Zellnor Myrie, a candidate for mayor in the 2025 election, joined LittleAfrica News to share his vision for the future of New York City. In an exclusive interview, Myrie addressed many issues that New Yorkers face daily, including the housing crisis, public safety, childcare, education, small businesses, and ethnic and community media.
Affordable Housing
Housing affordability is one of the most pressing concerns for New Yorkers. Myrie has laid out a bold plan to tackle this issue, proposing the construction of 1 million new homes over the next decade. “We [have] to be as bold in the solutions as the scale of the problem,” Myrie explained. His plan includes 700,000 new units, focusing on both affordable and mixed-income housing. It calls for using public land for affordable housing projects and ensuring that developments meet the needs of low- and middle-income families who are being priced out of the city.
Myrie also called for stronger protections for existing residents, particularly renters facing eviction and homeowners at risk of deed theft. He proposed expanding rent stabilization programs and increasing legal protections to prevent eviction and fraud. His approach focuses on both creating new housing and protecting current residents from rising rents and gentrification, aiming to build a more sustainable and inclusive housing landscape.
Childcare
Myrie also addressed the rising costs of childcare, which he noted is a significant burden for many families in New York City. “$22,000 per year per kid feels very much out of reach,” Myrie said. To alleviate this, he proposed extending Pre-K and 3K programs until 6 p.m. and ensuring that after-school programs are available to all students. “I want after-school for everybody,” he emphasized, advocating for affordable, accessible options for working parents.
Public Safety
Public safety remains a top priority for Myrie, who recognized the growing concerns around subway crime and random assaults. He explained, “When something happens to you in the subway, even if the same thing happened above ground, it just feels worse.” To address these issues, Myrie proposed better coordination between city agencies and the creation of stabilization centers to provide long-term mental health support, particularly for individuals who have been cycling through emergency rooms or jails. He also called for increased police staffing to restore safety on the streets and subways.
Myrie touched on the traffic safety issue, particularly in light of a recent tragedy involving reckless driving in Brooklyn. He emphasized the need to address speeding and the danger of habitual reckless drivers. Myrie supports legislation requiring cars driven by repeat offenders to have speed limit devices installed, making it physically impossible for them to exceed speed limits.
Education
Education is another area where Myrie sees significant room for improvement. As a product of New York City public schools, he strongly supports mayoral control of the education system. He explained, “Your zip code will not determine the quality of your education,” emphasizing the need for better accountability and leadership at the city level. Regarding specialized high schools, Myrie voiced support for the Specialized High School Exam, explaining that it provided opportunities for many students, particularly those from immigrant communities. He also called for more access to test preparation programs and continued conversations about the admissions process to ensure it remains fair and accessible.
Small Businesses
Myrie also highlighted small businesses’ challenges, particularly those owned by immigrants and minorities. He proposed a more proactive approach from City Hall to help small business owners navigate city bureaucracy and access capital. “We [have] to provide as many opportunities as possible for people to come to us to say, look, I want to start this,” Myrie said. His proposal includes creating a Black Business Accelerator Fund to provide resources and support for minority-owned businesses, helping them build intergenerational wealth.
Ethnic and Community Media
Myrie stressed the vital role of ethnic and community media in New York City, highlighting how these outlets serve as crucial news sources for immigrant communities. “It is our community and ethnic news outlets that are covering this. These are literal lifelines to people’s families,” Myrie explained. He acknowledged that many immigrants rely on ethnic media for local and international news, recognizing the importance of these outlets in maintaining cultural ties.
Myrie also committed to ensuring the city complies with laws requiring advertising in ethnic media, emphasizing that these outlets should receive the same support as mainstream media. “The city should be putting its money where its mouth is,” he stated, advocating for more significant investment in ethnic and community media platforms.
A Bold Plan for New York’s Future
Myrie’s vision outlines a comprehensive approach to addressing key challenges in New York City, focusing on affordable housing, public safety, education, and community support. His proposals tackle issues affecting various city populations and provide long-term growth and equity solutions.
