Immigrants-The New American Leaders-Sayu Bhojwani

Sylvia Global arrives in New York to meet with Sayu Bhojwani, Founding Director of The New American Leaders Project (NALP),  the only national organization specifically focused on preparing first- and second-generation immigrants for civic leadership.

Sayu Bhojwani served as New York City’s first Commissioner of Immigrant Affairs under Mayor Michael R. Bloomberg, from 2002 to 2004. During her tenure as Commissioner, New York City established Immigrant Heritage Week to honor the contributions and cultures of immigrant communities in the City. Her office facilitated the passage of the earliest laws to increase immigrants’ access to translation and interpretation — Local Law 73 — and spearheaded the writing and Mayor’s signing of Executive Order 41, an unprecedented policy to protect the confidentiality of immigration status for those seeking City services. 

Nearly one in five Americans are either immigrants or were born in the U.S. to at least one immigrant parent. At NALP, we believe that through civic engagement and leadership, first- and second-generation immigrants can help strengthen the fabric of American democracy.