In the spring of 2014, a group of New Rochelle residents came together to read Michelle Alexander’s “The New Jim Crow.” From that first activity, New Rochelle Against Racism (New RoAR) was born. The group has met practically every Monday evening since then.

New RoAR is a community based multi-generational, multiethnic, multi-racial organization committed to building and promoting a collective understanding of structural and institutional racism and to developing meaningful dialogues about race in the city.

New Rochelle residents take great pride in being part of a diverse city. Yet, it is a divided city. New RoAR focuses on bringing the city together by embracing the diversity while addressing historic inequities contributing to division.

New RoAR members believe that structural inequity affects all residents, not just those of color, and for the City of New Rochelle to meet its stated goals of addressing disparity and moving towards true equity, it must boldly and specifically address issues of institutional racism.

New RoAR members are engaged citywide in numerous activities, always focusing on organizing for racial justice and developing community leaders.