SATYAGRAH SOULS is a monthly political series presented by Silicon Valley’s community leader, Saratoga Councilmember Rishi Kumar, in highlighting the community involvement and success of Indian Americans in the United States. This series seeks to inspire us in giving back to our local community. We Indian Americans are going through a transitional evolution, as we get entrenched in a new world, embracing new culture, exerting zealous work ethics, supporting the American economy as entrepreneurs, high tech geeks, doctors, lawyers and more. We are definitely imposing the positive intentions and good citizen values upon this fantastic country and making a huge impact. But can our involvement run a bit deeper with issues near and dear to our hearts, perhaps within our local city, or with the local public school that our children attend? Do we sometimes hear our conscience imploring, “Am I doing enough?”. Yes we can get involved just a bit more, push our comfort zone and enhance the learning and impact our involvement. Our involvement can simply start with developing a healthy curiosity in our local community, instead of being ‘busy’ bystanders. Once we get involved, we will quickly discover, how easy it is for us to make progressive change happen and how receptive everyone around is, to leverage our skills for it. There are leaders waiting to be discovered, why not “me”, by taking that first step? The give-back experience can be freeing, energizing – personally rewarding and transformative at the same time. There are many who have made their mark in doing just that. With this monthly series, we want to highlight these SatyAgrah souls who are showing us the path. Here is a SatyaGrah soul, who has found the calling…

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SPOTLIGHT

Ensure higher education access to teens

Dimple, how does it feel to be the first Asian-American, youngest woman and first millennial to serve on Charlotte City Council. What is your motivation in this role?

I am honored to have been selected by the council and to have the opportunity to represent not only my race, age group, and broader generation, but all of my constituents. I am proud to say my district in East Charlotte is one of the most diverse districts in the city, with 50 percent of registered voters African-American, 36 percent white and 14 percent Hispanic, Asian, or undesignated. On the whole, I represent people of many races and nationalities, and I believe that our city and our country are stronger because of our diversity.

We millennials have grown up in a time where we can interact with our peers across the globe in a matter of seconds. We are plugged into and connected within the world in new ways, and we want to break down barriers. I, as a millennial and an immigrant, believe in a shared story, a narrative that we all have a part in creating.

I believe no one should be denied basic human rights or treated differently under the law because of their race, religion, ethnic background, or documentation (immigration status). Furthermore, I support enacting policies that provide opportunities to all and ensure every person’s full inclusion and participation in society. I believe our economic system should be fair, fulfill everyone’s basic needs, and should offer opportunity to everyone regardless of their socio-economic status, and I acknowledge that we have not reached yet this ideal. However, I am working on it.

My platform is “to create new economic opportunities, develop infrastructure, and ensure safe neighborhoods for all in Charlotte.” It reflects my broader goals and values. I want to foster economic mobility, social justice, and unity in the face of a divided society where we have unequal levels of privilege.

From arriving into the country at 14, unable to speak English, you find yourself on the city council. How open and liberating has the American experience been for you.

My story is, in some ways, the story of the American dream. Yet, it has never been easy: my family and I

have worked tirelessly to achieve success. My parents applied for visas when I was born, but the process is slow. We waited for many years before we were allowed to come to America. Then we had to find a way to make it in this foreign country.

For me, the first step was enrolling at Southern High School as a senior. While all my classmates were preparing for prom and finding that perfect dress, I was learning English and trying to pass the English exit exam. The subsidized lunch program helped me sustain myself as I studied, the after-school program occupied me while my parents worked. Most of all, my teachers and counselors served as my support system, and with their help and a lot of hard work, I made it to USC.

American higher education was crucial to my success: it helped me develop valuable career skills such as leadership, interpersonal communication, formal writing abilities, time management, cooperation, and professionalism. I must say that if you had asked me in college what I would become, I never would have guessed that I would be an elected official. However, the skills my college education refined in me afforded me flexibility as I advanced in my career, from working in a fortune 100 financial services industry, to serving on the Board of the Charlotte Housing Authority, to my current role as a public servant on the City Council.

Are there one or two incidents that stand out in your life that you would like to share with our readers, perhaps that emboldened your path to public service?

My father was the inspiration for seeking the appointment to council. When he passed away unexpectedly four years ago, it made me think about what was important in life. Public service was one of those things. I was doing some soul-searching and it shook me to the core that Charlotte was facing issues and I wasn’t being part of the solution.

What were some of the key ingredients that got you appointed to city council? How are you looking to expand and grow upon them to get the election win later this year to continue in office?

The key to being appointed to the city council vacancy was earning the trust and support from the current city council members. I highlighted the depth of my community, civic, and political involvement and kept my communications with city council members honest and forthright. I also made available over two dozen letters from key community, business, and political leaders endorsing my candidacy. I further discussed my vision and plans to boost the infrastructure and economic development of the district and that assured them that I would be working hard from day one.

You have been quoted in the Charlotte Observer “I told them I will fill the term for 11 months. I’ll support whoever decides to run for the district.” Are you planning to run for re-election?

As previously indicated, I will not be seeking the City Council District 5 position this fall, but I will continue working hard to implement my vision for the former Eastland Mall site and other district plans to bring economic opportunity to the area. Even now, I still have a considerable amount of time left in my current position and I will make every day count. Listening to my constituents, I will make the decision that’s in the best interest of our community in terms of our next steps.

Your final words on political empowerment and engagement for the Indian American readers reading this?

There are many appointment opportunities on local civic community boards and commissions that are extremely valuable to our city-county government. Always be aware of and get involved with your neighborhood and community organizations. The nucleus of any strong local government begins at the street level.

Also, I cannot emphasize enough how much we as a community need to ensure our teens have access to

higher education. As students take higher-level classes, they tend to become more aware of community issues. This leads them to seek civic engagement opportunities and even avenues to get involved in local politics. That’s why I founded Tansen Ajmera scholarships – to give students the chance to learn beyond high school, empowering them to advocate for the issues that affect their own lives and the lives of those around them. Higher education can prepare and motivate them to do their share to make the world a better place.

It’s also true that many young people already have an interest in community issues and they just need an opportunity to get invested. I have recently met three Indian-American students in middle and high school who have a clear desire to make a difference, and so I’ve begun mentoring them. As we adults invest in our young people with our time, we are really investing in the future.

However, what is most important in political participation is the vote. The best way to make sure your voice is heard is to elect someone who will listen to you and advocate for you. I am committed to hearing your concerns and speaking on your behalf, because as a representative on City Council, my job is to act as the voice of the people. As a qualified voter, you have both the privilege and the duty of choosing who will be your voice in local government. It is up to you to put the right people in office!

Dimple thank you! We wish you success with all future endeavors.

Dear Readers, Do you have a story to share? We invite you to introduce us to folks in your community who are making a difference – we would love to profile them. Are there similar stories you are familiar with locally. The ones who helped address a simple issue in the community to make life a bit better. Perhaps someone you know decided to make a run for school board, was appointed to the planning commission. Provide us your insights on Indian Americans locally and nationally who are making things happen. These perspectives will help construct roadmaps for our community to empower ourselves, to hopefully ignite a desire in all of us to represent our local communities as doers, leaders, establish and entrench ourselves in this glorious country of America and help make it a better place

ABOUT RISHI: Rishi is an elected city councilmember in Saratoga, CA and politically active in the state of California, as a board member on a few state and national political organizations. He continues to follow his passion for community service, seeking to provide services to his constituents cheaper, faster and better, in his passion to make a difference. Rishi has diligent service, responsiveness, community outreach and engagement a key focus for his political leadership, be that strong independent voice. As Silicon Valley’s community organizer, Rishi is host of many social, educational, cultural community events, many of which are free and always inclusive usually addressing a need or a cause. Rishi’s day job is as a Silicon Valley hi-tech executive but his zeal for service effervescent. Rishi is also the President of the Bay Area Indian American Democratic Club (www.baiadc.org) whose charter is to further the interests and values of Indian Americans, work towards political empowerment and advance ethical standards in the political system. You can reach him via his website www.RishiKumar.com.