Sikh American Spotlight: Savneet Singh Shoots for Gold and Shines Dalip Singh Saund Honored with Documentary at Motion Picture Association of America SikhLEAD Spotlight: Harpreet Singh Bath, Elected Student Body Apply Now: Two Scholarship Programs for College Students “We Shall Overcome”: Celebrating 50 Years of the Civil Rights Act Fill the Capitol With Sikh Americans! Stop Bullying in Schools SALDEF Proudly Supports Women’s Equality RPD Changes Uniform Policies to Attract Sikh Americans to Force SALDEF Conducts Law Enforcement Training at Davis (CA) Police Department
Sikh American Spotlight: Savneet Singh Shoots for Gold and Shines 
SALDEF congratulates Sikh American Savneet Singh, 29, who was prestigiously named one of Crains’ New York Business’ 40 under 40. Singh, who co-founded Gold Bullion International— a digital platform where anyone can buy, sell, insure, ship or audit gold—is also a SALDEF Media Advisory Board Member and a participant in SALDEF’s first Media Training Initiative.
A proud Sikh American, Singh humbly credits Sikhism for his success, “I’ve been wearing a turban since I was a child. And while it wasn’t easy, getting through those tough circumstances really provided a foundation to succeed in the future, and it provided a good sense of character and resoluteness, that I found really beneficial, especially as I got older.”
Find out more about Savneet Singh in Crains’ Class of 2014.
Want to share something about your Sikh Sangat? Share your Sikh American Spotlight with SALDEF and the Sikh American community! Email SALDEF: info@saldef.org or tweet @saldef with #SikhMedia
Dalip Singh Saund Honored with Documentary at Motion Picture Association of America
The Asian Pacific Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS) and the U.S. Capitol Historical Society are hosting a special screening of the documentary: Dalip Singh Saund: His Life, His Legacy on May 8, 2014 at the Motion Picture Association of America in Washington, D.C. Saund, a visionary and advocate, was the first Sikh and Asian American to be elected to Congress in 1957 where he served as a representative from California until he suffered a stroke in 1962. Representative Judy Chu and Senator Chris Dodd will also attend and speak during the evening’s ceremony. The screening is part of a series of APAICS events commemorating Asian Pacific American heritage month.
SikhLEAD Spotlight: Harpreet Singh Bath, Elected Student Body President
Cal State Fullerton junior Harpreet Singh Bath graduated from SALDEF’s Leadership Development Program last May. This year he ran for President of the Associated Students CSUS Inc and won by 68 percent. As the newly elected president Bath and his running mate will speak as the voice of over 38,000 students while they oversee the implementation of the Student Success Initiative— a program that will enhance a student’s success while enriching his academic experience through a proposed fee that will strengthen academic advising, expand library services, and provide upgraded technology amongst other initiatives.
“Through LDP I met some truly remarkable leaders who showed me the power of embracing a unique heritage. During my campaign I took their words and examples to heart. I tied different colored Dastaars to celebrate my Sikh American identity and to encourage my fellow students to be true to themselves, celebrate their individuality and dream big.”
Click here to meet Harpreet and learn about his campaign.
Apply Now: Two Scholarship Programs for College Students
The Association of Sikh Professionals is offering a scholarship to college bound students, ranging from $400 to $4000 per year. Awards are in the form of scholarships, grants through endowments, and interest-free loans (repayment expected after graduation). Financial need is taken into consideration, as well as academic ability and involvement in Sikh activities. All applicants must be attending, or should be admitted to an accredited course of study. All applications must be received through the application form available here. The deadline for new applicants is June 1, 2014 and June 28, 2014 for re-applicants. Results will be announced in September.
The 5Rivers Scholarship Program provides financial support to Sikh students who are motivated to pursue higher education opportunities but lack financial resources. The scholarship provides resources for college bound applicants and for an SAT prep course. We are offering 10 scholarship spots for the upcoming summer semester. Please visit 5 Rivers Foundation for more information.
“We Shall Overcome”: Celebrating 50 Years of the Civil Rights Act
This year we celebrate 50 years of the Civil Rights Act, a transformational law that banned discrimination against ANY American regardless of race, color, religion, sex or identity. It put an end to school segregation, and workplace and public accommodations discrimination. This landmark legislation was the precursor to the Voting Rights Act of 1965 and the Fair Housing Act of 1968, both of which called for equal rights for ALL Americans. These laws helped ALL Americans realize the American promise dreamed by our American forefathers. The civil rights advocates and visionaries who worked tirelessly to make these dreams of equality a reality are our heroes and help us continue our work: To create an America where Sikh Americans can freely practice their faith while being full participants in their country.
From April 8-10, 2014, the Lyndon B. Johnson Presidential Library hosted a Civil Rights Summit to commemorate the 50th anniversary of the Civil Rights Act where three former Presidents, Jimmy Carter, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush and current President Barack Obama reflected on LBJ’s vision while examining civil rights issues in America today. Watch the speeches.
Fill the Capitol with Sikh Americans!
Join SALDEF and fill the Capitol with Sikh Americans. Consider donating to SALDEF’s SikhLEAD leadership program. Your dollars will support our youth development programs and specifically help one young Sikh American travel to DC, work on Capitol Hill, forge relationships with our nation’s strongest leaders, and ensure we have Sikh American advocates in the future.
Your generous donation is an investment in our collective future. These Sikh Americans are the leaders of tomorrow. Shouldn’t they be prepared to actively lead and move our Sikh American goals forward? Please take a moment to help us Fill the Capitol with a tax deductible donation today!
Thank you for taking a stand against bullying! By sharing your Sikh American stories and encouraging your Congressman or Senator to support the Safe Schools Improvement Act you helped Sikh American children across the nation! Today, thanks to YOUR help, 181 members of the House and 43 Senators have co-sponsored the bill.
Stop Bullying in Schools
The Safe Schools Improvement Act (SSIA) requires schools to implement comprehensive anti-bullying policies that address bullying and harassment and ensure the safety and well-being of all students. SSIA would require schools to create appropriate policies and require states to report data to Department of Education. No Sikh American child should go to school and have to accept intimidation or abuse. If you haven’t shared your story with your Congressional leader, you still have time. Click here to contact your Congressman.
SALDEF Proudly Supports Women’s Equality
On March 13, 2013, Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA), Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-CT), and Rep. George Miller (D-CA13) introduced The Fair Employment Protection Act (FEPA) to Congress to protect women and minorities against workplace harassment. Protective laws that had been in place were weakened by a 2013 Supreme Court decision in Vance vs. Ball State University. SALDEF supports this bill that provides stronger protection in the workplace and was the only Sikh American organization to participate in the introduction on Capitol Hill. To learn more about FEPA email us at info@saldef.org. SALDEF is proud to support women’s equality!
RPD Changes Uniform Policies to Attract Sikh Americans to Force
“I am happy to report that we have made it possible to accept qualified recruits of the Sikh faith without lowering our standards nor requiring that anyone compromise their religious beliefs,” Police Chief Sergio Diaz said after the announcement. “I’m very grateful to SALDEF for working with us to achieve an important milestone in our department’s history.”
If you would like to personally thank the RPD Chief please visit the SALDEF booth at the Southern California Vaisakhi Nagar Kirtan at the Los Angeles Convention Center on April 12 from 11 am-1 pm.
SALDEF Conducts Law Enforcement Training at Davis (CA) Police Department
On March 25, 2014, SALDEF Board Member Kavneet Singh conducted a Sikh Awareness Training for the leadership team at the Davis Police Department in Davis, California. The training provided information on the Sikh faith and theology, as well as the challenges facing Sikh Americans. The presentation included a viewing of SALDEF’s training video On Common Ground. Singh also highlighted specific considerations law officers should be aware of when their duties call for engaging with Sikhs, and answered questions from the team concerning protocols in specific hypothetical situations. SALDEF and the Davis PD Chief will be working together to roll out information to the entire force as well as to leadership in surrounding areas. If you would like to conduct a training in your local area, please contact SALDEF at info@saldef.org.