Transcript: Mayor de Blasio Delivers Remarks at the Ribbon Cutting Ceremony to Celebrate the Opening of the Headquarters for the Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry

November 17, 2021

Mayor Bill de Blasio: Everybody, what a joy to be with you. What a joy to be with you. Everyone, first of all, I have to say something – we are celebrating today the greatness of our Caribbean community and the impact it’s had on the city and what it's going to mean for our future. So, why the hell is it so cold in this room?

[Laughter]

Okay. And I ask whoever is in charge of this event, you kind of missed the mood – to be warm, humid, maybe a palm tree or two. This is really throwing us off here.

[Laughter]

But, okay, we're going to make the best of it. Maybe it's a metaphor for how the greatness of the Caribbean came here and confronted incredibly cold weather. But, everybody, I want to talk about Roy Hastick, of course, and his wonderful family. But I first want to talk about Una Clarke, because she's got a lot of talent. She's got a lot of talent. She continues to give of herself in the most amazing way. I think anyone who ever underestimates what someone can do year after year to make this borough and this city a better place. If you underestimate Una Clarke, you are a fool. Can I get an amen?

Audience: Amen.

Mayor: Time and time again, Una has provided the spark that has added to the empowerment and strength of this community. And let's give her really the recognition that, when you think way back when this community did not have the power it deserved, the representation deserved, the institutions it deserved, Una often willed all of that into existence. She's doing the exact same thing today. I put her on the board of the City University of New York. They didn't know what hit them, okay?

[Applause]

Let's just have a rousing thank you to Una Clarke for all she's done for this city.

[Applause]

And you're going to be at it for a long time more, okay? I'm telling you right now, I can see the future. You're going to be at it for a long, long time. Everyone, I want to thank everyone who's here, celebrating this beautiful moment – long time coming, long in the making. A lot of work, some ups and downs, as with any great initiative. But I want to thank everyone who's been a part of it – all my colleagues in government, all the folks in the private sector who’ve been a part of it, all the community leaders, clergy, everyone who cared and made something happen. Thank you. A special thank you, Assembly Member – I'm not going to say Ambassador this time – Assembly Member, soon to be potentate, Nick Perry. Let's thank for all he does.

[Applause]

And new face of leadership, Council Member Joseph, welcome and congratulations again. Great things ahead.

[Applause]

You have a winning smile. That's a good sign. What we’re celebrating here is – now, we talk about the political empowerment that's so wonderfully epitomized by the work of Una Clarke, but this is also now time to talk about economic empowerment. I think everyone in this room would share a value that we want to see rights for everyone, but not just civil rights, not just freedoms, but economic empowerment, economic rights as well. That's where the rubber meets the road. And too often – and I will say this – the history in this city of good words without some good deeds to go with them, or lofty messages without the bread and butter. This is about actually producing for people. This is about actually creating jobs, actually creating generational wealth.

We're doing something this week that is tied to this. I just want to mention, we've started an initiative, and it's taking off tomorrow in East New York. It's going to be for the entire City of New York – baby bonds all over New York City. This month, kindergarten kids – every single kindergarten kid is going to get a college savings account open for them by the City of New York.

[Applause]

And we're doing that to break the pattern of the past, the injustice – the injustice that has pervaded. We are not talking about equality until we talk about creating generational wealth in this community. It's not the real thing until we do that. So, baby bonds are part of it on one level, but this extraordinary center is very much a part of it on another level, creating jobs, helping businesses thrive. And that of course brings us to CACCI. The Caribbean American Chamber of Commerce and Industry has been, for years, a trailblazer, seeing possibilities, building opportunity in powerful ways – powerful ways. And now, to have a home, a permanent home of this stature. So Cayton [inaudible] Market is going to be an amazing thing for this community on so many levels. But for CACCI and the fulfillment of its vision, this is a crowning achievement moment. Mrs. Hastick, you should be very proud. And you have kept that flame alive throughout. And I want to thank you. Let's thank the whole Hastick family for all they have done.

[Applause]

Including the blonde members of the family, okay?

[Laughter]

Yeah. She's a natural blonde, I think. It just seems like – I just assumed, just assumed.

Unknown: Naturally beautiful –

Mayor: That’s right, naturally beautiful. The Swedish wing of the family is here as well.

[Laughter]

So, this is also about the city coming back. I'll say this very simply, do you remember last year? Did any of you see those stories or did you ever confront anyone who said, oh my God, it's all over for New York City? Pandemic is like the last straw – the straw that broke the camel's back. I was pained by it, honestly. We were all going through so much last year. The last thing we needed was a bunch of naysayers telling us, you know, our best days were behind us. But they are being proven wrong every single day now. Everyone who has said it was over from New York City, they’re being proven wrong constantly. New York City is back and getting stronger, but we also have to get fairer. We have to get more inclusive. We have to make sure the wealth is shared better. That's what today's about, too. It is about recovery, by definition, because things are happening. Things are moving. But it has to be about justice. And that's what this place represents.

Roy Hastick is with us here today in spirit deeply. He would have loved this moment. I think he's watching us now from a better place. But I have never known a man who was more persistent. He had a vision, he stuck to it, and he kept building it, and he kept bringing people along, and people believed the beauty of the vision, the energy. His heart came through. I miss him. I used to always feel good. I know you do. I know you do. But I always used to feel in his presence, hope. I really did. And just the generosity of spirit.

So, we are going to remember him now as this beautiful center comes to life, as this market comes to life, as his dreams of being realized, we're going to remember him. But not just by the building, the incredible physical presence, we're also going to do something on behalf of all the people in New York City. So, Camille, come on up. I want to present a proclamation.

[Applause]

Now, you hold it. You hold it and I'm going to say this. We’ve got a plan here, Camille. Okay. This proclamation speaks to the amazing achievements that Roy made, to his extraordinary New York story. Came here, like so many other people, from scratch created something amazing, became a legend in this town. And so, what the last words say, I particularly like. It says, as Mayor of the City of New York, I do hereby proclaim Wednesday, November 17th, 2021 in the City of New York as Dr. Roy Hastick Sr. Day.

[Applause]