Mamdani Appoints Black Lesbian Librarian To Lead NYC Records
Mayor Zohran Mamdani has appointed Shawn(ta) Smith-Cruz as the new commissioner of the New York City Department of Records and Information Services (DORIS). Smith-Cruz, a Black lesbian archivist and librarian with extensive experience in advocating for information access, will oversee the preservation of the city’s historical materials and its response to public records requests. Her selection highlights Mayor Mamdani’s commitment to appointing leaders from community-based work and advocacy networks, and it aligns with a broader pattern of elevating LGBTQ+ leadership within his administration. Smith-Cruz’s vision for DORIS emphasizes ensuring that the city’s historical record inclusively represents all communities, particularly in an era of heightened national debate around historical preservation and access to public information.
John Q. Hosedrinker