U.S. Senators Kamala D. Harris & Cory Booker Address Historic Gathering of Indian Americans at Impact Summit 2018

WASHINGTON -- On Thursday, June 7, over 200 Indian American candidates, elected officials, philanthropists, leaders, and activists gathered in Washington for the inaugural Impact Summit featuring keynote remarks by U.S. Senators Kamala D. Harris (D-CA) and Cory Booker (D-NJ). U.S. Representatives Ami Bera, Pramila Jayapal, Ro Khanna, and Raja Krishnamoorthi also attended and gave remarks. Also in attendance were over 40 elected officials and candidates, including Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla and eight candidates for the U.S. House of Representatives.

“This historic summit is proof that the Indian American community has truly arrived on the political scene,” said Raj Goyle, co-founder of Impact and a former member of the Kansas House of Representatives. “Together, we can shape a future in which talented and patriotic Indian Americans are fully represented at every level of government, from City Hall to the White House.”

“The energy, enthusiasm, and talent of our elected officials and candidates is truly inspiring,” added Deepak Raj, co-founder of Impact and chair of the Impact Fund. “Impact is proud to stand with them -- and we look forward to expanding their ranks at every level of elected office.”

“We so urgently need Indian American leadership -- not just because of the dynamism it has brought to other sectors of American society -- but also because this is a time when the very idea of America is under assault,” said U.S. Senator Cory Booker in his opening keynote remarks, adding “We have a time now where Indian American pride, where Indian American strength, where Indian American ideas are critically needed.”

“I was trying to remember what some of the slogans were when my grandfather was fighting for India’s independence... I remembered ‘truth alone triumphs,’" said U.S. Senator Kamala Harris in her closing keynote remarks, later adding “It is imperative that to be a leader right now means that we speak truth.”

Founded in 2016 by Raj Goyle and Deepak Raj, and formally launched earlier this year, the Indian American Impact Project is focused on expanding the ranks of Indian Americans in government, politics, and public service. An affiliated organization, the Indian American Impact Fund, endorses and supports Indian American candidates running for office.

Learn more at iaimpact.org