Join us at the SALDEF National Gala in Washington, DC, on Saturday, October 6, 2012 for an evening of reflection and empowerment. This year”s Gala, “Chardhi Kala: The Sikh American Spirit”, will include a dedication to the Oak Creek Community as well as a perspective on the over 100 years that Sikh Americans have been in this country.
We are pleased to announce that Valarie Kaur will be receiving our Youth Leadership Award this year.
Valarie Kaur is an award-winning filmmaker, civil rights advocate, and interfaith organizer. A third-generation Sikh American, she is the founding director of Groundswell, a non-profit initiative at Auburn Seminary that mobilizes faith communities in bold collective action. In response to the tragedy in Oak Creek, WI, Groundswell organized thousands to send letters of support to Sikh families, call upon the FBI to track anti-Sikh hate crimes, and lead college campuses to respond to Oak Creek through storytelling and service projects as part of the President’s Interfaith Campus Challenge.
In addition, Valarie and her partner Sharat Raju have been telling the stories of Oak Creek to the American public through writing, reporting, filmmaking, and speaking on national media. Their response is a continuation of more than a decade of work in support of civil rights and human dignity for Sikhs as well as African-American, Latino, and LGBTQ communities. Their award-winning films “Divided We Fall” and “American Made” about Sikh Americans after 9/11 have reached tens of thousands in more than 200 U.S. cities. Valarie studied religion and law at Stanford University, Harvard Divinity School and Yale Law School. As fellows at Yale Law School, Valarie and Sharat direct the Yale Visual Law Project and train students in the art of storytelling and advocacy.
Book your travel today! The Grand Hyatt Hotel is nearly sold-out. Call 202-582-1234 and reference SALDEF for discounted room rates.
Free child care onsite and discounted parking available.
to reserve your seat
See Pictures and Learn More about last year”s sold-out gala
Contact Us for sponsorship information