Leaving a Legacy
SAYI brings together more than 500 students from across the United States.
"SAYI 2021 was an incredible experience where I had the opportunity to discuss key issues relating to South Asians both in the US and abroad. I could not be more thankful for a platform that brings to light the voices of many among the South Asian diaspora."
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- 2021 Conference Attendee
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WHAT IS SAYI?
South Asian student leaders at Yale and Columbia have been collaborating on the South Asian Millennials Conference for over a decade. Now, we have rebranded our conference from the South Asian Millennials Conference to the South Asian Youth Initiative (SAYI) as we are expanding our conference to include high school students and graduates.
However, the core purpose of the conference is similar. Our initiative has an overarching goal of creating community amongst young South Asians and South Asian-Americans from all over the US while also serving as a forum for activism, discussion and solidarity. It's currently a unique opportunity for young South Asians and South Asian-Americans in the US to come together as a community.
We aim to create community amongst young South Asians and South Asian-Americans from all over the US while also serving as a forum for activism, discussion, and solidarity.
MISSION
EXECUTIVE BOARD
Shan Lateef
Co-Director
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Shan Lateef is originally from Manassas, Virginia and is majoring in Neuroscience & potentially South Asian Studies. He was motivated to join SAYI 2023 because of his involvement in South Asian and Muslim communities. Outside of SAYI 2023, he loves, writing, cooking, and watching movies with friends.
Zahra Nasir
Co-Director
Zahra Nasir is originally from Chicago, Illinois and is majoring in Statistics and Economics. She was motivated to join SAYI 2023 because of her involvement in South Asian communities. Outside of SAYI 2023, she loves, writing poetry and watching movies with friends!
Fabiha Rafrafin
Co-Director
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Fabiha is originally from Queens, New York and is majoring in Cognitive Science. Growing up in a vibrant South Asian community, she hopes to recreate this through SAYI! In her free time, she enjoys listening to true crime podcasts and bullet journaling.
Nishah Jaferi
Workshops & Content Creator
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Nishah Jaferi is from Florida and is majoring in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. Out of a love for South Asian history, Nishah joined SAYI 2023 to spotlight the rich culture of South Asia through content creation and community organizing. Outside of SAYI 2023, she spends her time conducting gynecologic oncology research.
Jabiah Suhrawardhy
Social Media & Promotion
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Jabiah is originally from Brooklyn, New York and majoring in Ethnicity, Race & Migration and Global Affairs. As she was involved with canvassing and fundraising within the Bangladeshi community, Jabiah hopes her passion for social justice through her SAYI. Outside of working with SAYI 2023, she loves reading and making Spotify playlists.
Sanya Abbasey
Speakers & Fashion Show
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Sanya is from Warsaw, New York and is majoring in History of Science, Medicine & Public Health. She grew up spending summers in Pakistan, appreciating South Asian culture and hopes to showcase that connection through SAYI. Outside of helping to plan SAYI 2023, she loves sharing music with her friends, trying fun makeup looks, and refining her shoe game.
Keya Gupta
Speakers
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Keya is from New Delhi, India and is majoring in Anthropology and History. In addition to planning SAYI, she is heavily involved with the film and theatre space at Yale, the international students community, as well as dances with Yale Rangeela and the Modern Dance Collective. In her free time, she loves exploring coffee shops, face-timing her dogs, and watching Bollywood movies!
Nabihah Ahsan
Funding & Outreach
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Nabihah is majoring in Molecular, Cellular, and Developmental Biology. Through SAYI, she hopes to develop a deeper connection with her South Asian identity and engage in meaningful conversations centered around advocacy and justice. Outside of SAYI, she enjoys making memories with friends, trying new foods, and reading up on current global health issues.
Hasfa Fazl
Food and Housing
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Hasfa is originally from Branford, Connecticut and is majoring in Ecology and Evolutionarily Biology. Hasfa wanted to get more involved in the South Asian community at Yale and joined SAYI in the hopes of meeting new people and making connections! Outside of SAYI 2023, she enjoys taking care of plants and being a barista at the Acorn in Silliman.