Overview:

Haitian American elected officials and organizers are rallying behind NYC mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani, citing his inclusive policies and community outreach. At a recent Zoom meeting, leaders discussed strategies to mobilize Haitian voters.

NEW YORK — On Sunday night, Haitian American politicians met to discuss Democratic mayoral candidate Zohran Mamdani. They were joined by members of his campaign team, alongside audience members interested in learning more about his ambitious vision for New York City. The October 19th Zoom meeting was convened by Assemblymember Rodneyse Bichotte Hermelyn, who originally supported former Governor Andrew Cuomo and endorsed Mamdani after his primary win in June. 

“While being with him through the churches and the streets of Flatbush and working with community members, he definitely resonated with them,” Hermelyn said. “He has listened to them, and it’s been with sincerity, and he’s really working hard to get the vote, and the trust of all of us.”

She was joined by a host of other elected officials, union groups, media, and organizers, many of whom brimmed with enthusiasm for Mamdani. One of them was Assemblymember Phara Souffrant Forrest. Forrest was the first Haitian American elected official to support Mamdani and was singled out in the meeting for being instrumental in garnering further support for his campaign. 

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“We are not asking for a lot,” Forrest said. “What we are asking for is a life of dignity and now we’re going to make it happen together. Zohran is for us.”

Council Member Farah Louis mentioned how Mamdani has been working to solidify support from the Haitian and broader Caribbean community. Since he won the Democratic primary in June, he’s appeared at the BAYO concert at the Barclays Center, where he expressed solidarity with Haitians and promised to protect their rights. He’s made appearances in Little Caribbean, where he met with community leaders and residents. He’s also vowed to protect Haitians and other NYC immigrants from ICE raids. Mamdani’s promises are centered on a focus to make New York City affordable to all, including the Haitian communities who have been a significant part of it for decades. 

While Mamdani’s support continues to grow, campaign officials say there’s more work ahead to build trust. Deandra Khan, the campaign’s intergovernmental affairs and labor director, discussed how canvassing and outreach have been evolving. She was joined by Derrick Davis, the political engagement director for the Mamdani campaign. 

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“We have canvases going on in almost every single neighborhood that represents a large amount of Haitian New Yorkers,” Khan said, citing Canarsie, Flatbush and East Flatbush. She mentioned that Haitians’ presence when canvassing is extremely valuable to foster connection and understanding. 

While Mamdani’s name recognition and three campaign issues – universal healthcare, a fast and free bus system, and freezing the rent – have gained traction, the campaign team wants to also focus on those who are skeptical of his ability to deliver these promises and neighborhoods he did not win in the June primary. Khan added that other priorities, such as lowering grocery costs and improving community safety, have also resonated.

Audience members on the call were given the chance to voice their questions to Khan and Davis. Their concerns were focused on how a potential Mamdani administration would include Haitians in their housing agendas and support culturally relevant practices in classrooms. 

One attendee raised a concern about inclusive messaging.

“One of the problems in our community is access to information,” the audience member said. “There can be great programs, but if our community doesn’t have access to the information, we can’t benefit.”

This resulted in a deeper conversation on the campaign, including translations in French and Kreyòl, to ensure that more Haitians, specifically those who cannot communicate in English, can understand the campaign’s messaging.

Other audience members offered suggestions, such as creating a toolkit that shares Zohran Mamdani’s message and details his experience, as well as sending talking points to homeowners and small landowners. 

As the meeting came to an end, members of Mamdani’s campaign team noted that the eve of the November mayoral election is integral to their success and aspirations for City Hall. The organizers who met on Sunday night are set to continue towards their goal to reach out to the Haitian community with the establishment of a Haitians for Zohran WhatsApp group, which will share updates on future meetings and events.

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