Ritchie Torres hosts House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries at Black History Month celebration

By Emily Swanson Posted on February 17, 2026

In honor of Black History Month, Rep. Ritchie Torres hosted House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries for a Feb. 15 fireside chat at the New York Botanical Garden, where a major topic of conversation was the Trump administration’s efforts to “erase” the contributions and culture of Black Americans throughout history.

About 300 constituents packed the room for the rare opportunity to hear directly from Jeffries, a Brooklynite who may be on the brink of history. If the Democrats regain control of Congress in this year’s midterm elections, he could become the first-ever Black Speaker of the House.