NEW YORK (1010 WINS/WCBS 880) — Mayor Eric Adams held a reception celebrating Lunar New Year 2024, the Year of the Dragon, and New York City’s AAPI community in lower Manhattan on Thursday evening.
“Too often, the AAPI community in New York City has gone unseen and unheard, but I am proud to be serving in an administration, the Adams administration, that not only sees and hears all of us, but warmly embraces the AAPI community as a community filled with talented, hard-working and courageous New Yorkers,” Commissioner of the NYC Department of Small Business Services Kevin D. Kim said at the beginning of the 6:30 p.m. event.
Kim pointed to the AAPI community’s significant impact on the city as 18% of the population and 23% of small business owners in his introduction of Adams to the podium at NYC Surrogate's Court.
Due to weather concerns the event did not take place at Gracie Mansion, but Adams still touted the impressive turn out from New Yorkers, AAPI elected officials and international dignitaries from Asian nations like Vietnam, Korea and China.
“Year after year, we see how much of this community has grown and continue to be such a vital part of not only the economic strength of our city, but as you see, the rich diversity of our city,” Adams said, while gesturing around the crowded space.
Adams emphasized the revitalization of living space as one of the greatest goals of his administration over the last two years, and referenced City Hall’s “Chinatown Connections” plan, which will facilitate the redesign of Park Row and Kimlau Plaza in the lower Manhattan neighborhood.
Hizzoner also gave a nod to the city's Asian Advisory Coucil. stating that he is excited to see what they accomplish for the city and AAPI community.
“The Year of the Dragon is about action, innovation and prosperity. Or as we say in City Hall, it’s about getting stuff done,” Adams said at the event.