NEW YORK (1010 WINS) – Mayor Eric Adams on Friday announced Vijah Ramjattan as the new executive director of the Mayor's Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes, following the dismissal of his predecessor months ago.
"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," Adams said. "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."
Ramjattan succeeds Naveed Hassan, who was fired on April 18.
Before his appointment, Ramjattan served as a senior clinical research program administrator for the New York State Psychiatric Institute-Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene and as a counselor and grievance coordinator on Rikers Island for the NYC Department of Correction.
He also served as president of the Council District 28 Community Education Council and founded several faith-based and community organizations, including the United American Hindu Leadership Council and the United Madrassi Association. Additionally, Ramjattan has worked as an interfaith chaplain for NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens and served on multiple mayoral advisory councils.
Adams also named Erica Ware, a former official in the Staten Island district attorney's office, as deputy executive director of OPHC, and Jelissa Thomas as senior project manager.
