The one where a brand-new Council convenes under its first Black woman Speaker — eleven days after 17 Bronx neighbors di

It's the opening stated meeting of a 'new council' , Adrienne Adams presiding as the city's first Black woman Speaker, members on Zoom turning on cameras to be counted. Reverend Michael Livingston of Riverside Church gives the invocation; the chamber pauses for a moment of silence over a COVID surge and the Twin Parks Northwest fire that killed 17 just days before. Newly named chairs introduce themselves as they vote , Pierina Sanchez (Housing), Shahana Hanif (Immigration), Mercedes Narcisse (Hospitals), Nantasha Williams (Civil & Human Rights). Charles Barron uses his vote to warn that 'every