Senator Montgomery addresses future leaders at the NY Urban League Young Professionals' State of Young Black New York Conference 2017

Senator Montgomery joined Congresswoman Yvette Clarke and Moderator Kimberly Peeler Allen for a panel discussion on "Black Women in Office: The Call to Political Leadership." The event was part of the New York Urban League Young Professionals’ State of Young Black New York Conference 2017.

In her remarks, Senator Montgomery encouraged attendees to embrace public service and introduced Shakti Robbins-Cubas, a former intern and now a member of her staff. Through internship programs such as the Caucus CUNY Scholars Program and Women’s Public Service Internship Program, young people throughout the City University of New York system are given the opportunity to learn the legislative process firsthand. Through their placement in the office of an elected official, students are introduced to public service at the grassroots level. Shakti and other alumnae of the CUNY internship programs have gone on to run for office, joined the staff of legislators, work for government agencies and non-profit organizations as well as pursued advanced degrees in law and public administration.

Senator Montgomery reflected "political leadership includes more than running for office. Every day young professionals are analyzing public policy issues, developing solutions to problems, influencing decisions made at all levels of government and creating institutional change from the ground up. I encourage young people to enter public service to make a difference in their communities, in our state and in our nation."

The New York Urban League Young Professionals (NYULYP) is a unique entity of the New York Urban League designed to serve as an empowerment forum for individuals ages 21 to 40 who live and work throughout the five boroughs of New York City. This premier civil rights auxiliary group works to promote and support the mission of the New York Urban League by training the next generation of leaders through volunteer opportunities, personal and professional development and fund development. Founded April 1, 2003, the NYULYP is one of 62 chapters of the National Urban League Young Professionals, which is celebrating its 10th year anniversary. This deeply routed movement serves as a network of young professionals across the country that works to eradicate social and economic inequalities through the local implementation of the National Urban League’s empowerment agenda.

This 7th Annual Conference focused on the theme of "The Art of Justice".  SOYBNY is a signature event of the NYULYP which brings together hundreds of professionals, leaders, and think-tanks across various disciplines to assess the current condition of young Black New York and to develop solutions to the issues affecting our communities

Dynamic panel sessions aim to present unique perspectives on headline issues such as criminal justice reform, cultural organizing, economic empowerment and more. Yet participants will be challenged to address less discussed issue areas including the lack of community cohesion and the burdens of trauma and mental health in our communities. 

For more information about the Caucus CUNY Scholars Program and the Women’s Public Service Internship Programs, visit http://www.etrinternship.org/

For more information on this event, visit https://soybny2017.splashthat.com/

For more information about the New York Urban League and their work, visit https://www.nyul.org