Vijah Ramjattan appointed director of NYC hate crimes prevention

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New York City Mayor Eric Adams 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, a Jan. 3, 2025 press release from the Mayor’s office said.

Joining Ramjattan at OPHC are deputy executive director Erica Ware and senior project manager Jelissa Thomas.

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“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 (sic) will help ensure that New Yorkers have the tools needed to be part of the solution,” Mayor Adams is quoted saying in the press release.

“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,” the Mayor added.

“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,” Ramjattan said. “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.

Before being appointed to this role, Rajrattan 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 has a Bachelor of Arts in Psychology and Comparative Religion from The City University of New York’s Hunter College.

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