New York City CORE Holding Reparations Racial Equity Event Tonight Ft. Dr. Cornel West, Kelly Price

Photos: YouTube Screenshots|Wikimedia Commons NEW YORK, NY — The New York City Commission on Racial Equity (NYC CORE) will bring New Yorkers together tonight, Friday, September 25, 2026, from 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM at the historic Riverside Church for a major public convening focused on racial equity, reparations, truth, healing and reconciliation. The NYC CORE Racial Equity & Reparations Event will feature renowned scholar, philosopher and activist Dr. Cornel West in conversation with NYC CORE Chair and Executive Director Linda Tigani, with the discussion moderated by Emmy Award-winning producer and strategist Tyrik Washington. The evening will also feature a special musical performance by Grammy-nominated singer Kelly Price, bringing music and cultural expression into a broader conversation about the role of the arts in advancing truth, justice and healing. The event comes as New York City continues an important public conversation about racial equity, the racial wealth gap, reparations and the responsibility of government to confront longstanding racial disparities. “Racial equity cannot simply be something government talks about—it must be something New Yorkers can see, measure and hold government accountable for delivering,” said Linda Tigani, Chair and Executive Director of the NYC Commission on Racial Equity. “Tonight is about bringing people together across generations and communities to confront our history honestly, listen to one another and help shape what repair, healing and racial equity should look like in New York City. Reparations, truth, healing and reconciliation must ultimately be rooted in the voices and experiences of the people most impacted by racial injustice.” NYC CORE was established following the passage of racial justice ballot measures by New York City voters in 2022. Its work includes holding city government accountable for advancing racial equity while elevating community voices in government decision-making. The Commission is also advancing work related to reparations and a public truth, healing and reconciliation process. Tonight’s program will use conversation, culture and music to create a space where New Yorkers can engage directly with those issues. “We wanted this to be more than a panel discussion. We wanted to create a space where government, community, scholarship, culture and music could meet in the same room,” said Tyrik Washington, Emmy Award-winning producer and moderator of the event. “You cannot seriously talk about affordability, opportunity or the future of New York City without confronting the racial wealth gap and the history that helped create it. Reparations is not simply a conversation about the past—it is a conversation about what we are prepared to do in the present to build a more equitable future. Bringing Dr. Cornel West, Linda Tigani, Kelly Price and everyday New Yorkers together at Riverside Church gives us an opportunity to have that conversation with honesty, urgency and purpose.” The evening will also explore the power of art, music and cultural expression as instruments of truth, healing and reconciliation. Price’s participation underscores the historic role artists have played in movements for civil rights, racial justice and social change. The event is free and open to the public, with food and refreshments served. EVENT DETAILS WHAT: NYC CORE Racial Equity & Reparations EventDATE: Friday, September 25, 2026TIME: 5:00 PM – 8:00 PM; Doors Open at 5:00 PMLOCATION: The Riverside Church, 490 Riverside Drive, New York, NY 10027FEATURING: Dr. Cornel West in conversation with Linda TiganiMODERATOR: Tyrik Washington, Emmy Award-Winning ProducerMUSICAL PERFORMANCE: Grammy-Nominated Artist Kelly PriceADMISSION: Free and Open to the PublicFOOD & REFRESHMENTS: Will be served ABOUT THE NYC COMMISSION ON RACIAL EQUITY The Commission on Racial Equity (NYC CORE) is an independent, 15-member commission responsible for holding government accountable to advancing racial equity in government operations and increasing community voices in government decision making. NYC CORE provides accountability for New Yorkers by regularly evaluating the City’s progress on its racial equity commitments and established goals. NYC CORE is mandated to implement New York City Administrative Code Title 34 on Racial Equity, which requires (1) the creation and implementation of a Truth, Healing, and Reconciliation Plan, and (2) the publication of a study examining New York City government’s ties to chattel slavery, Jim Crow, and their legacies, including Reparations policy recommendations.