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MAY 4, 2026
We are proud to announce our introduction to the SikhLEAD 2026 Summer Internship Program, running from June 6 - Aug 1, 2026! We will be hosting 12 SikhLEADers in the SikhLEAD DC cohort and 66 SikhLEADers in the SikhLEAD Regional cohort representing over 20 states.
Celebrating 250 years of America, 150 years of Sikhs in America, and 30 years of SALDEF - a milestone year - we have chosen a theme that highlights these achievements: Sikhs imbued in the Fabric of our Nation.
This year, we have had a record number of applicants (more than 100) from many varying states. We are now working on:
- SikhLEAD Internship placements in varying industries from partner Sikh non-Sikh organizations
- Confirming SikhLEAD mentors
- Beginning Seva project trainings
- Finalizing programming, parent and SikhLEAD orientation
- Confirming all speakers
As a few firsts, to kick off 2026:
- We are working towards training our SikhLEADers in our first ever Advocacy training sessions
- We have new partner organizations joining us as speakers and Internship hosts
- Welcoming a new track of SikhLEAD Media for those interested in creating narrative change, led by our Comms Department
- And: as we recognize 30 years of SALDEF, we will be celebrating via Gala in DC and inviting all our partners while thanking them for helping in our success, by hosting our SikhLEADers and supporting us.
Adhering to our program’s theme for the 2026 year, we are curating our programming with a few new ideas inviting a variety of Sikh professionals who conduct Seva outside their work.
- Continuing to welcome new partner organizations: CysScan (a new international medical partner), UCD Sikh professors, those in BioTech industries, SETF(Sikh Education & Technology Foundation), Bipshi (Bhagat Puran Singh Health Initiative) along with others
Specifically, updates from the National SikhLEAD DC program include: currently working on planning and executing a diverse theme of panels and speakers, focusing on building upon our speakers from last year, adding in sessions that include directly meeting with and listening to Congressional staffers involved in Sikh American policy issues, Sikh American staffers in the White House, and leaders in nonprofit leadership and consulting sectors.
Furthermore, we will be arranging events for our future SikhLEAD cohort such as tours of the White House and Supreme Court. All-in-all, we will be diversifying our speakers and programming events to fit the various professional and academic interests of our SikhLEAD cohort.
We are getting ready to officially kickoff the SikhLEAD 2026 Regional, DC, and the newest Media cohorts - and are currently interviewing our SikhLEAD applicants to gauge their career interests and focus. We look forward to a fantastic SikhLEAD 2026 Summer Program and this is possible only with your continued support!
Fundraising campaigns for Youth Development
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Updates from From Seeds to Harvest: Cultivating Sikh Leadership with SikhLEAD’s efforts, posted on a regular basis.
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Fundraising campaigns for Youth Development
Sarbat - AI and Impact Conference
Khalis Foundation
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SikhNet Stories for Kids
SikhNet
Fall in Love with Nitnem: Santhya, Habit Tracking and Kids Mode.
Khalis Foundation
Sikh Childrens Day 2026
Ujjaldidar Singh Memorial Foundation (USMF)
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Sikh Camp Safety: Strengthening All Our Little Khalsas
Sikh Family Center
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