A birthday salute and a ‘way’ for David N. Dinkins
Last Wednesday (July 10), Councilmember Shaun Abreu and the David Dinkins family invited dignitaries and community leaders to Riverside Church to celebrate what would have been the 97th birthday of the city’s first Black mayor. As the world knows, Dinkins joined the ancestors in 2020 after distinguishing himself in a variety of services to the nation. Those memorable moments were invoked by a coterie of relatives, colleagues, and close associates.
The actual renaming of the street at the intersection of 125th Street and St. Nicholas Avenue to David N. Dinkins Way occurred earlier, but his birthday was another tribute to his historic contributions to the city. One table near the podium, where Robin Bell-Stevens emceed the event, was emblematic of Dinkins’s power and renown: former Rep. Charles Rangel, the Honorable Hazel Dukes, former Governor David Paterson, and Harlem’s political icon Assemblywoman Inez Dickens—were often saluted and given several rounds of applause.
“I thank you so much for allowing me to share my memories of your father with this role in this room of amazing people, of leaders and friends and mentors whose shoulders I stand on,” said Mayor Eric Adams, summarizing what others had said earlier. He recounted how children had told him that Dinkins had allowed them to come inside and experience what it was like to govern the city. “I just love him so much…his picture is on my desk,” Adams concluded.
“My grandad loved the city,” Jamaal Hoggard said of Dinkins. “More importantly, he loved the people who make the city.”
Attorney General Letitia James, City Council President Adrienne Adams, and Abreu were among the speakers, all of whom extended their gratitude to a man who always hoped he had left nothing in arrears on his departure. Some of his majesty and hallmarks were captured in a proclamation read by Keisha Sutton-James, the granddaughter of Percy E. Sutton, one of the legendary Gang of Four iof Rangel, Basil Paterson, and—of course—Dinkins.
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New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams -
Members of the community at Riverside church on what would have been 97th birthday of the Hon. David N. Dinkins, 106th mayor of New York City,. -
Attorney General Lettia James -
Mayor Eric Adams -
Former Congressmember Charlie Wrangel -
New York City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams Credit: Bill Moore Photos
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