Many Black families who have lived in New York City for generations are leaving because housing costs too much and good homes are hard to find. Dorinda Pannell spent 35 years fighting for better housing in Brooklyn's East New York neighborhood. She moved to Virginia five years ago for better healthcare, lower costs, and to be near her son.
She still cares about NYC politics but can't vote there anymore. Census data shows NYC's Black population staying about the same size, but it's changing - more Black residents now are Latino, from other countries, or mixed race. Many longtime Black voters are moving to southern cities like Atlanta, Houston, and Charlotte.
This is like a reverse Great Migration, the opposite of when Black Americans moved north in the 1900s for better opportunities. Community leaders worry this could weaken the Democratic party in NYC because Black voters have been a key part of their support for decades. The housing crisis, safety concerns, and lack of affordable homes are pushing out families who have supported Democratic leaders for years.
Some Black voters who stay feel frustrated that politicians they've long supported haven't solved these problems. This trend could change NYC politics for a generation as longtime Democratic voters leave the city.