By Linda Nwoke | Photos courtesy of Zellnor’s Campaign
New York City approaches a crucial mayoral election, State Senator Zellnor Myrie, the son of Costa Rican immigrants with deep roots in Brooklyn, boldly plans to reshape the city’s future. Senator Myrie’s campaign centers around restoring New York’s promise of opportunity, citing his life as proof of what’s possible when the city works for its people.
During an exclusive interview with Pearl Phillip, Editor-in-Chief and Host of People, Power & Politics, he shared his vision and critiqued City Hall’s current leadership for being “incredibly distracted.” He argued that New Yorkers are living in an increasingly unaffordable city and are being left behind. “That opportunity is lost for many New Yorkers today,” he said. Some of his proposed solutions include building one million homes in ten years, offering free universal after-school programs, and balancing police funding with youth engagement initiatives to enhance public safety, among other ideas.
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Plans for Affordable Housing in New York City
State Senator Myrie affirmed his commitment to making housing in New York City more affordable. Recalling his personal experience as a child growing up in a rent-stabilized apartment, he pledged to build one million new homes over the next ten years and ensure that “hundreds of thousands” of them are genuinely affordable. “I want to expand that,” he said, referring to rent-stabilized housing. He highlighted the need to strengthen protections for tenants by fully funding the city’s Right to Counsel program, which provides legal support to people facing eviction, and expanding it to homeowners facing foreclosure or deed theft.
The Senator acknowledged the existence of challenges at the state level, especially from lawmakers outside the city who resist housing development. But he believes the mayor can lead by building coalitions and using the city’s platform to push for broader support. “Housing in New York City is a regional responsibility,” he stated, adding that when the city is more affordable, it benefits the surrounding areas.
Balancing Safety and Accountability in Public Safety Reform
In discussing public safety and police reform, Senator Myrie reiterated the importance of employing a balanced approach that combines encouraging police presence and the need for accountability. Drawing from personal experiences, he explains that many New Yorkers can relate to “holding two truths.” “Specifically, the fact that the police can contribute to safety, yet they must be held responsible when they cross the line,” he stated.
His plan for public safety includes restoring pre-pandemic police staffing levels while simultaneously strengthening oversight through the Civilian Complaint Review Board. He proposes a holistic approach: “Public safety doesn’t just belong to the police department.”
Thus, he advocates investing in proven, community-based solutions such as expanding after-school programs, building more affordable housing, and providing universal access to summer youth employment to make communities safer. Senator Myrie recalled his first job through the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP), and he remembered the incident as an opportunity for youth and a crime prevention strategy. He also calls for expanding the “Every Block Counts” initiative to over seven precincts rather than two precincts and targeting areas with persistent violence. “The same ten precincts have been number one in shootings for the past 40 years,” he noted, “It’s not okay; I reject that premise.”
Tackling NYC’s Affordability Crisis
Senator Myrie also addressed New York City’s affordability crisis, noting the skyrocketing costs, from rent to groceries, making the city increasingly unlivable for many citizens, including working and middle-class residents. On average, rent in NYC is approximately $4,000, indicating an urgent need to build more housing quickly and equitably across all neighborhoods. Furthermore, he identified childcare as a key issue. He suggested expanding pre-K hours to 6 p.m. to support working families. He believes such investments ultimately pay for themselves through increased workforce participation and tax revenue.
Beyond housing and childcare, creating accessible career pathways is pertinent, particularly in high-demand sectors like healthcare and the green economy. The Senator calls for removing barriers, such as rigid college degree requirements. He wants the city to invest directly in apprenticeships and job training.
Click Here to Listen to a Conversation with Zellnor Myrie: New leadership for New York City
Vision for Economic Justice and Black Empowerment in NYC
Reacting to deep wage disparities and the fight for fair compensation, he called for a unified approach involving city, state, and federal action to raise the minimum wage and protect gig workers. Acknowledging that many of the city’s hardest-working individuals are still underpaid, he warns, “We are in the midst of a hostile federal administration attacking worker rights” To combat this, he plans to invest in the Department of Consumer and Worker Protection to educate workers on their rights and enforce stronger labor protections.
Furthermore, regarding his “Black Agenda for New York City,” a comprehensive policy framework aimed at reversing generational economic and health disparities, he stated, “The city has to have our back.” Some initiatives and options were identified, including down payment assistance for first-time Black homebuyers and aggressive enforcement of anti–deal theft laws. Referring to his personal experience, recalling his mother’s struggles running a jewelry store, he proposes a Black Business Accelerator Fund to offer direct support and guidance to small Black-owned businesses navigating the city’s red tape
Health equity is also central to his mission, specifically access to quality care and mental health resources for Black New Yorkers. He noted the gaps in maternal and mental health, which led him to promise an investment in birthing centers and free therapy for young Black men. “I would not be a good leader if I were not in therapy,” says the mayoral candidate.
Finally, recognizing the disproportionate climate risks in Black communities, he pledges to fight for and protect federal resiliency funds while accelerating the city’s infrastructure investments in vulnerable areas like southeast Queens and Harlem.
Related: Zellnor for NYC “Black Agenda For NYC”
Healthcare, Home and Safety in New York City
Myrie passionately condemned the practice of allowing ICE agents into hospitals, referring to the act as “one of the biggest disgraces of this administration.” As a U.S.-born of undocumented parents, he recalls the fear-free care his family received at Kings County Hospital and promised to restore that security by refusing to cooperate with federal immigration enforcement in healthcare settings and expanding outreach to undocumented and low-income communities. “If you need that health care provision, we are going to be here to provide it,” he declared, stressing the need for preventative investment rather than reactionary spending.
In his first 100 days, he aims to tackle New York City’s housing and safety crises by introducing a transparent housing tracker and an interagency task force to monitor the city’s progress in producing and preserving affordable housing. Simultaneously, he will launch a public safety initiative to raise the shooting clearance rate to 100%, declaring, “I want to solve every shooting.” Education is also a priority: he pledges to expand pre-K hours from 2:30 to 6:00 p.m. within the first year, laying the groundwork for universal after-school care by year three.
His Mission as a Leader
When asked how he’d make his campaign promises measurable and enforceable, he invited, “Hold me to the fire. Hold me to the fire.” Highlighting that he intends to lead with transparency and under public scrutiny as he reflected on his experience as a local senator whose constituents regularly confront him on trains, in barbershops, and on the street. “They see me and then tell me about myself,” he said.
He promised to maintain this visibility when elected as mayor, encouraging direct conversations about housing, schools, and neighborhood concerns. He highlighted the importance of engaging with mainstream press and community and ethnic media, which he called a vital source of information for many New Yorkers. “New Yorkers are very smart; they expect you to wake up every day fighting for them,” he said. While disagreements are inevitable, he insisted that open communication and public engagement would be the cornerstone of his administration.
As a proud product of New York City’s public school system, he wants to dismantle the educational inequities tied to zip codes and racial segregation. Reflecting on his journey, he recalled a memorable moment when a teacher deviated from the curriculum to prepare his all-Black and Caribbean class for the specialized high school exam, resulting in the success of over 70% of the students. “You shouldn’t have to be lucky to get that opportunity,” says Myrie. He praised community-driven models, like District 15’s reformed admissions process, as potential blueprints for citywide equity, stressing the importance of inclusive stakeholder engagement.
Although there are long-standing challenges, he insisted that meaningful reform must begin in the classroom, especially with early literacy. “Our reading proficiency has been a source of embarrassment,” he stated, highlighting third-grade literacy as a key predictor of long-term academic success. He credited the current administration for investing in the science of reading. He expressed a strong commitment to building on that initiative. “If we do not take on these tough challenges, then what are we doing?” he asked.
Rethinking Public Education: Early Literacy, Access, and Equity
As a product of New York City’s public school system, the Senator highlighted the urgent need to break down educational inequities linked to zip codes and racial segregation. He reflected on his journey, reminiscing a memorable moment when a teacher deviated from the curriculum to prepare his all-Black and Caribbean class for the specialized high school exam. This act led 70% of them to success. “You shouldn’t have to be lucky to get that opportunity,” he asserted. He praised community-driven models, like District 15’s reformed admissions process, as potential blueprints for citywide equity, stressing the importance of inclusive stakeholder engagement.
Acknowledging long-standing challenges, he insisted that any meaningful reform must begin in the classroom, especially with early literacy. “Our reading proficiency has been a source of embarrassment,” he stated, highlighting third-grade literacy as a key predictor of long-term academic success. However, he praised the current administration for investing in the science of reading. He expressed a strong commitment to building on that initiative.
Protecting Immigrants: Standing Up Against Federal Policies and Providing Opportunities
Being a son of immigrants, he reiterated the importance of standing up for New York City’s immigrant communities in the face of federal opposition. As he reflected on the Trump administration’s hostile stance, he criticized the city’s cooperation with ICE. Thus, based on his legal background, under the Constitution’s 10th Amendment, the city is not required to enforce federal policies. “We will not yield; we are going to sue you in court, and we’re going to do it every single time,” he declared. Beyond legal protections, he proposed Work NYC, which was rejected, a city-specific work permit for immigrants seeking asylum, allowing them to contribute through employment. However, he remains undeterred.
Zellnor Myrie’s mayoral campaign promises a refreshing shift in New York City’s political landscape. It will focus on a system of insults and inclusion over division. He is a leader who believes in leading through compassion, courage, and community. As he proposes to run his mission focusing on housing, education, safety, and equity, mayoral candidate Myrie invites New Yorkers to join a movement to reclaim the city’s promise and ensure that opportunity isn’t a privilege for a few but a right for all.
To learn more about Zellnor Myrie’s mayoral campaign visit www.zellnor.nyc
Mayoral Candidate Zellnor Myrie’s New Leadership for Leading New York City Forward added by Caribbean American Weekly on
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