Chicago-based think tank SAAPRI holds successful fundraiser

November 7, 2022

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Founders and supporters of SAAPRI pose for a photo: From left, Democratic Nominee for 16th District State House Kevin Olickal, President of SNtial Technologies, Inc. Sandeep Nain, SAAPRI Board Member Susan Patel, Executive Director of SAAPRI Shobhana J Verma, Curriculum Writer Dr. Julie Thomas Achettu, President of Kalapriya Center for Indian Performing Arts Dr. Mridu Sekhar, SAAPRI Board President Dr. Ann Kalayil, Ms. Shabnam Sanghvi, State Senator Ram Villivalam. Photo: courtesy SAAPRI

The South Asian American Policy & Research Institute held it 21st Anniversary Fundraiser recently, celebrating South Asian American history and art.

Organizers thanked sponsors and donors for their support for the event which was held Oct. 28, 2022, at Urban Convene Chicago, to commemorate two decades of service to the community since it was established in 2001. The goal of the fundraiser was to raise $20,000. Event ticket included access to SAAPRI’s “Memories and Milestones” exhibit – a pictorial and narrative history of the South Asian immigrant experience in Illinois between 1945 and 1965.

“A special thanks to our supporters and sponsors – State Senator Ram Villivalam, Elite Wellness – Highland Park, SNtial Technologies, Inc., Dr. Mridu D. Sekhar, and Ms. Shabnum Sanghvi,” the organization said in a November 6 press release.

SAAPRI members, from left, SAAPRI Health Equity Project Intern Emmanuel Ravichandar, SAAPRI Research & Policy Intern Maya Bhowmik, Executive Director of SAAPRI Shobhana J. Verma, SAAPRI Board Member Susan Patel, SAAPRI Board President Dr. Ann Kalayil, SAAPRI Board Member Anita Banerji, SAAPRI Research and Civic Engagement Intern Karan Gowda

Donors included Be Yoga Andersonville, Mata Ne New Asian Wine Club, Chicago Bulls, Regal Jewels, Sari Sapne, Wines for Humanity, Uru Swati, Noopur Banerji McKenna, Ashraf Manji, Dr. Shubha Ahya and Dr. Sunil Pullukat.

“We look forward to continuing to make South Asian American community’s voice a priority by formulating data-driven solutions to inform policy and supporting our communities through research, outreach, and programming,” the organization said.

The South Asian American Policy & Research Institute (SAAPRI) is a non-profit, non-partisan organization, “with the mission to serve South Asian Americans in the Chicago area by using research to formulate equitable and socially responsible policy recommendations,” its website says.