Fund This: 'Our Stories: An Introduction to South Asian America'

New book from SAADA tells the stories of South Asians in the United States.



South Asian Americans have been a presence in the United States for more than 130 years, and today, over 3.4 million individuals in the U.S. trace their heritage to South Asia. But their stories are not taught in classrooms, or found in textbooks, or reflected in popular media. Here's a project that aims to change that.

For the past seven years, the South Asian American Digital Archive (SAADA) has digitally collected, preserved, and shared stories of South Asian Americans. They recently launched a book project, Our Stories: An Introduction to South Asian America, which will be available to schools, libraries and homes around the country to bring important South Asian American stories to life for a younger and broader audience.

This first-of-its-kind 150-page full-color print book and digital edition of Our Stories will be available in May 2016. To help make it happen, you can pre-order your copy through SAADA's Kickstarter campaign.

Here's a video with more information:

Fall 2013 Family Style Open Mics at Asian Arts Initiative

Every Third Friday at Asian Arts Initiative in Philadelphia



Hey, Philly. The Asian Arts Initiative is kicking off a new season of monthly open mic nights. This Friday, October 18, the South Asian American Digital Archive (SAADA) is hosting the first event. The line-up includes local singer-songwriter Umer Piracha, Indian classical dance company Usiloque Dance Designs, and the Unsung Theater Company will be some of the folks taking stage. Here's more information:

South Asian American Digital Archive seeks stories for the First Days Project

The South Asian American Digital Archive (SAADA) is a nonprofit organization working to document the rich histories of South Asians in the United States and preserve the community's stories for future generations.

SAADA is putting the call out for stories from South Asian Americans about their first day in the United States. The First Days Project captures poignant narratives from the lives of new immigrants through a snapshot of one day -- the excitement, nervousness, loss, humor, sadness, anticipation, confusion, and everything else that happens when one arrives in a new country.

First Day stories will be accepted through July 31 and can be submitted as video, audio or text. Here are some more details on what they're looking for: