On May 25th, 2022, SAAPRI’s Research & Development Advisor Jordan Stalker and Communications & Research Intern Aakash Ray both discussed the nature of hate crimes and subsequent ill-created reporting systems in the state of Illinois. We looked at the hate…
Redistricting Press Conference in City Hall
On November 30th, 2021, members of multiple Asian American community organizations, including SAAPRI’s Executive Director Shobhana Verma, spoke during a redistricting press conference in Chicago City Hall, demanding that Chicago City Council members include an Asian American-majority ward in Greater…
#SendIndiaVaccines Campaign mentioned in the Well News
On May 26th, 2021, SAAPRI’s #SendIndiaVaccines Campaign, in coalition with groups including Indian American IMPACT, Indiaspora, Pratham USA, and North American Association of Indian Students (NAAIS), was mentioned in the Well News. The seven figure campaign was implemented to compel…
SAAPRI’s Executive Director Shobhana Verma discusses South Asian civic engagement on WBEZ
On May 4th, 2021, SAAPRI’s Executive Director Shobhana Verma shared her thoughts with WBEZ’s Esther Yoon-Ji Kang on South Asian Americans, one of the fastest-growing ethnic groups in the U.S., and the need for their participation in the decision-making process for…
SAAPRI’s Executive Director Shobhana Verma discusses growth and problems of Chicago Asian population on WBEZ
On April 30th, 2021, SAAPRI’s Executive Director Shobhana Verma discussed the growth of the Asian population in the state as well as the many challenges facing the community. [I have witnessed] “a wide range of increasing needs and challenges facing…
SAAPRI’s Executive Director Shobhana Verma joined 2021 Inauguration Day Celebrations on WGN-TV
In January of 2021, SAAPRI’s Executive Director Shobhana Verma joined the 2021 Inauguration Day celebrations virtually on WGN-TV, including the South Asian American community’s voice on the historical day. The 2020 General Election definitely confirmed one thing – Every single…
2020 Impact Report – Learning from 2020 and Looking to 2021
SAAPRI’s Executive Director Shobhana Verma shares reaction to Kamala Harris’ Vice Presidential Election on NBC News
On November 8th, 2020, SAAPRI’s Executive Director Shobhana Verma shared her reactions on the election of Vice President Kamala Harris on NBC News. Seeing a daughter of immigrants parents embracing her biracial roots on her way to becoming the first…
SAAPRI’s Executive Director Shobhana Verma discusses Asian Americans and voting in Chicago
On November 3rd, 2020, SAAPRI’s Executive Director Shobhana Verma, New Yorker staff writer Hua Hsu, and Executive Director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Chicago spoke on WBEZ about how Asian Americans could be the last group of undecided voters and how local groups…
Town Hall: Mental Health and Civic Engagement in the South Asian Community
On May 21st, 2020, SAAPRI held its first virtual town hall event in partnership with UChicago MannMukti. In light of the COVID-19 crisis, the town hall focused on South Asian mental health, civic engagement, and the connection between the two.…