Dear Members,
 
It was lovely to reconnect with many of you in person at our February Endorsement Meeting and Club Elections last week – thank you to all who came out and to all who continue to support us through this time of transition for BYD. As you may already know, after nearly five years on the executive board, and two as President, I am passing on the baton. Don’t worry, I won’t be a stranger, I will just be stepping back from partisan politics and focusing more on national voting rights policy!

As I often say, BYD is my political home. It is the place that I, as a first-generation South-Asian woman, learned to navigate the all too often murky waters of NY politics – and along the way, met some of the best organizers I know. I was determined from my first-ever BYD meeting to strengthen this grassroots organization, support and elevate life-long Brooklynites and new Americans alike, and to amplify non-traditional voices across the Borough. While there is always more work to be done, especially given the tremendous headwinds of this volatile political moment in our country and world, I could not be prouder of what we have accomplished together.

There were, without a doubt, unprecedented hurdles that we had to jump. There is no handbook on how to run a volunteer political club during a global pandemic, nor one to take on county party corruption (and win), but with your help, we were able to do both and continue building a progressive pipeline for young Brooklynites. Coupled with this, we were able to flip red-to-blue districts, beat the IDC, totally revamp our constitution, redo our website, host resource fairs and policy education meetings, knock on thousands of doors, fight for accountability from the Democratic Party and expand membership from Bed-Stuy to Bay Ridge. None of this would be possible without my amazing team. Thank you to Julia, Abe, Max & Steve who are also all stepping down this year after countless hours of work!

That being said, I am elated that we have a superb and passionate leader on our hands, fully prepared to take the reins of BYD. I am excited to see where the organization goes under the direction of my friend, Hunter Rabinowitz! Please step up and support him and the new board as they navigate yet another petitioning season and mid-term election year. We'll need all hands on deck! 

Yours in Community,
Christina