On August 31st, 2023, Co-Founder and Board Chair Ann Kalayil was featured in an article regarding the evolution and growth of the South Asian community from Devon Avenue to greater suburban Illinois. The article discussed how “some long-time area advocates…
WBEZ Article on “Illinois immigrants need[ing] more language help to thrive and partake in civic life”
On July 21st, 2023, Executive Director Shobhana Verma was featured in an article advocating for improvements to language access to Illinois’ broader immigrant community. The article discussed the challenges Illinois immigrants, numbering more than 1 million, face including ” getting…
WBEZ Reset Panel on “Creating Culturally Competent Care For Asian Americans”
On May 17th, 2023, Executive Director Shobhana Verma joined WBEZ’s Reset panel on “Creating Culturally Competent Care For Asian Americans.” The panel discussed the barriers and stigma Asian Americans face when it comes to both physical and mental health and…
2022 Impact Report: Reflecting on 2022 and Looking to 2023
21st Anniversary Fundraising Kickoff: South Asian History and Art
On October 28th, 2022, SAAPRI celebrated 21 years of service to our community! We kicked off a fundraiser at Urban Convene Chicago with the goal of raising $20,000 to commemorate over two decades spent in service to our community. Event ticket included…
SAAPRI’s Executive Director Shobhana Verma discusses language access issues for voter turnout on WBEZ
On June 15th, 2022, SAAPRI’s Executive Director Shobhana Verma, as part of a coalition of Asian American advocacy and community leaders and organizations, discussed how the Chicago Board of Election Commissioners did not prioritize language access for Asian American voters.…
SAAPRI’s Executive Director Shobhana Verma appointed to Asian American Family Commission
On June 10th, 2022, SAAPRI’s Executive Director Shobhana Verma was one of three new appointees to the Asian American Family Commission. The Asian American Family Commission was first established in 2019 under legislation introduced by Senator Villivalam and State Rep.…
SAAPRI’s Jordan Stalker and Aakash Ray discuss hate crimes in Borderless Magazine
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…