Solages to host New York reparations hearing in Hempstead

By AI, Created 4:50 PM UTC, May 18, 2026, /AGP/ – Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages will host a public hearing of the New York State Community Commission on Reparations Remedies on May 23 at Hempstead High School. The session is part of a statewide effort to gather testimony that will shape the commission’s final recommendations on slavery’s legacy and systemic racism in New York.

Why it matters: - The Hempstead hearing is part of New York’s process to study slavery, systemic racism and racial inequities and turn public testimony into policy recommendations. - Resident input from the hearing will help shape the commission’s final recommendations to the governor and state Legislature. - The commission’s work could influence how New York addresses the economic, social and political effects of enslavement and discrimination.

What happened: - Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages will host a public hearing of the New York State Community Commission on Reparations Remedies on Saturday, May 23, 2026. - The hearing runs from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m. at Hempstead High School Auditorium, 201 President Street, Hempstead, N.Y. 11550. - Senator James Sanders, Jr. and Assemblywoman Solages introduced the legislation that created the commission. - The hearing theme is “Truth Before Repair: Education, History and the Work of Reparations.” - The event is open to the public.

The details: - The hearing will give residents, advocates, educators, faith leaders, scholars and other community stakeholders a chance to offer testimony. - The commission will use the public input to inform its final recommendations. - The hearing will include remarks from commissioners, invited testimony and public participation. - Media availability will follow the hearing. - Registration is limited, and attendees can reserve a spot on the commission’s Eventbrite page. - Community members can follow the commission’s work at NY.GOV/REPARATIONS. - Written or audio testimony can be sent to ReparationsCommission@reparations.ny.gov.

Between the lines: - The Hempstead stop extends a statewide outreach effort aimed at communities most affected by historic and ongoing inequities. - The commission is pairing education and historical context with direct testimony, signaling a process built to gather both evidence and lived experience. - The hearing’s focus on public education and historical truth-telling suggests the commission is treating narrative and documentation as part of the reparations record, not just policy inputs.

What’s next: - The commission will continue holding hearings, meetings and community engagement sessions across New York. - Public testimony from Hempstead will feed into the commission’s report of evidence-based reparations recommendations. - The commission was established by Senate Bill S1163A, signed into law by Gov. Kathy Hochul in 2023. - Its mandate is to study slavery’s and systemic racism’s economic, social and political impacts in New York and produce recommendations for state leaders. - More updates and past hearing materials are available on the commission’s website.