WILLIAMS, HOCHUL JOINT STATEMENT AFTER NEW YORK CITY MEETING

 

 New York City Public Advocate Jumaane D. Williams and incoming New York Governor, current Lieutenant Governor, Kathy Hochul released the following joint statement after their Tuesday afternoon meeting in New York City. 

"We had an important dialogue this evening discussing issues that are of vital and immediate importance to New Yorkers, including expanding and escalating COVID-19 vaccination efforts, reframing how we address public safety while reducing gun violence, and expediting distribution of relief funding for renters and owners alike. We also discussed the need to remove unnecessary barriers and fund excluded workers -  largely immigrants - who have been blocked from federal aid. These must and will be immediate priorities of this new Administration."

"We look forward to working together, upstate and downstate, to help New Yorkers recover from this pandemic and renew New York City."

141 Days and Counting

 

I need more caffeine in my coffee these reporters questions are about the same thing, and are putting me to sleep. COVID-19 this, and COVID-19 that, I'm surprised one of them haven't asked me if the city is going to make sure those who want to go inside have to show their vaccination ID, why then don't people who want to vote not have to show their voter ID. 

 Anyone who decides to be Kathy Hochul's Lt. Governor has to be crazy, because I am going to be the governor of New York State after next years election. I understand there is going to be a fight for the soon to be vacant 86th Assembly seat of Victor Pichardo between Yudelka Tapia, and Adolfo Abreu. Good luck at Montefiore Hospital Victor.

SCHUMER REVEALS: OVER 145 DEFICIENT AND UNSAFE BRIDGES ACROSS ROCHESTER & THE FINGER LAKES REGION; SENATOR SECURES NEARLY $13.5 BILLION TO FINALLY FIX DILAPIDATED & DOWNRIGHT DANGEROUS BRIDGES ACROSS NY, CREATING JOBS, SAFER ROADS, AND SAVING LIVES

 

Finger Lakes Region Has At Least 145 Dangerous Bridges Posing Worsening Safety Issues With Each Passing Day; JUST Bridge Repairs Backlog Runs Over $200 Million

Senator Secures Major Funding To Address Structurally Deficient Bridges, Road Repair Backlog

Schumer: It’s Time To Invest In Finger Lake’s Bridges Before Poor Conditions Prove A Bridge Too Far

 After securing $346 million for Monroe County and the City of Rochester in the American Rescue Plan to address the region’s greatest needs as New York recovers from the worst of the COVID pandemic, U.S. Senate Majority Leader Charles E. Schumer stood at one of Monroe’s “poor-rated” bridges, the Rt 590 bridges over Monroe Avenue in the Town of Brighton, and announced $13.5 billion for New York in the recently Senate-passed Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act of 2021 (IIJA), to address the backlog of repairs needed to fix the county’s deficient bridges, highways, and roads. Of that amount, an estimated $1.9 billion is exclusively for a new bridge replacement and repair program. New York will also be able to compete for a share of the $12.5 billion in competitive grant funding for the new Bridge Investment Program in the bill. Schumer revealed that at least 145 bridges in the Finger Lakes region have been deemed to be in “poor condition” and are deteriorating every day, posing safety and structural issues if repairs are not made ASAP.

“It’s long past time to make urgent repairs to the nearly 150 structurally deficient bridges in the Finger Lakes. Crumbling bridges and road are a hazard to motorists, and impede economic development. With an over $400 million backlog of repairs needed for Rochester Finger Lakes region roads, bridges, and highways, we cannot afford to wait any longer,” said Senator Schumer. “Not only will the $13.5 billion I fought to secure in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Framework provide ample funding to finally address this backlog and fix dangerous bridges in the Finger Lakes, but it will also be a major boon for the regional economy by creating good-paying construction jobs and making roads safer for everyone. Structurally deficient bridges cost New Yorkers time and money, and we must invest in the Finger Lakes’ infrastructure before poor conditions prove a bridge too far.”

According to the Rochester-Finger Lakes region’s transportation repair plan produced every 4 years called the Transportation Improvement Plan (TIP), from 2020-2024 the region has $834 million in transportation funding needs for road, highway, and bridge repairs but only enough funding on hand to cover $405 million.  Moreover, currently the cost to complete all the required repairs needed to fix Rochester Finger Lakes bridges is $341 million, yet only $108 is allocated in the 4-year TIP due to current funding levels, thereby creating an over $200 million repair backlog for bridges alone. Schumer said this means that with an overall $405 million backlog, over 50% of the Finger Lakes’ transportation needs are not being undertaken which is why he is pushing for the $13.5 billion in the Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill to address this backlog.

Schumer explained that structurally deficient bridges impact the economy negatively because they are frequently closed or posted for weight restrictions, forcing heavier vehicles such as trucks, busses, and farm equipment to find alternate routes that result in lost time and money. According to The Road Information Program, 10% of New York’s bridges are structurally deficient and continue to bear over 11.5 million vehicles per day. In the Rochester-area, nearly 12% of bridges are structurally deficient and bear over 1.14 million vehicles per day.

New York’s bridge system is vital to supporting the Finger Lakes economy, particularly its agriculture, manufacturing, and tourism industries, and are vital to the connectivity of the state. Nearly $1.3 trillion in goods are transported in New York every year – mostly by truck – and approximately 3.5 million full-time jobs in New York are dependent on the state’s transportation network. Schumer argued that fixing the state’s structurally deficient bridges sooner rather than later is imperative because bridge repairs become exponentially more expensive as damages increase and conditions worsen.

“Our transportation system is aging and ailing, and this investment to repair bridges in the Finger Lakes will prove invaluable to connecting New Yorkers for the next century,” added Schumer.

TIP is a staged, multi-year program of projects, which identifies the timing and funding of all highway, bridge, transit, intelligent transport system, bicycle, and pedestrian transportation projects scheduled in the region for the next for years that require federal transportation funds.

Below is a breakdown between what is needed for Finger Lakes transportation projects vs. current level of funding. The Schumer-led Bipartisan Infrastructure Bill is expected to make up much of the difference.

	ESTIMATED TOTAL COST	CURRENT FUNDING AVAILABLE
Bridges	Over $341 million	$108 million
Highways	Over $416 million	$201 million
Preventative Maintenance	Over $275 million	$184 million
Bicycle/Pedestrian	N/A	$3.8 million

Schumer was joined by Representative Joe Morelle, Brighton Town Supervisor Bill Moehle, and Rochester Building & Construction Trades Council President Grant Malone

“The roads and bridges we use every day—to get to work, to go to the grocery store, to pick our children up from school—are crumbling, and we cannot continue to kick the can down the road,” said Congressman Joe Morelle. “That’s why I’m so proud to support the bipartisan agreement that will take historic action to modernize and upgrade our infrastructure. I am grateful to Majority Leader Schumer for his leadership on this important legislation and look forward to our continued work together to strengthen our communities.”

In addition to the $13.5 billion provided in highway and formula bridge funding, the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act also provides $12.5 billion for a competitive bridge program that states and localities can apply to. For the first time, the bill also creates the Reconnecting Communities Pilot Program which provides $1 billion in competitive grants for planning and projects to remove, retrofit, or mitigate existing highways that were built through neighborhoods and created a barrier to mobility and economic development. The popular RAISE (Rebuilding American Infrastructure with Sustainability and Equity) grants, formerly known as BUILD or TIGER, fund transportation projects of national and regional significance and are funded in the bill at $7.5 billion over five years. The INFRA (Infrastructure for Rebuilding America) grant program, another competitive program that funds transportation projects with a strong connection to improving freight operations, is funded at $3.2 billion. Finally, New York is also expected to receive $175 million over five years to support the expansion of an EV charging network in the state, and the ability to apply for the $2.5 billion in competitive EV charging grants.

Schumer also outlined other wins for the Finger Lakes region in the Bipartisan Infrastructure bill. The Finger Lakes will receive:

• $27,038,025 for Rochester’s Frederick Douglass Airport and $5,430,000 for other Finger Lakes airports.
• For transit, over $94.5 million estimated for the Rochester-Genesee Regional Transportation Authority divided over five years.
• The region will also receive a sizable portion of the over $20 billion devoted for the Drinking Water and Clean Water State Revolving Funds, including a carve out within the Drinking Water State Revolving Fund to replace lead service lines in communities like the Finger Lakes.

Attorneys General James Co-Leads Coalition in Taking Action Against Georgia’s Discriminatory Voting Law

 

 New York Attorney General Letitia James and District of Columbia Attorney General Karl A. Racine today co-led a coalition of 22 attorneys general in opposing Georgia’s discriminatory law that would make it more difficult for millions of Georgians — especially Black Georgians — to vote. The law disproportionately impacts low-income and rural communities, and includes provisions that impede Black voter mobilization efforts, such as banning government entities from distributing unsolicited absentee ballot applications, criminalizing the distribution of food and water to voters waiting in line, requiring ID for absentee ballots, and limiting the placement of ballot drop boxes.

In an amicus brief filed in United States v. Georgia, the coalition is pushing back against misguided efforts to dismiss a lawsuit filed by the U.S. Department of Justice (DOJ) against Georgia to overturn this law. The attorneys general argue that the DOJ is correct in its argument that Georgia intentionally discriminated against Black and minority voters, in violation of federal law, and that the case should proceed to trial. The brief also suggests that Georgia’s purportedly non-discriminatory reasons for adopting the law — to prevent voter fraud — are not valid.

“Georgia’s new voting law serves but one purpose — to continue generations of oppressive actions that disenfranchise the votes and voices of Black people,” said Attorney General James. “This law is a direct attack against the people of Georgia, and an attack against the democratic values that this country prides itself on. I stand with my fellow attorneys general to reject all attempts to suppress the will and the rights of Black Georgians.”

“The impact of Georgia’s new election law is clear — it will ensure that only some votes are counted while making it harder for Black voters to have their voices heard,” said Attorney General Racine. “Following a historic election with record Black turnout, the legislature responded by making it harder for Black Georgians to vote. We have seen this destructive and anti-democratic playbook before. The right to vote is sacred. States must promote free and fair elections, and expanding the opportunity for all voters is critical to making that possible. We urge the court to let this case proceed to trial.”

According to the Brennan Center for Justice, during the 2021 legislative session, more than 400 bills to restrict voting access were introduced in 49 states. In addition, at least 18 states passed and enacted 30 restrictive laws making vote-by-mail and early voting more difficult, putting in place harsher voter ID requirements, and making voter purges more likely, among other restrictive actions.

The coalition of attorneys general are specifically urging the U.S. District Court for the Northern District of Georgia to allow the case to move forward because:

• The federal government’s complaint properly alleges that Georgia intended to discriminate against Black and minority voters. The U.S. Supreme Court has long held that to prove discrimination, a plaintiff does not need to show direct evidence of discriminatory intent. Rather, bedrock civil rights law makes clear that parties can prove intentional discrimination by pointing to circumstantial facts and context that suggest an impermissible motive — including the political incentives and wider racial dynamics underlying an enactment. At this early stage in the case, plausible allegations of intent are enough to warrant the case moving forward. Given the overwhelming evidence demonstrating that Georgia enacted these laws in response to the results of the 2020 election — where record Black turnout unseated two Republican senators and delivered Georgia to a Democratic president for the first time in nearly 20 years — the DOJ has clearly met the necessary evidentiary burden for this case to proceed.
  
  
• Georgia’s supposedly non-discriminatory reasons for passing the law do not hold up under scrutiny. While Georgia has the authority and discretion to enact some laws that improve “election security” and “voter confidence,” states cannot invoke those interests as pretext for impairing the opportunities of vulnerable voters. Other states have been able to achieve those exact same goals through policy decisions that expand voter access, while keeping the risk of voter fraud minimal. For example, New York, the District of Columbia, and other states like California, Nevada, and Vermont have enacted reforms that simultaneously expand access and promote election security. When a state suddenly claws back existing access for voters — particularly voters of color after an historic election — without any genuine need or evidentiary basis, courts should be skeptical that “election integrity” is the genuine reason for the reduction in voting opportunities.

Attorneys General James and Racine led the amicus brief and were joined by the attorneys general of California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Illinois, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Nevada, New Jersey, New Mexico, North Carolina, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, Virginia, and Washington.

This action is the latest in a series of measures that Attorney General James has taken to fight back against attempts to suppress the right to vote in communities of color. In June 2021, Attorney General James sued the Rensselaer County Board of Elections for denying communities of color access to early voting sites. In May 2021, Attorney General James sued two people for their efforts to suppress Black voters through disinformation robocalls ahead of the 2020 election. 

Governor Cuomo Updates New Yorkers on State's Progress During COVID-19 Pandemic - AUGUST 16, 2021

 

32,309 Vaccine Doses Administered Over Last 24 Hours

11 COVID-19 Deaths Statewide Yesterday 

 Governor Andrew M. Cuomo today updated New Yorkers on the state's progress combatting COVID-19.

"We continue to fight COVID-19 across the state each and every day, but vaccinations are the key to our success and more New Yorkers need to get their shots," Governor Cuomo said. "We've maintained vaccination sites conveniently located throughout New York State, and residents can make appointments or simply walk in to get their shots. I implore anyone who is eligible and hasn't yet taken the vaccine to do so right away—it's a safe step we can all take to protect our families, friends and all New Yorkers."

  

Today's data is summarized briefly below:

• Test Results Reported - 99,005 
• Total Positive - 3,575 
• Percent Positive - 3.61%
• 7-Day Average Percent Positive - 3.09%
• Patient Hospitalization - 1,722 (+72)
• Patients Newly Admitted - 217
• Patients in ICU - 362 (+7)
• Patients in ICU with Intubation - 134 (-4)
• Total Discharges - 189,188 (+162)
• Deaths - 11
• Total Deaths - 43,259
• Total vaccine doses administered - 22,932,286
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 24 hours - 32,309
• Total vaccine doses administered over past 7 days - 309,258
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose- 74.7%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series- 68.2%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 77.6%
• Percent of New Yorkers ages 18 and older with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 69.9%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose - 62.7%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series - 56.9%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with at least one vaccine dose (CDC) - 65.2%
• Percent of all New Yorkers with completed vaccine series (CDC) - 58.4%

Florida Woman Convicted Of Damaging Her Former Employer’s Computers After She Was Fired

 

 Audrey Strauss, the United States Attorney for the Southern District of New York, announced that a jury returned a guilty verdict today against MEDGHYNE CALONGE, on one count of intentionally causing damage to a protected computer, and one count of accessing a protected computer and recklessly causing damage.  Both counts relate to CALONGE’s deletion of tens of thousands of human resources records of her former employer (“Employer-1”).  U.S. District Judge Gregory H. Woods presided over the six-day trial.

U.S. Attorney Audrey Strauss said: “As a unanimous jury found today, Medghyne Calonge intentionally and maliciously caused severe damage to the computers of her former employer.  Her actions wiped out information vitally important to the employer company, and cost the company money and time to repair.  Now Calonge awaits sentencing for her crimes.”

According to the Indictment and the evidence at trial:

In January 2019, CALONGE was hired by Employer-1, a Manhattan-based online provider of professional services, to serve as the head of human resources in their St. Petersburg, Florida, office.  On June 28, 2019, CALONGE was terminated for failing to meet the minimum requirements of her job after, among other things, she improperly downgraded a colleague’s access to a computer system following an argument with the colleague.   

While she was being terminated, and just before she was escorted from the building, CALONGE was observed by two employees of Employee-1 repeatedly hitting the delete key on her desktop computer.  Several hours later, CALONGE logged into a system (“System-1”) used by Employer‑1 to receive and manage applications for employment with the company, which the company had invested two years and over $100,000 to build.  During the next two days, CALONGE rampaged through System-1, deleting over 17,000 job applications and resumes, and leaving messages with profanities inside the system.  Ultimately, CALONGE completely destroyed all of Employer-1’s data in System-1.  Employer-1 subsequently spent over $100,000 to investigate and respond to the incident and to rebuild System-1.  To this day, Employer-1 has been unable to recover all of its data.  

CALONGE, 41, of Tampa, Florida, was convicted of one count of intentionally damaging computers, which carries a maximum prison term of 10 years, and one count of recklessly damaging computers, which carries a maximum prison term of five years. 

The statutory maximum penalties are prescribed by Congress and are provided here for informational purposes only, as any sentencing of the defendant would be determined by the judge.

Ms. Strauss praised the outstanding work of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. 

NYS Office of the Comptroller DiNapoli: Problems Plague State's Rent Relief Program; Federal Funds To Help Renters At Risk

New York Lags Other States in Spending and Is One of Only Two States Not to Distribute Any Rent Relief Money Through June

  Financial relief has been slow to reach New York’s pandemic-hit renters because of poor management by the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance (OTDA) in implementing the state’s Emergency Rental Assistance Program (ERAP), according to a new report released today by New York State Comptroller Thomas P. DiNapoli. The state’s initial rollout of the program resulted in only a small portion of the much-needed funds being distributed, and aid has not reached many low-income and minority New Yorkers, particularly those in New York City.

DiNapoli’s report details OTDA’s struggles in providing information to eligible individuals, processing applications, and reporting on progress and distribution of funds. While OTDA provides a brief monthly public report on applications, these do not contain detailed geographic or socioeconomic information on applicants, and little clarity over how many households were turned away and why, making it difficult to track program progress and manage outreach.

As of Aug. 12, 2021, $108.8 million has been disbursed from the Emergency Rental Assistance Fund, reflecting payments and support for the program. With unemployment in New York City close to double the national average, 10.1% in June of 2021 according to the Department of Labor compared to 5.4% nationally as of July 2021, and pandemic-era federal unemployment benefit programs ending next month along with uncertainty about the eviction moratorium end date, many families are facing a dire situation.

“There are billions in federal aid to help renters who fell behind on payments in the pandemic, but this money isn’t getting to them,” DiNapoli said. “The state can and must do a better job getting this aid into the hands of New Yorkers that could face evictions. New York’s Congressional delegation has pushed for more efficient distribution of funds, while lawmakers have rightly proposed extending the state’s eviction moratorium. We must make sure that we don’t lose these critical funds, and that the renters most in need of help don’t get left behind.”

DiNapoli’s report found that OTDA received only 168,321 applications as of July 30, reflecting fewer than 15 percent of the 1.2 million low-income rental households in New York City alone. Of the applications received, 68% were from tenants in the city. As of August 9, OTDA reported it had made payments to only 7,072 households.

New York and South Carolina were the only two states not to distribute any money through June. In contrast, Monroe and Onondaga counties and the Town of Islip aided over 850 households during the same period through their standalone rental assistance programs. U.S. Senator Charles Schumer warned about the risk of reallocation of a portion of federal rental assistance left unallocated by Sept. 30, 2021. In response, the state committed to simplifying the application process and increasing the number of reviewers.

DiNapoli called on OTDA to target outreach efforts and technical assistance to reach those most in need, and to implement the following improvements:

• Target assistance and program enhancements by geography, language, industry, age and other pertinent characteristics;
• Monitor the program in real time to improve application completion, fund disbursement and program outreach;
• Update educational and outreach materials to reflect the recently simplified forms as well as translated materials in additional languages;
• Advertise the newly created eviction protections gained both from applying to the ERAP and from the passage of the Tenant Safe Harbor Act, so that tenants understand their legal rights; and
• Work with community-based organizations, housing nonprofits and local governments to improve the application system and better assist tenants who require follow-up documentation.

DiNapoli also urged lawmakers to extend the state’s eviction moratorium.

Minority Households Affected Most

New York has the highest share of rental households in the U.S. (46%), with the majority located in New York City (63% of all state rental households). The pandemic has had a more pronounced impact on low-income households, who were already more rent-burdened, defined as households spending more than 30 percent of income on rent.

Hispanic and Black households make up disproportionate shares of New York City low-income renter households at 37% and 27% respectively. They have also experienced higher rates of employment income loss than other racial or ethnic groups since April 2020. As of the U.S. Census Bureau’s 2017 New York City Housing and Vacancy Survey, over 1.2 million renter households earned below 80 percent of the area median income (AMI) and 78% of that number are rent-burdened. One-third of all low-income renter households in the city were in Brooklyn, nearly a quarter in the Bronx, approximately 21% in Queens and 19% in Manhattan. High school education (or less) and immigrant status are also generally correlated with lower incomes.

DiNapoli’s report notes that in the early months of the pandemic, an average of 507,000 rental households in the New York metropolitan area (within New York state) said they did not pay the prior month’s rent on time. As of June 2021, more than 300,000 households still have been unable to pay rent. Hispanic and Black households represented the largest groups not caught up on rent payments. Rent arrears for Black households have grown fastest in the period since April 2021, when $1,400 stimulus payments were sent and a major reduction in rent arrears was recorded. A state moratorium on residential and commercial evictions is scheduled to end by Aug. 31.

Troubles With State’s Distribution of Rent Relief

In 2020, New York state provided $100 million in federal aid through the Division of Housing and Community Renewal (DHCR) under its COVID Rent Relief Program. It awarded about half of the funding in subsidies to households that applied, largely because of strict eligibility guidelines. The DHCR provided one public summary report in Oct. 2020 on the first round of funding when approximately $23 million had been disbursed. About 86% of funding went to renters in New York City. Among successful applicant households who self-reported, 30% were Hispanic, 27% were White, 20% Black and 18% Asian.

The poorest households (those that earned 30% of the AMI or less) made up a disproportionately low number of successful applicants (25%) given that they make up about 42% of all low-income households. Numerous obstacles, including language barriers, lack of information about the program, eligibility concerns, lack of broadband access or gaps in computer and financial literacy, could have prevented many of these households from applying to last year’s program.

Given the large number of low-income households in New York City, the city’s high rent burdens, and the severity of employment loss there during the pandemic, the ERAP, which began in New York on June 1, could be of benefit to a large population of city households that need assistance. The success of the ERAP will ultimately be judged on the program’s ability to reach those in need by processing applications and disbursing funds quickly while maintaining controls over the shortened applications.

Report

New York State Rent Relief Funding: Spotlight on New York City

“IT’S TIME FOR HIP HOP IN NYC” FREE CONCERT SERIES KICKS-OFF IN THE BRONX

 

First 1,000 ticket holders who arrive at concerts can receive a free, limited edition “It’s Time for Hip Hop in NYC” T-Shirt

 

Live temporary art installations will be curated by Thrive Collective and feature Tats Cru, among other NYC street artists

 

Onsite food by Bronx Night Market, followed by Hester Street Fair at the Staten Island and Brooklyn concerts

 

 Today, as part of NYC Homecoming Week, which runs between August 14^th to 22^nd, New York City, the Universal Hip Hop Museum, and IDEKO will kick off the “It’s Time for Hip Hop in NYC” free concert series in the Bronx. The concerts will feature a dynamic lineup of Hip Hop, Latin freestyle, dance, freestyle, techno, and funk artists set to perform in the Bronx, Staten Island, Brooklyn and Queens.

 

As Mayor Bill de Blasio announced today during his media availability, the first 1,000 ticket holders who arrive at the concerts may receive a free, limited edition “It’s Time for Hip Hop in NYC” t-shirt. Concert goers will also enjoy live temporary art installations by local street artists curated by Thrive Collective at all four shows, in addition to food by the Bronx Night Market at Orchard Beach, and Hester Street Fair at Midland Beach and Brooklyn Army Terminal.

 

The four free concerts to be held at outdoor venues will be hosted by iconic Video Music Box host Ralph McDaniels; live streamed by Behind the Rhyme, a channel on Twitch; all made possible through presenting sponsor Planet Fitness, with sponsor support from Resorts World for the concert in Queens. Tickets can be reserved at: nyc.gov/HomecomingWeek.

 

“NYC Homecoming Week concerts are the celebration we all deserve and tonight’s first concert in the Bronx will be legendary,” said Mayor Bill de Blasio. “We are beyond excited for communities across the city to enjoy this free performance followed by incredible lineups with the greatest all-stars of Hip Hop in Staten Island, Brooklyn, and Queens before our historic finale with Clive Davis and Live Nation in Manhattan.”

 

“The Universal Hip Hop Museum is proud to bring your Hip Hop heroes’ home to New York City. We gathered the best of the boroughs’ MC’s for four exciting days of incredible free concerts. With our partners at The City of New York and IDEKO, we are celebrating Hip Hop’s 48th anniversary. Hip Hop culture’s strength, creativity and resiliency are a vital part of NYC’s recovery,” said Rocky Bucano, Executive Director and President of the Universal Hip Hop Museum

 

“We are very excited to be presenting the It's Time for Hip Hop in NYC concert series and celebrating our great city,” said James Innocenti, Planet Fitness Chief Operating Officer. “We brought the first affordable fitness option to the city over 20 years ago, and today with 40 locations throughout the five boroughs we look forward to continuing to help make this the greatest city.”

 

“Resorts World is proud to support the Summer of New York City and celebrate the incredible talent that will perform in Queens as part of the It's Time for Hip Hop in NYC concert series,” said Michelle Stoddart, VP of Community Development and Public Affairs for Resorts World New York.

 

“This unforgettable concert series will be one for the ages and a testament to our collective efforts to ensure a safe and meaningful celebration as part of our citywide recovery efforts,” said Citywide Events Executive Director Dan Gross. “We thank our partners at the Universal Hip Hop Museum and IDEKO, in addition to Clive Davis, Doug Davis, and Live Nation, for helping us make this week an incredibly uplifting experience for our communities.”

 

“The NYC Homecoming concerts this week will serve not only as great opportunity to come together as a city but to also thank every single New Yorker who kept our city moving forward this past year,” said Daniele Baierlein and Jorge Luis Paniagua Valle, Co-Executive Directors of the Mayor’s Fund to Advance New York City. “We’re thrilled to be able to bring the concert series to every borough, giving all New Yorkers the chance to celebrate and enjoy the summer in the city.”

 

“Orchard Beach parking lot has been transformed into the first ‘It’s Time for Hip Hop in NYC’ concert venue and we are ready to welcome thousands of New Yorkers to a great show and help bring the positive energy back to New York City,” said Evan Korn, CEO of IDEKO. “We are thrilled to be a partner in this event series and cannot wait for the first act to hit the stage at 3pm today!”

 

As part of the “It’s Time for Hip Hop in NYC” experience and emphasizing the historical connection between Hip Hop and graffiti art, Thrive Collective—a nonprofit that creates hope and opportunity through arts, sports, and mentoring in and around public schools—has curated a roster of standout New York City street artists that will create live, temporary art installations during the concerts. The street artists are as follows:

• First Stop: Orchard Beach in The Bronx on Monday, August 16^th from 3:00 to 9:30 p.m. featuring KRS-One, Slick Rick, Kid Capri, and Nice & Smooth.

• John “Crash” Matos
• Wilfredo "Bio" Feliciano, Tats Cru
• Sotero "BG183" Ortiz, Tats Cru
• Hector "Nicer" Nazario, Tats Cru

• Second Stop: Midland Beach on Staten Island on Tuesday, August 17^th from 4:00 to 9:30 p.m. featuring Raekwon & Ghostface Killah, Pharoahe Monch, Force MDs, and EPMD.

• Marc "Cramcept" Mazurkiewicz
• Adam "ADM" McLeer, LOB
• Michael "Lask" McDonald
• Jeff "Air3" Allen

• Third Stop: Brooklyn Army Terminal in Brooklyn on Thursday, August 19^th from 4:00 to 9:30 p.m. featuring Big Daddy Kane, Maino, Desiigner, Elle Varner, and Papoose.

• David "Chino” Villorente, BYI
• Robin "Ribs " Padro, GAK
• Jenna Morello
• Michela "Miki Mu" Muserra

• Fourth Stop: Forest Hills Stadium in Queens on Friday, August 20^th from 4:00 to 9:30 p.m. featuring George Clinton & The P-Funk All Stars with Special Guests

• Maria "Toofly" Castillo
• Bianca Romero
• Jin "Peach" Tao
• Marissa Molina