SOUTHEAST QUEENS — New York City Council Deputy Speaker Dr. Nantasha Williams delivered her State of the District address before a well-attended audience of community members, civic leaders, and elected officials from across the 27th Council District, outlining a policy agenda centered on infrastructure investment, housing stability, transparency, and long-term community empowerment.
The event reflected the strong civic engagement that defines Southeast Queens, with residents filling the venue to hear updates on legislative progress and future priorities. Citywide leaders in attendance included New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin, New York City Comptroller Mark Levine, and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams. Local elected officials also participated, including State Senators Leroy Comrie and James Sanders Jr., along with State Assemblymembers Alicia Hyndman, Clyde Vanel, and Khalil Anderson.
Additional remarks were delivered by Williams’ municipal partners, City Councilmembers Selvena Brooks-Powers and Ty Hankerson. Across their comments, elected officials emphasized the collaborative work accomplished alongside Williams and highlighted measurable progress in infrastructure, housing, and neighborhood development throughout Southeast Queens.
A notable moment in the program came with the appearance of former New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams, who was introduced as a surprise guest. Adams, recently nominated as Governor Kathy Hochul’s running mate for Lieutenant Governor, underscored the significance of continued leadership emerging from Southeast Queens.
In her address, Williams reflected on her first four years in office, emphasizing that her legislative agenda has been shaped by sustained listening sessions with residents. She pointed to measures aimed at improving housing stability, public safety, access to information, and government accountability.
Among the most pressing issues raised was chronic flooding and groundwater intrusion affecting homeowners in Southeast Queens. Williams detailed legislation she advanced to strengthen flood mitigation strategies, expand access to resources, and ensure residents receive timely information. The effort, she explained, stemmed directly from constituent concerns about rising costs, property damage, and health impacts tied to recurring flooding.
Williams also highlighted the Jamaica Neighborhood Plan, which she described as the product of more than two years of negotiation and community engagement. The initiative secured more than $700 million in total investment for the area, including hundreds of millions dedicated to infrastructure improvements and additional funding for schools, streets, and long-deferred capital projects. She stressed that these investments are intended to address historic underfunding while ensuring that development benefits existing residents.
Central to that effort is a permanent oversight task force embedded within the plan, designed to hold city agencies accountable for delivering on commitments over time. Williams emphasized that development must be paired with transparency and measurable outcomes to produce lasting progress for the district.
Housing displacement pressures were another focal point. Williams discussed Southeast Queens’ high foreclosure rates and the impact of speculative home flipping. She praised the Southeast Queens Community Land Trust as a community-driven strategy aimed at preserving affordability and giving residents greater influence over neighborhood land use, noting that while not a complete solution, it represents a meaningful step toward local control.
The event also served as a celebration of neighborhood leadership. Williams honored several community members and organizations for their sustained service, including Aleeia Abraham of the Blaque Resource Network, Greg Mays of A Better Jamaica, community organizer James Johnson, William Scarborough of the Addisleigh Park Civic Organization, Tyra Emerson of Cultural Collaborative Jamaica, the executive leadership of the Gateway JFK Business Improvement District and Community Connection (Family enrichment Center). She additionally recognized participants in the District 27 Community Captains Initiative and members of the Southeast Queens Community Land Trust for their grassroots work.
Cultural performances contributed to the program’s energy, with presentations from the Devore Dance Center, Bartlett Contemporaries, and a spoken word performance by Kevin Livingston of 100 Suits. The performances underscored the district’s ongoing investment in youth development and local arts institutions. CUNY Professor Gail Lewis served as mistress of ceremonies.
Williams also addressed her recent appointment as Deputy Speaker of the New York City Council and her responsibilities as Chair of the Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries, and International Relations. She framed the leadership role as an extension of her commitment to ensuring that policy decisions remain grounded in community needs.
Looking ahead, Williams reaffirmed her focus on making government processes more accessible, ensuring residents have clear information, and guiding development so that long-standing communities benefit from new investment. She concluded by thanking District 27 residents for their continued engagement, stressing that the next phase of growth in Southeast Queens will depend on sustained partnerships among government, community organizations, and local stakeholders.
The event’s strong attendance and collaborative tone signaled both recognition of recent progress and a shared expectation that continued investment and accountability will shape the future of Southeast Queens.
Photos Credited: Office of Speaker Julie Menin (Facebook)
