Understanding Reparative Justice: Legal Perspectives From the NYS Community Commission on Reparations Remedies

The New York State Community Commission on Reparations Remedies was established through legislation sponsored by Senator James Sanders Jr. and Assemblymember Michaelle Solages and signed into law by Governor Kathy Hochul in December 2023. The Commission is charged with examining the history of slavery in New York State, the subsequent de jure and de facto racial and economic discrimination experienced by people of African descent, and the continuing impact of these injustices on present-day communities. Through historical research, public hearings, expert testimony, and community engagement across the state, the Commission is evaluating the lasting effects of these inequities and developing recommendations for consideration by New York State policymakers.

Join Commissioners Hogues and Jenkins for an engaging discussion on the Commission's legislative history, purpose, and work to date, including insights gathered through public testimony and statewide community engagement. Through an examination of New York's historical connection to slavery and subsequent systems of discrimination, participants will explore how historical and structural inequities can influence access to opportunity, civic participation, and outcomes within legal and governmental institutions. The program will encourage thoughtful consideration of the legal profession's role in recognizing and addressing bias, promoting fairness and inclusion, and fostering equal access to justice for all New Yorkers. Attendees will leave with a deeper understanding of the historical context informing contemporary discussions of equity and the importance of advancing impartiality, cultural awareness, and inclusive practices within the legal system.

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