mediating, hearing, prosecuting, making findings, and recommending action on complaints against New York City police officers alleging the use of excessive or unnecessary force, abuse of authority, [...]
Moderated by ABNY Steering Committee Member Larry Scott Blackmon, Fresh Direct Public Advocate Williams gave insight on activism, public safety, and how New York City can take meaningful strides to affect real change.
Moderated by ABNY Board Member Julio Peterson, The Shubert Organization Deputy Mayor Thompson provided a look at the historical context of racial inequality in New York City.
First Deputy Public Advocate Smith discussed his path to government, his office’s roles and responsibilities, and his vision for NYC. He outlined the role of the Public Advocate’s Office which provides oversight for city agencies, investigates citizens’ complaints about city services, and makes proposals to address perceived shortcomings or failures of those services.
Moderated by ABNY Census 2020 Organizing and Action Committee Member Jennifer Jones Austin, Federation of Protestant Welfare Agencies Mr. Walker used a philanthropic lens to deliver an inspiring conversation on the racial injustices facing New York City and the ways that leaders in government, businesses, and foundations/nonprofits can begin to take steps to move forward.
In conjunction with the ABNY series, Black Leadership in New York City: Conversations on Power, Politics, and Racial Justice, ABNY Women presented ideas and inspiration from two prominent Black female lifestyle influencers: Harriette Cole and Mikki Taylor. Harriette Cole, the founder of Dream leapers, an educational platform designed to help people access and activate their [...]
Moderated by ABNY Member Camille Joseph Goldman, Charter Communications Ms. Wills drove a powerful conversation around racial equity, journalistic integrity, and how to hold the private sector accountable in dismantling systemic racism.
Moderated by ABNY Member and ABNY Census 2020 Organizing and Action Committee Member Kyle Bragg, 32BJ SEIU Mr. Gresham looked at social justice from a labor perspective and discussed the importance of fighting for the economic and civil rights of all workers.
Commissioner Doris discussed his path to office, experiences in government, and vision for New York City. He also gave insight into how small businesses are dealing with the effects of the pandemic.
President Mulgrew discussed the union’s efforts and plans to ensure a safe return to school for students, educators, and school communities and participated in a moderated Q&A session with public school parent and ABNY Board Member, Jen Hensley, Senior Director of Public Policy, Lyft.
Rachel Bloom, Policy Director for Citizens Union, presented on mail-in voting in New York, specifically what policies are in place now, lessons learned from recent primaries, and what we could expect from the November general election. Wayne Bena, Nebraska Deputy Secretary of State for Elections discussed Nebraska as a case study for mail-in voting, clarifying [...]
Moderated by Melva M. Miller, Chief Executive Officer, ABNY Attorney General James focused on police reform and gun control in an inspiring conversation that called upon the audience to continue to work towards equality for all New Yorkers.
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