NYC Mayor’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice Reflects Back on Equity In A Changing City  

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE: Tuesday, December 17, 2025 
Contact: AskPress@EquityOffice.NYC.GOV

The City’s Centralized Equity Office Reaffirms its Commitment to Progress Amid A Defining Year  

NEW YORK – 2025 has proved to be a defining year for our city, our country, and the world. One where the promise of equity has been both tested and renewed. Once championed through protest and collective action, equity now stands as an anchoring to the city’s continued vision of progress rooted in empathy, reflection, and shared humanity.

The NYC Mayor’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice (MOERJ) remains steadfast in advancing this promise. Just a few years after its formal establishment, the office continues to center racial equity in city government and drive lasting, systemic change. Through its initiatives including the NYC Young Men’s Initiative (YMI), NYC Her Future (NHF), the Unity Project (UP), and the NYC Commission on Gender Equity (CGE) and its multi-agency bodies, the NYC Pay Equity Cabinet (PEC) and the NYC Taskforce on Racial Inclusion and Equity (TRIE), MOERJ is deepening its work to ensure every New Yorker can live and thrive with dignity.

“The Mayor’s Office of Equity and Racial Justice has made significant strides over the past year in engaging diverse communities and breaking down long-standing barriers,” said NYC Chief Equity Officer and NYC Mayor’s Office of Equity and Racial Justice Commissioner Sideya Sherman. “We’re deeply grateful for our city and community partners’ ongoing collaboration in continuing to build programs and advocate for policies that advance equity. We are committed to ensuring that every New Yorker has the opportunity to thrive and look forward to continued progress in the year to come.”

“Steadfast in its mission, the NYC Unity Project has built coalitions, coordinated across city agencies, and partnered with public and private stakeholders to expand services for the LGBTQ+ community,” said Ronald Porcelli, Director, NYC Unity Project. “Through both challenge and opportunity, this year has laid the foundation to strengthen city infrastructure in support of LGBTQ+ New Yorkers, while honoring the courage and diversity of a community that continues to embody the bold, boundless spirit of humanity.”

As we move into the coming year, NYC Her Future remains committed to building upon the programs we have established while intentionally expanding and strengthening initiatives for young people across our four core domains: education, culture, workforce development, and health,” NYC Her Future Founding Executive Director Nathifa Forde. “Guided by community, informed by lived experience, and driven by equity, we will continue to create pathways that support young women at every stage of their journey ensuring they not only access opportunities, but are fully supported to thrive within it. 

"Creating meaningful change in gender equity requires strong policies and concrete actions that impact the city’s workforce and people’s lives every day. At CGE, we are advancing pay equity through the city’s first-ever study and creating a guide to support access in nontraditional careers for women and transgender New Yorkers, and strengthening health, safety, and reproductive justice programs,” said Executive Director of the NYC Commission on Gender Equity Priya Nair. “By engaging thousands through public events, resource fairs, and workshops, we are working hand in hand with New Yorkers to build a more inclusive and equitable city where everyone can thrive with dignity."

Today, MOERJ is proud to release key accomplishments and milestones reached over the past year, further demonstrating progress in addressing disparities, improving government accountability, and enhancing the quality of life for all New Yorkers. Highlights include:

Investing and Empowering Youth

Since its expansion from a pilot to a citywide program in 2022, more than 280,000 students across over 1,000 schools have accumulated more than $50 million in assets for college and career through the NYC Kids Rise Save for College program. This public-private-community partnership is the largest universal college and career savings program in the country; MOERJ is the city administrator for this multi-agency effort aimed at addressing the wealth and opportunity gap. Every kindergarten student in a public school or participating charter school receives a college savings account funded with an initial $100 deposit, along with additional rewards that grow through participation, family contributions, and community scholarships. Funds are invested in a New York State 529 plan, ensuring every participating child has an asset to apply toward college or career pathways.

Since launching in 2024, NYC Her Future (NHF), a new MOERJ office focused on addressing disparities experienced by young women and girls, has rolled out new, innovative programming, including NHF’s Future Force program, developed with the NYC Administration for Children’s Services (ACS). Now in its second year, this program continues to offer professional coaching, vocational training, career exploration, and creative programming such as podcasting, reaching approximately 30 participants annually, helping them develop marketable skills, build confidence, and pursue higher education and meaningful employment. NHF has also continued its Girls Rule the Law program, in partnership with the NYC Department of Youth and Community Development (DYCD). This initiative introduces participants ages 11 to 18 to the legal field and the broader justice system through workshops, mentorship, and a multi-round mock trial competition. Participants gained hands-on experience, public-speaking skills, and college readiness support.

NHF expanded civic engagement and leadership development through its support of the Dr. Una S. T. Clarke Women in Government Lecture Series, which educates CUNY students about the influence and impact of women in public service. Through participation in the 2025 New York State Association of Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic, and Asian Legislators Legislative Conference and other experiential opportunities, young women gained practical insight and pathways into public service careers.

Under the Adams administration, the NYC Young Men’s Initiative (YMI) continued a nearly $30 million investment in programs and services addressing disparities experienced by young men of color. In the realm of education, Literacy Leaders provided individualized literacy interventions for students in grades K through 4 who were six months to two years behind in reading level. By March 2025, 91 percent of participating students demonstrated mastery of foundational literacy skills at their grade level. YMI also expanded funding for the CUNY Black Male Initiative to support staff capacity and ensure continuity of student engagement throughout the summer months.

YMI increased its focus on justice-impacted youth, restarting its Rap Sheet Clean-Up program with the Department of Probation (DOP) and Community Service Society to help individuals review their records, correct errors, and understand their legal rights regarding employment and housing. In partnership with ACS, YMI has embedded tutoring services in the city’s Bronx and Brooklyn juvenile detention centers, supporting a range of educational needs from GED preparation to support preparing for a traditional high school Regents diploma. YMI has also continued its long-standing creative partnership with the Civilian Complaint Review Board (CCRB), supporting “Know Your Rights” education across diverse communities.

Now in its third year, the Unity Project’s Summer Youth Employment Program (SYEP) Pride partnership with DYCD provided LGBTQ+ youth with cultural competency training and workforce development experiences. This year, the program introduced a Participant Toolkit and Orientation Series to prepare youth for professional environments. Through partnerships with companies including Google, Hermes, ABC7, Disney, and Republic Records, young people received affirming workplace experiences and exposure to career pathways.

CGE launched the city’s first Know Your Period: NYC Student Guide in partnership with New York City Public Schools (NYCPS). Available in ten languages, the guide answers questions about puberty and menstruation and reminds students that free period products are available in designated restrooms. NHF and CGE further expanded this work by launching a 2025 Period Campaign to raise awareness and support menstrual equity across the city.

Supporting Thriving, Inclusive Communities

Continuing investments in community building has remained a priority for MOERJ through TRIE post-pandemic. In collaboration with the Civic Engagement Commission (CEC), MOERJ has invested over $6.4 million in the TRIE Neighborhood Initiative (TNI) to create and support collaborative community-based coalitions across each of the 33 communities designated using health and socioeconomic disparity data. TRIE Neighborhood Coalitions – led by anchor organizations in each neighborhood – build community and connect residents to resources, increase local civic infrastructure, conduct community needs assessments, respond to local needs, as well as increase capacity and community reach to ensure underrepresented communities have a voice in decision making and civic engagement. TNI has expanded participation of underrepresented communities in Participatory Budgeting through idea generation, with over 500 Participatory Budgeting Idea Generation sessions held, engaging over 12,000 participants. The coalitions also hosted 80 civic engagement workshops on voting, volunteering, community boards, advocacy, and organizing, and there was an average of 200 organizations working annually with TRIE anchor organizations in each community.

The Adams Administration invested over $7 million to grow the NYC Unity Project, through new and expanded programs, including the NYC Unity Project Family Acceptance of LGBTQ+ Youth Initiative, which addresses family rejection of LGBTQ+ youth and its negative impacts on mental health, substance use, and housing instability.

MOERJ continued its partnership with the New York City Housing Authority (NYCHA) to expand programming in the Bronx that supports workforce development, financial stability, and entrepreneurship. Food Business Pathways, a training program that helps participants launch or strengthen food businesses, provided nearly 15,000 meals across 18 NYCHA developments in the Bronx, including support for residents affected by the October 2025 gas explosion and building collapse at the Mitchel Houses. The program has graduated over 300 NYCHA residents, including 48 new graduates this year, with 90 percent representing women. Through this partnership, MOERJ remains committed to fostering equity, economic opportunity, and food security in underserved communities.

In collaboration with the NYC Department of Small Business Services (SBS), MOERJ also invested $2.2 million to support merchant organizing and ongoing commercial revitalization for communities in need, working with 14 community organizations serving 22 neighborhoods or corridors. Investments were made in beautification, district marketing, safety initiatives, and more, all in service of better engaging merchants and getting them involved in local merchant associations or BID formation efforts. In addition, new investments were made through the Strategic Impact Grant in areas without place-based SBS investments and with the aim of forming new merchant associations and/or revitalize existing merchant associations.

The NYC Unity Project and NYC Health & Hospitals (H+H) completed renovations and expanded services at the H+H Judson Pride Clinic, a critical resource for LGBTQ+ health. The upgraded clinic now offers greater capacity for gender affirming care, mental health support, and primary care services. Expanded community programming includes health education, peer support, and outreach initiatives that strengthen connection and trust with LGBTQ+ New Yorkers. Together NYC Unity Project and H+H, also launched the Community Coalition to Counter Attacks on Care. This citywide coalition supports frontline community-based organizations by funding neighborhood-based healthcare advocacy, education, and outreach. Investments include partial salary support for staff, diagnostic equipment upgrades, expanded cancer screening capacity, and additional training for providers across the system, including at Judson Pride Clinic.

YMI expanded its focus on emerging and creative industries. This year, YMI and the Mayor’s Office for Economic Opportunity released the Cannabis Equity Study in Entrepreneurship and Workforce Development. The study examined barriers to participation in the cannabis industry and proposed actionable strategies to promote equitable business ownership, job creation, and community investment in neighborhoods most affected by cannabis prohibition. YMI also increased support for the Neighborhood Opportunity Network (NeON) Photography program, providing in-person and online citywide photography classes to young adults, as part of the larger NeON Works program serving Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brownsville, East New York, Far Rockaway, Harlem, Jamaica, northern Staten Island, and the South Bronx.

Driving Gender and Racial Equity through Policy and Systems Change

MOERJ led New York City’s first-ever NYC Citywide Racial Equity Planning process to create our first Citywide Preliminary Racial Equity Plan. MOERJ formed an advisory board which included members with experience transforming government and a commitment to racial equity. MOERJ engaged with the board over several months to build a strong framework that would support planning. In 2024, it launched a planning process that engaged 45 city agencies and over 200 staff across the administration to create agency racial equity plans, which make up the plan. The plan – pending release – outlines concrete equity goals in areas ranging from budget to service delivery and policy, as well as long-term north stars for our city.

In July, Priya Nair, the first queer, non-binary, and South Asian person to lead the office, was appointed Executive Director of the NYC Commission on Gender Equity (CGE), marking a new chapter in the city’s gender equity leadership. With over a decade of public sector experience, Nair brings policy expertise and a commitment to advancing opportunities for women, girls, transgender, intersex, gender nonconforming, and nonbinary New Yorkers. Under this administration, CGE doubled its staff capacity and expanded its organizational structure, creating three departments: Policy and Programs, Strategic Learning and Capacity Building, and Communications and Public Engagement. These departments advanced CGE’s core focus areas of Economic Mobility and Opportunity, Health and Reproductive Justice, and Safety.

In partnership with the NYC Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS) and MOERJ, CGE launched the first-ever citywide pay equity study through the NYC Pay Equity Cabinet. This multi-year analysis examines gender and racial wage gaps and occupational segregation across city job titles. The first phase includes 30 titles with some of the largest disparities.

CGE expanded its work in the areas of health and reproductive justice, relaunching and leading the NYC Sexual Health Education Task Force under Executive Order 44. In collaboration with New York City Public Schools (NYCPS), Department of Health and Mental Hygiene (DOHMH), and Children’s Aid, the Sexual Health Education Task Force has collectively assessed NYC’s sexual health education landscape and will conduct robust stakeholder engagement in 2026 to inform a comprehensive report that strengthens sexual health education and supports student well-being. CGE also contributed to the New York City Female Genital Mutilation and Cutting Advisory Committee report, which included recommendations for reducing and eliminating FGM/C in New York City. CGE participated in stakeholder engagement and strategy development with survivors, city agencies, law enforcement, and nonprofit partners.

CGE engaged parents and caregivers through the Marshall Plan for Moms Task Force, including hosting a virtual public hearing in 2024 and gathering testimony on challenges faced by working families. Over the past year, CGE has worked across the Task Force to develop the city’s first-ever Marshall Plan for Moms report — a broad set of recommendations to make New York City the most parent-friendly city in the nation. CGE looks forward to releasing this report in early 2026.

In late December, CGE will release a new resource guide to support women and transgender, gender-nonbinary, gender-nonconforming, and intersex individuals in accessing nontraditional careers, highlighting city government programs that provide pathways into fields historically dominated by men.

CGE continued its leadership in addressing street harassment through research, education, and outreach. In partnership with the Mayor’s Office to End Domestic and Gender-Based Violence (ENDGBV), CGE co-authored the Survey Report on Street Harassment, engaged New Yorkers through a public hearing in 2024 and a panel discussion in 2025, and translated feedback into action, distributing the End Street Harassment Resource Guide across diverse neighborhoods and collaborating with Right to Be to host bystander intervention trainings.

CGE expanded the Gender Equity Interagency Partnership (GEIP), which brings together representatives from city agencies to promote gender equity within the municipal workforce. Through capacity building and technical assistance, GEIP advances an intersectional framework and develops tools and resources to improve workplace equity. As part of the GEIP, CGE launched a range of new initiatives to foster community, cohesion, and understanding across the city workforce. This includes new “Food for Thought Chats” and a monthly Online Intensive Learning Workshop series to provide NYC government employees with training and resources that can advance gender equity across agencies. CGE also hosted an annual GEIP Conference. This year’s theme, Empowering Multigenerational Voices, focused on managing a multigenerational workforce and promoting inclusion and equity within city agencies.

CGE launched the GEIP Digital Guide in June 2025 to expand access to essential services including healthcare, education, legal aid, and financial support. CGE also expanded the GEIP Intranet, a centralized hub for toolkits, publications, and gender equity resources.

Expanding Citywide Public Engagement and Communications

During this administration, CGE strengthened public engagement, reaching thousands of New Yorkers through more than 125 community events, distributing gender equity resources, and connecting individuals to critical City services. CGE also increased its digital presence through improvements to its website, online publications, and social media channels. Between 2022 and 2025, CGE’s combined digital assets increased by 40 percent, strengthening public access to gender equity resources and information. In 2025, CGE received the Mayor’s Excellence in Customer Service Award for its leadership in community outreach and public engagement.

NHF increased its community engagement efforts by participating in events across all five boroughs, connecting young women and girls to leadership, education, and empowerment opportunities. As part of its community engagement efforts, NHF has also curated powerful events aimed at advancing professional development, financial literacy, and mentoring for young women. This includes its Power Talks series, which convenes young women ages 18 to 29 for mentorship, networking, and economic education. Participants receive free headshots, career coaching, and tools to build financial confidence and strengthen their personal brands. NHF also recently hosted “Girls Speak, The World Listens”, connecting over 100 young women and girls to networking and fireside chats with women leaders across government, entertainment, sports, and other sectors - deepening NHF’s commitment to economic mobility and college to career readiness.

In partnership with ENDGBV, CGE participated in the 16 Days of Activism Against Gender Based Violence and Denim Day campaigns, engaging New Yorkers through citywide events, social media outreach, and community partnerships to raise awareness and promote survivor support. CGE also hosted two major gender equity resource fairs that connected hundreds of New Yorkers to resources related to health, education, safety, menstrual equity, and workplace rights. Across both events, CGE distributed free period products, safe sex supplies, canned goods, pantry items, and children’s toys.

CGE developed seven new gender equity toolkits, guides, and publications, including two created in partnership with ENDGBV, to educate New Yorkers and expand access to essential information and support. CGE also developed a new gender equity workshop series that invites New Yorkers to learn about gender equity concepts, laws, and community resources. In 2025, CGE facilitated workshops at CUNY John Jay College to support student understanding of gender equity.

CGE strengthened international partnerships by exchanging best practices with delegations from around the world during the annual UN Commission on the Status of Women convenings and throughout the year.

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About the NYC Mayor’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice  
Launched October 2023, the NYC Mayor's Office of Equity & Racial Justice (MOERJ) is dedicated to creating a fairer and more equitable city for New Yorkers. As the city's first centralized equity office, MOERJ is dedicated to working across all city agencies to create the first NYC Citywide Racial Equity Plan, with the goal of implementing policies, practices, and programs that promote social justice. This newly established office encompasses multi-agency bodies such as NYC Her Future (NHF), the NYC Commission on Gender Equity (CGE), the NYC Unity Project (UP), and the NYC Young Men's Initiative (YMI), along with the collaborative initiatives of the NYC Pay Equity Cabinet (PEC) and the NYC Taskforce on Racial Inclusion & Equity (TRIE). To learn more about how MOERJ is advancing racial justice and engaging with New York City’s diverse communities, visit nyc.gov/Equity or follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, Twitter, and Facebook. 
 
About the NYC Commission on Gender Equity   
Established in 2015, the NYC Commission on Gender Equity (CGE), an office housed within the NYC Mayor’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice, is dedicated to dismantling barriers to equity throughout New York City. By addressing gender-based disparities in economic mobility and opportunity, health and reproductive justice, and safety for girls, women, intersex, transgender, gender-nonbinary, and gender-nonconforming individuals, CGE recommends gender equitable policies and programs that set a standard for best practices to benefit both the city's workforce and its diverse communities. To learn more about how CGE is advancing gender equity, visit www.nyc.gov/GenderEquity or follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, X(Twitter), and Facebook. 

About the NYC Unity Project 
The NYC Unity Project, an office housed within the NYC Mayor’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice, advances equity for the lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer (LGBTQ+) community and their allies across city agencies by addressing systemic inequities and providing culturally-competent services. Focusing on economic development, acceptance, and health equity, the NYC Unity Project builds partnerships with government, nonprofits, academia, and the private sector to implement initiatives and foster community engagement. To learn more about how the NYC Unity Project is prioritizing LGBTQ+ needs, visit  www.nyc.gov/UnityProject or follow us on X(Twitter). 

About NYC Her Future

Launched in March 2024, as an office housed within the NYC Mayor’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice, NYC Her Future addresses the disparities that young women and girls of color face across New York City in education, employment, justice, and health. By developing and advocating for comprehensive policies, programs, and partnerships, NYC Her Future aims to holistically support the success of young women of color. To learn more about how NYC Her Future is providing young women and girls of color with the tools to be successful by their own definition, visit www.nyc.gov/HerFuture or follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, X(Twitter), and Facebook.

 
About Young Men’s Initiative   
The NYC Young Men’s Initiative (YMI), an office housed within the NYC Mayor’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice, is a public-private partnership focused on addressing disparities among young men of color, aged 14 to 26, in education, employment, health, and justice. Since its 2011 inception, the NYC Young Men’s Initiative has developed programs and supported policies that empower young men of color to thrive in New York City. To learn more about how the NYC Young Men’s Initiative is connecting young people to opportunities that enhance their lives, visit www.nyc.gov/ymi or follow us on LinkedIn, Instagram, X(Twitter), and Facebook.

About the Pay Equity Cabinet 
The Pay Equity Cabinet was established to develop a roadmap for achieving pay equity and addressing occupational segregation within the municipal workforce. Co-chaired by the Commission on Gender Equity (CGE), an office within the Mayor’s Office of Equity & Racial Justice, and the Department of Citywide Administrative Services (DCAS), the cabinet includes representatives from various city agencies and offices. Together, they work to create fair compensation practices and promote equal opportunities for all employees within the city’s workforce.

About the Taskforce on Racial Equity & Inclusion 
Established in 2020, the Taskforce on Racial Equity & Inclusion (TRIE) was formed to tackle the disproportionate effects of COVID-19 on communities of color. TRIE brings together leaders from city agencies to monitor the city's response in affected neighborhoods, engage in the analysis of the city’s landscape and create an open and ongoing dialogue with New York City residents. Through this work, TRIE identified critical disparities and focused on achieving equitable outcomes for all New Yorkers. TRIE continues to address issues beyond the pandemic. To learn more about TRIE’s efforts to confront long-standing racial and economic disparities exacerbated by COVID-19, visit www.nyc.gov/trie.