“Open Data Week reminds us of the beauty, power, and possibility contained within New York City’s 6.3 billion rows of public data… This vast public resource tells the story of who we are as a city — and where we must focus our attention to build something better.”
— Mayor Zohran Mamdani
Over the weekend, I had the chance to attend Mayor Mamdani’s 100-day speech in Queens. As someone old enough to remember the excitement of Bill Clinton’s and Barack Obama’s first presidential events, the energy felt strikingly familiar. A young, compelling executive took the stage to thunderous applause and laid out a vision for a government that works for the people.
The room was full of City workers who had spent the last 102 days digging us out of historic blizzards and advancing what the Mayor called “pothole politics.” It was also wonderful to see staffers, advocates, and friends who had each played a role in helping shape the new administration. And yes — it was a delight to spot Data Through Design artist and OTI’s Claudia Berger in the mayoral intro video.
The message of the speech was clear: take care of one another, deliver excellence in government, and prove what is possible. At BetaNYC, that call feels deeply familiar. It is the work we do every day.
Later in this newsletter, you’ll find a short table of podcasts recapping the administration’s first 100 days. I especially want to highlight Dr. Christina Greer’s interview on NYC Now and her comments in FAQ NYC episode 491. Her reflections on diversity, growth, and the realities of governing are especially sharp.
The Mayor laid out milestones for prototyping key policies and reinforced the values that shaped his campaign. Dr. Greer helps ground those promises in the realities of governing — what this administration can do, where it may be constrained, and how much work still lies ahead.
And that work is urgent. I keep thinking about the climate crisis. We are living on a planet fractured by ideology, powered by petrochemicals, and too often committed to destruction in the name of peace.
Still, I believe another world is possible. We build it through collective care. Through courage. Through hope. Sí, se puede. Yes, we can.
Two weeks ago, we came together to celebrate our collective work and this community’s accomplishments. This morning, Duncan published our 2026 NYC Open Data Week in-review blog post.
As we look toward the next decade, we want to hear from you. We’re putting together a small zine to reflect on Open Data Week’s first 10 years, and we’d love to include the moments that inspired, moved, or stayed with you. Share your reflections with us — and we promise to keep creating more opportunities to gather, learn, and build together.
In solidarity,
Noel Hidalgo
(with support from Gabby Langston)
Support BetaNYC Today! 💗
Power belongs with people, not crowns. BetaNYC is building a more transparent and accountable city by creating public tools, opening access to knowledge, and helping New Yorkers take action in their communities. Our new “No Kings” tote bag is a thank-you gift for supporters who want to carry that spirit with them.
Give $35 or more today to receive one.
Your support makes our public programs possible, including School of Data, and helps power our work across New York City.
Support our work and claim your tote: https://www.beta.nyc/support-us-no-king
Upcoming Events with BetaNYC 🎊
- April 21 at 2:30 pm Mapping for Equity: Data Entry Class with BetaNYC at The College of Staten Island (CUNY)
- May 1 at 11 am Urban Data Science Showcase
- May 11 at 6 pm Discovering NYC Open Data: Online Session: May 2026
Mamdani’s First 100 Days 🗳️
- What can 100 days actually tell us? This Gothamist piece on Mayor Mamdani’s first months in office reflects on the promises, ambition, and historical comparisons shaping the city’s political conversation right now.
- A long-fragmented child care process may be getting a little easier to navigate: this Chalkbeat report on NYC’s new child care provider permitting site looks at the city’s effort to streamline applications and help new centers open more quickly.
Podcast | Episode Title | Organization | URL |
|---|---|---|---|
| Hell Gate Podcast | What Comes After Mayor Mamdani’s First 100 Days? | Hell Gate | https://podcasts.apple.com/ca/podcast/what-comes-after-mayor-mamdanis-first-100-days/id1673846089?i=1000760747137 |
| NYC NOW | 100 Days Into Mayor Mamdani’s Term: How Has He Done? | WNYC Studios | https://www.wnycstudios.org/podcasts/nyc-now/articles/100-days-into-mayor-mamdanis-term-how-has-he-done |
| FAQ NYC | Episode 491: FAQ Live: 100 Days of Mamdani | THE CITY | https://www.thecity.nyc/2026/04/11/mamdani-100-days-faqnyc-live-podcast/ |
| Max Politics | Mayor Mamdani’s First 100 Days, with Sally Goldenberg & Bob Hardt | Gotham Gazette | https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/max-politics/id1143579069 |
| You Decide with Errol Louis | 100 days in office: Inside Mayor Mamdani’s memorable moments | Spectrum News NY1 | https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s4U1XDUH4jQ |
| The Brian Lehrer Show | 100 Days: Housing & Mayor Mamdani’s Legacy | WNYC | https://www.wnyc.org/story/mayor-mamdanis-first-100-days |
| CBS News New York | NYC Mayor Zohran Mamdani reflects on his 1st 100 days in office | CBS News | https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/mayor-zohran-mamdani-first-100-days-recap/ |
| Democracy Now! | Zohran Mamdani Touts Accomplishments After 100 Days as NYC Mayor | Democracy Now! | https://www.democracynow.org/2026/4/13/headlines/zohran_mamdani_touts_accomplishments_after_100_days_as_nyc_mayor |
This Week’s Media Watchlist 🎥
- Spring is showing up across the city: this THE CITY guide to NYC’s best blooms uses data and local expertise to help readers find where cherry blossoms, magnolias, and other flowering trees are putting on a show.
- A window could become a small site of climate action: this Gothamist story on legislation to allow plug-in solar panels from windows and balconies looks at how a simple policy change could make solar more accessible for apartment dwellers.
- The curb is public space, too: this Streetsblog exclusive on DOT’s new Office of Curb Management explores how New York may start rethinking curbside space for deliveries, outdoor dining, safer streets, and containerized trash.
Artificial Intelligence Roundup 🤖
- A debate over safety, privacy, and surveillance: this Guardian story on a proposed AI-powered “virtual gated community” examines how one wealthy neighborhood in Toronto is responding to property crime. (Paywall)
- A grounded conversation on AI: this Hank Green interview with Senator Bernie Sanders digs into regulation, power, and why lawmakers are being pushed to respond more seriously to the speed of AI development.
Jobs Alert and Announcements 💼
- Center for Civic Futures’ Public Benefit Innovation Fund call for proposals is open until May 15.
- Development Seed is seeking a Technical Project Lead.
- The Fire Department of the City of New York (FDNY) is hiring a Data Analyst.
- The NYC The Office of Technology and Innovation (OTI) is seeking a GIS Application Developer.
- The NYC Public Interest Technology Lab and Kingsborough Community College are offering a 12-week remote course on Human-Centered Design for Public-Interest Technology. Join the waitlist!
- NYU Grossman School of Medicine is recruiting a Data Analyst.
- Open House New York is seeking a Development Associate.
- UN Women is hiring a Data and Statistics Intern and a Project and Programme Management Intern.
Upcoming Events 📅
Note: All times are listed in ET
- April 20 at 5:30 pm Maps @ MIXI: Presents an Evening of Critical Cartography and Spatial Justice
- April 21 at 6 pm Digital Colonialism
- April 24-26 University Open Air classes
- April 24 at 7 pm City Nerd LIVE at Hunter College Featuring Betsy Plum and Tiffany-Ann Taylor
- April 29 at 10 am New York City Council Committee on Women and Gender Equity: Oversight – Protections against harassment in digital and physical spaces for women and gender expansive people
- April 29 at 6:30 pm CUSP x Transit Techies | Arunav Gupta (Pedestrian Crossing Distance), Franklin Tang & Nolan Hicks (A Better Billion)
- May 5 at 2:30 pm Undercovered History of Staten Island Wiki Workshop
- May 20-21 MakeShift 2026
- May 21 at 9:30 am Pitchfest: New York City
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Take care of each other, and have a great weekend!