Hero of the Week – Reya Sehgal

Sehgal, manager of cultural intelligence for ViacomCBS Velocity, saw an opportunity to support her neighbors in this time of extreme need through Bed-Stuy Strong, a mutual aid network and support group in Bedford-Stuyvesant, Brooklyn. Bed-Stuy Strong gives local residents an opportunity to provide and seek support through grocery deliveries, personal protective equipment (PPE) sourcing, virtual hangouts, bread baking tutorials and much more. As a group volunteer, Reya dedicates her free time to calling members of her community who are elderly, immunocompromised or those unable to pay for essentials like food and medical supplies and connects them with fellow volunteers that can provide resources and assistance. In addition to fielding calls, she also goes out of her way to purchase and distribute groceries for her neighbors in need who cannot leave their homes.