By Michael V. Cusenza
Queens Borough President Donovan Richards Jr. on Friday delivered his 2025 State of the Borough address—taking on the Trump administration while touting his first-term accomplishments and laying out his vision for a brighter future for The World’s Borough.
Delivered in the Claire Shulman Theatre within Flushing Meadows Corona Park’s historic Queens Theatre for the third straight year, Richards said his remarks aimed to contrast the federal government’s “dystopian vision” for the nation with the inclusiveness of Queens.
“It’s fight or flight. We can choose to bend the knee and accept this new America. Or we can choose each other,” he said on Friday.
Speech highlights included:
- While the Trump Administration seeks to dismantle the U.S. Department of Education, Richards noted that he has invested $78 million in funding for Queens’ public schools over his first term — supporting projects like the construction of new culinary arts kitchens, hydroponics labs, STEM labs, playgrounds, athletic fields and more.
- While the federal government believes climate change is a hoax, Richards boasted that he is leading efforts to preserve our environment by investing nearly $44 million in improvements to Queens’ parks and promoting historic renewable energy initiatives that will lessen our dependence on fossil fuels.
- While Washington extremists threaten immigrant communities with mass deportations, Richards said his administration is championing the construction of new community centers in immigrant neighborhoods and efforts to ensure all our neighbors know their rights in the face of current events.
- As our nation’s increasingly unstable and inequitable economy tilts towards oligarchy, Richards said he is working to create tens of thousands of jobs through a nearly $20 billion rebuild of Kennedy Airport as well as the establishment of a Global Tech and Innovation Center in Queens — creating a pipeline to connect Black and brown communities with the city’s emerging tech industry.
“The state of our borough is precarious. But its future is not predicated on anyone or anything beyond our borders. We decide what our future looks like. We are the keepers of our own flame. We are living proof that the idea of America is alive and well, right here in The World’s Borough,” Richards said. “The problems we face are profound. When haven’t they been? But we are the answer.”
Richards was introduced Queens District Attorney Melinda Katz, who served as Queens Borough President from January 2014 to December 2019. State Comptroller Tom DiNapoli, City Public Advocate Jumaane Williams, and City Council Speaker Adrienne Adams also offered pre-address remarks.
Deputy Queens Borough President Ebony Young served as the event’s emcee and offered welcoming remarks, as did Queens Theatre Executive Director Taryn Sacramone, followed by the Frank Sinatra School of the Arts choir’s rendition of “The Star-Spangled Banner” and “Lift Every Voice and Sing.” An interfaith invocation was delivered by Imam Shamsi Ali, the Rev. Eli Wilson III, Rabbi Sharon Ballan and Bashleen Kaur.
The program also featured a musical performance by the acclaimed Bartlett Contemporaries and a dance performance by the RIOULT Dance Company.
