Mayors of America’s Largest Cities, including Los Angeles and New York City, Discuss Issues Facing Communities at Essence Cultural Festival
The Essence Festival of Culture in New Orleans concludes after four days of music, fashion, food and fun.
The event also provided an opportunity for mayors from the nation’s largest cities to come together to discuss the biggest issues facing our communities today.
“We now have people in charge. We need to make their responsibilities work for us,” said Reverend Al Sharpton of the National Action Network.
Five of the nation’s mayors gathered for a discussion at the World Black Economic Forum, held at the Essence Festival, to share their thoughts.
The leaders noted some of the biggest problems facing our cities, but said the homeless and asylum seeker crisis threatened to undermine our progress.
“All mayors must have clear city plans on how to ensure that the resources that flow into each state get to their cities. should speak up,” said New York City Mayor Eric Adams.
“I am very worried that we will repeat what happened in the 90s, which is black people being criminalized. In the 90s, black people were criminalized because of crack. But what worries me now is that people will be criminalized just because they’re living on “the streets,” said Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass.
Economic empowerment and supporting black businesses were also the themes of the day. We met a couple who started their own cookie company and received support from ESPN’s new initiative, Champion Black Businesses.
The Cookie Association’s Jeff Allen and Marissa Allen stood out as champions of black business. The couple spoke of the shock of the moment.
“Oh my God, it was so big,” said Marissa Allen. “Our business is still in its early stages and we were very fortunate to be able to apply a lot of the knowledge we learned in the programme.”
“I think one of the biggest things for small business owners, especially black ones, is fundraising. Less than one percent, and Disney stepped in.” And gave us a $10,000 grant,” Jeff Allen said.
Meanwhile, thousands of people from near and far gather again to make their case and become a beloved fellowship.
The planning for next year has begun and Essencefest was another successful year.
New Orleans resident Jasmine Simmons Edmund said, “New Orleans is a place to party, but when people leave, I want them to remember all the work that still needs to be done in this community.”
“Locals flock to you guys just like us, and while you guys are having a good time…remember reciprocity and remember us when you leave.”
Watch the video above for the full story.
https://abc7ny.com/13454528/ Mayors of America’s Largest Cities, including Los Angeles and New York City, Discuss Issues Facing Communities at Essence Cultural Festival