“Breaking Bread, Building Bonds” Event Wrapup

Flushing, NY

On March 4, 2025, the NYC Office for the Prevention of Hate Crimes (OPHC), the Mayor’s Office of Criminal Justice (MOCJ), the Korean American Family Service Center (KAFSC), and the Glow Cultural Center jointly organized the “Breaking Bread, Building Bonds 2025” community cohesion dinner at the Glow Cultural Center. Over 100 residents from diverse backgrounds – including Chinese, Korean, Filipino, and African American communities from Flushing, Forest Hills, Long Island, and surrounding areas – came together to share a meal and engage in meaningful dialogue.

The evening began with warm opening remarks from OPHC Executive Director Vijah Ramjattan, MOCJ First Deputy Director Jill Starishevsky, East Asian Communities Liaison for the NYC Commission on Human Rights Flora Ferng, Glow Cultural Center’s Director of Programs Liang Ming, and KAFSC’s representative Lily Kim. In addition to a wonderful Chinese dim sum box prepared by Dock 3366 Seafood & Steak restaurant, participants enjoyed cultural performances “Battle Against the Typhoon” (Guqin performance by New York Guqin Center), “Flower Goddess” (Chinese Folk Dance by Xizi from Xizi & Grant Dance Arts Center), and “Taichi Kungfu Fan” (performed by Glow Cultural Center’s Tai Chi students), highlighting the rich Chinese artistic traditions of the Flushing community.

With such a wide range of cultural backgrounds, ages, and neighborhoods represented, attendees engaged in animated discussions and thought exchanges about topics relevant to their daily lives, including social safety, healthcare, resources for new immigrants, and what defines a welcoming environment. In answer to one of the discussion questions about what makes a place home, a youth participant gave a beautiful response, saying that it was not a place or even people that define a true home, but rather a feeling – the feeling of “feeling at home,” being safe and without worry, and feeling welcome from the bottom of your heart.

Participants expressed appreciation for the opportunity to make genuine connections across cultural boundaries. Many noted how they felt surprisingly welcomed and heard during the discussions. The common sentiment echoed throughout the event was that despite our different backgrounds, we are all part of the same community, and our collective strength comes from taking time to foster mutual understanding and support. As Executive Director Vijah Ramjattan of OPHC emphasized throughout the event, “We want everyone to know that there are people, resources, and networks out there, right beside you, and here to support the needs of the Asian-American community. Don’t be afraid to speak up and voice your concerns.”

This event successfully embodied the core mission of the Breaking Bread, Building Bonds initiative, which started in 2023: creating spaces where New Yorkers from diverse communities can meet, connect, and learn from one another, break down silos between communities, and build bridges of understanding. Through cultural exchange and community collaboration, we hope to continue creating more opportunities for collaborative problem-solving, deepen conversations around specific community needs, and build sustainable networks of support across cultural boundaries.

*Special thanks to the NYC Commission on Human Rights, the Mayor’s Community Affairs Unit, the Asian American Cohesion, Chinese-American Planning Council’s Nan Shan Senior Center, Shanghai Association in USA, Asian American Medical Association, CAIPA, Chinese Radio Network, Christ’s Commission Fellowship, Glow Together Youth, Forest Hills Asian Association, and all organizing partners, supporting organizations, performers, and most importantly, the community members who shared their time, stories, and perspectives in this “Breaking Bread, Building Bonds” event.

• View Event Photos Here!
• More about “Breaking Bread, Building Bonds”