At a recent public hearing held by the New York State Community Commission on Reparations Remedies, several Black New Yorkers demanded cash reparations of $800,000 each to address the financial impacts of slavery and systemic racism. The hearing was part of an initiative started by Governor Kathy Hochul in 2023 to study the history of slavery in New York and explore various forms of reparations. Advocates highlighted the need for reparations to be rooted in the identity of foundational Black Americans, with some suggesting a new Freedmen’s Bureau to manage funds for Black communities. The discussion also referenced Evanston, Illinois, which has implemented a reparations program providing $25,000 to Black residents affected by housing discrimination. Many participants at the hearing argued that cash payments should be prioritized as a tangible form of reparations before addressing broader issues like education and policing. Assemblymember Michaelle C. Solages, who helped draft the reparations legislation, stressed the importance of hearing from diverse New Yorkers to inform the commission's report.