Council Member Stevens speaks on Resolutions 606 and 607

Councilmember Stevens.

Good afternoon.

Thank you, Speaker Manor and Deputy Speaker Williams, the chair of the Culture Committee, and all my colleagues for supporting and recognizing these two resolutions.

It is about honoring our history, culture, and the people who have helped shape New York City.

First, I'm proud to speak in support of Resolution 606, declaring August as Black Pride Month in New York City.

This history continues to have a strong Bronx connection.

Lee Sargent and a Bronx native later founded the NYC Center for Brock Pride, which was continued organizing Black Pride celebrations.

We're recognizing a movement in our community that has

has helped expand what inclusion, visibility, and belonging looks like.

This year we had a Black Pride celebration in the Bronx, our inaugural Black Pride celebration.

This was a powerful reminder that the borough is not only a place, is a part of this history, but continues to shape it.

I would like to give a special shout out to my staff, Grim Mayhew and Michael Ivory from the Borough President's Office and Destination Tomorrow, who worked really hard to make sure that this resolution came to fruition.

I'm also in support of Resolution 607 declaring September African Heritage Month.

I also want to give a special shout out to the Bronx Borough President African Advisory Council who helped advance this legislation.

Thank you.