It was recently revealed to Obaland Magazine about the meeting, of a sixteen-member coalition representing African diaspora, Ghanaian, Ethiopian, Malian, Gambian, Senegal, Nigeria, and Guinean communities, to mention few across New York City, with the appearance and participation of African diaspora Hero, Richard Iyasere had a meeting with mayoral candidate Ray McGuire after a breakfast at Accra Restaurant in the Bronx. The organisations present includes; United African Coalition, NAPAC, OAN, and Yankasa Association. The one-on-one meeting was a follow-up on the “Mayoral Candidates Meet and Greet” zoom forum held on March 13th and attended by Maya Wiley, Ray McGuire and Eric Adams.
The meeting also kicked off the coalition’s borough-wide meeting with the mayoral candidates which has been scheduled through April. The aim is to facilitate an up-close interaction and to find out how the candidate’s policy agenda would benefit the African constituents in New York City if elected mayor.
In his opening remarks, Ray McGuire said “he’s not a politician, It is likely the case that I’ve created more opportunity and generated more wealth for black and brown people than all of the other candidates combined. I’ve been the longest standing head of the business in the history of wall street…I didn’t say black, I said the longest standing head of business in the history of wall street,” he added.
Mr. Richard Iyasere CEO Daddyrich promotion and other members of the forum applauded and showed his concern , support and appreciation , he started his minutes by saying “ I am a guy that wears many hats, I belong to many Africa organization in the community of Bronx, and I am glad to be a board member of UNAC, and a couple of them. I am not here to talk about my self but to listen to Ray” he concluded by telling Ray “you are the first candidate of 2021 New York City mayoral election that has come to seek my opinion and aid for your Political career , to me is a good sign. I will lead the campaign”
Watch the brief video below:
The Bronx community lead by Richard Iyasere, asked about high paying jobs for New Yorkers post-COVID-19, Mr. McGuire, who was elegantly dressed with a smiling face, said ” his economic development plan is built around his campaign message, (Go Big, Go Small, Go Forward) that would create 500,000 good-paying jobs focused on infrastructure: truly affordable housing, fixing the sewer mains, the elevators, and the subways; $100 million for vocational-workforce training; Broadband access for 1.5 million New Yorkers; On “Go Small,” Ray said empowering small businesses, especially MWBEs, would be his top priority if elected. “My plan is to take 50,000 small businesses and pay for half of their wages for 1 year and negotiate their ability to retain some portion of their sales tax receipts.” In response to the complaint that Africans are not represented in senior-level positions such as Deputy Commissioner, Ray replied, I’m going for the best team across the board.” Give me your best talents!
An estimated 750,000 of the 2.5 million (foreign-born) Africans in America reside in New York City. Several reports show African immigrants among the most educated groups in the United States. The United African Coalition in collaboration with the sixteen African community stakeholders recognized the imminent mayoral race as a unique opportunity for African immigrants to demonstrate their ability to unite. The coalition’s ultimate goal is to mobilize support and consolidate the African immigrants’ votes to help elect the next mayor–a concerted effort to turn the population’s economic power into a voting bloc.