On October 18th, 2018, SAAPRI and the University of Chicago’s South Asian Student’s Association (SASA), Indo-American Center (IAC), and Chicago Board of Election Commissioners co-hosted an all-in-one 2018 Midterm election event with dinner, conversation, and action. The first half of…
The Future of South Asians in the U.S.
On October 6th, 2018, SAAPRI collaborated with the Indo-American Center (IAC), Hamdard Center, and Chicago Desi Youth Rising to host “The Future of South Asians in the U.S.” Participants met with several local organizations at a resource fair who work…
The State of South Asian American Influence & Power in Illinois: Fall Fundraiser
On September 29th, 2018, SAAPRI hosted a fall fundraiser titled “The State of South Asian American Influence & Power in Illinois.” Our panelists, Ram Villivalam, Dilara Sayeed, and Hardik Bhatt, moderated by K. Sujata, engaged us on ways we can…
2018 NCSO Annual Convening and Lobby Days & Asian American Action Day Rally
In May 2018, SAAPRI attended the National Coalition of South Asian Organizations’ (NCSO) Annual Convening and Lobby Days led by South Asian Americans Leading Together (SAALT). SAAPRI’s Executive Director, Dhara Puvar, and SAAPRI Fellow, Anil Methipara, joined representatives of over…
Statement on Department of Commerce’s addition of citizenship status question on 2020 Census
ATTACK ON THE 2020 CENSUS On March 27th, 2018, Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross announced that a question asking for citizenship status will be added to the 2020 Census. This change was in response to a request made by Attorney General Jeff Sessions…
Young Professionals Phone Banking
On March 15th, 2018, SAAPRI and the Indo-American Center (IAC) hosted a Young Professionals phone banking event where youth reached out and encouraged fellow South Asians in the region to vote in the 2018 Illinois primary election, as part of…
IL Senate District 8 and House District 17 Candidate Forum on Asian American Women and Communities
On March 4th, 2018, SAAPRI co-hosted the Illinois Senate District 8 and House District 17 Candidate Forum on Asian American Women and Communities at Oakton Community Center in Skokie, IL. Senate District 8 and House District 17 have some of…
2018 Voter Registration Drive
On January 26th, 2018, SAAPRI held a voter registration drive at the Muslim Community Center in Albany Park. The Jummah prayer brings a large crowd of worshippers to the mosque and community center around lunchtime on Friday afternoons. Alongside the…
2017: SAAPRI’s Year in Review
2017 has been a year of new beginnings for SAAPRI as we charged ahead with a focus on developing new means of community engagement. Below is a review of some of the initiatives of which we have been a part. Ahimsa:…
2016 Post-Election Analysis Event
On November 29th, 2016, SAAPRI hosted a post-election analysis event with special guests David Orr, Cook County Clerk, and Ameya Pawar, 47th Ward Alderman. Mr. Orr and Mr. Pawar spoke about the importance of community organizing and unity in moving…