HARLEM, Manhattan (WABC) — As Zohran Mamdani begins his shift from mayor-elect to mayor, New York City’s Black community weighed in on the transition during the Democratic socialist’s visit to Harlem on Wednesday.
Mamdani attended the ribbon cutting for the new multi-million-dollar headquarters of the National Urban League, his first visit to Harlem since he won City Hall.
“As we cut the ribbon on this new headquarters, we are taking a step in the direction of freedom and empowerment for so many in this city,” he said.
Mamdani received a warm reception from an audience that included most of New York’s prominent Black leaders, many of whom were instrumental in his victory. Among them was the Rev. Al Sharpton.
“I’m pleased so far, but we still have a long way to go,” Sharpton said. “I think that we’re looking for diversity and I think that the mayor-elect has reached out and he’s getting the right counsel, so far. But the proof is in the pudding before I cut a slice.”
Mamdani won the city’s predominately Black neighborhoods with over 60% of the vote. Last week, he appointed an all-female transition team and on Monday, his first deputy mayor and his chief of staff.
Mayor Eric Adams told an online talk show on Wednesday, that he made diversity a priority.
“The first Dominican to be deputy mayor, the first Filipino to be deputy mayor, the first East Indian to be deputy mayor, the first Trinidadian to be deputy mayor, the first woman to be a police commissioner. I mean, in all of these ways I showed that I was going to be mayor for the entire city,” he said.
Several Black leaders that Eyewitness News spoke with said they’re willing to be patient and to take the mayor-elect at his word.
“I do like that he seems to be bringing people in who have experience doing this,” said Public Advocate Jumaane Williams.
“I’m anxious to see what will come,” said Senator Cordell Cleare. “I think everybody is and I think it’s really early, but today’s appearance is a step in the right direction.”
Mamdani has said that the transition is a work in-progress, and that he’s committed to diversity and excellence.
His website has already fielded 50,000 resumes.
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