A new year at the Civic Engagement Commission!
Happy New Year! As we step into 2026, we are looking ahead with optimism and appreciation for the communities, partners, and New Yorkers who make our work possible. The year ahead brings new opportunities to strengthen civic participation, expand inclusivity in the democratic process, and deepen connections between New Yorkers and local government. We're excited to continue this work together in the year to come!
What's next in The People's Money: Borough Assemblies begin this month!
We're excited to share that The People's Money is entering its second phase, Borough Assemblies, where New Yorkers come together to review, evaluate, and select the ideas that will end up on each borough's ballot this spring!
Each borough will convene a Borough Assembly made up of residents selected through a random process designed to reflect the diversity of the borough. Assembly Members will meet over four sessions throughout the winter to learn about deliberative democracy, discuss their communities' needs, and ultimately decide which ideas will appear on the final ballots.
See a breakdown of what each session will focus on below, and learn more about the process at participate.nyc.gov!
Apply to serve on your community board!Community boards play a vital role in shaping local neighborhoods and giving residents a voice in city decision-making. Working with city agencies, elected officials, and local leaders, community boards ensure neighborhood perspectives are reflected in decisions on issues from essential services like sanitation to public transit to the city budget and more.
Several Borough Presidents are now accepting applications from civic-minded New Yorkers interested in serving on their local community boards — click the links below to apply!
Applications for Manhattan and the Bronx will open soon, so keep an eye out!
Meet our Implementation Partners for Cycle 3 of The People's Money!
We are thrilled to introduce the community-based organizations selected to serve as Implementation Partners for Cycle 3 of The People's Money. After reviewing applications from organizations across New York City, the CEC has selected 20 partners to bring the winning ideas — voted on by New Yorkers in Spring 2025 — to life.
These organizations will begin preparing their projects this year, with Implementation launching in early 2026. Throughout the process, the CEC will work closely with partners to provide support, oversight, and capacity-building resources to ensure projects are carried out successfully and reflect the priorities of the communities they serve.
View all winning projects and Implementation Partners here!
Civic Leader Spotlight: Husein Yatabarry of the Muslim Community Network
In honor of January being Muslim American Heritage Month, we are spotlighting Husein Yatabarry, the Executive Director of the Muslim Community Network (MCN). The first Black American and youngest person to serve in the role, Yatabarry leads citywide efforts to advance equity, civic engagement, and community safety across New York City's Muslim and immigrant communities.
Born and raised in the Bronx as the first American-born child of Gambian Muslim immigrants, Yatabarry brings a leadership approach shaped by lived experience and a strong commitment to belonging and representation.
Before joining MCN, Yatabarry spent seven years in education, including leadership roles in NYC public charter schools, where he championed culturally responsive, student-centered learning. During the COVID-19 pandemic, he also co-founded and led Neighborhood United, growing it from a grassroots initiative into a thriving nonprofit supporting youth through art, coding, and sports in the South Bronx.
At MCN, Yatabarry has expanded advocacy on hate crime prevention, immigrant rights, and civic participation while strengthening partnerships with government agencies and faith-based organizations. His leadership has earned recognition from the New York City Council and the Bronx Borough President's Office, as well as honors from Amsterdam News and Brooklyn Org for his impact on community leadership.
Yatabarry's journey — from the Bronx to citywide leadership — reflects the enduring power of civic engagement, community care, and Muslim American leadership in New York City. |
