NYC Speaks is an epic effort to bring together tens of thousands of New Yorkers from all walks of life to inform the priorities and policies of the new mayor, his administration, and the future of New York City. We are a network of civic and community partners deeply invested in building a better city for all of us.

You know what matters most to you, your family and your neighbors. We want to hear about your priorities, your challenges, and your ideas for solutions. Over the next six months, you’ll be able to participate in surveys and other community data collection efforts, attend a community dinner, join a focus group, weigh in online and by text, and many other ways to make your voice heard. We’ll come to you. Community leaders will host conversations at libraries, community centers, churches, mosques and synagogues in neighborhoods across the city.

We’ll hear each other’s voices and ideas about the issues that matter to us—from our health to our housing, our jobs to our neighborhoods, the education of our children to the safety of our streets. There is no shortage of good ideas that can help improve the ways that city government affects people’s lives. We’ll build on all of the great work that has come before – the plans and platforms, the programs and projects that have gathered your data and your ideas – and build out a community-driven plan that drives action.

NYC Speaks will invite the new administration and city leaders to meet the needs of everyday New Yorkers by translating your input into concrete priorities, policies and budget items. The goal is to make sure that we all understand how city government works—and have the opportunity to change it.