MLS’s Chaumtoli Huq Named an “Architect of Change”

MLS's Chaumtoli Huq, left, with Mayor's Office of Immigrant Affairs Commissioner Fatima A. Shama and Chhaya CDC Executive Director Seema Agnani. Photo by Neha Gautam.
 

Manhattan Legal Services (a program of Legal Services NYC) Director of Litigation Chaumtoli Huq was honored Thursday night by the Chhaya Community Development Corp., which named her one of three "Architects of Change." Chhaya CDC is a community-based non-profit
organization focused on improving access to housing opportunities,
resources, and information for South Asian Americans throughout New
York City and the metropolitan area, advocating for community and
economic development and justice within South Asian and other immigrant
communities.

From an October 15th yournabe.com article:

A Thursday evening celebration brought more than 100 people to
the Jackson Diner, a landmark Indian restaurant seen by many in the
South Asian immigrant population as a beacon for its sizable Queens
community, to recognize the efforts of three “architects of change.”

The
three community leaders were honored by the Chhaya Community
Development Corp., an organization that assists South Asians with
affordable housing, tenants rights and other issues, for work that has
affected the lives of the city’s South Asian population.

Before
the ceremony began, waiters passed vegetable pakora, chicken malai
kabobs and tandoori prawns to the attendees, many of whom were wearing
bright-colored, traditional South Asian sarees and burqas without
veils. They had gathered to show their support for the efforts of […] Chaumtoli Huq and Sadia Rahman and for the maturation of the
city’s South Asian community in recent years.

[..]

Huq is director of litigation for Manhattan
Legal Services, a program that provides free legal services to
low-income Manhattan residents. She also founded and directed the first
South Asian Workers Rights Project, which provides legal services to
low-wage South Asian workers.

“Chamtouli has been involved in
this work for 15 years. She’s a tireless worker in the community,” said
Chhaya Executive Director Seema Agnani. “She won’t stop, she’ll do this
for life.”

Click here for more photos from the event.