TL;DR
- Shawn(ta) Smith-Cruz appointed as NYC’s records chief.
- She aims to preserve LGBTQ+ history and public access.
- Her role highlights the importance of representation.
- Mamdani’s administration prioritizes community leaders.
- Smith-Cruz has a rich background in archives.
In a groundbreaking move that has the LGBTQ+ community buzzing, New York City Mayor Zohran Mamdani has appointed Shawn(ta) Smith-Cruz, a Black lesbian librarian, as the new commissioner of the Department of Records and Information Services (DORIS). This isn’t just any appointment; it’s a fierce declaration that representation matters, especially in a city that prides itself on its diversity.
Smith-Cruz, a Brooklyn native, steps into this pivotal role at a time when the preservation of public records and history is under fire. With nearly two decades of experience in academic and community-based archives, she is poised to safeguard the city’s rich history, particularly its LGBTQ+ narratives. As she puts it, “We have such a rich New York City history when it comes to Stonewall in particular,” emphasizing the need to include voices that have often been silenced.
Her appointment comes on the heels of a tumultuous political climate where the Trump administration faced fierce backlash for attempts to erase LGBTQ+ history from federal records. The revisionist efforts to downplay the contributions of transgender individuals during the Stonewall uprising were met with outrage, and Smith-Cruz’s role is more crucial than ever to combat such historical erasure.
“Providing access to government records, documents, and data is our municipal responsibility,” she stated, highlighting the urgency of her work in an age where digital information is expanding rapidly. Smith-Cruz is not just about preserving history; she’s about making it accessible to everyone, especially marginalized communities.
Her impressive resume includes serving as the dean of the Barnard College Library, where she led initiatives to expand access to information for all, particularly for underserved populations. She’s also held senior positions at New York University and the Brooklyn Public Library, focusing on projects that uplift LGBTQ+ history and support incarcerated individuals.
But Smith-Cruz’s commitment to advocacy doesn’t stop at the library doors. As a teenager, she co-founded Sister Outsider, a nonprofit dedicated to empowering young women in Brooklyn through peer education and harm reduction. Her passion for community service is palpable, and it’s clear that she’s ready to bring that same energy to DORIS.
Mamdani’s administration is making waves by prioritizing LGBTQ+ leadership, having already established the city’s first-ever Office of LGBTQIA+ Affairs, led by civil rights attorney Taylor Brown, who is also the first out transgender person to head a city office. Smith-Cruz’s appointment is a continuation of this trend, reflecting a commitment to elevating voices that have been historically marginalized.
As she takes on this monumental role, Smith-Cruz is not just the keeper of records; she’s a beacon of hope for many. Her leadership promises to ensure that New York City’s historical record is a true reflection of its diverse communities, reminding us all that every story matters. In a world where access to information is a right, Smith-Cruz is ready to fight for it, one record at a time.