Dear Community,
This week marks the start of Black History Month, a month-long celebration each February that has been observed nationwide since 1976. Every year, Black History Month serves as an important opportunity to celebrate and honor the experiences, work, and struggle of Black communities. It is a time to celebrate Black joy and Black excellence, and to reflect upon the history of Black America –– and a time for all of us, especially white people, to acknowledge our country’s systemic oppression of and violence against Black communities, and prioritize the necessary work to dismantle these systems.
This month, we will continue to honor and uplift the work that is being done in New York and across the nation to address racial injustice, and remind our communities that Black voices and lives matter today and every day. The important work of dismantling systems of white supremacy and creating an anti-racist society must be a constant pursuit, and we will use this month to futher amplify the voices leading the movement for racial justice and lend our support.
Throughout February I am highlighting on social media the work of the Black-owned businesses, Black artists, and Black community members that shape District 34. This week we are highlighting The Tea Experience and owner Leslie Allicks, artist and gallery owner Mark West of the Mark West Arts Center, and Shamekia Gordon of the Hunts Point Community Partnership (click their names to see our full social media spotlight and read their stories).
I also encourage you to utilize important resources like Eat Okra or the Intentionally Black Directory released by the Hunts Point Community Partnership, to support Black-owned businesses in our community every day.
With Gratitude,
State Senator Alessandra Biaggi
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