NYC Office of Equity & Racial Justice Makes Strides Towards Equity Measures

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: December 21, 2023  
CONTACT: AskPress@EquityOffice.NYC.GOV 

Newly Created Office, Voted into Existence by New Yorkers, Takes Innovative Steps Ensuring Equity Within Government and Across New York City’s Diverse Communities 

NEW YORK – Earlier this year, the Mayor's Office of Equity transformed into the Mayor's Office of Equity & Racial Justice (MOERJ), expanding its scope and responsibilities to fulfill the city's promise to New Yorkers who voted in the November 2022 election to create a fairer and more equitable New York City. With an intersectional approach, MOERJ is home to the Young Men's Initiative (YMI), Unity Project (UP), and Commission on Gender Equity (CGE), as well as multi-agency bodies, including the Pay Equity Cabinet (PEC) and Taskforce on Racial Inclusion and Equity (TRIE). Together, these bodies are closing out a strong year – investing in young people, launching new programs across diverse communities, and laying the foundation for long-term structural reforms. Today, MOERJ released a list of significant accomplishments and wins for New Yorkers over the last 12 months.  

“The NYC Mayor’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice is making transformative strides in changing government through truly innovative work that meets the people where they are,” said Deputy Mayor for Strategic Initiatives Ana J. Almanzar. “Our neighborhoods reflect the global community. I am proud to serve in an administration that embraces diversity and places equity front and center. I am forever heartened by our work to build a more inclusive city with opportunities for all. Here’s to more to come.” 

"We are thrilled to announce the accomplishments of the Mayor's Office of Equity & Racial Justice over the past year. Our team has been working tirelessly to roll out new policies, programs, and initiatives that will meaningfully impact our city's diverse communities," said Sideya Sherman, NYC Chief Equity Office and Commissioner of NYC Mayor's Office of Equity & Racial Justice. "Looking ahead, I am excited to deepen our work as we implement the historic racial justice reforms New Yorkers called for last fall. Guided by shared values, MOERJ will work across city agencies and systems to address inequity through structural reforms and measurable actions to ensure all New Yorkers can thrive. We are grateful to our many partners for their collaboration and commitment to advancing equity for our city and look forward to our shared future."   

“As we close out another year, I'm filled with hope and pride reflecting on the progress made by the NYC Young Men's Initiative. We have remained resilient in our mission to empower the next generation and persistent in our efforts,” said Acting Executive Director Nathifa Forde, NYC Young Men’s Initiative. “This past year, we took time to strengthen our impact by enhancing existing programs and developing new opportunities based on our youth's needs and feedback. From career training to driver's license assistance to new fatherhood support, we're helping pave the way for positive life outcomes. I'm also thrilled by our expanded family engagement and literacy programs. Education opens so many doors, and we're proud to support learning at every level.” 

"Over the last year, New York City has seen a determined expansion in new and existing initiatives to support the Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Transgender, Queer/Questioning, Intersex, Asexual (LGBTQIA+) community,” said Acting Executive Director Ronald Porcelli, ESQ., NYC Unity Project. “From workforce development to health equity, the city has grown the programming of the NYC Unity Project to advance equity for the city’s LGBTQIA+ community and create an environment where everyone can live, grow, thrive, and show pride."    

Highlights from this past year include: 

Advancing Structural Change 
Creation of the Mayor’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice (MOERJ): This newly expanded office is leading the implementation of the groundbreaking racial justice amendments to the New York City Charter, spearheading the first-ever citywide racial equity plan, producing the city’s first True Cost of Living measure and advancing racial equity across city government through policy and practice. Earlier this year, MOERJ convened an advisory board of racial justice and government reform experts to help guide implementation of these historic measures.  

Cannabis Equity Study: The Young Men’s Initiative (YMI) and NYC Opportunity (NYCO) led a Cannabis Equity Study in entrepreneurship and workforce, analyzing definitions and measurements of equity in the cannabis industry and through a national landscape analysis, examining promising approaches for supporting social equity. Lessons learned will inform how the city meets the diverse needs of entrepreneurs and prepares job seekers to pursue high-road career paths within the industry.   

A Brighter Future for our Youth 
Investing in Our Youth:  Over 145,000 students enrolled in the Save for College Program with assets across their NYC Scholarship Accounts for college and career training. Through this unique public-private-community partnership, every kindergarten student receives a free NYC Scholarship Account invested in a 529 plan, with an initial $100, an additional $200 in early rewards for engagement and saving, and Community Scholarships. This program, a key component of the city’s strategy to address the racial wealth and opportunity gap, is on pace to reach over 200,000 students next year. 

Reaching Young Men of Color: Over 30,500 young people were served through YMI programs, ranging from career training to mentoring, to academic tutoring and education support. YMI works across six target neighborhoods with deep disparities experienced by young men of color, designing unique programs with agency partners that break down barriers and create real pathways to opportunity. 

Launched the Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) Pride Initiative: Announced SYEP Pride in collaboration with the Department of Youth & Community Development (DYCD), to empower our LGBTQIA+ youth, through experiential learning and career exposure. SYEP Pride provided LGBTQIA+ youth with access to professional networking opportunities, supportive programs, and resources to navigate the workplace as a LGBTQIA+ professional.  

Supportive Networks for LGBTQIA+ Families:  Launched as a first-of-its-kind initiative, the Unity Project Family Acceptance Program combats familial rejection experienced by the LGBTQIA+ community. In partnership with the NYC Department of Health & Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), the initiative promotes community health and well-being through supportive programs, encouraging family members to embrace LGBTQIA+ youth. 

License to Careers (L2C): Launched L2C to provide young people with free driver's education classes and assistance navigating the licensing process. A driver's license should never be a barrier to employment. This innovative program supports young job seekers in obtaining permits through classroom preparation, beginning behind-the-wheel road training, and scheduling and participating in all DMV tests, including road testing.    

Preparing our Healthcare Workforce: Over 880 individuals were served through the City University of New York (CUNY) Healthcare Career Credentials (HC2) Program, funded by YMI. This career track program supports eligible students to complete a health-related certificate program at CUNY or selected partners in high-need workforce roles such as phlebotomist, nursing assistant, or doula, with facilitated access to paid internships and employment opportunities for these newly acquired qualifications.  

Supporting Early Literacy: Through Sound Partners launched a new targeted and systematic, phonics-based tutoring program that provides instruction in early reading skills targeting students between kindergarten and the third grade. A collaboration between YMI, NYCO, New York City Public Schools (NYCPS), and Literacy Trust, Sound Partners operates in 37 schools across the city, with a focus on the Bronx and English language learners. 

Advance & Earn: Provided education and employment services to youth — ages 16–24 who are not currently working or attending school. Advance & Earn supports participants’ personalized career pathways through literacy instruction, HSE test preparation, employer-recognized training, credentials and certifications, and paid internships. In 2023, this program was expanded through the Gun Violence Prevention Taskforce.  

Juvenile Detention Tutoring: Reached over 523 youth through over 8,800 tutoring sessions, providing targeted academic support and assistance to struggling students. This innovative partnership between YMI, the Administration for Children’s Services (ACS), and NYCPS is helping youth in the juvenile justice system meet their goal of school credit recovery, high school graduation, high school equivalency, and transition from middle school to high school.    

Engaging Diverse Communities 
Placing Focus on the Bronx: Launched a new Bronx planning effort convening a diverse cross-section of Bronx stakeholders to develop ideas and strategies for alleviating disparities across the borough. With workshops underway, Bronx residents and stakeholders are planning for the future alongside a variety of city agency representatives. MOERJ and the TRIE will issue a delivery plan outlining goals and strategies later next year.  

Building the Capacity of Transgender, Gender Non-Conforming, Non-Binary (TGNCNB) Organizations: In partnership with 15 esteemed, community-based organizations focusing on the TGNCNB community, Unity Project and MOERJ announced the NYC Unity Grants. The groundbreaking initiative was the first-ever NYC capacity-building grant program investing in TGNCNB-serving organizations and spurred a range of new projects and organizational capacities. 
 
LGBTQIA+ Bill of Rights: Funded evaluation of  the LGBTQIA+ Healthcare Bill of Rights, in partnership with DOHMH, seeking community feedback to ensure it appropriately informs LGBTQIA+ community members of their legal rights in healthcare settings and empowers New Yorkers to advocate for themselves.  

Trauma-Informed Healing Initiatives: New community-led, healing initiatives for TGNCNB and LGBTQIA+ community to support those disproportionately impacted and suffering due to religious hate and discrimination. The work aims to build the capacity across a number of providers with the ability to address clients’ past trauma and create healing, curriculums, best practices, and therapeutic spaces for fellowship were developed.  

Combatting Street Harassment Co-led by CGE, the Street Harassment Prevention Advisory Board (SHPAB) was created to identify the prevalence of street harassment in New York City, strengthen the city's response to street harassment, and enhance resources for New Yorkers. To reach New Yorkers, the Board published an End Street Harassment: A New York City Resource Guide and activated a community outreach survey encouraging New Yorkers to share their experiences with street harassment.  

Kicked Off the Annual '16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence' Campaign: Launched the annual, global “16 Days of Activism Against Gender-Based Violence” campaign to call for an end to gender-based violence. The campaign encouraged New Yorkers to take action, spread awareness of this issue and connected communities with critical resources and information.  
 
About the Mayor’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice 
The NYC Mayor's Office of Equity and Racial Justice (MOERJ) is the city's first centralized equity office. MOERJ advances equity through policy, programs, practice, and structural reforms. This new office builds on the city’s extensive equity efforts, fulfilling the promise made in November 2022, when New York City residents voted in favor of a dedicated racial equity office. MOERJ will continue the innovative work of the Mayor’s Office of Equity while leading the city’s racial equity planning process and other new racial equity measures. This newly enshrined office includes the NYC Commission on Gender Equity (CGE), the NYC Unity Project (UP), and the NYC Young Men's Initiative (YMI), as well as multi-agency bodies, including the NYC Pay Equity Cabinet (PEC) and the NYC Taskforce on Racial Inclusion & Equity (TRIE). Together, this body of offices and commissions place equity and racial justice at the heart of city government. 

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