1st reparations commission meeting sparks leadership debate [Video]

New York’s commission tasked with studying reparations and the impacts of New York’s role in the slave trade met for the first time Tuesday at the state Capitol — but the conversation grew tense at times when the group discussed which members should have leadership roles.

Commissioners unanimously selected Seanell Hawkins, president and chief executive officer of the Urban League of Rochester, to chair the commission and lead the work to take place over the next year. 

“This is exciting,” Hawkins said to the board Tuesday. “We publicly get to share what has been done specifically in New York state and do the research, do the work, so we can work on remedies. So that we can clear pathways for individuals… so they don’t have to worry about this and that there are remedies in place.”

Eight of nine commissioners appointed by Gov. Kathy Hochul and legislative leaders earlier this …