People of color know what it's like to feel seen, but unseen. When we’re visible, we’re usually typecast. We define ourselves differently than how people see us, which is why we seek spaces (like Ethel's Club) for self-definition.

With a focus on South Asian identity, Defining Desi will explore what it means to be desi (from the Indian subcontinent and diaspora) in a time of political upheaval, and how we can use storytelling and activism to advocate for our community and others.

Our first event will feature Nadya Agrawal, Rupa Bhattacharya, Snigdha Sur and Nayantara Dutta, writers who explore culture and identity in their work. We invite you to bring your stories to share in the space.

About The Organizer

Nayantara Dutta is a writer, strategist and third culture kid. She created the report and photo series Unapologetically Muslim, which explores the power and influence of Muslim women in the US, UK and Indonesia. Growing up around the world, she works to tell stories that improve visibility for underrepresented communities.

About The Speakers

Nadya Agrawal is the founder and Editor-in-Chief of the digital and print South Asian magazine Kajal. She hosts The Cardamom Pod where she discusses "news, culture, and the Internet from a brown perspective." Her writing has been featured in Teen Vogue, Hazlitt, VICE, and others.

Rupa Bhattacharya is an editor, writer, and occasional food stylist. She was most recently the acting editorial director of culture for VICE and the editor-in-chief of MUNCHIES; she's also held jobs at magazines, book publishing, and television, mostly throughout the food world. She lives in Brooklyn with her family.

Snigdha Sur is the founder & CEO of The Juggernaut, a Y Combinator and Precursor Ventures-backed media company telling smart South Asian stories and news. She has worked at McKinsey and advised BuzzFeed, Quartz, Amazon Studios, Scroll.in, and Reese Witherspoon’s Hello Sunshine. She grew up in Queens, New York and can speak Hindi, Bengali, and Mandarin. She loves Bollywood and reading novels.

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