Jumaane Williams delivering his inauguration speech on January 1, 2025. Photo by Christa Avampato.
Yesterday, I watched the NYC inauguration of Mayor Zohran Mamdani, Comptroller Mark Levine, and Public Advocate Jumaane Williams. Each used 3 used a different holy book for their swearing in ceremonies: Quaran, Hebrew Bible, and Christian Bible, respectively. This was a first in NYC history. Each of them comes from a different ethnic background: Muslim and South Asian, Jewish, and Black and Caribbean heritage. Another first in NYC history. The level of diversity and inclusivity at the ceremony mirrors a truth that runs deep in our city: everyone from everywhere comes to NYC and makes this their home.
I have never watched an inauguration before yesterday. Given this historic moment, I wanted to be part of it in a small way. I wanted to bear witness in the hopes that this really is an inflection point in our city. I’m always hopeful and optimistic about our city because I believe in New Yorkers. It’s inspiring to see so many others also hopeful and optimistic about our city.
I believe strongly that when we start a new journey, we should begin as we wish to go. Though it will be a long road to make our city equitable and affordable for all, yesterday was a very good start. I would like to find a way to do my part (and then some.) I don’t know yet exactly what that means, but I’m excited to find out how I can help.
My favorite part of the ceremony came from Jumaane Williams. He gave a poetic and poignant speech, a message to us and his younger self. “If we are all connected, we can’t lose anyone,” he said. That idea keeps ringing in my ears. So many New Yorkers slip through the cracks for a million different reasons. But it doesn’t have to be that way. If we can help everyone, every single one, plug into a community where they can connect, no one gets lost. No one has to be alone. In a city this big and varied and resourced, there is space for everyone to have someone they can depend on. There’s something in there. Something powerful that’s worthy of exploration and action. Let’s see what we can do.
The short of it:
Writer. Health, education, and art advocate. Theater and film producer. Visual artist. Product geek. Proud alumnae of the University of Pennsylvania (BA) and the Darden School of Business at the University of Virginia (MBA). Inspired by ancient wisdom & modern tech. Proliferator of goodness. Opener of doors. Friend to animals. Fan of creative work in all its wondrous forms. I use my business skills to create passion projects that build a better world. I’ve been called the happiest New Yorker, and I try hard to live up to that title every day.
The long of it:
My career has stretched across Capitol Hill, Broadway theatre, education, nonprofit fundraising, health and wellness, and Fortune 500 companies in retail, media, entertainment, technology, and financial services. I’ve been a product developer and product manager, theater manager, strategic consultant, marketer, voice over artist, , teacher, and fundraiser. I use my business and storytelling to support and sustain passion projects that build a better world. In every experience, I’ve used my sense of and respect for elegant design to develop meaningful products, services, programs, and events.
While building a business career, I also built a strong portfolio as a journalist, novelist, freelance writer, interviewer, presenter, and public speaker. My writing has appeared in The Washington Post, The Huffington Post, PBS.org, Boston.com, Royal Media Partners publications, and The Motley Fool on a wide range of topics including business, technology, science, health, education, culture, and lifestyle. I have also been an invited speaker at SXSW, Teach for America, Avon headquarters, Games for Change, NYU, Columbia University, Hunter College, and the Alzheimer’s Foundation of America. The first book in my young adult book series, Emerson Page and Where the Light Enters, was acquired by a publisher and launched in November 2017. I’m currently working on the second book in the series.
A recovering multi-tasker, I’m equally at home in front of my Mac, on my yoga mat, walking my rescue dog, Phineas, traveling with a purpose, or practicing the high-art of people watching. I also cut up small bits of paper and put them back together as a collage artist.
My company:
I’m bringing together all of my business and creative career paths as the Founder of Double or Nothing Media:
• I craft products, programs, and projects that make a difference;
• I build the business plans that make what I craft financially sustainable;
• I tell the stories that matter about the people, places, and products that inspire me.
Follow my adventures on Twitter at https://twitter.com/christanyc and Instagram at https://instagram.com/christarosenyc.
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Christa Avampato 