How New Bridges began: Our dreams of peace and collaboration
“I am convinced that men hate each other because they fear each other. They fear each other because they don’t know each other, and they don’t know each other because they don’t communicate with each other, and they don’t communicate with each other because they are separated from each other.” –Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
In 2021, Bob, Mayo, and Tejash began to work to build a multi-racial, multi-ethnic coalition that would join communities that traditionally did not mix. In 2021, the first New Bridges meeting was held at the Hammond Museum in North Salem. It was a huge success, bringing together Black, East Asian, and South Asian Americans for conversation over samosas and sweets in a beautiful place.
2020-21
2020: Black Lives Matter
2021: Stop Anti-Asian Hate
In Westchester, Black Americans and Asian Americans found themselves allies.
Robert “Bob” Chao of OCA-Westchester Hudson Valley, Tejash Sanchala of the Westchester Human Rights Commision, and Mayo Bartlett of the African American Men of Westchester, became familiar to one another through their shared work to demand justice and safety for their communities.
Our Vision
Westchester is blessed with a diverse population. We envision a community where Westchester residents of all races and backgrounds mingle in friendship and mutual aid. We envision a near future where the promise and advantages of our diversity are realized.
Our Mission
New Bridges is devoted to the promotion of a just society and the exploration of inter-culturalism and diversity in Westchester County and beyond. We intend to accomplish this objective by providing a forum for educational and social exchange to encourage increased self and social awareness as well as an appreciation of the cultural histories of the communities that comprise the American Mosaic.
