John,

Too often, it feels like Black New Yorkers have done more for New York City than New York City has done for Black New Yorkers.

Black communities have been let down – by a racial wealth gap far wider than the national average, by an affordability crisis that is driving Black families out of their city, and by a City government that has failed to stand with them.

We are at a critical moment to turn this around. I’m running for Mayor to build a safer, more affordable, and better-run New York City for all – and I know that achieving this requires honest conversations with Black New Yorkers, a real reckoning with racial inequality, and concrete action to close the gap.

In partnership with Black leaders, including Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, Assemblymember Khaleel Anderson, author Heather McGhee, and many others, I have developed "A Better Deal for Black New Yorkers" – a new policy platform to reduce the racial wealth gap and increase opportunity. 

This platform calls to expand and protect Black homeownership, fix NYCHA to ensure affordable, dignified housing for Black families, and support Black entrepreneurs in launching and growing businesses. It will also protect Black communities from gun violence, tackle health disparities and food insecurity, and preserve Black arts, culture, and history.

I was so grateful to announce the details of this plan at Reverend Al Sharpton’s weekly National Action Network rally on Saturday. You can read more about “A Better Deal for Black New Yorkers" here — and if you’re a policy wonk, you can read even more about it here. 

By renewing the pathway to Black homeownership, supporting entrepreneurs to start and grow businesses, and investing seriously in health and culture, New York City can respect, preserve, and strengthen its diverse Black communities, even during – especially during – a time of racial backlash from our racist president and his bigoted agenda.

In solidarity,

Brad