"Ideas for Creating a Stronger and More Equitable Bronx"
A Center for an Urban Future Policy Symposium

Thursday, February 6, 2025 
8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. 
Repertory Theater, Hostos Community College
450 Grand Concourse (at 149th St)

To attend in-person, RSVP via this link.
To watch the livestream, RSVP via this link.  

It will be nearly impossible to create a more equitable economy in New York without putting the Bronx at the forefront. The Bronx has so much going for it today, and the borough is overflowing with opportunity. But far too many Bronxites still face grave affordability challenges, gaps in access to health care and open space, and steep barriers to obtaining the well-paying jobs that are growing in today’s economy. Addressing the borough’s biggest challenges, taking advantage of its many opportunities, and laying the foundation for a stronger and more equitable Bronx will require bold action and fresh ideas.  

This unique half-day symposium aims to bring leaders together from across the Bronx to generate those ideas—concrete policy solutions that leaders in City Hall, Albany, and Borough Hall can implement to make progress toward a stronger and more equitable borough. It will include nearly a dozen three-minute idea pitches from leaders across the borough, a fireside chat with Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson, two high-level panel discussions, and a session where members of the audience will share their own ideas for the borough’s future. The event builds on our February 2024 report, 50 Ideas for a Stronger and More Equitable Bronx, which featured ideas for the borough’s future from a diverse mix of 50 exceptional leaders from across the Bronx.

Confirmed speakers include:​

• Bronx Borough President Vanessa Gibson
• State Senator Jamaal Bailey
• Assemblymember Karines Reyes
• Assemblymember Amanda Septimo
• Assemblymember Emérita Torres
• Rocky Bucano, Founder and Executive Director, The Hip Hop Museum
• Ebony Cannon, Community School Director, Graham Windham
• Yasmin Cruz, Executive Director, Westchester Square Business Improvement District
• Mychal Johnson, Founding Member and Advisory Board Member, South Bronx Unite 
• Sarah Johnson, CEO, Teaching Lab
• Kerry A. McLean, Vice President of Community Development, WHEDco
• Jerelyn Rodriguez, Co-Founder and CEO, The Knowledge House
• Debbie Roman, New York Managing Director, Per Scholas
• Lisa Sorin, President, The New Bronx Chamber of Commerce
• Anderson Torres, President and CEO, R.A.I.N. Total Care
• Eileen Torres, CEO, BronxWorks

Details
Thursday, February 6, 2025
8:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. (doors open at 8; program begins at 8:45)
@ Repertory Theater, Hostos Community College
450 Grand Concourse (at 149th St)

To attend in-person, please RSVP via this link. 

To watch the livestream, please RSVP via this link. 

We are committed to providing access and reasonable accommodations in our programs. For questions or requests regarding access and accommodation, please contact Stephanie Arevalo at [email protected] at least 72 hours in advance of the program.

This event is in partnership with The Bronx Community Foundation and is made possible through generous support from Verizon. We are also grateful for general support from The Clark Foundation, The Altman Foundation, and ongoing support from a number of other philanthropic funders.