Thursday, July 13th, 2023

Layla Law-Gisiko serves on Manhattan’s Community Board 5 at the very center of New York City. She currently chairs the land use committee, which makes recommendations on the community’s built real estate environments. We discuss her community advocacy, the land use issues the Community Board considers, and the future of New York’s Penn Station.

The community board’s power is its voice. Community boards give people an opportunity to get involved and participate in democracy. When the community gets together, they can win. Although there are no real victory laps and it’s easy to get discouraged, it’s important to remember that it’s all about being in the fight. Talk to everyone, even if you disagree, and create opportunities for alliances.