DAVID DINKINS | 1927–2020
Friends and Colleagues Remember As a little girl growing up with the greats like David Dinkins and my dad, Bill Lynch, I was inspired to serve. The historic place Mayor Dinkins holds in this city is undeniable, and his impact will be felt for generations to come. His passion and dedication to our great city are the blueprint for effective public service, and I hope that I am making him proud as I run for New York City Council in District 7 Stacy R. Lynch Candidate for NYC City Council, 7th District Those forces that have always been antithetical to the progress of the Black community rewrote history to reflect that the homelessness and high crime numbers of the 80s were the responsibility of one Mayor David Dinkins. In fact, Mr. Dinkins took office on January 1, 1990, cut crime by 29% in his term, obtained resources from Washington to hire 6,000 new police officers, and was the only mayor to leave office with a budget surplus. The cover up regarding the true achievements of great Black innovators is as historic as the amazing success they achieved. I am thankful this news organization will not allow the truth of Mayor Dinkins work to be crushed to the earth. We are rising with gratitude for the man who made the city a better place through his service; David N. Dinkins. Governor David Paterson As our nation continues to reckon with the insurgency at the U.S. Capitol last month, I’m reminded of the legacy that the late Honorable Mayor David Dinkins left behind through his outlook of New York City as a “gorgeous mosaic.” He was always a unifier as he fought for fairness for those at the bottom rung of the ladder and helped those at the top of it understand their struggle. Despite so much negativity thrown his way, he never answered with ugliness. What you saw in public, was what I saw in private: a principled, calm, healing man who wanted to move society forward for everybody. Rev. Al Sharpton President, National Action Network
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The Positive Community Winter 2021
“New York City lost a hero with a big heart with the passing of Mayor David Dinkins. He cared so deeply about every one in and every aspect of this great city, reflecting his deeply felt humanity and humility. He was a great friend and teacher, who never pulled a punch when giving advice. I miss him terribly, a sentiment I know I share with all New Yorkers and so many throughout the world.” Cy Vance, Jr. Manhattan District Attorney David Dinkins was among the most underrated politicians in recent times, but he rarely expressed publicly the resentment that many of us loyalists felt-- his achievements as mayor were never given the recognition they deserved. Maybe he was too decent, not loud enough, unwilling to exploit fears and division to score political points to gain attention. But those of us who loved and respected him will never forget the pioneer and role model he was for generations of his disciples. Ken Sunshine Sunshine Sachs Consultants I can’t remember a time in my life not knowing David N. Dinkins. He was a mentor, a friend, a grandfather to me. When I was ten he made a promise to me. He promised to be there for me if for some reason, later in my life my father was unable to be. He kept that promise. His loss is so profound it shakes me and so many others, to the core. He was our mayor, our leader, and our friend. His kind smile and reassuring eyes made all of under his watch know we would be alright. Elinor Tatum Publisher, New York Amsterdam News I often feel privileged when I think about growing up in the greatest community in the City of New York. The Village of Harlem is not just a special place to me, but the other New Yorkers that call it home. We have been fortunate enough to live among giants within the African-American community and one of those giants was Mayor David Dinkins. Our former mayor was an icon among intellectuals. He was a trailblazer for people of color, building bridges and pathways of opportunities for
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