New York State Unity Summit

New York State Unity Summit

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Overview

Governor Hochul announced the inaugural Unity Summit will be held on May 10, 2023 to bring together community and government partners to stand against hate, violent extremism and discrimination.

The summit is presented jointly by the New York State Division of Human Rights, Division of Criminal Justice Services, and Division of Homeland Security and Emergency Services.

State, local, and federal partners, community-based and faith leaders, and advocates will convene at the summit to share policies, programs, and practices to build safer and stronger communities where hate has no place.

Participants will also present on their extensive efforts to address hate-motivated crimes, prevent the spread of violent extremism, and promote unity and reconciliation.

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Agenda

9:00 AM - 10:00 AM — Attendee Sign-In and Light Breakfast

10:00 AM — Opening: Welcoming Remarks and Invocation

  • John Jay College President Karol Mason
  • Invocation by Faith Leaders:
    • Imam Safraz Bacchus, Masjid Al Abidin, Queens
    • Rabbi Diana Fersko, Village Temple, Manhattan
    • M. R. Ravi Vaidyanaat Sivachariar, Hindu Temple Society of North America
    • Rev. Dr. A.R. Bernard, Christian Cultural Center of Brooklyn
  • Governor Kathy Hochul

11:00 AM — Panel: The State of Hate in New York

State agencies will discuss the primary trends and issues involving hate and discrimination that each agency is experiencing and how those are impacting communities around the state. Agencies will also highlight programs and initiatives to respond to and prevent hate and bias, and provide information about how New Yorkers can utilize these resources and get involved to prevent and respond to hate in their communities.

  • Moderator: Johnathan Smith, Deputy Assistant Attorney General, Civil Rights Division, U.S. DOJ
    • DCJS Commissioner Rossana Rosado
    • DHR Commissioner Maria L. Imperial
    • DHSES Commissioner Jackie Bray
    • State Police Chief of Staff Lt. Col. R. Christopher West
    • Office of Victim Services Director Elizabeth Cronin

12:00 PM — Lunch and Networking

Lunch will be provided.

1:15 PM — Keynote Address

Loretta E. Lynch
Former U.S. Attorney General
Partner - Paul, Weiss

1:45 PM — Panel: Working Together to Address and Prevent Hate in Our Communities

Speakers representing a variety of communities impacted by hate and bias around the state will discuss the impact of these incidents, trends each community is witnessing, and actions that can be taken to respond.

  • Moderator: Brittny-Jade Saunders, Principal, Three Views Strategies
    • Rabbi Moshe Hauer, Executive Vice President, Orthodox Union
    • Eugena Oh, Regional Director, Greater NYC Area, The Asian American Foundation
    • Dr. Debbie Almontaser, CEO & Founder, Bridging Cultures Group
    • Nikki Singh, Senior Manager of Policy & Advocacy, Sikh Coalition
    • Audacia Ray, Director of Community Organizing and Public Advocacy, NYC Anti-Violence Project
    • Frankie Miranda, President, Hispanic Federation
    • Rev. Mark Blue, President, NAACP Buffalo; Pastor, Second Baptist Church

3:00 PM — Panel: How Are Federal, State, and Local Stakeholders Addressing Hate?

Federal, state, and local partners will discuss models and practices being developed and implemented to address hate and domestic extremism, including a discussion of restorative justice approaches.

  • Moderator: Kenneth Stern, Director, Bard Center for the Study of Hate
    • Jamey Barcomb, Regional Prevention Coordinator, US Department of Homeland Security, Center for Prevention Programs and Partnerships
    • Matthew Lattimer, Community Relations Specialists, US Department of Justice, Community Relations Service
    • Linda Ortiz, Community Relations Specialists, US Department of Justice, Community Relations Service
    • Joan Pangilinan-Taylor, Senior Director, New York State Division of Human Rights, Hate & Bias Prevention Unit
    • Hassan Naveed, Executive Director, New York City Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes
    • Todd Baxter, Monroe County Sheriff and Member of Rochester Threat Advisory Committee
    • Rick Sawyer, Special Counsel for Hate Crimes, New York State Attorney General’s Office

4:00 PM - 4:30 PM — Closing: Promoting Unity, Reconciliation and Resiliency    

Lt. Governor Antonio Delgado will deliver closing remarks as we look toward the future of our continued efforts to prevent and respond to hate and bias in New York State.

  • Kayden Hern, Poet Laureate of the 2023 Inaugural Ceremonies
  • Lt. Governor Antonio Delgado
  • Musical performance by Sing Harlem Repertoire
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