Hello.

Hello, good morning.

Welcome to today's New York City Council vote for the Committee on Cultural Affairs, Libraries, and International Intergroup Relationships Relations.

Today's

date.

At this time, we ask everyone to sign all electronic devices.

And at no point anyone should approach a day as chair, you may begin.

Thank you.

Good morning.

I am Deputy Speaker Nantasha Williams, Chair of the Committee in Cultural Affairs, Libraries and International Relations.

Today the committee will consider one resolution, proposed resolution 625B, sponsored by Councilmember Farah Lewis, which would declare October as Reggaeton Heritage Month in the city of New York to honor the legacy of reggaeton as a prominent expression of Afro-Caribbean and Latin American identity and to recognize New York's pivotal role in facilitating the blend of cultures that is at the heart of this grassroots musical genre.

Now, Councilmember Lewis would like to deliver remarks on her resolution.

Thank you, Chair.

Good morning.

Today I'm proud to bring forward Rezzle 625, which declares October as Reggaeton Heritage Month in New York City.

I'm grateful to Deputy Speaker Williams for uplifting the importance of celebrating our diverse cultures, cultural roots, and recognizing the communities whose contributions have shaped our city.

Reggaeton transcends music and its roots, tracing back to the Afro-Caribbean community in Panama, where artists began adapting Jamaican reggae into Spanish.

The genre continued to evolve through Puerto Rico's underground music scene before Caribbean artists and producers in Brooklyn and across New York City helped fuse reggae dance hall and hip hop into the sound we recognize today.

This resolution honors the Panamanian communities that gave birth to reggaeton and celebrates the broader Hispanic and Caribbean heritage that made its global success possible.

From New York City to audiences around the world, reggaeton reflects the rich cultural extent exchange that defines us, declaring October as the Reggaeton Heritage Month and Car sorry, ensures that we recognize the people and histories that made it possible.

This resolution to be brought forward this month.

Recognizing this legacy in October creates a dedicated opportunity to celebrate the Panamanian, Hispanic, and Caribbean communities whose creativity and cultural company contributions help shape a global phenomenon.

Thank

you.

Thank

you so much, Councilmember Lewis.

I would like to thank my staff and the committee staff who worked on preparing for today, including Alejandro, Regina, and Steven, our uh summer intern who drafted this resolution.

I remind members of the public that this is a formal government proceeding and that decorum shall be observed at all times and such members of the public shall remain silent at all times.

The witness table is reserved for people who wish to testify.

No video recording or photography is allowed from the witness table.

Further, members of the public may not present audio or video recordings as testimony, but may submit transcripts of such recordings to the can we get council?

Oh, you got water.

Okay.

But they submit transcripts of such recordings to the sergeant at arms for inclusion in the hearing record.

If you wish to speak at today's hearing, please fill out an appearance card with the sergeant at arms and wait to be recognized.

When recognized, you will have two minutes to speak on today's hearing topic, which is the legislation I have just outlined.

If you have a written statement or additional written testimony you wish to submit for the record, please provide a copy of that testimony to the sergeant at arms.

I will now call the witness, Dr.

Mita Leacok.

Good morning, everyone.

Good morning, Chair, good morning, Councilmembers.

My name is Dr.

Mita Leacock.

I am a Brooklyn native of Panamanian Heritage, a music executive and producer with over 30 years plus experience in the entertainment industry, president of Avenida World Records.

I am here today in strong support of proposed resolution number 625B recognizing October as reggaetone Heritage Month in New York City.

My connection to reggaetone is both personal and professional.

As a Brooklyn native with Panamanian roots, this history holds a special place in my heart.

Growing up in New York City, I witnessed firsthand how Caribbean and Latino communities shared their music, language, and traditions.

New York became a cultural bridge where these sounds found new audiences and generations and embraced them.

Like Councilmember Farrell Lewis, I too was a professional dancer.

Having begun dancing at Alvin Ailey and Dance School of Harlem, I went on to perform as the background dancer.

Reggaetone was a huge part of my life, not only influencing my choreography and dance routines, but also serving as a soundtrack to countless memories with families and friends.

It was the music we listened to, danced to, and celebrated together in our everyday lives.

For more than 30 years, I have dedicated my career to advocating for artists and helping them build successful careers from AR to marketing, promotions, management, coordinating tours.

I've worked behind the scenes.

And while I'm proud of the many artists I've helped, I now want to bring that same passion, dedication, experience, and advocacy to my own culture and heritage.

Today, through my work at Avenida Records, a record label dedicated to elevating Latin artists and expanding their reach to the global stage.

Reggaeton is more than music.

It is more than a billion dollar global industry.

It is history, identity, culture, and a powerful example of what happens when communities come together through creativity.