On Friday, January 3rd, Mayor Eric Adams announced leadership appointments at the Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes (OPHC), marking a new chapter for the office following a period of leadership turmoil and rising hate crime reports in the city.
Vijah Ramjattan has been appointed as the new executive director of OPHC. He brings over a decade of experience in community engagement, mental health counseling, and advocacy for marginalized communities. Ramjattan previously served as a senior clinical research program administrator for the New York State Psychiatric Institute and has worked in various capacities focused on supporting vulnerable populations. His appointment follows the dismissal of former executive director Hassan Naveed, who was fired in April amidst a significant rise in hate crimes, particularly following the Israel-Hamas conflict.
Mayor Adams expressed confidence in Ramjattan’s ability to lead, saying, “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.” He also highlighted Ramjattan’s background in community engagement and his unique qualifications to combat hate crimes across the five boroughs.
Mayor Adams also announced the appointment of Erica Ware as deputy executive director. With over ten years of experience in community-based services and victim advocacy, Ware previously served as deputy director of the Victim Services Unit for the Office of the District Attorney of Richmond County. Jelissa Thomas has also been appointed as a senior project manager. She is a seasoned educator and former master teacher, bringing her expertise in educational leadership to the team.
The new appointments come in the wake of Naveed’s firing, which has been met with controversy. Mayor Adams’ spokeswoman explained at the time that Naveed’s termination was due to the need for a leader “who puts bringing hate crimes down first and themselves second.” However, Naveed, who is Muslim, has filed a notice of claim alleging wrongful termination, defamation, and retaliation, claiming that his dismissal was rooted in religious discrimination and that the mayor made false and defamatory statements about his performance.
Naveed’s deputy, Eunice Lee, also resigned in July, just three months after Naveed’s termination. Lee had served as deputy executive director and was involved in coordinating efforts to combat rising hate crimes in the city. Her departure adds to the growing concerns about stability within the office.
With OPHC under new leadership, the next steps in addressing the rise in hate crimes and supporting affected communities will be essential for the city’s long-term goal of fostering a safer, more inclusive environment for all New Yorkers.
