The South Asian Solidarity Movement (SASM) was founded in 2021 to move our communities beyond apathy and into action — confronting injustice, challenging oppression, and practicing cross-racial solidarity. Through quarterly gatherings and community engagements, we create spaces for learning, reflection, and collective growth. We bring together people from diverse racial, ethnic, and social backgrounds to engage hard truths and conversations often left unspoken in communities of the global majority. Grounded in an honest reckoning with our histories of colonization and harm, we also recognize the privileges we hold as a diaspora — and the responsibility that comes with them to dismantle the systems that divide us and work toward collective liberation. We welcome anyone who feels called to this work, while unapologetically centering the voices, experiences, and leadership of the Global Majority.

Our team brings together educators, therapists, and practitioners who live this work, personally and professionally, and are committed to building more just and inclusive communities.

OUR LEADERS

Black and white photo of a woman with long wavy hair, smiling, dressed in a dark top with puffed sleeves, standing against a plain background.

CINDU-THOMAS GEORGE

Founder and Principal Trainer of Shakti Training and Tenured Professor

Inclusion and Belonging Strategist, Educator, Keynote Speaker, and Mom.

A woman sitting outdoors on grass, wearing traditional attire and smiling, with trees in the background.

REBEKAH JAMES LOVETT

Founder of Thambusami, Consulting, Coaching & Management for BIPOC Professionals

Writer, Story Teller, Dreamer, Collaborator, and Co-Founder of Revive Brands

A black and white photo of a man smiling while standing behind a microphone, wearing a patterned shirt.
Consultant, Psychologist, Musician & Keynote speaker

RAHUL SHARMA

Founder of Strategic Inclusion Consulting, Founder and sitarist for the music group Funkadesi, and former Associate Professor at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology.

Black and white photo of a woman with long wavy hair, smiling, wearing a loose shirt, with her left hand on her hip and her right hand touching her hair.

POOJA SHAH

Photography and Brand Design

Founder & Creative Director of TEMBO TONES®
Black and white photograph of a woman with short curly hair, wearing hoop earrings and a tropical print dress, smiling at the camera.

SHANTA N. KANAKOLLU

Licensed Clinical Psychologist & Speaker

Founder of SNK Therapy PLLC
A woman sitting on stone steps outdoors, dressed in a black suit with a white blouse and beige heels, with a background of trees and stone walls.

AMMARA KHALID

Founder of RIA Psychological Services, Consultant

Psychologist, Author, Keynote Speaker and Renaissance Woman

A young man with a beard and styled hair smiling outdoors in a park setting, wearing a dark short-sleeved button-up shirt and a watch, with trees and grass in the background.

ANKUR VARMA

Psychotherapist (LCPC) AND Mental Health Advocate, Director of Outreach & Training at Shaikh & Associates

Founder of Brown Man Therapy

We are deeply grateful to our Advisory Council for their dedication, wisdom, and commitment to SASM’s mission. Their leadership ensures SASM’s longevity and impact.

OUR ADVISORY COUNCIL

A black-and-white photo of a smiling person with short dark hair, wearing a dark shirt, standing outdoors with trees and foliage in the background.

NEENA HEMMADY

LGBTQ+ Rights Trailblazer & Com-Ed Executive
Close-up of a woman with curly hair and glasses, wearing a scarf and jacket, taking a selfie indoors.

RADHIKA SHARMA

35 year Educator, Prevention Specialist & Activist 
A smiling woman with long dark hair, wearing a black top, earrings, a necklace, and a nose ring, looking at the camera against a plain light background.
Seasoned DEI Practitioner, Facilitator & Leader

AISHA GHORI OZAKI