About Vijah Ramjattan

Vijah (VJ) Ramjattan serves as the Executive Director of the New York City Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes, where he leads citywide, multi-pronged and community-centered strategies to combat bias, discrimination, and hate. His work focuses on education, intercommunity dialogue, trauma-informed healing, and youth empowerment to foster a safer and more equitable New York City.

With over a decade of experience in mental health research, regulatory compliance, and advocacy for marginalized communities, Ramjattan has held leadership roles at the New York State Psychiatric Institute–Research Foundation for Mental Hygiene, the Feinstein Institutes for Medical Research, and served as a grievance counselor at Rikers Island. His professional and civic work reflects a deep commitment to educational, social, and environmental justice.

Ramjattan’s leadership extends into numerous faith-based and community initiatives. He has served as president of the Council District 28 Community Education Council and his affiliations include the NYC Public Schools Interfaith Advisory Council, the United Madrassi Association Inc., the Interfaith Center of New York Leadership Academy and the United American Hindu Leadership Council. As an ordained Interfaith Karmacharya and interfaith chaplain at NYC Health + Hospitals/Queens, he offers spiritual care while promoting interreligious understanding and inclusive activism.

Holding degrees in Psychology and Comparative Religion from Hunter College (CUNY), Ramjattan brings a spiritually grounded, artistically inspired, and community-driven perspective to his work. His guiding philosophy of “Devotion-in-Motion” calls for civic collaboration and humanitarian action across all identities—racial, religious, gender, and beyond for a more just world.

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.