Building a state government that reflects and serves the needs of the people.
The NY Black, Indigenous, and People of Color (BIPOC) Democracy Table was founded by Rosemary Rivera, former Executive Director of Citizen Action of New York, who initiated the effort to bring together BIPOC-led organizations across New York to strengthen coordination around democracy reform and civic participation.
In February 2022, Rivera brought on Karen Wharton to build out and lead the Table. Working with leaders from organizations across the state, Wharton developed the Table into a collaborative space where advocates align strategy, develop shared priorities, and advance structural reforms to New York’s democracy.
The concept for the Table was shared at national convenings prior to the first statewide convening in September 2022. Since then, the Table has grown into a powerful statewide forum for BIPOC leaders to coordinate advocacy, elevate community-driven solutions, and build collective power to strengthen democratic participation and representation across New York.
Karen Wharton currently serves as Convenor of the NY BIPOC Democracy Table, guiding the coalition’s strategic direction and statewide advocacy.
What We Do
Today, the NY BIPOC Democracy Table centers the needs and leadership of BIPOC communities in efforts to reform and strengthen New York’s democratic systems. The Table works to:
- Organize — Mobilize BIPOC communities to propose and advocate for structural reforms that increase civic participation
- Align — Develop a shared vision and policy agenda to advance a more inclusive and representative democracy
- Engage — Strengthen civic engagement programs designed by and for BIPOC communities
- Expand — Grow the coalition to include emerging and grassroots BIPOC-led organizations across the state
The Table is guided by a statewide steering committee of BIPOC leaders, who collaborate to shape the Table’s priorities and collective advocacy.
A Win for Multiracial Democracy
After more than two decades of advocacy, New York State launched the largest small-donor public matching program in the nation in 2022 — and the NY BIPOC Democracy Table was part of making it happen.
The program completed its first full election cycle in 2024 with remarkable results. Over 328 candidates registered — 70% of all state legislative candidates — demonstrating broad, cross-partisan support. Of those, 161 received public matching funds, with over $35 million in public funds distributed to candidates running for State Senate and Assembly across New York.
That scale matters. When candidates don’t have to chase big donors to run, the door opens wider for candidates who look like the communities they represent. Public campaign finance is not just a good government reform — it is a racial justice issue. It shifts power from wealthy white donors toward the multiracial working-class communities that make up the majority of New York.
The fight isn’t over. The 2026 election cycle is underway — the first to include statewide offices — and we are working to ensure the program is adequately funded, protected from rollback, and strengthened based on what we learned in 2024. New York proved it can be done. Now we have to make sure it lasts.
Coalition Members
Albany NAACP · Alliance for Quality Change · Brennan Center for Justice at NYU Law · Brooklyn NAACP · Center for Law and Social Justice · Citizen Action of New York · Community Voices Heard · Educated Voter · For the Many · Make The Road New York · Minkwon Center for Community Action · NALEO · New York Civic Engagement Table · New York Immigration Coalition · Open Buffalo · Stand Up America · Vocal NY · Women Creating Change · Working Families Party · and more grassroots organizations across New York State.