Desis Decide summit showcases community’s remarkable influence

The remarkable influence and contributions of the South Asian American community was showcased at 2024 Desis Decide summit and gala hosted by Indian American Impact in Washington, DC, with a keynote by Vice President Kamala Harris.

The May 15-16 event drew nearly 500 South Asian American community leaders, policymakers, celebrities, activists and organizers, according to a media release from the leading political advocacy organization.

Distinguished attendees included former Associate Attorney General Vanita Gupta, Domestic Policy Advisor to President Joe Biden Neera Tanden, and US Representatives Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, Raja Krishnamoorthi, Ami Bera, and Shri Thanedar.

READ: Kamala Harris asks more Indian Americans to run for political office (May 16, 2024)

Nearly 50 South Asian-led organizations and 97 speakers joined the summit, with programming featuring numerous breakout sessions, trainings, and networking opportunities.

Opening plenaries at the two-day Summit showcased talks by leading healthcare experts such as Dr. Meena Seshamani, Director of the Center for Medicare and Dr. Ashwin Vasan, NYC Health Commissioner as well as a panel discussion hosted by ABC News Correspondent Zohreen Shah and the Indian American members of Congress.

Impact’s gala, emceed by Simi Shah of South Asian Trailblazers, celebrated the achievements and contributions of the Indian and South Asian American communities. Keynote speakers included Democratic House Leader Hakeem Jeffries and Representative Andy Kim.

Virginia State Senator Ghazala Hashmi presented this year’s Dalip Singh Saund Award to Maryland Lt Governor Aruna Miller. This award recognizes outstanding public service and dedication to civic engagement and involvement at the state and local levels of government.

Arizona State Senator Priya Sundareshan presented the Dr Shyamala Gopalan Harris Award to Mini Timmaraju, President and CEO of Reproductive Freedom for All. Named after the Vice President’s late mother, this award recognizes courage, determination, and commitment to allyship and the cause of civil rights for all in the United States.

Chintan Patel, Executive Director of Indian American Impact, said, “This year’s Summit and Gala showcased the remarkable influence and contributions of the South Asian American community. Our Summit brought together our diverse communities to commit to action, and it’s just the launching point for the work we’ll do this critical election year. Our community’s growing political engagement and leadership are reshaping the American political landscape, and events like this are crucial in fostering that progress.”

Held in AAPI Heritage Month, Indian American Impact’s annual summit and gala brought together nearly 500 South Asian American changemakers and community leaders to recognize the pivotal role the community plays in shaping the political landscape of the nation, according to the release

“The second largest immigrant community and fastest growing in many states, Indian American voters can be the decisive margin of victory in key races across the country,” the Impact noted.

South Asian Americans are also ascending to positions of leadership in public service at an extraordinary rate as evidenced by the more than 25 South Asian elected officials and candidates in attendance, four of whom are running for Congress, it said suggesting in 2024, South Asians have the opportunity to double representation in Congress from 5 to 10 members.