1. health and fitness

National Coalition of South Asian Organizations Caucus
Friday, April 10th
NCSO Caucus
Friends Meeting House 2111 Florida Ave NW, Washington, DC 20008
Metro: DuPont Circle (Red)
9:00AM – 4:30PM
NCSO Caucus
The broad goals of the caucus include creating space for groups to come together to discuss where
our community is at, where it needs to go, how we can further develop the coalition, and evolving
the National Action Agenda.
The NCSO Caucus is only open to current NCSO members who have pre-registered.
ChangeMakers Awards Reception
Friday, April 10th
ChangeMakers Awards Reception
The Wonder Bread Factory 641 S Street, NW, Washington, D.C. 20001
Metro: Shaw-Howard U (Green/Yellow)
6:00PM – 8:30PM
ChangeMakers Awards Reception
With special guest Vivek Malhotra, Director, Civil and Human Rights, Ford Foundation
The ChangeMakers Awards recognizes individuals, programs, and organizations that have
advanced social justice among South Asians in the U.S.
Heavy appetizers and beverages provided.
Gender neutral restroom available.
2015 ChangeMakers Awards
Shahina Parveen Siraj
Narbada Chhetri
Desi lgbtQ Helpline (DeQH)
Jakara Movement
Chicago South Asian Deferred Action Coalition
2015 Philanthropic ChangeMakers Award
Ford Foundation
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Summit
The National South Asian Summit 2015 is hosted by South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT)
and the South Asian Law Student Association (SALSA) at American University Washington College of Law
as part of the Founders’ Celebration.
Saturday, April 11th
Summit
American University Washington College of Law 4801 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, D.C. 20016
Metro: Tenleytown-American (Red); Free Washington College of Law shuttle available
Prayer Room – Room 516
Gender Neutral Restroom – outside of room 603, main registration, speaker registration
Tracks
Each session is assigned a track to assist participants in navigating the many panels and workshops offered at the Summit.
Participants are welcome to select any session in each timeslot, regardless of track. Each session is marked with a helpful sign
indicating the track:
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Issues: Issues that affect South Asians in the U.S.
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Skills: Individual skills and organizational capacity-building skills
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Strategies: Better practices and tools
8:00AM – 9:00AM
Registration & Breakfast*
Outside of Room 603
*Note: Breakfast concludes at 9AM.
8:00AM – 8:45AM
Poster Sessions
Room 602
Start your Summit 2015 experience with a unique opportunity for peer exchange with various
community members who have conducted youth-focused or youth-driven community projects.
Other types of community projects are represented as well. Presenters of each project will be
avialable to speak about their project(s) and to answer your questions. Poster sessions will also be
presented during the Open Space Session on Sunday!
Bay Area Solidarity Summer
Bay Area Solidarity Summer, a independent project of the Alliance of South Asians Taking Action, is
part of the third wave of left/radical South Asian political action summer camps. It operates in the
tradition of Youth Solidarity Summer, but with a greater focus on work in the United States, and a
heavy emphasis on organizing skills. We will share key lessons learned around curriculum and
recruitment, including how the camp has changed based on those learnings.
Anirvan Chatterjee (Bay Area Solidarity Summer)
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Buildling Power with SikhLEAD
The SikhLEAD poster presentation is a visual representation of the initiative. We focus on
developing leadership within the Sikh American community to build relationships with houses of
power (political, law enforcement and media) so that hate and bias are eliminated and we are
known and understood as a necessary and diverse part of the American diaspora. Addressing hate
and bias, we also emphasize the values of kindness, curiosity, forgiveness and love to approach
problem solving in a compassionate, innovative way. Formal training and coaching hours are
similar for both programs in the initiative: 1. The DC Summer Internship Program 2. The Leadership
Development Program.
Jyotswaroop Kaur (Sikh American Legal Defense & Education Fund)
Building South Asian LGBTQ Allyship through Education
This project aims in increase awareness and strengthen networks of support for South Asian
LGBTQ-identified people through targeted educational workshops, known as Allyship Trainings.
The trainings will be completed through a series of six to eight workshops over a four-month
period, each with a different group of individuals that work within South Asian communities, such
as immigration lawyers, social workers, journalists, medical professionals, nonprofit organizations
and student groups. The trainings consist of an overview of South Asian LGBTQ history and
relevant current issues derived from the Needs Assessment study Satrang conducted in 2007. A
more general section on LGBTQ-related terminology and concept will also be included along with a
resource toolkit. The toolkit contains literature on gender identity and materials promoting familial
acceptance of LGBTQ-identified people available in Hindi, Bengali, Sinhala, Urdu and Tamil, to be
passed out during sessions and also accessible on Satrang’s website for those unable to attend the
trainings. The overall idea is to give people working within South Asian LGBTQ spaces the
information and tools to better understand Desi LGBTQ-identified people and ultimately better
serve these communities. To date, those working on the project have been struck by the impact of
providing a little information. Many working within South Asian communities simply do not know
how to appropriately support their LGBTQ-constituents. Giving a basic overview and a few
resources seem often to result in a major change in people’s approach to allyship, which can be a
hopeful prospect for those working in social justice fields.
Pia Ahmed (Satrang, 2014 Young Leaders Institute Fellow)
UNITED SIKH’s Anti-Bullying Campaign
UNITED SIKHS is a U.N.-affiliated, international non-profit, non-governmental, humanitarian relief,
human development and advocacy organization. UNITED SIKHS has initiated projects to illuminate
the pervasiveness of bullying in the Sikh community, the importance of addressing bullying at all
levels, and working together through increased awareness to create tolerant and inclusive
communities. The Anti-Bullying Campaign is a two-fold national campaign aiming to proactively
assist Sikh victims of bullying while educating non-Sikh students about Sikhism. Volunteers and
staff have successfully launched the campaign in different regions where they teach Sikh students
how to cope with and handle bullying through topics of mental health, statistics, and resources.
Presentations on Sikhism are also made at schools across the country to proactively educate nonSikh students about Sikhism to avoid future cases of bullying. Join us for the Anti Bullying Poster
session to learn about the nature of bullying, the astonishing bullying statistics and methods of
handling, preventing and coping with bullying.
Anisha Singh (UNITED SIKHS)
Sharon Sidhu (UNITED SIKHS)
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Integrating Health in all Policies: Shifting from Illness to Wellness
In response to deteriorating trends in public health with increasing disparities and health care
costs, we will introduce the concept of social determinants of health and their multiple impacts on
the health status in the South Asian (SA) community. South Asian Public Health Association
(SAPHA) realizes that movement toward addressing health disparity has been founded upon
interagency collaborations with current and future community partnerships. Our target audiences
are South Asians and agencies that serve South Asians. SAPHA will be able to provide common
oversight and direction to alliances covering health issues in South Asian communities such as
diabetes, smoking and heart disease.
Dr. Nazeera Dawood (South Asian Public Health Association)
Preventing Violence Against South Asian Retail Workers
South Asian American workers in gas stations and convenience stores face high rates of violence
and fatalities while at work. SAAPRI, along with community and government partners, held focus
groups in August of 2014 to address workplace violence against South Asian retail workers in
Chicago. Information gathered from focus groups will be used to develop culturally appropriate
resources sensitive to the needs of South Asian retail workers. Simultaneously, this communitybased research has been an opportunity to highlight the importance of addressing anti-black
racism while building community and solidarity across racial and cultural lines. This poster will
share insights from South Asian retail workers and our collective efforts in addressing and
preventing workplace violence.
Ami Gandhi (South Asian American Policy & Research Institute)
Aditi Singh (South Asian American Policy & Research Institute)
SAPHA Brown Paper
The purpose of this poster presentation is to introduce the forthcoming book, “Health of South
Asians in the United States: An Evidence-Based Guide for Policy and Program Development”, to a
diverse audience of South Asian activists and leaders. To be published by the South Asian Public
Health Association (SAPHA) in Fall 2015, the book synthesizes the most current evidence on cutting
edge heath issues, and will be the only comprehensive resource on the health of South Asian
Americans. The book is comprised of 16 chapters written and reviewed by experts in South Asian
health on chronic diseases, lifestyle and health, mental health, intimate partner violence, and
highlights health issues of special populations. The session will describe the process of writing and
publishing the book, describe dissemination plans, and share preliminary findings and
recommendations for future directions in South Asian American health.
Yousra Yusuf (South Asian Public Health Association)
South Asians at the People's Climate March: How 11 Organizations Came Together to Mobilize
Against the Biggest Threat on the Planet
On September 21, 2014, 150 South Asians from 11 different organizations (including NCSO
member groups) came together in New York City to participate in the People’s Climate March, the
largest such event in history. Participants in the joint South Asians for Climate Justice contingent
came from as far away as California, Canada, and the UK, while dozens of simultaneous events
were being held in South Asian cities like New Delhi, Islamabad, Dhaka, Kathmandu, Colombo, and
Malé. Learn the story of how an ad hoc national coalition came together, and why these groups
think it's so critical to add a climate justice lens to their work.
Barnali Ghosh (Brown and Green: South Asian Americans for Climate Justice)
Neha Mathew (Brown and Green: South Asian Americans for Climate Justice)
Anirvan Chatterjee (Brown and Green: South Asian Americans for Climate Justice)
“The Secret History of South Asian & African American Solidarity” — Anatomy of an
online campaign confronting Desi anti-Blackness
Since the tragedy at Ferguson, South Asian Americans have been finding a variety of ways to
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respond to anti-Blackness within and outside our community. “The Secret History of South Asian &
African American Solidarity” (BlackDesiSecretHistory.org) is an online exhibit featuring the centurylong history of solidarity between both communities, from Vivekananda's public critiques of antiBlack racism to decades of African American support of South Asian liberation movements to
contemporary direct action for black lives and power. The site is designed to be easy to read and
digest, to help a wide South Asian audience learn about our shared histories of solidarity as a basis
for further dialogue. In the first four days after launch, the site and individual posts were shared on
social media over 1,000 times, reaching over 10,000 viewers at a total cost of $10 for the domain
name. We will break down the key online marketing and content strategy tactics behind the site,
from enabling social media shareability to graphic design.
Anirvan Chatterjee (Berkeley South Asian Radical History Walking Tour)
Understanding Barriers to and Facilitators of Physical Activity and Stress Management
among Bangladeshi Immigrants in New York City Using Qualitative Methods
Community Health Workers (CHWs) play an integral role in connecting communities with
healthcare systems, as well as promoting heath. This study sought to understand the barriers to
and facilitators of physical activity (PA) and stress management among the Bangladeshi community
in NYC in order to inform an existing CHW intervention addressing diabetes management in this
community. Participants were purposively recruited from community-based settings. Six focus
groups were completed with a final sample of n = 67 participants. Gender norms emerged as the
most prominent barrier to physical activity (25%), while incorporation of PA into one’s daily life
was revealed as the strongest facilitator of PA (33%). Results suggest a need for culturally relevant
interventions that address participation in PA using approaches that are sensitive to faith- and
gender-based norms. To address this need, project CHWs created a culturally-sensitive PA DVD
that will be disseminated to study participants and broader community.
Saima Mili (New York University School of Medicine)
Moving Truth(s): Queer and Transgender Desi Writings on Family
Moving Truth(s): Queer and Transgender Desi Writings on Family is an anthology project that
grapples with the complexity of bringing conversations about gender and sexuality home to South
Asian families and communities. These heavy, celebratory, and self-reflective personal narratives
offer something different in their overlapping approaches to discomfort, fear, silence, as well as
forgiveness, patience, and an active pursuit of a more loving way to navigate relationships with
ourselves and others. As a community building project, this anthology was mindfully created to
facilitate not only collective editing and story development but it also provided contributors room
to grow, heal, and connect with one another across experience. “Moving Truth(s)” refers to the
notion that we can help our families and communities better understand the lives of queer and
transgender individuals by sharing our stories—our truths—and move toward a place of inquiry
and respect: How do we stay engaged with community and culture when we experience
homophobia and transphobia? Where have we found support systems? Who have been our most
active and sometimes least expected advocates? What do we need to do to help grow the kind of
community we seek support from? These questions move us toward a new sense of truth and
challenge the notion that being queer and/or transgender is at odds with family and community
because of culture. Our stories help us move those ideas into a new light, so that we can change
perceptions of gender and sexuality with South Asian families and communities.
Sasha Duttchoudhury (2014 Young Leaders Institute Fellow)
Promoting Professional Development and Leadership in South Asian Americans:
Discourse over Dinner
Stanford Sanskriti, an undergraduate South Asian cultural organization, aims to connect the
Stanford community to South Asian culture. As a new initiative started in 2014, Sanskriti has
implemented a speaker series, inviting South Asian professors, activists, and other professionals to
converse with students on campus over dinner conversations. This project is aimed at developing a
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sense of community both on campus and in the greater Bay Area for South Asian students
interested in a wide variety of professional fields, including medicine, politics, fundraising, religious
activism, computer science, economics, literature, and natural sciences. In particular, the objective
is to provide strong role models of leadership in various fields and connect students to supportive
individuals in their professional development processes. This initiative has been largely successful,
drawing students from South Asian as well as other ethnic backgrounds to engage in productive
dialogue. Based on the interest in these events, we have come to realize the need for facilitating
open conversation about South Asian identity, leadership, and mentorship in personal and
professional endeavors.
Saniya Kishnani (Standford Sanskriti)
9:00AM – 9:45AM
Welcome and Reflections on Claiming Our Power
Room 603
Claudio Grossman (Washington College of Law)
Yashasvi Raghuveer (South Asian Law Student Association)
Suman Raghunathan (South Asian Americans Leading Together)
9:55AM – 11:10AM
Session 1
9:55AM – 11:10AM
Breaking Barriers: Investigating Our Implicit Biases and Internalized
(Please choose from the following options)
Racism
Room 100
The inspiration for this workshop came from observing a panel discussion of the racial climate of
the post-911 environment. While the panelists and general discussion comprehensively addressed
the discrimination that South Asian and Muslim demographics face in backlash of what happened
on 9/11, a vital part of the conversation seemed to be missing. In order to truly address the
discrimination our communities face, we must understand the biases and prejudices we project
onto others. Overall sustainable and equitable change can only come from struggles that fight
together in cross-racial solidarity.
Rasna Sethi (NYC Coalition Against Hunger)
9:55AM – 11:10AM
Speaking to Non-Expert Audiences on Islamophobia
Room 101
This training session begins by discussing the psychology of bias and the various parts of the brain
that are at play in formulating biases and behavior. The psychology portion pulls from Daniel
Kahneman’s “Thinking Fast and Slow,” David Eagleman’s “Incognito: The Secret Lives of the Brain,”
and Bill Bishop’s “The Big Sort," and delves into the conscious and subconscious motivations of
biased behaviors. The second portion of the training focuses on the methodology to combat bias
and includes messaging methods (op-eds, letters to the editor, press releases, social media, etc.),
media psychology methods on countering bias (and in this case Islamophobia), and the techniques
that are implemented in each method. Techniques include video clips with concrete examples on
the usage and adaptability of these messaging methods.
Zainab Chaudary (ReThink Media)
9:55AM – 11:10AM
Hate Violence on the Rise: What measures can our communities take?
Room 524
With the recent spike in hate violence targeting our communities, it is important that we have
strong data documenting this as well as the resources and relationships with law enforcement
necessary to both address and prevent this violence. This year, for the first time the FBI has
included three new categories of Arab, Hindu, and Sikh in their Hate Crime Data Collection
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Guidelines and Training Manual. While this is a major step forward for our communities, we must
make sure that our communities have the infrastructure in place to raise public awareness,
develop preventative measures, and lead policy solutions to address and prevent hate violence. In
this workshop, you will hear from representatives of the Sikh, Hindu, and Muslim communities
discussing hate violence targeting their communities respectively as well how this relates to the
broader anti-immigrant and anti-Muslim movements in the United States.
Kalia Abiade (Center for New Community)
Navdeep Singh (Sikh American Legal Defense & Education Fund)
Harsh Voruganti (Hindu American Foundation)
Darakshan Raja (Washington Peace Center)
Lakshmi Sridaran (South Asian Americans Leading Together), Moderator
9:55AM – 11:10AM
Building the movement: critical new gender justice issues: approaches,
responses and calls to action.
Room 503
This session will focus on a brief history of the SAWO movement and VAWA issues that are arising.
Panelists will discuss the prevalence and status of forced marriage, prenda/reproductive justice
issues, and economic justice.
Tiloma Jayasinghe (Sakhi for South Asian Women)
Zakia Afrin (Maitri)
Aparna Bhattacharyya (Raksha, Inc.)
Vidya Sri (Harvard Kennedy School of Government), Moderator
9:55AM – 11:10AM
Dignity for All: School Climate, Students' Rights and Youth
Engagement
Room 402
This interactive workshop will provide attendees with a history and introduction to current issues
in education and students’ rights, including preventing bullying, LGBT rights, police in schools,
discipline, and rights to speech and privacy. We will focus on community based and policy
solutions to important education issues, and discuss the importance of youth engagement in
advocacy. We will present best practices and discuss strategies and tactics to develop, implement,
and execute a youth program that involves youth organizing, leadership development, and the
creation of youth advocacy projects.
Amol Sinha (New York Civil Liberties Union)
Deandra Khan (New York Civil Liberties Union)
9:55AM – 11:10AM
Organizing, Mobilizing, Activism – What’s the Difference?
Room 602
Organizing/Organizer is one of the most overused terms in social justice circles. Such broad use
with varying definitions not only renders the term meaningless, but also invisibilizes the variety of
methods in the ecology of social change. This workshop will examine the ecology of social change,
the role of the defined constituency in each method and the agent of social change, and then
identify the key distinguishing concepts and principles of organizing. Lastly, the workshop will
utilize scenarios to help draw distinctions between the often confused terms of organizing,
activism, and mobilizing.
Shikha Rawat (DRUM – South Asian Organizing Center)
Manny Yusuf (DRUM – South Asian Organizing Center)
Mahira Raihan (DRUM – South Asian Organizing Center)
11:10AM – 11:20AM
Break
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11:20AM – 12:35PM
Session 2
11:20AM – 12:35PM
 Real Talk: How Do We Make #BlackLivesMatter in Our Communities
(Please pick from the following options)
Room 602
Since the events in Ferguson last August, the #BlackLivesMatter movement has swept across the
country. South Asians have played roles as allies and supporters on college campuses and street
protests. What is at stake for South Asians in the #BlackLivesMatter movement? How do South
Asians frame their own experiences with police brutality? Join this interactive discussion with
Dante Barry (Executive Director, Million Hoodies Movement for Justice), Deepa Iyer (Activist-inResidence at the University of Maryland), Darakshan Raja (Program Manager, Washington Peace
Center) and moderated by Parag Khandhar (Clinical Teaching Fellow, University of Baltimore
School of Law; co-founder, Baltimore Activating Solidarity Economies) to learn, discuss, and
exchange ideas and practices for ourselves and our communities.
Dante Barry (Million Hoodies)
Darakshan Raja (Washington Peace Center)
Deepa Iyer (University of Maryland, College Park)
Parag Khandhar (University of Baltimore), Moderator
11:20AM – 12:35PM
5 Things Every South Asian Organization Needs to Know to Engage
LGBTQI* South Asians
Room 100
South Asian LGBTQI* folks are present in our communities, our lives and our organizations. Join us
to learn queer South Asian history, become more inclusive of LGBTQI communities, and support
South Asian LGBTQI organizations in your community. You'll have space to talk and ask questions,
and every attendee will walk away with helpful recommendations you can bring home.
* LGBTQI = lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex
Pabitra Benjamin (National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance)
Anirvan Chatterjee (Alliance of South Asians Taking Action, DeQH)
Prerna Lal (Asian American Advancing Justice)
Mala Nagarajan (Vega Mala Consulting)
11:20AM – 12:35PM
A Culture of Health Care and Coverage
Room 101
Large segments of the South Asian community are low-income, limited English speaking and lack
access to insurance. Insurance has been largely unaffordable, even those who can afford it tend
not to rely on public institutions and may instead chose to gather money from family and friends
to pay for transportation and procedures in their home countries. Participants will learn from
panelists about their work to educate and enroll South Asian Americans in their state – panelists
will highlight the successes and challenges of health education and enrollment, specifically relating
to community diversity in terms of class, language, gender and ethnicity. Panelists will share
strategies that work best for reaching the hardest to reach populations and for changing the
culture around health access and preventive care.
Sudha Acharya (South Asian Council on Social Services)
Rucha Shilkasar (South Asian Network)
Isha Weerasinghe (Assocation of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations)
Saima Husain (South Asian Network), Moderator
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11:20AM – 12:35PM
Breaking Down Language Barriers: Empowering our Communities to Vote
Room 503
Nearly half of Bangladeshis, a third of Pakistanis and a quarter of Indians are limited English
proficient (LEP) and struggle with barriers to government services, information and the ability to
assert their rights. These barriers also limit the South Asian Americans’ ability to become more
civically engaged. What tools exist for us to overcome these challenges? This workshop will
examine the legal protections available to LEP voters to improve access to voting and will explore
how existing protections are serving the South Asian community. Finally, we will share lessons
learned from the field and explore how we can better advocate for improvements for 2016 and
future elections.
Jerry Vattamala (Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund)
Theresa Tran (APIAVote-Michigan)
Ami Gandhi (South Asian American Policy & Research Institute)
Terry Ao Minnis (Asian American Advancing Justice), Moderator
11:20AM – 12:35PM
Grantseeking Resources for Changemakers
Room 524
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Discover what funders are looking for in nonprofits seeking grants and how to find potential
funders. During this session participants will learn the 10 most important things you need to know
about finding grants including: who funds nonprofits and what are their motivations; what do
funders really want to know about the organizations they are interested in funding; how do you
identify potential funders and make the first approach.
Jeanette Norton (Foundation Center)
11:20AM – 12:35PM
South Asian Workers and the Growing Labor Movement
Room 402
South Asian workers continue to play a pivotal role in strengthening the U.S. labor movement.
From their contributions in the public sector to the formation of the National Taxi Workers Alliance
(NTWA) who organized Taxi Drivers across the country to build power for immigrant taxi drivers by
forming a union, South Asian Americans have become an essential part of the American workforce
and labor leaders like Maf Misbah Uddin (APALA National Executive Board Member and Treasurer
for AFSCME District Council 37) and Bhairavi Desai (Executive Director of the New York Taxi
Workers Alliance and first AAPI to be elected on the AFL-CIO Executive Council) represent the
South Asian Worker Voice. Join us for a panel consisting of representatives from the Asian Pacific
American Labor Alliance (APALA), APALA’s Young Leaders Council (YLC), and the Alliance of South
Asian American Labor (ASAAL) to discuss worker rights issues impacting the South Asian workers.
Panelist will capture the voice of South Asian Workers as they weigh in on the critical role AAPI
workers across generations will play in the growing US labor movement.
Maf Bismah Uddin (New York City Accountants, Statisticians, and Actuaries, APALA National Executive Board
Member)
Dr. Mazeda Uddin (Women of Alliance of South Asian American Labor)
Gregory Cendana (Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance), Moderator
12:50PM – 2:05PM
Taking Stock of Our Communities: Highlighting Innovative Models for
our Work
Room 603
This session will uplift and examine innovative models and approaches in three South Asian
American community-based organizations addressing issues at the intersection of multiple
movements. Community leaders will outline their efforts to integrate gender justice and language
access into immigrant rights and domestic violence service provision work; what it means for
member-led coalitions to address police surveillance and brutality; and how immigrant women
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workers in unregulated industries have come together to demand and win labor rights.
*Note: Lunch is provided for Summit participants to enjoy during the plenary.
Fahd Ahmed (DRUM – South Asian Organizing Center)
Luna Ranjit (Adhikaar)
Radhika Sharma (Apna Ghar)
Lakshmi Sridaran (South Asian Americans Leading Together), Moderator
2:15PM – 3:30PM
Session 3
2:15PM – 3:30PM

(Please choose from the following options)
Mobilizing the South Asian Community through the Arts
Room 402
Three artists from the South Asian Women's Creative Collective will showcase their work in the
mediums of poetry, film, and performance art, discussing how they have leveraged their their work
for social change. Working in small groups, participants will then be tasked with creating their own
art projects around specific social justice problems, all of which center around the conference
theme of Mobilizing Diversity. They will discuss how creative strategies can be used to expose and
address critical social justice issues, using specific prompts including immigration, public housing
and reproductive rights. At the end of the session, the groups will present their proposals and the
moderators will guide a facilitated feedback. Prioritizing issues of race, class, gender, and sexuality,
how can we use the arts to promote conversations that would serve to benefit us all?
Aaliyah Zaveri (South Asian Women’s Creative Collective)
Monica Bose (South Asian Women’s Creative Collective)
Ambika Samarthya-Howard (South Asian Women’s Creative Collective)
2:15PM – 3:30PM
Executive Action: How South Asians can prepare for DACA and DAPA
Room 100
The President’s executive action announcing extended DACA (Deferred Action for Childhood
Arrivals) and DAPA (Deferred Action for Parental Accountability) last November was a long-awaited
step to support millions of undocumented immigrants gain temporary status as attempts to pass
Comprehensive Immigration Reform in Congress have been repeatedly thwarted. Around this
same time, Pew Research Center released data showing that India is the fourth highest sending
country for undocumented immigrants at 450,000, with over 40% of these individuals qualifying
for extended DACA and/or DAPA—this does not include all of the undocumented individuals we
know are from other South Asian countries. With such high stakes in how executive action and
immigration reform are rolled out, our communities need to be prepared to enroll individuals in
these programs and address the barriers that prevent our communities from accessing DACA and
DAPA. In this workshop you will hear from South Asian leaders across the country who are at the
frontlines working to get undocumented immigrants in their communities ready when these
programs come online.
Raji Manjari Pokhrel (Adhikaar)
Ami Gandhi (South Asian American Policy & Research Institute)
Chirayu Patel (South Asian American Policy & Research Institute)
Manjusha Kulkarni (South Asian Network)
Lakshmi Sridaran (South Asian Americans Leading Together), Moderator
2:15PM – 3:30PM
The South Asian Vote in the 2014 Midterm Elections: Issues, Trends,
Results and Barriers
Room 101
On November 4, 2014, over 580 AALDEF volunteers surveyed 4,102 Asian American voters, in 11
Asian languages, at 64 poll sites in 38 cities in 11 states – Georgia, Louisiana, Maryland,
Massachusetts, Michigan, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania, Texas, Virginia – and
Washington, DC about their voting encounters in the nation’s largest nonpartisan multilingual exit
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poll. The exit poll reveals vital information about South Asian American voting patterns that is
often overlooked in mainstream voter surveys. At this presentation, comparative information will
be given about the South Asian American vote in the Gubernatorial and Congressional elections,
concerns about key issues, first-time voters, and profiles of the South Asian American vote by
ethnicity, nativity, party enrollment, age, and English proficiency. This presentation will also cover
common barriers faced by South Asian voters and the rights of voters on election day.
Jerry Vattamala (Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund)
2:15PM – 3:30PM
When the Violence Comes Home: An Ecological Perspective on
Women's Experiences of International Conflict, Trafficking, and Family
Violence
Room 524
The presenters from Apna Ghar will illustrate the intersectionality of abuse and its impact by
exploring gender roles and gender violence using an ecological framework. Using this micro- and
macro-level perspective, they will address gender violence within political conflict, socioeconomic
inequities, institutional policies, community and family norms and behaviors that are often
overlooked. Participants will come away from this session with a broadened understanding of the
impact of abuse and assault on women and girls as well as an increased knowledge of resources
and strategies needed to address gaps in their own environment and systems. Presenters will also
outline current (and needed) advocacy campaigns for institutional, state, federal, and international
change.
Sangeetha Ravichandran (Apna Ghar)
Radhika Sharma (Apna Ghar)
2:15PM – 3:30PM
Who are the Haters and Who Cares?
Room 602
The heated conversation in the United States about immigration is occurring within the context of
a prolonged economic recession, the “war on terror” and a sustained backlash to the election of
the nation’s first black president. The fear and uncertainty raised by these national events have
been directly met with a rise in organized nativism. Over time, well-funded and coordinated
nativist movements have prompted systematic legal discrimination, violent threats, and physical
attacks against immigrants, communities of color, and those perceived as “others.” Approaching
immigration a racial justice issue, this introductory workshop takes a look at who is behind the rise
in organized nativism and what strategies that movement is using to advance its agenda.
Participants will learn from and share past examples of efforts to resist and undermine nativist
influence in public policy and discourse and work together to develop strategies to counter this
movement in their own communities.
Kalia Abiade (Center for New Community)
Anu Joshi (Center for New Community)
2:15PM – 3:30PM
Racial Justice: Moving from Standing in Solidarity to Organizing in
Solidarity
Room 503
From Trayvon Martin to Ferguson and beyond, the past few years have centered the spotlight on
issues of racial justice in the United States. While identifying as communities of color, many Asian
communities also benefit from and reinforce notions of ‘model minorities’ not only as descriptions,
but also in community demands and priorities, usually at the direct expense of Black and Latino
communities. While it is important to express solidarity, how do move beyond and do the deeper
and more difficult work of infusing the spirit of solidarity by challenging our own communities, and
by rethinking our communities’ demands and struggles for justice (eg. Immigration, education,
workers rights, etc.). In particular, the panel will probe how do our communities respond to the
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call of Black Lives Matter, and how do we address the white supremacy and anti-black racism
prevalent within South Asian communities.
Shahana Hanif (CAAAV – Organizing Asian Communities)
Shahina Parveen Siraj (DRUM – South Asian Organizing Center)
Hiram Rivera, (Philadelphia Student Union)
Fahd Ahmed (DRUM – South Asian Organizing Center), Moderator
3:30PM – 3:40PM
Break
3:40PM – 4:55PM
Session 4
3:40PM – 4:55PM
From Conflict to Justice: Building Bridges Across Faith
(Please choose from the following options)
Room 100
Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus is a group of progressive Hindus who come together to
work for social justice causes guided by Hindu teachings of ahimsa (non-violence) and oneness of
all. The South Asian American community encompasses diverse faith communities which for the
most part co-exist harmoniously, but from time to time are divided by internal political tensions
and prejudices. Sadhana presents a panel to showcase visionary faith-based work in our
communities. Each presenter will speak about the deep faith that motivates them to work not only
for the rights and wellbeing of their own community, but also to build bridges of love between
faith communities usually seen as being in conflict with each other.
Murali Balaji (Hindu American Foundation)
Tahil Sharma (National Sikh Campaign)
Lakshman Kalaspudi (India Home)
Gurwin Ahuja (National Sikh Campaign)
Naheed Bahram (Women for Afghan Women)
Sunita Viswanath (Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus), Moderator
3:40PM – 4:55PM
Lessons from the Intersection: Organizing for a Healthy Nail Salon
Room 101
In 2011, Adhikaar started a participatory survey in Nepali speaking community to organize nail
salon workers for better working conditions, for environmental justice, for reproductive justice,
women’s rights . The campaign is focused on three goals- continue engaging workers, creating
customer awareness to change unhealthy practices and partner with government bodies for policy
changes. This panel will share their experiences and have an interactive discussion on: What does
it mean to organize in an intersectional landscape? What are the challenges and learnings? Why is
this important in the South Asian context? Those interested in organizing, already doing organizing
and campaigning work in the South Asian immigrant communities are highly recommended to
participate.
Narbada Chhetri (Adhikaar)
Shivana Jorawar (Adhikaar)
Luna Ranjit (Adhikaar), Moderator
3:40PM – 4:55PM
Personal/collective healing after community crises and how to reduce
stigma around mental health
Room 503
As crimes and crisis occur in our communities, many community leaders had had to help
communities debrief after a violent incident. Community debriefings or healing circles allow for
community members to collectively share what they are feeling so they don’t feel alone but to also
help give themselves permission to feel the impact of what has happened. Creating space for
communities to share and debrief can bring the community together in not only healing from the
impact of the incident but to also gain resources they may need to address other issues in the
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community. The session will also address strategies to reduce stigma around addressing mental
health in our communities and in our work.
Puni Kalra (New Perspectives Coaching & Consulting Services)
Jasvir Kaur (Catamaran)
Aparna Bhattacharyya (Raksha, Inc.)
Razia Kosi (Counselors Helping [South] Asians, Inc.), Moderator
3:40PM – 4:55PM
In the Shadow of Civil Rights Violations
Room 524
The United States of America began with a simple declaration, “that all men are created equal,
that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life,
Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.” This laudable proposition has been ingrained in our
country’s founding documents, yet distant and recent history has shown that we are a country that
has not extended the promised protections to our treatment of minority citizens living in our
borders. This disconnect has been solidified and recreated over subsequent generations. The
panelists, ranging from policy experts, civil rights lawyers and community organizers, will address
the issue of racism from many angles including answers to the following questions: How does the
last few months of racial injustice affect the South Asian community? Moving forward, what
should South Asians contribute to the conversation and movement for justice? What is the history
of police and other State violence against South Asians and how has it been contextualized (or not)
in the broader movement for racial justice? What can South Asian lawyers and law students do to
support efforts like #BlackLivesMatter and #MuslimLivesMatter?
Fahd Ahmed (DRUM – South Asian Organizing Center)
Sameera Hafiz (South Asian Americans Leading Together)
Seema Sadanandan (American Civil Liberties Union of the Nation’s Capital)
Sunita Patel (Washington College of Law), Moderator
3:40PM – 4:55PM
Schools Not Prisons: Youth and Education Organizing as a Key to Racial
& Economic Justice
Room 602
What is the role of immigrant youth in organizing for education reform in a country where there is
increasing police presence in schools in low-income communities of color? New York City alone
spends $239 Million a year on school policing for its public school system. The police accountability
movement all across the nation is led by youth of color organizing to improve their public school
system as well as ending the criminalization and incarceration of their communities. Organizers
from mass-based organizations will share their success, challenges and need for youth of color
leadership in organizing for education and racial justice.
Jensine Raihan (DRUM – South Asian Organizing Center)
Hiram Rivera (Philadelphia Student Union)
Thomas Mariadason (Advancement Project)
Maria Alejandra (MLOV – Many Languages One Voice)
Roksana Mun (DRUM – South Asian Organizing Center), Moderator
3:40PM – 4:55PM
Turning Your Story Into Your Passion and Vocation
Room 402
The presenters observed a growing tend of South Asian students and young professionals who
never thought that what they did as student leaders could be incorporated into their careers after
graduation. Recognizing that language around career development, leadership, and mentorship
are often framed around dominant identities and privileged experiences, the presenters have
cultivated a workshop to craft vocabulary which translates experiences to your career toolbox,
develops a culturally inclusive way to seeking an authentic network and support system, and using
lived experiences to enhance career opportunities. This interactive workshop has three parts. First,
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presenters share their personal stories of how they arrived at their work and careers. Second,
participants reflect upon and discuss barriers to pursuing careers in community activism. Lastly,
participants identify both the vocabulary to write and talk about their experiences as student
leaders as they relate to their professional development, and identify mentors.
Jacqueline Mac (ACPA Asian Pacific American Network)
Viraj Patel (Pan-Asian American Community House at the University of Pennsylvania)
4:55PM – 5:05PM
Break
5:05PM – 6:20PM
Evening
Can
Plenary: Solidarity, Unity, and How South Asian Communities
Build Alliances with Core Constituencies
Room 603
This session will provide an opportunity for movement leaders to outline areas for collaboration,
partnership, and unity with the Black Lives Matter movement, border communities,
intergenerational organizing efforts, and the broader racial justice movement. Issues discussed will
include police brutality, immigration enforcement in a border context, increased militarization, and
strategies for fostering and expanding a movement-based national conversation on race.
Dante Barry (Million Hoodies)
Christian Ramirez (Southern Border Communities Coalition)
Rinku Sen (RaceFoward)
Suman Raghunathan (South Asian Americans Leading Together), Moderator
8:30PM – 10:30PM
Open Mic Night
Presented by SAALT
Emcee: Gowri Koneswaran
Location TBD
Join fellow Summit speakers, participants, and community members to showcase your spoken
word, music, dance, dramatic, comedy, and other forms of expression. Whether you’re an artist,
aspiring artist, starving artist, non-artist, or simply someone who wants to create and
communicate, please sign-up to rock the mic! Participants may sign up in advance through April 10
using the link provided below, at the SAALT info table at the Summit on April 11, or at the door at
Open Mic Night Saturday evening. This event is open to all Summit participants. Capacity is limited;
first come, first serve. Food and beverages will be available to order.*
http://goo.gl/forms/8teU9X8tIy
*Note: Open Mic Night performers and attendees are responsible for all meal and drink expenses.
Note: Dinner is not provided to Summit speakers and participants on Saturday, April 11.
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Summit
The National South Asian Summit 2015 is hosted by South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT)
and the South Asian Law Student Association (SALSA) at American University Washington College of Law
as part of the Founders’ Celebration.
Sunday, April 12th
Summit
American University Washington College of Law 4801 Massachusetts Avenue, NW, Washington, DC 20016
Metro: Tenleytown-American (Red); Free Washington College of Law shuttle available
Prayer Room – Room 516
Gender Neutral Restroom – outside of room 603, main registration, speaker registration
Tracks
Each session is assigned a track to assist participants in navigating the many panels and workshops offered at the Summit.
Participants are welcome to select any session in each timeslot, regardless of track. Each session is marked with a helpful sign
indicating the track:





Issues: Issues that affect South Asians in the U.S.





Skills: Individual skills and organizational capacity-building skills





Strategies: Better practices and tools
8:30AM – 9:00AM
Registration; Breakfast*
Outside of Room 603
*Note: Breakfast is provided as part of Summit registration.
9:00AM – 9:10AM
Welcome and Agenda for the Day
Room 603
9:20AM – 10:35AM
Session 5
9:20AM – 10:35AM
It Starts at Home: Confronting Anti-Blackness in South Asian
(Please choose from the following options)
Communities
Room 524
We are a group of queer and trans* South Asians who believe that undoing anti-Blackness starts at
home: in our families, given and chosen; in our communities; in the intimate spaces where conflict
can often be hardest. We understand that this should not be the work of Black people: this is our
work, and it always has been. We understand that we will never be free until Black people are also
free; our freedom is bound up, inextricably, in Black liberation. We are committed to doing this
work, and to providing the tools and language to begin conversations in South Asian communities,
starting with those closest to us. In doing so, we will work towards collective liberation of
communities of color and challenge state violence through a culturally sensitive approach.
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Pabitra Benjamin (National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance)
Radha Modi (Salga NYC)
Almas Haider (Queer South Asian National Network)
9:20AM – 10:35AM
Beyond Hits, Clicks, and Likes: Constructing a Community Roadmap for
Digital Strategy
Room 101
Digital advocacy has seen some incredibly exciting developments in recent months, and many are
now wondering how to get their own communities engaged online. But the broader South Asian
American community needs significant investment in vision, strategy, and resources in order to
achieve the same success online. In other words, we need a community roadmap. This solutionsoriented workshop will challenge participants to envision a future of success and then identify
incremental steps to achieve that vision. We invite a diverse audience of staff, leadership, funders,
volunteers, and more to construct a collective digital strategy roadmap for 2015 and beyond.
While we will focus on the community at-large, our model and our conversation transfers easily to
the organizational level, and takeaways should help participants inform their daily digital work as
well. By the end of this workshop, participants will have contributed to a community-wide digital
strategy, identified personal and organizational opportunities to contribute, and developed new
relationships.
Rohan Grover (The Brain Trust)
Deepa Kunapuli (The Brain Trust)
9:20AM – 10:35AM
Developing South Asian Leaders: Exploring the Need, Overcoming
the Challenges, and Adopting Best Practices in Establishing Leadership
Development Programs in the US
Room 601
As the size and geographic breadth of the South Asian American community continues to grow in
the United States so does the need to develop leaders in the community, including those who
represent marginalized sectors and progressive viewpoints. There is a current dearth of leaders
who are South Asian women, low-income individuals and youth. This session offers best practices
for how organizations can begin to develop leaders in their community, shares challenges they
may face as they implement such programs and strategizes on measuring the impact of leadership
development programs.
Fahd Ahmed (DRUM – South Asian Organizing Center)
Ami Gandhi (South Asian American Policy & Research Institute)
Manjusha Kulkarni (South Asian Network)
9:20AM – 10:35AM
Oppositional Messaging for Grassroots Organizers
Room 603
Organized nativist activists and their legislative and media allies use sophisticated messaging
platforms to win over the American public to their bigoted agenda. In this workshop, participants
will break down the talking points of their opponents and build messaging frames that push back
to successfully reclaim the debate. During this workshop, participants will be especially mindful of
ways to avoid further interracial division and of ways to craft rhetoric that upholds racial and social
justice for us all, not just our own communities.
Kalia Abiade (Center for New Community)
Anu Joshi (Center for New Community)
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9:20AM – 10:35AM
Sex-Selective Abortion Bans: Wolves in Sheep’s Clothing
Room 415
So-called sex-selective abortion bans have become a growing anti-choice strategy in the states and
at the federal level. One of the most proposed abortion restrictions in the country, these bans
promote stereotypes of South Asians, undermine reproductive decision-making and autonomy
among South Asian women, and have other grave implications for South Asian women’s health.
Although cloaked in the language of gender equality, these laws are a deceptive tactic by socially
conservative activists and policymakers to chip away at reproductive rights and could open the
door to further abortion restrictions. Furthermore, they are based on harmful racial assumptions
about immigrants from Asia, particularly from India and China. These bans exploit the problem of
skewed sex ratios in India and China for a domestical anti-choice agenda. Though these bans harm
all women’s rights and access to health services, they disproportionately impact health access for
Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) women in particular. This panel will debunk the myths
supporting these abortion bans and discuss their impact on South Asian women.
Sital Kalantry (Cornell Law School)
Sneha Barot (Guttmacher Institute)
Tiloma Jayasinghe (Sakhi for South Asian Women)
Shivana Jorawar (National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum)
9:20AM – 10:35AM
Undocumented & Unafraid, Unapologetic & Unafraid
Room 600
In late 2014 President Obama announced his plans to offer Deferred Action for Parents to protect
undocumented parents of U.S. citizens and greencard holders. Undocumented youth, parents and
workers have fought a hard battle to achieve this victory that will provide some relief to an
estimated 5 million people. But is it enough? Undocumented Desi youth and adults along with
Latino and African undocumented members will highlight their work in achieving this victory and
the long road ahead to provide protection for all undocumented immigrants.
Ray Jose (United We Dream)
Razeen Zaman (New York State Youth Leadership Council)
Nayim Islam (DRUM – South Asian Organizing Center)
Abraham Paulos (Families for Freedom)
Rishi Singh (DRUM – South Asian Organizing Center), Moderator
10:35AM – 10:45AM
Break
10:45AM – 12:00PM
Session 6
10:45AM – 12:00PM
Reclaiming Government: A Dialogue about the Intersection of Race,
(Please choose from the following options)
Ethnicity and the Public Sector’s Role in Advancing Equity
Room 600
The challenges and opportunities of an increasingly diverse nation demand that we rebuild and
broaden public support for an active government role in creating opportunities and reducing
inequities. Our shared prosperity as a society depends on the advancement of all our people,
regardless of their race, ethnicity, or country of origin. The implicit and explicit racialization of
policies, programs and public systems does not only exacerbate inequities, but also influences the
public’s perception of and relationship with—governing. In this workshop we will be 1) identifying
hidden messages in political narratives around race today; 2) discussing strategies for advancing
constructive dialogue about race; and 3) analyzing ways to apply strategies to the audience's own
policy analysis, media outreach, organizing and legislative advocacy.
Anika Fassia (Public Works)
Simran Noor (Center for Social Inclusion)
17
10:45AM – 12:00PM
Storytelling for Our Causes: 5 Persuasive Strategies from the Berkeley
South Asian Radical History Walking Tour
Room 601
This workshop will use the walking tour as a case study to introduce participants to storytelling
strategies to engage people in their cause. Participants will have a chance to apply these
techniques to develop their own story or the story of their cause or organization. The workshop
will include a presentation/performance, followed by a story development exercise and a chance
to share those stories.
Barnali Ghosh (Berkeley South Asian Radical History Walking Tour)
Anirvan Chatterjee (Berkeley South Asian Radical History Walking Tour)
10:45AM – 12:00PM
Strategic Messaging for Advocacy
Room 524
Are you a policy advocate struggling to persuade your constituents to support your campaign? Or a
nonprofit staffer or board member laboring to get your fundraising communications just right? It’s
time to put the strategy back in strategic messaging by developing thoughtful goals, evaluating
audiences, and leading with shared values. This interactive session will train participants to craft
winning messages for any campaign—by the end of this workshop, you will have a strategic
message ready for action!
Anand Subramanian (PolicyLink)
10:45AM – 12:00PM
How do We Set Up Our Boards to Succeed?
Room 415
The Boards of social change organizations play different roles at different times, depending on
where an organization is in its lifecycle. By reflecting together about where the organization is in its
lifecycle and what that stage requires from the Board, nonprofit Executive Directors and Board
members can develop better working relationships based on shared, more realistic expectations—
and, in the process, set Boards up to succeed. This workshop will provide and review several tools
for assessing organizational lifecycles and planning the Board’s role that participants can take back
and use in their organization. The workshop will be especially helpful to people who currently
serve on Boards as well as senior staff of nonprofits.
Hilary Binder-Aviles
10:45AM – 12:00PM
Bullying in Schools: What does it look like and what can
we do?
Room 603
Bullying has been noted as an acute problem within U.S. schools based on race, sexual orientation,
and/or religion. Bullying manifests power imbalances in schools and the larger society and can
include physical, social, and psychological intimidation. The role of educators, parents, and
communities in intervening and preventing bullying through the creation of safe school
environments is essential. To counter this bias-based bullying, anti-racist and multicultural
educators require resources, materials, and knowledge of community organizations that can equip
them to educate and prevent instances of bullying and intimidation—whether from peers, adults,
or law enforcement officials. In this workshop, you will hear from representatives of the Sikh
Coalition, United Sikhs, and Asian American and Pacific Islander Bullying Prevention Task Force as
well as directly from a young person impacted by bullying.
Alice Yao (White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders)
Iknoor Singh (UNITED SIKHS)
Rajdeep Singh (Sikh Coalition)
Lakshmi Sridaran (South Asian Americans Leading Together)
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10:45AM – 12:00PM
Telling Our Story, No Matter the Scenario
Room 101
This workshop is intended to empower any group of community-based advocates with the
communications and PR strategies they can employ in order to make sure their story is heard.
Advocates interested in sharing their distinct point of view can also use strategies and tactics
taught in this workshop proactively throughout the year. The session leaders will also discuss ways
to combat media biases and will share media relations tactics pertinent to civil rights advocates
addressing xenophobia, Islamaphobia, the “mistaken identity narrative”, and advocating on behalf
of #BlackLivesMatter. SALDEF’s Executive Director, Jasjit Singh, Communications Director, Sona
Simran Kaur, and Communications Manager, Sumeet Kaur will first lecture and then present two
scenarios that attendees will discuss in groups. These instructors have served as pivotal members
of response teams and have created through media relations and events major opportunities to
raise Sikh awareness. SALDEF’s rapid response plan employs strategies and tactics reviewed by the
Red Cross and other industry leaders.
Sona Simran Kaur (Sikh American Legal Defense & Education Fund)
Sumeet Kaur Bal (Sikh American Legal Defense & Education Fund)
Jasjit Singh (Sikh American Legal Defense & Education Fund)
12:10PM – 1:00PM
Open Space Sessions
Rooms TBD (Posted Sunday morning)
The South Asian Summit has plenty of sessions on issues you care about and workshops to build
your skills. But what happens next? Use the Open Space to convene a session to talk strategy,
whether it is regional collaborations or partnering with other attendees interested in the issues
that matter to you. Start the conversations that will take the learning and sharing of the Summit
back to your work and life. Propose Open Space sessions throughout the Summit near the SAALT
information table by main check-in on the 6th floor.
Open Space sessions:
Poster Presentations
Start your Summit 2015 experience with a unique opportunity for peer exchange with various
community members who have conducted youth-focused or youth-driven community projects.
Other types of community projects are represented as well. Presenters of each project will be
avialable to speak about their project(s) and to answer your questions. Please see Saturday’s
agenda for descriptions of each poster.

Bay Area Solidarity Summer
Anirvan Chatterjee (Bay Area Solidarity Summer)

Buildling Power with SikhLEAD
Jyotswaroop Kaur (Sikh American Legal Defense & Education Fund)

Building South Asian LGBTQ Allyship through Education
Pia Ahmed (Satrang, 2014 Young Leaders Institute Fellow)

UNITED SIKH’s Anti-Bullying Campaign
Anisha Singh (UNITED SIKHS)
Sharon Sidhu (UNITED SIKHS)


Integrating Health in all Policies: Shifting from Illness to Wellness
Dr. Nazeera Dawood (South Asian Public Health Association)
Preventing Violence Against South Asian Retail Workers
Ami Gandhi (South Asian American Policy & Research Institute)
Aditi Singh (South Asian American Policy & Research Institute)

SAPHA Brown Paper
Yousra Yusuf (South Asian Public Health Association)

South Asians at the People's Climate March: How 11 Organizations Came Together to
Mobilize Against the Biggest Threat on the Planet
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Barnali Ghosh Brown and Green: South Asian Americans for Climate Justice)
Neha Mathew (Brown and Green: South Asian Americans for Climate Justice)
Anirvan Chatterjee (Brown and Green: South Asian Americans for Climate Justice)


“The Secret History of South Asian & African American Solidarity” — Anatomy of an online
campaign confronting Desi anti-Blackness
Anirvan Chatterjee (Berkeley South Asian Radical History Walking Tour)
Understanding Barriers to and Facilitators of Physical Activity and Stress Management
among Bangladeshi Immigrants in New York City Using Qualitative Methods
Saima Mili (New York University School of Medicine)

Moving Truth(s): Queer and Transgender Desi Writings on Family
Sasha Duttchoudhury (2014 Young Leaders Institute Fellow)

1:15PM – 2:30PM
Promoting Professional Development and Leadership in South Asian Americans: Discourse
over Dinner
(Saniya Kishnani, Standford Sanskriti)
Closing Lunch Plenary*: Going from Defense to Offense: Opportunities to
Leverage Civic Engagement, Base-Building, and Organizing Strategies to Build
Stronger Communities and Movements
Room 603
This session will examine current and upcoming policy, advocacy, and organizing debates on voting
rights, immigration reform, and combating hate violence with a view toward South Asian American
and other communities’ opportunities for deeper civic engagement, base-building, and organizing
campaigns.
*Note: Lunch is provided for Summit participants to enjoy during the plenary.
Judith Browne Dianis (Advancement Project)
Marielena Hincapie (National Immigration Law Center)
Linda Sarsour (The Campaign to Take on Hate)
Suman Raghunathan (South Asian Americans Leading Together), Moderator
2:40PM – 3:55PM
 Advocacy Day Mandatory Training: Make Your Voice Heard: How to
Engage in Legislative Advocacy
Room 101
Learn how to engage in advocacy and effectively raise issues of importance to your community for
this year's Advocacy Day on April 13th! This session will focus on strategy and talking points for our
day on the hill. Note: This session is mandatory to participate in Advocacy Day.
Lakshmi Sridaran (South Asian Americans Leading Together)
2:40PM – 3:55PM
Caucuses
2:40PM-3:55PM

(Please choose from the following options)
Caucus: Language Justice Caucus
Room 524
The Language Justice caucus is an open forum to talk about all things related to how language may
prevent South Asian communities from seeking justice. Historically, "language access" has meant
that government agencies provide services to somebody who does not speak English as their
primary language in an equivalent manner to how somebody who speaks English would receive
those services. This includes provision of interpretation and translated materials as a way to
channel information to and from the individual who does not speak English. However, typically
when these services have been provided, there is little or no time for the non-English speaker to
ask questions or provide feed back, simply receive information. The burden has also largely been
on the non-English speaker to complain when the services aren't good or are absent altogether.
Many city agencies and courts view the provision of language services through a charity model, a
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favor to immigrant communities, despite the existence of robust human rights laws such as Title IV
of the Civil Right Law and a number of local provisions that mandate services provided through tax
payer money have to provide sufficient and quality interpretation and translation services. In this
caucus, we will explore the following guiding questions, in addition to others suggested by
participants: 1) What is language justice vs. language access? Is the term 'language access' enough
to describe advocacy efforts to ensure quality language services and true inclusion of our South
Asian immigrant communities? ; 2) What is the state of language services in your community?; 3)
As organizers and direct service providers how is our work in the community affected by poorquality interpretation and translation services provided by government agencies?; 4) What current
efforts exist to further language justice? What more can we do?; and 5) How can we make our
organizations models of good practices to include members of all ethnic/linguistic backgrounds,
genders and identities? Please come to share your stories, concerns, and best practices.
Raji Manjari Pokhrel (Adhikaar)
Sapna Pandya (MLOV – Many Languages One Voice)
Fahd Ahmed (DRUM – South Asian Organizing Center)
2:40PM – 3:55PM
Caucus: Queer South Asian Caucus
Room 601
In the absence of comprehensive federal immigration reform, many states have considered or
adopted punitive anti-immigrant laws (Arizona, S.B. 1070, Georgia H.B. 87, Oklahoma State
Question 755, and Kansas S.B.79, etc.) that rely on racial discrimination. In the past two years, 78
anti-Islam bills have also been introduced in state legislatures that promote religious
discrimination against perceived immigrant communities. While these two issues might not seem
related, the drafters and supports of such anti-immigrant, anti-foreign laws are usually one and the
same (See: Kansas State Secretary Kris Kobach, drafter of Arizona's SB 1070 and Kansas’ anti-Islam
S.B.79). The caucus will engage community activists and professionals interested in learning more
about discriminatory, state anti-immigrant laws circulating in legislatures nationwide. The caucus
will discuss proven strategies to effectively organize at the local, state, and national level to
challenge these biased acts and change the debate. Finally, the caucus will discuss future
legislative challenges and steps activists can take to counter this rising tide of hate.
Pabitra Benjamin (National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Association)
Radha Modi (Salga NYC)
Mala Nagarajan (Vega Mala Consulting)
2:40PM-3:55PM
Caucus: South Asians vs. Climate Change: Building a Desi Climate
Justice Movement
Room 600

South Asians in the United States are in a unique position when it comes to the climate crisis. We
live in one of the most climate-destructive countries in the world. Yet our home countries, our
friends, and families are the ones who are most impacted by climate change. How do we use our
collective power and opportunity as South Asians living in the US to work on equitable and just
solutions that benefit impacted communities both locally and globally? Join us to: learn what South
Asian communities are doing right now and how we can better collaborate; strategize on how to
building a larger movement and engage the broader South Asian community; and share stories of
organizing successes in other areas that can be applied to climate justice issues.
Barnali Ghosh (Brown and Green: South Asian Americans for Climate Justice)
Anirvan Chatterjee (Brown and Green: South Asian Americans for Climate Justice)
Neha Mathew (Brown and Green: South Asian Americans for Climate Justice)
Sumeet Kaur (EcoSikh)
Note: Dinner is not provided to Summit speakers or participants on Sunday, April 12.
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Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill
Monday, April 13th
Advocacy Day on Capitol Hill
U.S. Capitol Visitors Center Washington, DC 20510 (Beneath the East Front plaza of the U.S. Capitol at First Street and East Capitol Street)
Metro: Union Station (Red); Capitol South (Blue/Orange); Federal Center SW (Blue/Orange)
** For security purposes, only confirmed Advocacy Day participants **
can attend Advocacy Day events
The Community Briefing at the Capitol will begin at 9:30 AM sharp and the briefing by Administration a government officials to the
Community will begin at 11:00AM sharp. Please plan to arrive at the room by 8:45AM and 11:15AM, respectively. Hill visits to
legislative offices will begin at 2:00PM sharp.
You should allow enough time to wait in line and walk through the security checkpoint. If you are checking out of your hotel in the
morning and have luggage, you should allow extra time to drop off your luggage at the Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church prior to
arriving at the Visitors Center. SAALT staff and volunteers will be on hand to guide you.
Since many participants will be checking out of their hotels Monday morning and will be traveling to Capitol Hill with luggage,
there will be a secure room in the Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church very near to the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center where you may
store bags and luggage.
Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church 201 Fourth Street SE, (4th SE and Independence SE) Washington, DC 20003
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Capitol Hill Presbyterian Church is located on Independence Ave. SE and 4th St. SE, about 2 blocks from the U.S Capitol
Visitors Center. A room for luggage has been reserved all day.
If you have luggage, you must drop off your bags before entering the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center since large luggage is not
allowed inside. It is recommended that luggage be dropped it off by 8:30am at the latest.
Luggage will be in a secured room.
You will need to return to this room after your Hill visits to retrieve your luggage.
Please note:
 No food or drink is allowed in the U.S. Capitol Visitors Center. This includes closed or unopened food and drink items. Any
food and drink items that you arrive with must be discarded before building entry is permitted.
 At security checkpoint, you will be asked to place your belt, coat, small bag—such as purse, book bag, computer bag—and
any items in your pockets into a plastic bucket to be passed through the scanner. You will then be asked to walk through a
metal detector. If the metal detector sounds, a wand will be used.
 Please be prepared to walk outside to travel to legislative offices for your Hill visits.
 Breakfast and lunch will be provided.
 See included map in the Travel Guide for the U.S. Capitol Complex to navigate on Capitol Hill.
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9:00AM – 9:30AM
Registration and Breakfast
9:30AM – 10:00AM
Community Briefing at the Capitol
Capitol Visitor Center, SVC 208-209
Community leaders will speak on the impact of executive action and immigration, racial profiling,
and hate violence; cover the successes and challenges in these struggles over the last few years;
and highlight the changes we need to see moving forward. For this panel, members of Congress
and congressional staffers have been invited to be in attendance and share remarks.
Fahd Ahmed (DRUM – South Asian Organizing Center), invited
Manjusha Kulkarni (South Asian Network)
Luna Ranjit (Adhikaar), invited
Chirayu Patel (South Asian American Policy & Research Institute)
Lakshmi Sridaran (South Asian Americans Leading Together), Moderator
11:00AM- 12:00PM
Briefing by Administration & Government to the Community
Capitol Visitor Center, SVC 208-209
Representatives from the Administration and Congress will speak on executive action and
immigration; racial profiling; and hate violence.
Felicia Escobar (White House Domestic Policy Council)
Roy Austin (White House Domestic Policy Council)
Krystal Ka’ai (Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus)
Suman Raghunathan (South Asian Americans Leading Together), Moderator
12:00PM – 1:30PM
Lunch* and Delegation Organization
Capitol Visitor Center, SVC 208-209
*Note: Lunch is provided for Advocacy Day participants to enjoy during delegation organization and
planning.
2:00PM – 4:00PM
Delegation Meetings
Various Congressional offices, as assigned
Participants will meet with Congressional offices to advocate primarily around executive action
and immigration as well as racial profiling and hate violence.
4:00PM- 4:30PM
Closing
Note: Dinner is not provided to Advocacy Day speakers or participants on Monday, April 13.
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