“The work of a human requires great humility…” That was the opening line from Manhattan District Attorney Alvin Bragg at a panel this week at the Museum of the City of New York. And in a political landscape that often rewards the opposite, the line landed.

Next in Justice

“Redefining Justice: Tackling Wrongful Convictions and Reforming the Criminal Justice System,” featuring Bragg, Inspector General Lucy Lang, Council Member Yusef Salaam, and Christina Swarns, executive director, Innocence Project, with Soledad O’Brien moderating. (She’s also working on a new documentary highlighting women breaking glass ceilings across the country — and, yes, she still looks exactly the same as she did on CNN in the early 2000s.)

Yusef shared that the Central Park Five still have a group chat, and there was a moment of reflection in the room when stats came out: New York ranks third highest state for wrongful convictions. 

Jack Wild, Lang’s Chief of Staff, was there, along with Soledad’s husband in the audience. And since we’re talking about Lang… Lucy celebrated a birthday this month—and fun fact—her three siblings also have March birthdays. That’s one well-timed family cake.

Tao & Tell

Downstairs at Tao Downtown, the NYC Hospitality Alliance Bash of the Boros felt more like a reunion than a networking event. Andrew Rigie kicked things off with a few remarks about where the industry’s heading — and who’s helping it get there.

National Grid’s Eileen Cifone brought her son to the event (future alliance member?) while Hunter Gross worked the room, and Arthur Goldstein from DHC dropped the fun fact that he once wrote a children’s book that remains unpublished. He also writes his own piano music. Naturally.

On the other side of the room, Geto & de Milly’s Sam Weinberger, freshly back from his family trip to Peru, shared a prized family recipe  — while Matt Jozwiak of Rethink Foods talked ‘mission meets kitchen…’ First and founding executive director of the NYC Mayor’s Office of Nightlife, Ariel Palitz; DoorDash’s Kassandra Perez Desir; Kasirer’s Mike Braun; former Crain’s NY Business publisher Jill Kaplan; Michael Blake (officially a candidate for Mayor), and Rhonda Binda of the Gracie Mansion Conservancy; were all in the mix. Blake worked the room solo — a rare thing in a room that thrives on clusters.

​​Also this week: Assemblyman Alex Bores traveled to New Haven to speak at Yale’s AI Summit. He joined Maine Rep. Amy Kuhn and Rhode Island Senator Victoria Gu to discuss coordination of state AI legislation—just in case you were wondering which electeds are prepping for our inevitable digital future! 

Long Island

Over at the Family & Children’s Association (FCA)  Women in Philanthropy Breakfast on Long Island, PR strategist Jody Fisher mingled with Holocaust storyteller and ‘The Local Reporter’ Dana Arschin; while FCA CEO Jeff Reynolds welcomed attendees and thanked the event’s presenting sponsor, Sands New York.

At the Sands table: Former Governor David Paterson, Lauren Corcoran Doolin, and Nassau County Comptroller Elaine Phillips. We hear Jeff asked Paterson on the spot if he’d model in next year’s benefit fashion show — and he agreed. (Expect a standing ovation.)

This year’s FCA honoree, Danielle Trombetta, CMO of Splish Splash Water Park, shared how she discovered FCA through Paige O’Brien, a current FCA team member and former Splish Splash lifeguard. Thanks to that connection, the park now donates to FCA every Giving Tuesday.

We learned: FCA provided services to over 36,000 Long Islanders this year alone — and Splish Splash employs more than 1,000 young people, starting at age 14, each summer. Bonus fact: FCA volunteer, Loida Santos, who handled the fashion show lineup, was in the original Broadway cast of A Chorus Line! 

Meanwhile, three Long Island Town Supervisors—Don Clavin (Hempstead), Jen DeSena (North Hempstead), and Joseph Saladino (Oyster Bay)—gathered in Floral Park with village leaders to voice opposition to state legislation that would override local zoning laws. They’re calling it a bipartisan stand for local control—others are calling it suburban pushback with an election-year edge.

Congressman Tom Suozzi was named a Clean Water Champion by NYLCV President Julie Tighe before joining his fellow Long Island delegation members—Reps. Nick LaLota, Andrew Garbarino, and Laura Gillen—on a panel hosted by the Long Island Association’s Matt Cohen. The message? Clean water and clean campaigns win on Long Island.

In Northeast Queens, Council Member Vickie Paladino welcomed DOT Commissioner Ydanis Rodriguez to District 19. Given Vickie’s vocal opposition to congestion pricing and bike lanes, we’re dying to know what that conversation looked like… We’ll be watching for any resurfaced footage, traffic-calming drama, or sharply worded announcements in the coming days…

Campaign Season is Here

Campaign season is quietly heating up — with forums popping up across the boroughs. This week, City Council District 8 (covering parts of East Harlem and the South Bronx) hosted a forum with primary candidates facing off on housing, public safety, and local leadership. Among those in attendance: Sophie Secor, political director, Manhattan Young Democrats, taking notes on the next generation of political personalities eyeing a seat at the table.

Over in the mayoral sphere, Rep. Greg Meeks endorsed Andrew Cuomo for mayor at a Queens rally this week, splitting from his past support of Speaker Adrienne Adams. The endorsement adds another layer to the fractured Southeast Queens political picture, as other Black lawmakers from the borough—including State Senator Leroy Comrie and Assemblymember Khaleel Anderson—have come out against Cuomo’s return.

Heard Out and About

🗣️ At a Long Island City catch-up, we overheard Long Island City Partnership’s Laura Rothrock summing it up best: “Long Island City is the fastest growing neighborhood in the city. Our message to developers? We’re open for business.”

🎭 The Inner Circle Show is coming up, and as expected, the pre-show drama isn’t about the skits — it’s about the seating chart. Who’s sitting where, who’s got the “power table,” and who’s dreading a punchline that hits too close to home. The big question floating around: will the jokes land, or could there be a round of polite chuckles and post-show damage control?

Planning for Style Across the Aisle 2025 is officially underway. If you’re interested in walking the runway, know a local designer, want to be a sponsor, or would like to join the steering committee — now’s the time to let us know.

We’re going bigger, bolder, and bipartisan-er than ever before.

COMING UP:

Smart City Expo @ Javits Center, April 2-3
Inner Circle Show @ Ziegfeld Ballroom, April 4 

Political Personality of the Week: 

SOLEDAD O’BRIEN

Soledad O’Brien is an award-winning journalist, producer, and author known for her in-depth reporting and documentary work. Born and raised on Long Island, she graduated from Harvard University with a degree in English and American literature. She began her career in television journalism as an associate producer and news writer before transitioning to on-air roles. Over the years, she has worked for major networks, including NBC, CNN, and HBO, covering a wide range of topics from politics to social justice issues.

O’Brien gained national prominence as an anchor and special correspondent for CNN, where she hosted and produced several critically acclaimed documentary series, including Black in America and Latino in America. These projects examined racial and social issues in the United States and contributed to national conversations on identity, inequality, and representation. Her reporting has taken her around the world, covering major events such as Hurricane Katrina, the Indian Ocean tsunami, and the Haiti earthquake.

In 2013, O’Brien left CNN to establish her own production company, Soledad O’Brien Productions, which focuses on telling underrepresented stories through documentary films, television specials, and digital content. She has produced and hosted programs for networks such as HBO, PBS, and Al Jazeera America. In addition to her work in journalism, she is a frequent public speaker and author, having written books like The Next Big Story: My Journey Through the Land of Possibilities.

Beyond her media career, O’Brien is committed to philanthropy and education. She founded the PowHERful Foundation, which provides mentorship and financial support to young women seeking higher education. She has received numerous awards for her contributions to journalism and social justice, including multiple Emmy Awards, the Peabody Award, and the NAACP President’s Award. Through her reporting and advocacy, she continues to amplify marginalized voices and challenge the status quo in media and storytelling.

FAST FACTS:

• Born & raised on Long Island
• Studied pre-med in college
• Multiple Emmy Awards, Peabody Award, NAACP President’s Award
• Founder of the PowHERful Foundation, supporting young women in education
• One of six children, all attended Harvard University
• Married mother of four