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AUG 3, 2026
Our SikhLEAD 2026 Summer Internship Program is now completed, running from June 6 - Aug 1, 2026!
All SikhLEADers have been busy wrapping up:
Interning at various offices and industries, from Congressional offices to partner Sikh, non-Sikh organizations
Connecting with their SikhLEAD mentors
Running Seva Project Clinics and Career Workshops and being trained for the SikhVOTE Seva project
Attending our diverse SikhLEAD programming series and
Graduating!!
As a first, we want to share some quotes from our SikhLEADers about the Speakership series we’ve had:
130 Years of Sikhs in America:
Never be afraid to speak up for your identity and values – change begins with those willing to lead.
Lean on OUR history because oftentimes, Sikh people have climbed similar mountains that Sikh youth are facing.
It is in our hands to take the first steps on reducing stigma and educating others on our religion.
Your Vision your Voice:
I learned that the most important action we can take is simply to have a conversation with a stranger.
I was able to learn a lot about what it means to create connections and to have courage in trying new paths. He is extremely well-spoken with very interesting responses that showed his own hardships, but also personal hope and optimism.
He was very interactive and had a charming comforting personality…. I am inspired by his hardships of racism and how he still achieved success.
Sikh Athletes Panel:
This session was really insightful and informative! I really liked hearing from both Teja and Harmehar Ji. They had inspiring responses that showed how Sikhs can pursue athletics while continuing their studies. They also highlighted how important it was to be disciplined and to remain confident in one’s Sikh identity.
Anything is possible for everybody no matter the conditions and it is up to us to try our best at all times.
People DO see us Sikhs differently and we cannot always control everything….Remaining confident in your Sikh identity is what is important and powerful in these situations.
Sikh Electeds Panel:
This was a very inspiring session. It was amazing to see mentors in this field available for us, even though they themselves did not have mentors to guide them in this field. Additionally, the biggest takeaway for me was the fact that it is imperative that elected officials use their platform to represent ALL individuals.
I was able to learn so much from today’s session. The elected officials are all very big inspirations and proof that Sikhs can make impact for their constituents through local and government roles. By seeing their unique paths and their diverse positions, it was obvious to me that I have to keep on looking forward and ignore anyone who says otherwise.
SikhLEAD Seva Projects Presentation:
I thought that everybody did an amazing job and it was very powerful to see how successful each clinic was and what obstacles they were able to solve. Additionally, one of the key messages I found was the fact that people want to be helped and people also want to help but they just need the right environment and the leaders to create that environment.
Everyone did amazing and I found that many of our projects overlapped, allowing me to apply ideas from other projects to my next tabling. I loved how everyone’s projects were rooted in the idea of Seva and ensuring that everyone got access to the resources they need. Good luck to everyone who is going to hold their tabling or clinic soon!
In addition, updates from the National SikhLEAD DC program include:
our Langar on the Hill, held on July 15 at DC, was a success! SikhLEADers were responsible for planning and executing, and directly met with and listened to Congressional staffers involved in Sikh American policy issues. SikhLEAD DC interns were able to conduct outreach to 50+ Congressional offices & engage in fundraising efforts that helped them raise over $9k. As a result, Langar on the Hill had over 130 RSVPs and we had 10 guest speakers, 7 of which were Congress members.
Our SikhLEAD 2026 Regional, DC, and the newest Media cohorts to officially graduated this past Saturday, Aug 1 in which they presented on their internships and provided end-of-program reflections. As always, we are looking forward to reviewing all of their feedback and incorporating ideas for our upcoming 2027 cycle of SikhLEAD.
With this Fall leading up to the Midterm elections, we are now gearing up for our SikhVOTE initiative, which entails that SikhLEADers, SALDEF Staff, and volunteers will: table, outreach, text and phone bank.
Fundraising campaigns for Youth Development
Zero platform fees and matching funds increase your impact.
Updates from From Seeds to Harvest: Cultivating Sikh Leadership with SikhLEAD’s efforts, posted on a regular basis.
Every cause is reviewed before it can receive a dollar.
Join over 27,000 Sikhs to rise higher than we could alone.
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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