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What’s New in NYC Civic Tech – April 03, 2025

Gabby Langston

Neighbors,

Let me share some exciting news about last Saturday’s NYC School of Data! For the first time, we reached full capacity with 662 registrants. Throughout the day, 564 attendees filled the halls of CUNY School of Law, enjoying a beautiful, sunny gathering focused on connection, learning, innovation, and collaboration. Thanks to the hard work of 65 dedicated volunteers, the event ran smoothly, ensuring a fantastic experience across 37 engaging sessions.

In the NYC School of Data opening, Jazzy Smith, our Chief of Staff, said, “Every choice we make furthers the universe in a direction…we shepherd the future through care, acknowledgement, and responsibility.” This was further echoed in my morning keynote that small things matter. They matter in our data sets, in our families, in our relationships, and in our communities.

Neighbors, this week is a tough one to see how one person, one action, can make a difference. Yet, we actually have evidence of the opposite. This week, Senator Cory Booker took to the Senate floor and spoke for 25 hours. Besides asking for forgiveness for his political sins (which only deeds will do), he invoked the deeds of the late Representative John Lewis, and reminded us that despite our country’s racist origins and its elected officials, the people are more powerful than influential people.

YES, we are!

First, I want to profile Jeffery Kassel, my uncle, who has served over 52,000 meals at SAGE’s Edie Windsor center since 2012. Jeffery and his late husband, Antonio Hidalgo, and my father’s brother, dedicated their lives to community, education, art, and SAGE. As a couple, they ensured our LGBTQ+ elders would have a sympathetic shoulder and a friendly face to dine with. The simple act of breaking bread was their way of caring for their community. Volunteering at SAGE is a wonderful way to continue their legacy of care and connection.

No app or AI can feed or house our neighbors. Now is the time to support your local food bank or senior center. Beth Shapiro has an excellent opinion piece in City Limits on this issue, and Gothamist’s Karen Yi outlines how cuts to federal food assistance would crush 1.8 MILLION New Yorkers. A 2023 report from Citymeals on Wheels and CUNY Urban Food continues to haunt the economic crisis we are facing.

  • The number of older adults living in poverty in New York City rose by over 33 percent in the past 10 years
  • 60 percent of older New Yorkers relying on home-delivered meal programs experienced food insecurity in the past year, with 65 percent living on less than $15,000 annually
  • 87 percent of meal recipients report that these services help them remain in their own homes

This June and November, we must ensure that we elect leaders who will focus on the problems we’re facing, NOT creating new ones.

Antonio on the left, Jeffery on the right at NYC PRIDE.

I hope you all recognize that a simple, dedicated act can make a significant impact. This is the type of stuff that is written about in religious texts, yet fundamentalists seem to forget how it needs to be applied to EVERYONE, not just people of their same skin color or religion. Now, more than ever, we must protect, teach, feed, house, and care for our neighbors.

So, how do we do that?

Back at School of Data, NYC’s Chief Analytics Officer, Martha Norrick, reminded us that everything we see in data is a reflection of a human putting that into a row of data. More importantly, NYC’s open data thrives because we are a dedicated, intersectional community seeking to use our intellect to improve policy, systems, and operations. Right now, those skills are more valuable than ever. Not only in state and local government, but across our civil society.

Senator Kristen Gonzalez told us about her childhood and the hard work she and her mother put into achieving the American dream. As a child, she traversed the City and saw the income inequality between her home and school. This “radicalized” her to volunteer in the Young Women’s Initiative and intern at the White House. Time and time again, she didn’t see herself reflected in positions of power, and Senator Gonzalez reminded us that if we don’t see ourselves in the places we need to be, we better do something about it! Lastly, she called out that the State and City are the firewall against authoritarianism. New York State has 7,000 job openings, highlighting opportunities for those looking to make a difference!

In my closing remarks, I spoke bluntly. I reminded the community of how our work and values emerge from the Universal Declaration of Human Rights’ Article 19 and how we must channel the power of the universe that resides in us all. For BetaNYC, Open Data Week and School of Data celebrate our Four Freedoms for the 21st Century and the people that make democracy happen. We must respect each other while never letting fascism win. We must do everything that we can to protect our neighbors while building the world we want to see.

If we believe in human rights, we believe in a fundamental right to information, especially to hold our governments accountable. To that end, democracy demands data.

Which brings me to my closing point. Over the next ten weeks, you have a unique opportunity to impact what experts say will likely be another low turnout NYC primary. Over the last 10 weeks, we’ve seen how our immigrant and green card neighbors no longer have First Amendment protections. Since the courts won’t administer justice, the responsibility falls to us.

In June, registered party members will have a chance to select a Mayor, Comptroller, Borough President, and City Council. Between now and then, it is your responsibility to learn and talk to your neighbors and friends. Get them to vote or volunteer. If you know someone who isn’t registered in New York City, they have until June 14, 2025, to register for the June 24, 2025, Primary Election.

THE CITY has a great write-up on everything you need to know.

Neighbors, all it takes is one meaningful conversation. One person registered. One vote to make a difference.

Yes, we can make a difference. Yes, we still have agency. Yes, we can fight for our future. This is about centering love over hate. Intelligence over feuds and feudalism. Fighting for our liberties, our freedoms, our city, our neighbors, our ability to work, our saftey, and our lives.

When the long summer days look dark, I have a little prayer for all of you.

My knowledge is power.

I will learn from neighbors and build our power.

Unity is our strength.

There will be no kings, no masters, and no slaves.

Together, we will liberate.

Our love is freedom.

So say we all.

Today, we will take care of each other. Tomorrow, we will take care of each other in the streets, and GET OUT THE VOTE!

Believe this. Fascism will never win. Not then, not now. Never again! Pa’lante!

— Noel Hidalgo

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