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On April 2nd, inside the New Settlement Community Center located on 1501 Jerome Avenue in the Bronx, Althea “Black Girl Magic” Stevens held her 2025 State of District event. Stevens is currently campaigning for re-election for her seat as council member of the 16th District in the Bronx.

The 16th District in the Bronx represents for the South Bronx, covering the neighborhoods of Concourse, Morris Heights, Macombs Dam Park, Tremont and Yankee Stadium. Stevens has been representing District 16 since 2022. The Primary election official date is June 24th, 2025, and early voting will begin on April 21, 2025.

The Democratic politician held a spectacular event gathering voters in the community and other Black council members from other districts in New York. The event decorated in gold and purple was not only an in-person event but was livestream on BronxNet Ch.67 Optimum and Ch.2133 FIOS.

The event started with speeches from guest speakers such as Jumaane Williams, a Democratic Councilmember representing the 45th District in Brooklyn. The 45th District covers the neighborhoods of Flatbush, East Flatbush, Marine Park, and Kensington. Williams came to the State of District to support the re-election of Stevens,

“I wanted to come out to show love for the Bronx,” said Williams. “She is doing amazing work!

We have more Black and Brown women electives than ever in our city, state, and federal state. I am excited about the work Council member Steven’s does because she knows the goal was to diversify foolishness, it was to change the foolishness in the first place and change the system that keeps people down.” he said.

Williams was not the only Council member from Brooklyn to support Steven’s campaign. Justin Lee Brannan, Democratic Councilmember for the 43rd District, based in Bay Ridge, Brooklyn, came on behalf of Stevens. “You have a fighter!” said Brannan.” Althea always makes sure that this community has a seat at the table! Coming from South Brooklyn, many neighborhoods had to fight over crumbs, while other neighborhoods got a full loaf of bread. Althea is making sure that changes!” he said

Other Council members who came out in support of Stevens was Natasha Williams, Council member of District 27, representation Southeast, Queens.

Some members of the community have been supporting Stevens before she even entered office. Rigaud Noel, Executive Director at New Settlement Apartments, located in the Mount Eden section of the Bronx, has known Stevens since high school. “What you see is what you get,” said Noel. “My sister, has kept true to herself in the last 25 years, and that’s what makes her a different kind of politician and a different kind of Councilmember,” he said.

Community organization within District 16 took a moment to speak on Steven’s impact on the community. “I live and work within the District.” said Thaiasia Johnson, Program Director of New Destiny Housing Corporation. “It is an honor to speak for someone who embodies what a leader is. Althea is one of us, she grew up in this community, understands the struggles, and is committed that no one is left behind. She doesn’t lead from the distance, she is in the streets.” she said.

Finally, Steven took the podium with Alicia Keys’s “Girl On Fire” playing in the background. Stevens took the stage and energetically spoke on her plans for her next re-election. ” I not dictator, I am a representative,” said Stevens. “For those from the community who are here tonight and those watching on livestream, you are the heartbeat of District 16. When I took office in 2022, I took office, I made a promise to fight for housing. Housing is a basic human right. In the past three years, we have raised $6.5 million to support local organizations, like New Settlement.

 Local Bronx monuments like the New York Botanical Gardens, The Bronx Museum of the Arts, and the Bronx Zoo for creative and educational opportunities. We invested over $280,000 annually with the Department of Sanitation to keep the Bronx streets clean.” she said.

“Our city budget is a moral obligation,” said Stevens. “I will continue to fight at City Hall. To ensure our city laws, for issues that are often ignored,” she said.

During her address, Stevens spoke on having a plan for the largest expansion of the Summer Youth Employment Program, and dedicating funding towards assisting runaway and homeless teens., Stevens is the Chair of the Committee on Children and Youth. She is developing legislative efforts to include improvement toward the expansion of mental health education and maternal health for minority women. Her plan for better healthcare will also include a possible project for a community STEM center.

At the end of her address, she spoke about her major priorities for District 16. This will focus on juvenile decarceration and providing community-based violence intervention. She states that transforming a neighborhood of a collative effort.

Stevens made a guarantee to lead with love and integrity. She plans to bring access to housing, healthy food, and economic opportunity. She plans to fight against adversity and stereotypes.  She ended strongly assured, “We are going to fight for a better Bronx and get the respect we deserve.”

Althea “Black Girl Magic” Stevens held her 2025 State of District event on April 2nd, 2025

 

Jumaane Williams, Democratic Council member representing the 45th District in Brooklyn came to the Bronx to support Stevens

 

Thaiasia Johnson, Program Director of New Destiny Housing Corporation spoke on behalf Stevens in her community effort

 

Photo Credit: Sherica Daley