New York's commission tasked with studying reparations and the impacts of New York's role in the slave trade met for the first time Tuesday at the state Capitol — but the conversation grew tense at times when the group discussed which members should have leadership roles.

Commissioners unanimously selected Seanell Hawkins, president and chief executive officer of the Urban League of Rochester, to chair the commission and lead the work to take place over the next year. 

"This is exciting," Hawkins said to the board Tuesday. "We publicly get to share what has been done specifically in New York state and do the research, do the work, so we can work on remedies. So that we can clear pathways for individuals... so they don't have to worry about this and that there are remedies in place."

Eight of nine commissioners appointed by Gov. Kathy Hochul and legislative leaders earlier this year were present at Tuesday's inaugural meeting of the Community Commission on Reparations Remedies. The commission will regularly hold public meetings around the state for at least the next year to conduct the $5 million study to research potential slavery reparations, including impacts of original enslavement, segregation and Jim Crow and ongoing racism.

"The point of this commission is to make sure that the history of our ancestors, which has been largely erased, is represented," said commissioner Linda Tarrant-Reid, an author and historian.

The commissioners first met privately with Hochul to go over logistics of how to hold legal public meetings. 

Hochul and legislative leaders appointed commissioners earlier this year, but the state law that created the commission requires the entity to act independently of the state body, including the governor's office and the Legislature. 

Commissioners each vowed to research ways to rectify the longterm impacts of slavery on Black New Yorkers and systems created under chattel slavery that have prolonged inequality. 

But things got heated over who should serve as the group's vice chair and an alternate. Members nominated commissioner Ron Daniels, who was absent. Commissioner The Rev. Deborah Jenkins, founding pastor of Faith @Work Christian Church of Coop City in the Bronx, volunteered for the position, and felt other members undervalued her professional experience because she is younger than Daniels.

"I will not sit here and feel like my work is not as important," Jenkins told the commission.

Another member replied Jenkins should not feel that way.

"I won't — I won't," the reverend reiterated.

The vote was tabled. The commission will reconvene within 30 days to select a vice chair.

Chair Hawkins will also start work to outline job descriptions to hire staff, including an executive director, multiple attorneys, a secretary and others to outline a budget and help with research. 

A handful of Albany residents in attendance pleaded with the commission to communicate better going forward for the work to be productive.

"I hope that in the next meetings, people are more organized and more informed and that we can just move forward more effectively," said Ira Bethea, of Albany. "And because the timeframe is so short, we're going to hold you all accountable."

Assemblywoman Michaelle Solages sponsored the bill to create the commission and chairs the state's Black, Puerto Rican, Hispanic and & Asian Legislative Caucus. She said tense conversation can be expected, but are a step in the right direction.

"It's hope for the future," she said of the commission's work. "There are many people who have been disenfranchised by chattel slavery and its vestiges, and so this is a first step and an opportunity to really build a better New Yorker and ever upwards — excelsior — where we all rise."

Slavery remained legal in New York until 1827, but the state insured slave owners in other parts of the country for generations.