November Advocate: Media Initiative Launched!

SALDEF Launches Sikh American Media Initiative Last month, SALDEF launched a historic new media initiative on behalf of Sikh Americans.  As part of the initiative, SALDEF selected 15 Sikh Americans to join our inaugural Speakers Bureau class and receive media training at NBC News headquarters in Washington, D.C.   These leading Sikh American voices – including accomplished doctors, educators, technologists, business people, journalists and an acclaimed entertainer — learned from media veterans with decades of expertise in network news, political campaigns and corporate communications about best practices in media interactions and presentation. Highlights of the Speakers Bureau training: •    One-on-one on-camera training by a former national correspondent for NBC News •    Communications exercises led by former press secretary for Vice President Al Gore •    Messaging guidance in communicating with media and non-Sikh audiences •    Lessons learned from recent Sikh American rapid response scenarios •    Personal welcome by NBC’s Meet the Press host David Gregory, and live in-studio viewing of the show including Sens. Dick Durbin (D-IL.) and Rob Portman (R-Ohio) A special thank you to all of our participants, trainers, sponsors, and volunteers. To learn more about this exciting initiative, click here. Third SikhLEAD Leadership Development Program a Resounding Success Over Columbus Day Weekend, SALDEF hosted its third annual Leadership Development Program (LDP), under its ground-breaking SikhLEAD initiative. This class of 18 talented and motivated young Sikh leaders was selected from an impressive pool of applicants from across the country. They are diverse in their life experiences and intellectual pursuits including law, politics, medicine, business, engineering, journalism, social justice, media and academia. Over the course of this first of the two long weekends of the program, the new class of SikhLEADers participated in a series of activities to help identify and articulate their passion, recognize their strengths, and build a stronger sense of identity as individuals and as a group. The program provides training and opportunities for participants to lead change, build partnerships and network with community leaders. READ more about the Third Leadership Development Program cohort here. SEE pictures from the program here. Houston Police Academy Training In October, SALDEF Southern Regional Director Bobby Singh, conducted a Sikh awareness training for new academy recruits of the Houston Police Department in Houston, Texas.  For the over seventy officers in attendance, the training provided information on the Sikh faith and theology, as well as the challenges facing Sikh Americans and was followed by an interactive question and answer session. The presentation included the viewing of SALDEF’s training video On Common Ground and distribution of Sikh Information Cards. SALDEF Presents to Howard Law School Students On October 29, SALDEF was invited to speak to 150 first year law students at the Howard University Law School in Washington, DC, about the post-9/11 experiences of Sikh American and Muslim American communities. The discussion specifically focused on the laws surrounding employment discrimination, the accommodation of religious practices and articles of faith, and the challenges lawyers commonly face when litigating these cases. SALDEF was joined on the panel by representatives of CAIR (the Council on American Islamic Relations) and the Sikh Coalition. SALDEF thanks Professors Jasbir Bawa and Morris Davis and the Howard University Law School for hosting the event. SALDEF Participates in Anti-Bullying Conference On October 17th SALDEF participated in an Anti-Bullying Conference hosted by the City of Los Angeles’ Anti-Bullying Coalition.  U.S. Attorney, Andre Birotte Jr. and LA City Attorney Mike Feuer addressed the conference after participating in a rich and valuable exchange of ideas with youth from LA county schools who are running innovative programs to teach empathy and stop bullying on their campuses. Los Angeles Unified School District representatives, including teachers and administrators were engaged in dialogue on expanding spaces and collaborations that promote such youth driven engagements. As a member of the Los Angeles Anti-Bullying Coalition, SALDEF participates in such efforts to address issues of bias that diminish the education experience for students in our community. More importantly, SALDEF hopes to contribute to the success of all our youth as they develop into self-sufficient adults equipped with the necessary skills to peacefully navigate conflict. Claremont School of Theology Presents: Sikh Relics Sikh Life: Objects and Identity in Contemporary Sikhism On Thursday, November 14th, 2013, Claremont Lincoln University, Center for Sikh Studies will have a special exhibit and set of lectures that relate to the articles of faith that are used by Sikhs around the world as representations of their Sikh identity. This event will be held at the Haddon Conference Room to inaugurate the new Sikh exhibit in the Claremont School of Theology library. The event will being with a reception at 6:30pm following by lectures at 7:00pm. For greater information, please click here.  For access to a map of the campus to find the location of the exhibition and the lectures, please click here. Sikh American Information Cards Still Available! SALDEF encourages the community to purchase the Sikh Information Cards. Educate your neighbors, friends, and co-workers about Sikh Americans in an easy, informative way. The Sikh Information Cards are the size of a standard business card and feature full-color images of Sikh Americans, along with examples of core Sikh values and facts about Sikhs in the United States on the front and back of the card. Like the pocket calendars that were produced in the past, these new cards are perfect for distribution at your workplace, schools, convenience stores, gas stations, taxi cabs, restaurants, or public libraries. Sikhs across the nation have shared them with their friends, neighbors, customers, and local officials. Spanish Language cards are also available. The cards are available in bundles of 100 for $10 plus shipping and handling fees. Order your cards today! Upcoming Events: