Brooklyn College will receive more than $2.1 million in funding, part of New York City’s $125.8 billion adopted budget announced by Mayor Zohran Mamdani and New York City Council Speaker Julie Menin. The allocations will strengthen programs serving students, adult learners, and communities across Brooklyn and New York City.
The largest investment is $2 million for the Haitian Studies Institute at Brooklyn College, secured by Speaker Menin with advocacy and support of members of the Haitian-American delegation to the New York City Council, and other Council members. The institute, the first academic center in the United States dedicated to Haitian studies, serves as a leading center for scholarship, cultural preservation, public programming, and community engagement.
The budget also includes $75,000 for the Ayiti in the City Internship Program, secured by Council member Rita Joseph, chair of the New York City Council’s Committee on Education. The program provides students with paid internship opportunities that connect academic study with civic engagement, professional development, and service to New York City’s Haitian communities.
Additional support includes:
- $40,000 for NYC RISE with Adult Literacy Forward, expanding educational opportunities for adult learners.
- $10,000 for Inclusive Community Wellness, Inc.’s swim safety programs, secured by Council member Farah N. Louis, supporting community health and water safety education.
“These investments reflect the transformative impact of public higher education,” said Brooklyn College President Michelle J. Anderson. “We are grateful to Mayor Mamdani, Speaker Menin, Council member Joseph, Council member Louis, and the New York City Council for their support, which will expand opportunities for our students and the communities we serve.”
Anderson noted that the funding for the Haitian Studies Institute comes at a pivotal moment for the institute’s growth and impact.
“The Haitian Studies Institute is a resource for students, scholars, and community members seeking to understand Haiti’s history, culture, and contributions to New York and beyond,” Anderson said. “This investment will support research, expand public programming, and create opportunities for students through initiatives such as the Ayiti in the City Internship Program.”
The funding aligns with broader city investments in CUNY, including support for student success, adult literacy, workforce development, centers and institutes, and campus infrastructure.
