As an IPED student, Adriana Curto (’26) is interning with the Office of the Bronx Borough President under Borough President (BP) Vanessa L. Gibson’s leadership. In NYC, a Borough President is involved in development and land use allocations, appointing community board members, distributing capital funding to local organizations, and advocating for the borough’s residents and interests. BP Gibson has focused on initiatives such as public safety, environmental justice, housing insecurity, health and wellness, gender equity, and support for the LGBTQIA+ community.
As a Policy Intern, Adriana supports both the Policy and Communications Units by researching policy initiatives, drafting briefings and press releases, analyzing data on economic development in the Bronx, and supporting the office’s diverse calendar of events. Throughout the internship, she has had the opportunity to:
- Attend school fairs with the Education Unit to learn about the NYC public school system and better understand the needs of Bronx students and educators.
- Support the planning and executing of a World Hijab Day Solidarity Event, the first hijab solidarity event held in the Bronx Borough President’s Office Rotunda. The event brought together a panel of community leaders and advocates who shared their hijab stories, gave away free hijabs to everyone who attended and celebrated diversity and inclusion in the Bronx.
- Participate in Tour de Bronx, the largest FREE cycling event in NYC hosted by the BP’s office and local community partners.
- Support press conferences and communications materials on BP advocacy initiatives, such as expanding tree canopy coverage in the South Bronx. Despite being the greenest borough in NYC, high levels of heat caused by a lack of tree canopy can perpetuate a lack of vegetation, elevated levels of air pollution, and heat-related deaths amongst Black New Yorkers and older adults due to exasperating underlying health conditions. Advancing environmental justice and ensuring green spaces are truly inclusive is a step in the right direction.
- Conduct research on the needs of migrants in the Bronx, including attending African Advisory Council meetings.
As a graduate student interested in public service and advocacy, this internship has allowed Adriana to learn about the Bronx beyond just Fordham and strengthen her knowledge of civic engagement and local government. She appreciates having the opportunity to work alongside a team of public servants who are wholeheartedly committed to advancing equity for Bronx residents and celebrating the rich history and culture of the borough.
