The South Asian Impact Foundation will host its annual summit and gala with the theme of ‘Desis Persist—Our Stories, Our Strength’ along with its first-ever South Asian Hill Day on September 16-17 in Washington, DC.
Over 300 South Asian American leaders, organizers, and partners will convene for two days of plenaries, trainings, and strategy sessions, according to a media release from the leading community advocacy organization.
The Summit will culminate in a historic South Asian Hill Day, bringing over 150 participants and 24 organizations to Capitol Hill for direct meetings with lawmakers on immigrant rights and community safety amidst rising hate and discrimination.
South Asian Americans are the second-largest immigrant community in the U.S. and one of the fastest-growing electorates. But numbers alone aren’t the story, the foundation noted.
Impact’s 2025 Summit, Gala, and Hill Day spotlight how South Asian Americans are turning presence into power: organizing, advocating, and taking action to shape a more inclusive and just future for everyone, it stated.
“This gathering is about standing up for immigrant rights, combating hate and discrimination, and ensuring healthier, safer communities nationwide,” the foundation stated. “From refugee leaders to healthcare experts, students to CEOs, the event demonstrates how diverse voices can unite to build a stronger democracy and a better future for all,”
Attendees and guest speakers will reflect the breadth and diversity of the South Asian American community, according to the announcement.
They include senior elected officials at the local, state, and federal levels including U.S. Representatives Ami Bera, Pramila Jayapal, Shri Thanedar, Ro Khanna, Suhas Subramanyam, and Raja Krishnamoorthi.
Refugee and immigrant community leaders such as Dr. Badar Khan Suri and Robin Gurung of Asian Refugees United are also expected with leading healthcare experts, such as Maryland Secretary of Health Dr. Meena Seshamani.
Advocates and activists like Mini Timmaraju, President of Reproductive Freedom for All, artists, authors, and storytellers like Nav the Poet and Annika Sharma will also attend with students, organizers, emerging leaders and op CEOs and business executives.
Hill Day partners are: AAPI Equity Alliance, AAPI Victory Power Fund, Asian Refugees United, Chalo Vote, Desi Rainbow, the National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association (NAAPIMHA), the North American Association of Indian Students, the Roundglass India Center at Seattle University, SAATH, Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus, SAIVA, Sakhi for South Asian Survivors, South Asian Impact Foundation, the South Asian American Justice Collaborative (SAAJCO), the South Asian American Policy & Research Institute (SAAPRI), South Asian Americans for Change, the South Asian Bar Association of DC, South Asian SOAR, South Asians for America, Stop AAPI Hate, the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA), the Raj Mehta Day of Good, the Sikh Coalition, and They See Blue