Unity For Equality is a non-profit organization based in New York City. It was founded in 2016 by Neil Trivedi. The mission of this organization is to work with individuals of all origins to help build economically stable and sustainable communities by helping those at or below the poverty line, students, the elderly, minorities, immigrants, and other members of the community who are compromised due to financial, age, health, lack of employment, or lack of education issues by providing services that enable such individuals to improve their quality of life.
Neil Trivedi, who is the founder and chairman of Unity for Equality, began working in 2008 when he joined civically and community boards to influence change in local areas. He observed current hardships people were experiencing due to difficulty in finding employment, financial problems, the presence of discrimination, inequality in opportunities, struggles with the immigration system, lack of access to education, and challenges in obtaining health insurance.
Neil formed a group in his neighborhood to tackle these issues, going as far as to voice collective concerns to elected leaders. During his high school years at John Bowne High School, Neil partnered as an advocate with the New York City Department of Education Chancellor to fight corruption inside of public schools.
This week, we had the opportunity to interview Neil Trivedi as we spoke about his journey towards forming Unity for Equality, what challenges he faced, how he overcame them, and where he sees the organization thriving five years from now.
Eman: How did you come up with the idea for Unity For Equality? What inspired you to launch this organization?
Neil Trivedi: I came up with the idea of Unity For Equality based off of seeing the issues that existed in the communities when I would travel. Whether these issues were from Agriculture, Health, Housing, Education, Energy, Financial Inclusion, Workforce Development to Water & Sanitation. Individuals in communities were tired of the false promises from their government and other organizations where they then started living in silence.
People would approach me to help them and then I realized that I needed to put something together in order to help more people to make an impact around the world that there were more issues to advocate for than what was in front of me.
I was tired of seeing people suffer in silence and go through hardships losing faith completely.
Eman: What has been the best project you’ve worked on so far through the organization?
Neil Trivedi: The best project I have worked on was during the pandemic of COVID-19 making sure that I was able to do as much as I can to help save lives.
In 2020, Unity for Equality distributed over 4,000 masks to health care workers. And in 2021, we aspire to help and assist many more individuals and communities who were substantially affected by the pandemic negatively.
Unity for Equality distributed approximately 1,000 face masks and hand sanitizers from 11 am till 1 pm on 24th January, Sunday, in the local community of Astoria, Queens, along with several other volunteers.
Eman: Unity for Equality has chapters spread out in every corner of the world, such as India, Morocco, Liberia, Egypt, and Bangladesh. What more other countries are you willing to expand the organization to? Can we know about it? Or is it confidential until announced?
Neil Trivedi: It is not confidential obviously I am a true believer in transparency so in full transparency the next set of expansions are expected to Lebanon, Armenia, Colombia, Dominican Republic, Nepal, Turkey, Australia, Canada, and Pakistan.
Eman: COVID-19 has impacted people worldwide in terms of financial stability, mental and physical health. Is Unity for Equality doing something to help those negatively impacted by COVID-19?
Neil Trivedi: Yes, we are trying to do everything we can in our ability with the help of those donating as well to make a difference. We are making sure we are sending hot meals to seniors, sending masks as well as ventilators to countries like India experiencing a horrible wave of COVID, handing out masks, handing out the right information on getting tested and vaccinations, and ensuring that we can aid individuals to pay off their electricity bills or any other bills as possible due to financial hardships.
Eman: Can you tell us a little bit more about the membership program with Unity for Equality?
Neil Trivedi: We offer immense benefits to our members through the membership programs of Unity for Equality. Some of the many benefits that they can attain include Tourism, Entertainment Discounts, Professional Development, VIP Member Socials, VIP Member Networking Events, Yearly Galas, Fitness and Health Centers, Job Assistance, and Programs Scholarship Assistance. We do offer these great programs for everyone. The best value is signing up for our Membership. With the Membership, all these great programs are already included. All programs are taught by industry professionals.
Eman: What challenges did you face on your way to form Unity for Equality? And How did you overcome them?
Neil Trivedi: The problems faced were getting the right team together and the fundraising aspect where after two to three years I guess it was all worked out where eventually the right minds came together implementing a lot of great ideas creating new programs which really benefited many.
Eman: Can you tell us a few instances when you changed someone’s life for the better through Unity for Equality?
Neil Trivedi: There was an individual who allowed us to tell her story, but did not want us to state her name where she was buried in all these financial debts with her student loans. Working numerous jobs to pay off her debt as well as taking care of her ailing father. When we took over her student loans she cried, saying that it was the best thing where now she works only one job which is being a home health aid to her ailing father without worrying about her student debt at all.
Eman: Does Unity for Equality offers Internship programs or volunteering opportunities? How can people get involved in this organization?
Neil Trivedi: Yes, Unity For Equality offers volunteer/internship opportunities and anyone can get involved by reaching out to Unity For Equality through either social media or send an email through contact@unityforequality.org.
We have remote internships available in the press department, the design department, the marketing and communications department, the finance department, and the business department.
The opportunities open are for anyone to make a difference in any capacity. Those wanting to get on board can choose how they see themselves making a difference either in the world or in the organization.
Eman: Is there someone or something you look up to? Someone or something that inspires you? If yes, then what or who is it?
Neil Trivedi: There are actually a few people I looked up to and still do, they are Mahatma Gandhi, Dr. Martin Luther King Jr., Dr. Abdul Kalam, and Nelson Mandela.
Eman: If you could initiate one change in the world, what would it be?
Neil Trivedi: If I can, then I would create the change of more financial opportunities as well as financial freedom for all, especially for women as they still get paid less than men which is problematic we need to ensure fair wages for all immediately.
Eman: Where do you see yourself five years from now?
Neil Trivedi: I see myself making more of an impact in the lives of others in a bigger number, for example, if I helped 200,000 people now I would like to have helped probably 2 million in five years from now for me it has always been about others and making a true difference being able to help in creating new opportunities.
Eman: Where do you see Unity for Equality five years from now?
Neil Trivedi: I see Unity For Equality possibly opening up an educational facility providing free education as a plan that came up in the works then expanding opening more educational facilities from there.
Eman: Where can we connect with Unity for Equality?
Neil Trivedi: You can connect with Unity for Equality on our official social media platforms here:
