Gotham Gazette

The Place for New York Policy and politics

L Joy Williams

L Joy Williams

  • Max Politics Podcast: After a Disappointing Election, What's Next for New York Democrats

    A pre-election Democratic rally (photo: @nydems)


    November 17, 2022 - Max Politics Podcast: After a Disappointing Election, What's Next for New York Democrats

    L. Joy Williams, a Democratic strategist, president of the Brooklyn NAACP, and host of Sunday Civics, joined the show to break down the 2022 election results and discuss what's next for the New York State Democratic Party and Brooklyn Democratic Party, Gov. Kathy Hochul, bridging divides among Democrats' progressive and establishment wings, and more.

    Listen to the conversation and let us know what you

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  • WATCH: Experts Analyze Mayoral Primary and What Comes Next

    civic conversation july22

    Donna Jean, Ben Max, Howard Wolfson, Laura Nahmias, L. Joy Williams


    An expert panel gathered Thursday to analyze the Democratic primary for mayor and what comes next. At a free online event hosted by Citizens Union Foundation and moderated by Gotham Gazette editor Ben Max, panelists Howard Wolfson (former deputy mayor, now education lead at Bloomberg Philanthropies), Laura Nahmias (former Daily News editorial board member, now writer of Fun City on Substack), and L. Joy Williams (political strategist, analyst, and activist) shared

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  • Engaging Black Media, City Looks to Boost Government Trust, Census Responsiveness in Black Communities

    rally census partners

    (photo: Michael Appleton/Mayoral Photography Office)


    Black communities in New York have historically been more likely to be undercounted by the U.S. Census Bureau, meaning fewer federal resources and political underrepresentation for those who are often the most vulnerable members of the population and those who have often been disenfranchised and discriminated against. It’s a trend that city officials are hoping to counter in this year’s Census, with the help of nonprofit community-based organizations, and grassroots organizers. On Monday, at a

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  • For Racial Justice, Cuomo and Legislative Leaders Must Pass Marijuana Legalization

    gov amc rockland

    (photo: Governor's Office)


    We are days away from the end of the legislative session and among the many important issues Governor Cuomo and New York legislators have left to accomplish is addressing the racially-biased and unjust enforcement of marijuana prohibition in our state.

    The Marijuana Regulation & Taxation Act (MRTA), currently being considered by New York lawmakers, is one of the clearest pathways toward reducing racism in New York. In the last 20 years our beloved state has earned the dubious distinction of becoming the marijuana arrest

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  • Key to Victory, Black Voters Appear Solidly Behind Cuomo Over Nixon

    Cuomo Brooklyn church

    Gov. Cuomo at God's Battalion Church in Brooklyn (both photos via Governor's Office)


    On a recent morning at Sylvia's, the historic soul food restaurant in Harlem, caterer Lindsey Williams was weighing his upcoming vote in New York's gubernatorial primary election.

    "I listened to Cynthia Nixon, and I liked what she was saying," said Williams, the 52 year-old grandson of Sylvia's founder Sylvia Woods.

    Ultimately, however, Governor Andrew Cuomo had his vote, Williams said, citing his admiration for the governor's father, late Governor Mario Cuomo,

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