New York Governor Hochul Shares Concern About Lack of Access to Technology Education for Black Youth in the Bronx

New York Democrat Gov. Kathy Hochul expressed “regret” Monday night for stating earlier in the day at a conference in California that “Black kids” in the Bronx “don’t even know what the word ‘computer is’.”

Hochul’s comments were made at the Milken Institute Global Conference in Beverly Hills, California, where she discussed her $400 million artificial intelligence initiative with Jonathan Capehart, the conference moderator.

She told the audience, which consisted of billionaires and business leaders, that “right now we have young Black kids growing up in the Bronx who don’t even know what the word ‘computer’ is. They don’t know these things. And I want the world opened up to all of them.”

Following criticism from members of her own party in the state Legislature, Hochul backtracked on her remarks, admitting that she “misspoke and regret it.”

In a statement, she clarified, “Of course Black children in the Bronx know what computers are. The issue is that they often lack access to the technology required to pursue high-paying jobs in industries like AI.”

New York Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie and Rev. Al Sharpton defended Hochul, with Heastie stating, “While the governor’s words were inartful and hurtful, I believe her intentions are to see all of our students succeed.”

Sharpton added, “She might not have articulated it well, but many in our community are excluded from using social media due to racial barriers. This is an important point to raise.”

However, Bronx Democrats were less forgiving. Assembly members Karines Reyes and John Zaccaro Jr. were disturbed and troubled by Hochul’s comments, while Assemblywoman Amanda Septimo criticized her for being misinformed.

“Do better,” Reyes urged Hochul.

Zaccaro expressed his concern, stating, “The underlying perception conveyed about Black and brown children from the Bronx is not only disheartening but deeply concerning.”