The city’s mayor-elect, Zohran Mamdani, is being sworn in on Jan. 1. New York State Attorney General Letitia James will formally do the honors at midnight, when his term officially starts. Meanwhile, Sen. Bernie Sanders, one of Mamdani’s most prominent progressive supporters, will oversee the celebration later that day, Spectrum News NY1 reports.
And with Mamdani’s transition team inviting everyone to a “first ever inauguration block party,” we invite our neighbors to reflect on their hopes for our incoming mayor.
You can sign up here to watch the inauguration from the block party on Broadway near City Hall or via livestream on Jan. 1 from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m.
But before you get caught up in the energy, take a moment to consider:
If you could plan of one of his 100 days:
Where should he eat?
Where should he shop?
What neighborhood should he visit?
What issue would you have him focus on?
Who would you have him meet?
And most importantly … what kind of “dumpling” would you pack for him? (For example, momos, wontons, gyoza …)
Here are the first ideas our team came up with:
S. Mitra Kalita
Where should he eat? Urubamba, a Peruvian restaurant in Jackson Heights (get the seafood stew).
Where should he shop? He should rent desi outfits (more sustainable!) from Kareena’s Closet right here in Jackson Heights.
What neighborhood should he visit? Murray Hill, Queens.
What issue would you have him focus on? 24-hour childcare to support families led by shift workers AND support for ethnic and community media!
Who would you have him meet? Me. HMU!
What kind of “dumpling” would you pack for him? The sukuti momo at Momo Crave, and to get through the winter nights of the first 100 days, nothing beats the jhol momo at Nepali Bhanchha Ghar.
Carolina Valencia
Where should he eat? Belo, a Brazilian food spot in Sunnyside.
Where should he shop? World’s Borough Bookshop and Nose Best Candles.
What neighborhood should he visit? East Elmhurst.
What issue would you have him focus on? Mental health policy. For example, how public health systems can move beyond one-time ER treatment to real care plans, and how the NYPD can be better equipped to respond to calls from families seeking help without fear of harm or inappropriate treatment of their loved one.
Who would you have him meet? A third-grade student at my alma mater, P.S. 148Q, as I fundraise for the school’s third graders’ academic futures, to show them what a career can look like. And I would also want the mayor to meet Pastor Patrick Young and his First Baptist Church food pantry team, who have been a light for so many in East Elmhurst, Corona, Jackson Heights and beyond.
What kind of “dumpling” would you pack for lunch for the new mayor? An Ecuadorian empanada de verde (green plantain filled with cheese) with either black coffee or Ecuadorian yogurt.
Ambar Castillo
Where should he eat? Singh’s Roti Shop in Richmond Hill
Where should he shop? The farmstand at Forest Park — and make it year-round so Queens residents don’t have to travel to Forest Hills to support local farmers and use Health Bucks with their EBT cards.
What neighborhood should he visit? South Richmond Hill. You have a lot of fans there from the Indian diaspora who have been historically neglected by politicians.
What issue would you have him focus on? Healthcare and other issues disproportionately affecting older adults.
Who would you have him meet? For times when the job is especially tough and you need guidance — and to center your energy — with a stranger who doesn’t feel like one: Dr. Wendy Ward. She’s a life and self-empowerment coach who can teach anyone a few things about being passionate about your purpose, compassionate and creative well into your 60s.
What kind of “dumpling” would you pack for him? Pasteles en hoja — a hot pocket-looking masa made with mixed root vegetables such as plantains, taro andauyama (West Indian pumpkin) and filled with meat.
Taylor Jung
Where should he eat? Tin Wong, canto spot in Chinatown.
Where should he shop? Fruit and veggie vendors on Mulberry and Canal.
What neighborhood should he visit? South Bronx/Mott Haven to see impact of luxury buildings.
What issue would you have him focus on? Non-police definitions of public safety – how to instead bolster mental health services, violence intervention programs, community-led public safety programs with culturally competent social services, harm reduction groups, mutual aid, etc.
Who would you have him meet? Any immigrant rights group helping build safe networks for families to access social services, know your rights training, alert systems, etc.
What kind of “dumpling” would you pack for him? Ha gow, simply because it’s my go-to dim sum dish.
So … how would YOU plan Mamdani’s first 100 days? Let us know in the comments or drop us some lines at hello@epicenter-nyc.com.
