While New York City’s in the red, one lawmaker is seeing black.
Bronx City Councilman Kevin Riley has introduced a bill to create the “office of black male excellence.”
“We are dedicated to addressing systematic inequalities and create pathways for opportunities for more black and brown men in New York City,” Riley said when introducing the legislation earlier this month.
“An office of black male excellence liaisoning [sic] with our city agencies will ensure that the intersectional needs of this group are considered in policymaking and essential program implementation,” he added.
Fellow Councilmen Yusef Salaam (D-Manhattan) Chi A. Ossé (D-Brooklyn) and Chris Banks (D-Brooklyn) — a trio of lawmakers he affectionately labeled “the hood caucus” — co-sponsored the bill.
If enacted, the mayor would appoint a “director of black male excellence.”
The office would provide recommendations to the mayor, Council and city agencies on issues related to the education of black men; criminal justice; health; mental health; economic opportunity; employment; fatherhood; mentorship; violence; public safety; and quality of life and other issues, according to the legislation.
The office would also submit a yearly report summarizing their work to the mayor and Council speaker.
Riley did not respond to questions from The Post about the pricetag of the proposed office and its director. A similar program in Boston runs more than $1.3 million per year, records show.
“I can’t think of anything more insulting than telling a group of men they need the government’s help to be excellent. Excellence speaks for itself, it’s not something produced by a city program,” said Councilwoman Vickie Paladino (R-Queens).
“And like all progressive programs, once you get past the PR spin and Utopian language, it just ends up being yet another money pit that launders taxpayer cash into activist nonprofits and produces zero value to anyone,” she continued.
“Perhaps my colleagues are nervous because they see black men turning away from the Democrat party in record numbers, and need an empty gesture to try and make it seem like they care?”
A spokesman for Mayor Adams said his office was “still reviewing this bill and what potential financial impacts it may have.”
