Nikita Tewani @nikitatewani is a New York based actress who is equally passionate about TV, Film & Theater. Nikita has played the character of Aziza in the play adaptation of Khaled Hosseini's A Thousand Splendid Suns and Mahwish in The Who And The What, by Ayad Akhtar. Nikita's previous TV Credits include The Affair and Falling Water. She has also been featured in Off-Broadway Theatre, International Theatre, National Commercials, Global Print Ads and Independent Films.
Most recently, Nikita was also the lead actress in a film written and directed by Pakistani American filmmaker, Iram Parveen Bilal, “I’ll Meet You There” which premiered at SXSW earlier this year - albeit, a virtual premiere - of which we talk about the devastation that came with the loss of no longer premiering this film at such a prestigious festival.

Throughout the episode, Nikita shares her journey, her aspirations and thoughts and multiple perspectives on South Asian representation in arts and entertainment, and so much more.

By profession, Bilal Hassan @mystapaki is a Doctor based in Karachi, Pakistan. When he's not "working" Bilal is also a writer and photojournalist, through which, he hopes to open up a window for the outside world to get to know Pakistan and Pakistanis on a more personal humane level as opposed to what is often represented in the media. We not only love that Bilal is able to do what he loves in addition to his career, but he is the definition of someone who is bringing a passion, compassion and commitment to what he really believes in, and what brings him the greatest happiness, finding a flow in it all, and what we call HEARTISTRY. In a recent post after attending multiple protests in Karachi, and yet finding that people were not united in their fight for justice, Bilal states "Activism isn't a menu from which you can pick and choose which cause to stand up for and which not to...At the end of the day injustice is injustice and you stand up for it through and through together side by side."

Jim Santi Owen @jimsantiowen is an American percussionist, educator, performer, composer and producer based in the San Francisco Bay Area. Drumming since the age of 8, he has devoted nearly 30 years to the study of the classical percussion traditions of North and South India with tabla maestro Pandit Swapan Chaudhuri and South Indian master percussionists, the late T.H. Subash Chandran and K. Sekar. Jim has also studied Jazz and African drumming and dance. Having worked with an impressive and extensive list of internationally renowned artists, Jim is also a featured composer/producer for Facebook's Sound Collection which features nearly 150 of his tracks. One of Jim's greatest gifts is being a dedicated teacher - often introducing children and adults of all ages to the universality of music and rhythm through his vast knowledge of various percussive traditions. Jim's profound and never ending desire to learn from others, as well as share without limits, is a beautiful and exemplary model of collaborative spirit.

Raisa Mirza @rdotmirza is the founder of @rellabeauty a cosmetic company with a buy-one-give-one model of beauty where for every unit of lipstick purchased, one is given to a woman in need via the company's various non-profit giving partners. Prior to the start of her entrepreneurial journey, Raisa worked in PR & marketing across agency and in-house roles for global brands for over a decade. She eventually found herself working closely with beauty, while also wanting to do something that had some social impact. Led by her heart's calling, she carried out her vision of empowering women around the world to feel more empowered and confident, through the gift of beauty. Raisa's goal is to make sure Rella Beauty promotes intentional buying through good quality products with a strong, tangible social impact.

Toya Gavin, Esq. is an attorney, legal consultant and founder of Legally Bold @legally.bold an online coaching and consulting agency where she liberates lawyers from unfulfilling work so that they can claim the lives and careers they really want.

Previously a city government attorney, a prosecutor, and a solo practitioner before becoming a consultant and coach, Toya acknowledges the harmful effects of racism, sexism, homophobia, and oppression on her clients - most of whom are women of color - offering them a 20/20 vision needed to truly see someone today while holding a vision for what is possible in their future.

Joshinder Chaggar is an Australian based creative and performing artist - a dancer, choreographer, actor, teacher and writer. Joshinder, born in India, grew up in Africa, then onto Australia, lived in Pakistan for 10 years teaching and performing, and has now found herself back in Melbourne, Australia, teaching dance and working extensively with the senior community.

Joshinder's journey is a testament to the importance of following one's calling and "finding your personal legend".

Ten-time Emmy award winner Raj Mathai @rajmathai is the weeknight news anchor for NBC Bay Area @nbcbayarea and is among the Bay Area's most well-known journalists.

Raj has interviewed many high profile newsmakers including Kamala Harris, Gavin Newsom, Colin Powell, Tyler Florence, Jed York and many more. In 1995, Raj became the first Indian sportscaster in the U.S. before he transitioned to primary news anchor in 2011.

Hear Raj talk about the richness of his career thus far, and specifically, these unique times (to say the least) for anyone in news media as he covers a global pandemic, consecutive years of wildfires in California, and the upcoming election.

Raissa Simpson is an African American/Pilipino choreographer and artistic director of the San Francisco-based PUSH Dance Company @pushdance Her multidisciplinary dances are at the intersection of complex racial and cultural identities and centers around discourse on the complex experiences of racialized bodies. ⠀
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For 7 weeks in Oct-Nov, in a reimagined virtual setting, Raissa's company will present its annual production of PUSHfest @pushfest - a cross-genre dance festival that brings together existing works by choreographers working within different disciplines. ⠀
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This conversation will explore Raissa's 15 year history with her company, their upcoming festival, and the many aspects of her journey that brought her to where she is today.⠀

Hollywood Jade @hollywoodjade is one of Toronto's greatest visionary talents who continues to find new and exciting ways to present his timeless creativity to the masses. This dancer/choreographer turned artistic director has showcased his multidimensional artistic creations on both the big and small screen, stages locally and internationally - most recently as resident choreographer for Canada’s Drag Race @canadasdragrace an adaptation of RuPauls Drag Race @rupaulsdragrace⠀

Ria @riaa_177 is an Australian-Indian actress, dancer, and writer. Some of her work includes the first ever Gujarati web-series "Varta re Varta", and award-winning short "Two Paper Nightingale and Nice".

Art has always been an important part of Ria's life, and for her own audiences, she strives to connect with them, help them feel understood, and ultimately, evoke change.