New York City's first Muslim and South Asian mayor, Zohran Mamdani, finds himself under fire in a recent New York Times report for a glaring absence of Black representation among his top appointees.
A report published on Thursday by the New York Times, headlined “None of Mamdani’s Deputy Mayors Are Black. It Has Become a Problem,” highlights growing concerns among some Black and Latino leaders about access to power in Mamdani’s administration.
The progressive mayor, celebrated for his historic election and hard-left platform, appointed five deputy mayors, none of whom are Black, though one is Latino. Mamdani’s office has pushed back, with a spokesperson asserting that diversity remains a priority among the 32 appointees, 18 of whom are Asian American, Latino, Middle Eastern, or Black.
The issue has sparked debate over whether Mamdani, described as one of America’s most progressive elected officials, is truly delivering on the inclusive promises tied to his campaign, Fox News reported.
During his run in the Democratic mayoral primary last year, Mamdani struggled to gain traction with Black voters, as noted by Times reporter Jeffery C. Mays. This prompted outreach efforts, including work with Black community leaders and churches, to build a more representative team. Yet, the rollout of his deputy mayors has left some feeling sidelined.
While Mamdani appointed Afua Atta-Mensah, who spearheaded his campaign’s outreach to Black voters, as chief equity officer and commissioner of the Mayor’s Office of Equity and Racial Justice, not all leaders are satisfied.
Additional appointments of two Black individuals to high-profile roles—schools chancellor and director of intergovernmental affairs—have been made, but critics argue these fall short of expectations.
Even planned appointments of five Black or Latino individuals to six upcoming high-level commissioner or director roles haven’t quelled the discontent.
Black and Latino leaders have voiced frustration over what they see as insufficient representation in Mamdani’s inner circle. Tyquana Henderson-Rivers, a prominent Black political consultant, didn’t mince words on the disconnect.
“Doesn’t have the best relationship with the Black community,” Henderson-Rivers told the Times, pointing to a perceived lack of influence at the highest levels.
Her critique stings, but let’s unpack it—Mamdani’s team might argue numbers show diversity, with over half of appointees from minority backgrounds, yet the optics of zero Black deputy mayors scream louder than stats. If the top tier lacks visible representation, can trust truly be built with communities craving a seat at the table?
The Times drew comparisons to former mayors Eric Adams and Bill de Blasio, whose administrations were noted for more diverse staffing at senior levels. Adams, Mamdani’s predecessor, ran as an independent for a second term in 2025 but withdrew after trailing in polls. The contrast fuels criticism that Mamdani’s picks don’t match his progressive rhetoric.
Kirsten John Foy, president of the civil rights group Arc of Justice, offered a sharp rebuke, calling Mamdani “tone deaf to the cries of Black and Latinos in the city for access to power.” That’s a heavy charge for a mayor who pledged to tackle racial disparities with a long-overdue plan. Is this a genuine misstep or just early growing pains for a new administration?
Leaders like the head of the New York State NAACP have echoed concerns, suggesting that Mamdani’s focus doesn’t adequately address the needs of Black New Yorkers. It’s a narrative that clashes with his image as a trailblazer.
