The June 6 sessions focused on the Bronx\u2019s historical and present-day challenges that can prevent true economic justice and opportunity. Mamdani\u2019s message fit that theme, drawing on the \u201cBronx is burning\u201d era and its ongoing impact, and highlighting his commitment to reverse the damage.\u00a0<\/p>\n
In introducing the mayor as the day\u2019s keynote speaker, Sandra Lobo, executive director of Our Bronx, said any economic strategy \u2014 namely, the federally supported Bronx draft plan<\/a> currently in the works \u2014 will only be effective with true partners in government and other institutions.<\/p>\n Today, Lobo said she sees \u201creal alignment and synergy\u201d with city government on important issues such as childcare, tenant protections, support for \u201cmom-and-pop\u201d businesses and street vendors and more.<\/p>\n \u201cFamily stability is economic development,\u201d Lobo said.\u00a0\n<\/p>\n Mamdani began his remarks by invoking Bronx-born photographer Mel Rosenthal<\/a>, who was born in the South Bronx in 1940 and later documented \u201cblock after block of blight\u201d in his neighborhood in the 70s and 80s. During what the mayor called the \u201carson for profit\u201d era, many landlords burned their buildings rather than repair them \u2014 and government simply turned a blind eye.\u00a0<\/p>\n Federal policies treated the Bronx with \u201cbenign neglect\u201d and City Hall implemented \u201cplanned shrinkage\u201d that withdrew critical services from the borough, Mamdani said.\u00a0<\/p>\n But despite the destruction, he said Rosenthal\u2019s photos depicted lively communities that fought for justice then and in the decades since.\n<\/p>\n \u201cIt is high time that City Hall matches these efforts,\u201d Mamdani said, pledging that his City Hall will \u201cleave neglect behind and lead instead with action and investment.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Combatting the legacy of disparities in the Bronx requires an \u201call of government approach,\u201d the mayor said.\u00a0<\/p>\n Mamdani pointed to his new Block By Block<\/a> housing plan that aims to create 200,000 new affordable homes and preserve the same number of existing homes over the next 10 years, spurring job creation in the process.<\/p>\n He also spoke in support of opportunities for tenants to own their neglected buildings under the Community Opportunity to Purchase Act; a program for renters to generate equity in the appreciated value of their homes; and the city-owned grocery store<\/a> expected to open next year in Hunts Point, turning the site of the infamous Spofford Juvenile Detention Facility into a much-needed source of affordable food.\u00a0<\/p>\n He also pointed to the redevelopment of the Kingsbridge Armory under part-ownership<\/a> by Our Bronx, which Mamdani called \u201ca model for how to keep the people of the Bronx in the driver\u2019s seat.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n With these initiatives, \u201cCity Hall is delivering on our belief that government can drive the change that improves New Yorkers\u2019 lives, and we can do so while ensuring that New Yorkers themselves are the ones leading the way,\u201d Mamdani said.\u00a0<\/p>\n He concluded by quoting Rosenthal, who said of his photo subjects, \u201cI take their picture and give them back their image.\u201d\n<\/p>\n \u201cThat is our commitment to the Bronx: to restore this borough\u2019s image, and to do so by reflecting back to the dignity, strength, resilience and creativity of all those who call the Bronx home today and have been calling the Bronx home for decades,\u201d Mamdani said. \u201cWe will work together to build a future worthy of your image for generations to come.\u201d\u00a0<\/p>\n Before departing, the mayor led the group in several chants of, \u201cLet\u2019s go Knicks!\u201d as the room echoed the city\u2019s frenzy over the team\u2019s Game 2 win in the NBA Finals the night before.\u00a0<\/p>\n For more information on the summit and the draft of the first-ever Comprehensive Economic Development Strategy for the Bronx, see here<\/a>.\u00a0<\/p>\n Reach Emily Swanson at\u00a0eswanson@schnepsmedia.com<\/a>\u00a0or\u00a0(646) 717-0015<\/a>. For more coverage, subscribe to our\u00a0newsletter<\/a>\u00a0and follow us on\u00a0Twitter<\/a>,\u00a0Facebook<\/a>\u00a0and\u00a0Instagram<\/a>!<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ny\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/06\/20260606_123707-rotated.jpg\")
The mayor spoke to a large crowd that included Borough President Vanessa Gibson, Council Member Pierina Sanchez, Deputy Mayor Julie Su and Cea Weaver of the Mayor\u2019s Office to Protect Tenants. Photo by Emily Swanson
\n\u2018All of government approach\u201d\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n