Photos: Bed-Stuy Elected Officials Give Endorsement to Cornegy for City Hall

This past Friday, on the steps of Restoration Plaza, City Councilmember Albert Vann gave his official endorsement to Robert E. Cornegy, Jr. as his successor in the New York City Council.  

It was a groundbreaking occasion of sorts as Vann passed the torch to a seat he has held for three terms and an overall political presence of close to 40 years in the Bedford-Stuyvesant community.  

Vann lauded the work of Cornegy and the time he has invested into Bedford-Stuyvesant over the years so far, highlighting his tenacity, commitment and dedication to the community, family and church.  

Cornegy offered several examples of his years of service as current state committeeman for the 56th Assembly District. But more poignantly gave a humble nod to the community leaders and elected officials that have come before him.  

“This morning when I woke up, I was overcome with emotion,” said Cornegy. “Because when I think about the responsibility that he has held over 38 years, on the frontlines and doing everything from making sure there were more seats available for the presentation of color throughout this borough; making sure that you fought on the frontlines over in Ocean Hill and Brownsville so we have more teachers of color in the classroom for our young people.  

“When I think about the fact that our congressional representation came out of a fight that you had so that we can have brother Hakeem Jeffries representing us in DC. And when I think about all of that, and all that I potentially do, the task seems daunting,” he said.  

“And for a second I got a little scared. And they say, if you’re from Bed-Stuy, you’re never scared, right? But I got nervous. But then I took a moment to pray and ask God that the words of my mouth and the mediation of my heart will be acceptable in His sight. And I was all right.  

“So when I think about Assemblywoman Robinson, Councilmember Vann, Senator Velmanette Montgomery, and the years that they’ve served and the model that they’ve set for community engagement, I do get excited.”   [VIDEO]