– New York City Mayor Eric Adams today announced the appointment of Vijah Ramjattan as the executive director of the New York City Mayor’s Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes (OPHC). As executive director, Ramjattan will oversee the office’s interagency efforts to combat hate crimes using community-based programs and provide support to victims of hate and bias crimes. Joining Ramjattan at OPHC are deputy executive director Erica Ware and senior project manager Jelissa Thomas.
“New York City is the greatest city in the world because of our extensive diversity, and to stamp out hate wherever it rears its ugly head, we need a leader that will help ensure that New Yorkers have the tools needed to be part of the solution,” said Mayor Adams. “I am proud to announce the appointment of Vijah Ramjattan as the executive director of the Mayor’s Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes. While hate crimes are down in our city, year over year, Vijah’s decade worth experience in community engagement, advocacy in marginalized communities, and mental health counseling makes him uniquely qualified to hit the ground running and combat hate crimes across the five boroughs.”
“Nelson Mandela once said, ‘No one is born hating another person… People must learn to hate, and if they can learn to hate, they can be taught to love,’” said Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Chauncey Parker. “We fight hate by loving our neighbors. That is the North Star of the Mayor’s Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes — bringing neighbors together to break bread, learn from each other, and see each other as fellow human beings; teaching kids about empathy and tolerance; and helping and healing victims of hate crimes. I look forward to working with Executive Director Ramjattan and the team to achieve this mission.”
“We at the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice are excited to welcome this dynamic team to continue the vital work of the Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes,” said Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ) Director Deanna Logan. “Vijah is a longstanding community leader, with extensive experience in evidence-based community practices. There is no place for hate in our city, and the Mayor’s Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes works with community partners through education, engagement, and shared humanity over a modest meal to meet hate with love and stand firmly in opposition to any incidents of bias or hate crimes. Vijah, Erica, and Jelissa’s commitment to safety, fairness, and equity will be an asset to this work, bridging the gap between data and community to enhance safety for all New Yorkers.”
“I’m thrilled to join this administration to implement Mayor Adams’ vision of a city free of hate and bias. OPHC and its partners are a vital part of our city’s defense against the kinds of hate and bias that can undermine our public safety,” said Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes Executive Director Vijah Ramjattan.“Hate and bias have no place in New York City and I’m proud to join the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice under Director Logan’s leadership. I look forward to leading the OPHC team in supporting safe and hate-free communities.”
Earlier this year, OPHC announced the release of “Teaching About Hate Crimes and Their Impacts,” a series of lessons designed to teach students in New York City public schools about hate crimes and bias incidents, as well as their impact on individuals and communities. Teaching About Hate Crimes and their Impactsis an OPHC initiative that combats hate, bias, and discrimination. In early 2023, Mayor Adams launched “Breaking Bread, Building Bonds,” which aimed to bring 10,000 New Yorkers together to learn about common bonds, share cultures and traditions, and break down silos. Breaking Bread, Building Bonds surpassed that goal by bringing more than 15,000 New Yorkers together with the support of the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit, the New York City Commission on Human Rights, the New York City Department of Youth and Community Development, and other city agencies.
About Vijah Ramjattan
Vijah Ramjattan serves as executive director of OPHC. Ramjattan has over a decade worth of experience in mental health counseling, compliance research practices, and community engagement and advocacy in marginalized communities.
Before being appointed to this role, he served as a senior clinical research program administrator for the New York State Psychiatric Institute-Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene. He previously served as counselor and grievance coordinator on Rikers Island for the New York City Department of Correction.
Earlier in his career, Ramjattan served as president of the Council District 28 Community Education Council, as well as a founder and member of faith-based and community -based organizations, including the New York City Public Schools Interfaith Advisory Council, the United American Hindu Leadership Council, the United Madrassi Association, and multiple mayoral advisory councils. He has also served as an interfaith chaplain for NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens.
Ramjattan earned his Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Comparative Religion from The City University of New York’s Hunter College.
Ramjattan reports to MOCJ Director Logan.
About Erica Ware
Erica Ware serves as deputy executive director at OPHC. Ware brings more than a decade of community-based services and victim advocacy to OPHC. She previously served as the deputy director of the Victim Services Unit for the Office of the District Attorney of Richmond County, where she supported victims of gun violence. She was a 2022 Advocate of the Year for the New York City Office to End Gender-Based Violence. Ware holds a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology from the College of Staten Island.
Ware reports to OPHC Executive Director Ramjattan.
About Jelissa Thomas Jelissa Thomas serves as senior program manager of OPHC. Thomas is a seasoned educator who previously served as a master teacher and teacher coach for the Equity Project Charter School. She holds a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and a Masters in Education.
Thomas reports to OPHC Executive Director Ramjattan.
Manhattan, New York January 3, 2025
Sources: NYC.gov , Midtown Tribune
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