New York’s first Indian American Assembly member Jenifer Rajkumar is hosting “Bhangra and Salsa Mixer: The South Asian and Latino Connection,” the first ever joint celebration of the South Asian and Latino communities at the SOMOS Conference.
The spectacle will emanate from George Music Lounge, located at 15 Ave Muñóz Rivera, Suite 120A, in San Juan from 3:00pm to 5:00pm on Friday. The event is free and open to the public. No reservation is necessary, according to a media release.
The first South Asian woman elected to New York State Office, Rajkumar has organized the event to celebrate the common bonds between South Asian and Latino Americans, the release stated.
READ: Jenifer Rajkumar pushes for work permits to asylum seekers in NY (September 13, 2023)
Both are emerging communities that have increased in the United States by double-digit percentages over the past decade. They are growing voting blocs in New York and nationwide, making tremendous gains in political representation, it noted.
There is now a South Asian vice president and two South Asian presidential candidates; there are almost 50 Latinos in Congress, as well as the first Latino Supreme Court Justice. Rajkumar and many of her colleagues co-sponsoring the event are the firsts from their communities to hold their elected offices.
The South Asian and Latino communities both value hard work and an entrepreneurial spirit, with each having almost a 70% labor force participation rate, compared to the US average of 63%, the release noted.
READ: Jenifer Rajkumar distributes school supplies in South Queens (September 6, 2023)
“I am grateful to be in Puerto Rico with my colleagues sharing this historic moment. The South Asian and Latino communities are on the rise and more powerful than they have ever been,” Rajkumar said.
“The SOMOS conference is the perfect time for us to unite over our shared experience and map a future where we amplify each other’s voices in the halls of government.”
READ: Jenifer Rajkumar pushes for Diwali holiday in New York (January 27, 2023)
Partnering with Rajkumar for the event are State Senator Jeremy Cooney; Assemblymembers Rodneyse Bichotte-Hermelyn, George Alvarez, Kenny Burgos, Amanda Septimo, Yudelka Tapia, Steven Raga, and Grace Lee; Councilmembers Francisco Moya, Rafael Salamanca, and Farah Louis; Sheriff Anthony Miranda; and District Leader Corey Ortega.