Ohlone College, in partnership with the Lytton Center for History and the Public Good and the Ohlone Sikh Student Association, hosted “Homecoming: An Evening of Storytelling and Reflection Featuring Punjabi Sikh Voices” on February 21, 2025, at the Ohlone College Newark Center. The event drew community members, students, and artists from across the globe for an evening of cultural exchange, personal narratives, and reflection on Punjabi Sikh culture.
Acclaimed author Harman Kaur, known for her books Phulkari and Call Me Home, delivered the keynote address, prompting conversations about identity, belonging, and heritage.
The event also featured performances and storytelling from Punjabi artists and students, highlighting the Punjabi Sikh culture in the Bay Area.
“The energy in the room was incredible, and the stories shared tonight were moving and thought-provoking,” said Ohlone College’s President/Superintendent, Charles Sasaki. “Events like this remind us of the power of storytelling in building connections and understanding across cultures.”
The event was made possible by support from the Ohlone College Foundation and the Ohlone College Office of DEI. Ohlone College’s Interim Program Manager of Career Services and Industry Relations, Raj Rai, and Program Supervisor of Student Pathways Program, Harshdeep Singh Nanda, emphasized the importance of creating spaces for the Punjabi Sikh community to come together.
“Unique events like these draw the community to our college – we have people who have flown in from Canada and all over the U.S. to attend,” said Rai. “The Punjabi Sikh community is deeply rooted in the Bay Area, yet there are so few opportunities for us to come together in such an intentional way.”
This text was edited with the assistance of an AI tool, and has been reviewed and edited for accuracy and clarity by India Currents.
