Page 14 - The Indian EYE 011025

North The Indian Eye

AMERICANNewsline

14 JANUARY 10, 2025

Mayor Adams Appoints Vijah Ramjattan

as Executive Director of Mayor’s Office for

The Prevention of Hate Crimes

Erica Ware to Serve as Deputy Executive Director; Jelissa Thomas to Serve as Senior Project Manager

OUR BUREAU early 2023, Mayor Adams launched
“Breaking Bread, Building Bonds,”
NEW YORK, NY
which aimed to bring 10,000 New
ew York City Mayor Eric Ad- Yorkers together to learn about com-
ams on Thursday announced mon bonds, share cultures and tradi-
Nthe appointment of Vijah tions, and break down silos. Breaking
Ramjattan as the executive director Bread, Building Bonds surpassed
of the New York City Mayor’s Office that goal by bringing more than
for the Prevention of Hate Crimes 15,000 New Yorkers together with
(OPHC). As executive director, Ram- the support of the Mayor’s Commu-
jattan will oversee the office’s inter- nity Affairs Unit, the New York City
agency efforts to combat hate crimes Commission on Human Rights, the
using community-based programs New York City Department of Youth
and provide support to victims of hate and Community Development, and
and bias crimes. Joining Ramjattan at other city agencies.
OPHC are deputy executive director Vijah Ramjattan serves as exec-
Erica Ware and senior project manag- utive director of OPHC. Ramjattan
er Jelissa Thomas. has over a decade worth of experi-
“New York City is the greatest city ence in mental health counseling,
in the world because of our extensive Ramjattan has over a decade worth of experience in mental health counseling, compliance research compliance research practices, and
diversity, and to stamp out hate wher- practices, and community engagement and advocacy in marginalized communities (File photo) community engagement and advoca-
ever it rears its ugly head, we need a cy in marginalized communities.
leader that will help ensure that New tolerance; and helping and healing all New Yorkers.” Before being appointed to this
Yorkers have the tools needed to be victims of hate crimes. I look forward “I’m thrilled to join this adminis- role, he served as a senior clinical
part of the solution,” said Mayor Ad- to working with Executive Director tration to implement Mayor Adams’ research program administrator for
ams. “I am proud to announce the ap- Ramjattan and the team to achieve vision of a city free of hate and bias. the New York State Psychiatric Insti-
pointment of Vijah Ramjattan as the this mission.” OPHC and its partners are a vital tute-Research Foundation for Men-
executive director of the Mayor’s Of- “We at the Mayor’s Office of part of our city’s defense against the tal Hygiene. He previously served as
fice for the Prevention of Hate Crimes. Criminal Justice are excited to wel- kinds of hate and bias that can under- counselor and grievance coordinator
While hate crimes are down in our city, come this dynamic team to continue mine our public safety,” said Office on Rikers Island for the New York
year over year, Vijah’s decade worth the vital work of the Office for the for the Prevention of Hate Crimes City Department of Correction.
experience in community engage- Prevention of Hate Crimes,” said Executive Director Vijah Ramjattan. Ramjattan reports to MOCJ Di-
ment, advocacy in marginalized com- Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice “Hate and bias have no place in New rector Logan.
munities, and mental health counsel- (MOCJ) Director Deanna Logan. York City and I’m proud to join the Erica Ware serves as deputy
ing makes him uniquely qualified to “Vijah is a longstanding community Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice executive director at OPHC. Ware
hit the ground running and combat leader, with extensive experience in under Director Logan’s leadership. brings more than a decade of com-
hate crimes across the five boroughs.” evidence-based community practic- I look forward to leading the OPHC munity-based services and victim
“Nelson Mandela once said, ‘No es. There is no place for hate in our team in supporting safe and hate- advocacy to OPHC. She previously
one is born hating another person… city, and the Mayor’s Office for the free communities.” served as the deputy director of the
People must learn to hate, and if they Prevention of Hate Crimes works Earlier this year, OPHC an- Victim Services Unit for the Office of
can learn to hate, they can be taught with community partners through nounced the release of “Teaching the District Attorney of Richmond
to love,’” said Deputy Mayor for Pub- education, engagement, and shared About Hate Crimes and Their Im- County, where she supported victims
lic Safety Chauncey Parker. “We fight humanity over a modest meal to pacts,” a series of lessons designed to of gun violence. She was a 2022 Ad-
hate by loving our neighbors. That is meet hate with love and stand firmly teach students in New York City pub- vocate of the Year for the New York
the North Star of the Mayor’s Office in opposition to any incidents of bias lic schools about hate crimes and bias City Office to End Gender-Based
for the Prevention of Hate Crimes — or hate crimes. Vijah, Erica, and Je- incidents, as well as their impact on Violence. Ware holds a Bachelor of
bringing neighbors together to break lissa’s commitment to safety, fairness, individuals and communities. Teach- Arts in Sociology from the College of
bread, learn from each other, and see and equity will be an asset to this ing About Hate Crimes and their Im- Staten Island.
each other as fellow human beings; work, bridging the gap between data pacts is an OPHC initiative that com- Ware reports to OPHC Execu-
teaching kids about empathy and and community to enhance safety for bats hate, bias, and discrimination. In tive Director Ramjattan.

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