Black & Latino History Powers Annual Address

Surrounded by the somber portraits of white politicians and businessmen honored in the aldermanic chamber, Hill Alder Carmen Rodriguez sketched a future of New Haven rooted in Black and Latino history.

That theme echoed throughout the Black and Hispanic aldermanic caucus’ annual State of the City address.

Rodriguez, the vice chair of the caucus, delivered the speech before her colleagues on the full Board of Alders Monday night on the second floor of City Hall.

Though her address identified future-facing priorities (such as boosting education and expanding community policing) as states of the city typically do, Rodriguez’ remarks took a unique focus on how Black and Latino history has shaped the New Haven of the present.

She pointed to Yale’s newly-published research on the university’s enslavement of African Americans, as well as its successful efforts to thwart the establishment of a Black college in New Haven.

“Yale faculty stopped the creation of the first Black college in the country from being made in our community,” she said. ​“Just take a moment to reflect on how great having the first Black college would have been for the city of New Haven! This should push us to educate and better our children even more, to fight against this history and any challenges in the present like it.”

Rodriguez also called for alders to draw power from ​“the rich history of our cultures and deep roots that have added vibrancy and spice to our great city,” including by honoring ​“the people who have stood strong in our Black and Hispanic communities.”

She named connecting generations, and especially bringing together elderly residents with kids and teens, as a top priority.

“While learning about our past and speaking about the present we gain the ability to shape our future,” she said.

Hill Alder Carmen Rodriguez's Black & Hispanic Caucus State Of The City Address

Read Rodriguez’s full address below.

Good evening Madame President, Alders, City Town Clerk Smart, distinguished guests, residents and friends. Thank you for being here this evening.

I am Alder Carmen Rodriguez, representing the 6th ward, Vice Chair of the Black & Hispanic Caucus. Tonight, I am charged with giving the Black and Hispanic caucus state of the city address. 

As members of the Black & Hispanic Caucus, I can report to you that the state of the Caucus is on the RISE!!!!

This term, the caucus is working hard to provide the tools of support necessary to help our communities navigate through the stigma of being labeled as minorities and minimized opportunities that limited the dreams for our black and brown communities. 

Our first objective is to recognize the rich history of our cultures and deep roots that have added vibrancy and spice to our great city! 

We look to recognize the people who have stood strong in our Black and Hispanic communities, that are truly making a difference in our city.

We will work diligently to connect our Youth and Elderly Services Departments by strategizing ways for our Seniors and Youth to work together through various activities and volunteerism. We look to bridge the gap through real engagement. While learning about our past and speaking about the present we gain the ability to shape our future! 

For our second objective, we will employ the tool of education to make certain our communities are well equipped to win regardless of challenges life may present. Knowledge is power, education is the key to success!

For a moment, let’s talk about the article that was published in the New Haven Independent regarding Yale University and Slavery. Yale faculty stopped the creation of the first Black college in the country from being made in our community. Just take a moment to reflect on how great having the first Black college would have been for the city of New Haven! This should push us to educate and better our children even more, to fight against this history and any challenges in the present like it. As a caucus we need to dive deep in the report and see what lies ahead. 

Our third objective is ensuring the safety in our black and brown communities, a top priority. Fully staffing our Police Department is important. The caucus will partner with the police department to advertise and encourage more residents from the community to become officers. Community Policing helps decrease violence tremendously, and aids in reducing traumatic experiences in our communities.

This partnership takes a holistic approach to solving some major issues while supporting our legislative agenda. Helping residents find good jobs and working on safety for all. While we are all aware we have more work to do in our city we also felt it was necessary to highlight good things happening in New Haven.

As the Black and Hispanic Caucus we are happy to see the excitement the community has when events like Black Wall Street along side Breed Entertainment, Puerto Rican Festival presented by PRU, The Freddy Fixer Parade and all the Pop-Up Festivals taking place in our communities. 

In closing, we ask all of you: GET INVOLVED, BE PART OF THE CHANGE YOU WANT TO SEE IN OUR NEIGHBORHOODS! 

Here is how you can do your part:

Volunteer or organize a community activity or clean-up. 

Philanthropy matters- donate what you can to community organizations that give back within our communities. 

Vote, and most of all, stay engaged.

From the Black and Hispanic Caucus, we thank you for being here this evening. Thank you Madam President.