Welcome to the highly anticipated 51st annual conference of the New York State Association of Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and Asian Legislators. As chair of the Association, I hope to greet each one of you in person this weekend, as lawmakers connect with community leaders from around this great state. 

The COVID-19 pandemic kept us apart last year, forcing us to meet virtually. While we remain vigilant, I am encouraged by recent data and the guidance of medical professionals, and I look forward to a productive and safe weekend.

We come together at a critical time. The right to vote – the very foundation of our democracy – is under attack, as states continue to pass laws that restrict access to the ballot. The protection of this fundamental right is especially important given the upcoming 2022 local, state, and federal elections. In that spirit, we have organized some incredible workshops under the theme “Moving Forward With a Demand for Democracy.”

Thank you for your continued support of our annual conference.  I can’t wait to engage in dialogues with New Yorkers about issues that affect their daily lives, including education, criminal justice reform, health care, education, and housing. With your support we have awarded over $80,000 in scholarships to students across the state. We’ve also hosted fairs to address inequities in health care for people of color across our state. And we’re not done yet!

 Now let’s roll up our sleeves and get to work, as we strive to make New York a more equitable place to live and raise a family – for all of us.

Hon. Latrice M. Walker
Chair