THE PANELISTS
Sivanthy is a senior majoring in Sociology and History of Art and minoring in Science, Technology, and Society. She is the Community Historian of UAAO. She is involved with several social justice organizations on campus, including Uncover: A/PIA, Michigan in Color and South Asian Awareness Network. To Sivanthy, being A/PIA means supporting and bringing light to overlooked groups within the larger A/PIA identity while also using the privilege of being A/PIA to stand alongside various disadvantaged communities.
Ethan is a senior studying Computer Science and Biomolecular Science. On campus, he has been involved in the A/PIA community for all four years and is currently one of the Co-Chairs for United Asian American Organizations (UAAO). To Ethan, being A/PIA means being a part of a huge, albeit segmented, community with rich histories and culture, and it means sometimes feeling like you're stuck between two halves and living through that personal reconciliation. It means you're not alone and there are others who share some of your background or experiences, and it means a chance to grow deeper in personal connections with those people.
Dhara is a senior studying Business and minoring in Community Action and Social Change and is the External Relations Chair for United Asian American Organizations (UAAO). On campus, in addition to UAAO, she is currently an internal adviser for 180 Degrees Consulting (a pro bono student consulting group), an Indian classical dancer for Michigan Sahana, and is a peer facilitator for the Ross School of Business's Identity, Diversity, and Organizations workshop series. Being and identifying as an A/PIA to Dhara is still a work in progress, especially when it comes to understanding what it means to be South Asian, specifically Indian, within the larger A/PIA community. As an extension of this discovery, being A/PIA means including A/PIA communities and issues which are not visible and standing in solidarity with other marginalized communities.
Chandani is a senior studying Public Policy at the University of Michigan, with minors in Intergroup Relations Education and Women’s Studies: Gender, Race and Nation. She leads a social justice organization called Yoni Ki Baat, which uses dialogues, collaborative events, and an annual monologue show to provide a community for Women of Color on campus and to enhance students’ understanding of issues pertaining to race, gender, sexuality, and more! Chandani is a current Ginsberg Community Engagement Leadership Fellow and works with CivCity through the fellowship on civic engagement in Ann Arbor. She is also a student program assistant for the UM MLK Symposium. To Chandani, being an A/PIA means appreciating that while another person might have very different ethnic and cultural identities from her own, they can still connect through the shared and similar experiences they do have and because this umbrella term, "Asian and Pacific Islander American," groups them together -- whether or not they want it to.
​Kristina is a junior studying Business at the University of Michigan. On campus, she’s involved with the Cosmetology Club, Mind Matters Mental Health Initiative, and the Google Community Leaders Program. To Kristina, being APIA means sometimes having your voice silenced and having stereotypes placed on you that can be limiting. It's important as a community to bring light to injustices we face as well as support other communities that may also be facing prejudice and injustice.