Issue link: https://digital.copcomm.com/i/1520149
sagaftra.org | Spring 2024 | SAG-AFTRA 75 VIHANN KONG Local Celebrates the Holidays Members of the New York Local Board and New York Local Host Committee take a moment for a snapshot amid the festivities on Dec. 6. The committee held its annual Holiday Open House at the New York office, and it was a glorious return of a much-loved holiday tradition that had not been held since 2019, due to the office closure caused by the COVID-19 pandemic. Members were excited to once again be able to celebrate the holiday season with one another and with SAG-AFTRA staff, and the first 200 attendees were gifted with a holiday surprise. ● New York State Comptroller Honors SAG-AFTRA Vice President SAG-AFTRA Vice President, New York and New York Local President Ezra Knight, left, was honored in Albany by New York State Comptroller Tomas P. DiNapoli, center, on Feb. 16 at Rising Changemakers: Recognizing Catalysts for Change and Entertainment Luminaries, a reception held in conjunction with the 53rd Annual Conference of the New York State Association of Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic & Asian Legislators. The gathering celebrated the remarkable contributions of those who have demonstrated exceptional commitment and dedication to their communities. ● East End Studios Breaks Ground New York Local President Ezra Knight stands in front of the East End Studios construction site on Nov. 15. He and SAG-AFTRA Chief Labor Policy Officer Rebecca Damon joined New York City Mayor Eric Adams and New York City Mayor's Office of Media and Entertainment Commissioner Pat Kaufman for the groundbreaking ceremony of East End Studios. Located in Sunnyside, Queens, the studios will create hundreds of permanent jobs as well as close to 1,000 construction jobs. ● New England Local Named Most Inspirational Celebrating 2023 as "The Year of the Strike," the Greater Boston Labor Council honored the SAG-AFTRA New England Local in Boston on Dec. 12 with an award that read "Most Inspirational: Who's got the power? We got the power! What kind of power? Union power!" National and local leadership, including SAG-AFTRA Vice President, Mid-Sized Locals Michele Proude, joined in the festivities. ● New York New England