NYC Commission on Human Rights holds forum to build coalition among city’s Black & African communities on Sept. 18

On Tuesday, September 18 at 5:30 p.m (EDT), the NYC Commission on Human Rights will hold a forum to build coalition among and within the City’s diverse African immigrant, African American, Afro-Caribbean, and Afro-Latinx communities and other self-identified Black communities and inform them of their rights against discrimination and harassment.

The forum is the Commission’s latest effort to empower and strengthen vulnerable communities facing similar obstacles whilst also educating them about their rights under the law and providing them with city resources available to them.

The event will include a networking session, panel discussion (with speakers), and breakout sessions for community members to discuss issues impacting communities including housing, immigration, criminal justice, education, economy, health, and possible ways that city government, advocates, and communities can address those issues. Commission attorneys will also be on site to take in complaints of discrimination and harassment.

“At a time when xenophobia and anti-immigrant rhetoric is at a high, it’s more important than ever for vulnerable communities across New York City to stand together and understand that no matter where they come from or what language they speak, they have rights in this City and resources to help them succeed,” said Lead Advisor for African Communities at the NYC Commission on Human Rights, Christelle Onwu. “This forum is one of many that the Commission and its partners are hosting to further engage the City’s diverse communities to not only make them aware of their rights and the city as a resource, but to build and strengthen community with each other so that their neighbours and community members who may be experiencing similar challenges can support and help each other.”

The Commission will invite prominent New Yorkers of African, Afro-Caribbean, and African American heritage to speak about the intersections of their identities and the importance of building allies through the human rights lens.

Featured speakers for the evening are;

• Sandra Appiah; CEO of Face2face Africa
• Joseph Garba; Secretary for Intergovernmental Affairs, NYS Office of Speaker Carl Heastie
• Paula T. Edgar, Esq.; Partner, Inclusion Strategy Solutions, LLC and Immediate Past President, Metropolitan Black Bar Association
• Brittny Saunders-Jade; Deputy Commissioner for Strategic Initiatives, NYC Commission on Human Rights
• Patrick Jenkins; Founder of Patrick B. Jenkins & Associates

The forum, which is set to take place at 1 Centre St, New York, NY 10007-1610 is co-sponsored by Face2Face Africa; Carl Heastie, Speaker NYS Assembly; Gale Brewer, Manhattan Borough President; New York Immigration Coalition and The Mayor’s Office for Immigrant Affairs.

Click here to register or feel free to also contact Christelle Onwu, African Communities Lead Advisor at conwu@cchr.nyc.gov or via phone number at 646 988 2602 to RSVP.