My Tenure—and Future—with the Sikh Coalition

Dear Supporter Ji,

For 23 years, it has been my honor to be deeply involved with the Sikh Coalition. From co-founding the organization in 2001 to serving as Interim Executive Director a decade ago to my most recent tenure as Executive Board Chairman, it has been a privilege to serve this organization through its extraordinary growth.

As this year winds down, I have decided to step down from the Board to allow for new leadership to continue the mission. I couldn’t be prouder of how far the Sikh Coalition has come in nearly two and a half decades, though—and how much ongoing work and how many successes they have to share as they kick off this year’s end-of-year fundraising campaign.

In the early days, the Sikh Coalition was entirely volunteer-run—a group of individuals with diverse professional backgrounds united by a single belief: our community deserved more. More legal aid for the most vulnerable sangat members facing an unprecedented wave of hate and discrimination. More of a voice in policy conversations, whether they were happening in city hall or Congress. More accurate representation in classrooms, where our children ought to be able to see their faith and culture reflected respectfully and meaningfully. More connections between and resources for our gurdwaras. And more of a presence in the media, in times of tragedy and triumph alike.

Since then, the organization we’ve grown has delivered on these simple but ambitious ideas. We have reach across the nation, meaning that no sangat is too far from our resources or our help; we have a staff of professionals who bring years of experience in their fields to fight for the panth. Over the years, every new challenge—discrimination by giant companies or organizations, politicized fights over what our children learn in schools, transnational repression, and more—has been answered with a renewed commitment to defend and expand civil rights. I am humbled by the team who has committed their professional lives to move this work forward. The entire community and those seeking for a more just system owe you our gratitude.

I am confident that the organization is in great hands for the future. My fellow co-founder Harpreet Singh as well as one of our newer board members, Sukhmani Kaur Kocher, are stepping up to lead the board. Meanwhile, Executive Director Harman Singh continues to lead his colleagues across our legal, advocacy, community development, education, and media engagement work with new projects, cases, and successes every week.

Although my formal role with the organization is coming to an end, I will remain deeply involved with the Sikh Coalition as a dedicated sangat member and sevadaar. That includes my continued financial investment—and I urge you to join me in donating this year, because the dasvandh of the community truly does drive all of the Sikh Coalition’s work forward.

For those of you whom I’ve known for years, thank you for staying in this work with me. And if you’re a newer supporter to the Sikh Coalition who I’ve never met personally, welcome—we’re glad to have you! Either way, I look forward to seeing what this organization, working hand in hand with the nationwide sangat, can accomplish in the next 20 years and beyond.

I’ve never been so excited by the work and potential of the Sikh Coalition.

Chardi Kala,

Narinder Singh