About Janani Ramachandran:

Janani Ramachandran is an Oakland City Council member. Councilmember Ramachandran is the youngest person ever elected to the Council and the first South Asian and first LGBTQ woman of color to serve. Before politics, she studied law, founded a nonprofit called Operation Education when she was just sixteen, and worked in community advocacy. Today, she’s focused on making government more transparent and accountable while helping Oakland thrive as a city known for its creativity and culture.

What was most fun about this conversation:

Hearing Councilmember Ramachandran describe her first campaign was both funny and inspiring. She talked about people literally calling her “crazy” for running against a well-known candidate with almost no connections or money. But she didn’t back down. She said every “no” she heard actually pushed her to try harder. That attitude felt electric. I also loved her story about starting a library program in India as a teenager because it showed how even at sixteen, she was already trying to make change from the ground up.

What I was inspired by:

Councilmember Ramachandran’s fearlessness really stood out. She didn’t wait for permission to lead, and she didn’t let the fact that no one like her had ever been elected stop her. I also loved her reminder to stay grounded. She said that if you’re doing work that matters, you can’t spend your whole day reading what people say about you online. You have to log off, go outside, and live your life. That made me realize how leadership isn’t about being perfect or universally liked; it’s about staying connected to what you care about.

What many of us Americans can relate with:

Even though Janani’s story is political, a lot of it was just about growing up and figuring out who you are. Moving to India during middle school gave her this whole new perspective on America, and she started seeing how complicated and beautiful both countries were. That felt familiar to me, because a lot of us who grew up between cultures know what it’s like to question where you belong. Her vision for Oakland also felt relatable: she wants people to see it not just as a place with challenges but as a community full of art, food, and energy that deserves to be celebrated.

What I will think more about:

Councilmember Ramachandran’s focus on transparency really made me think. She said that even if people disagree with her votes, she wants them to at least understand why she made them. That level of honesty feels rare, not only in government but also in everyday life. It made me wonder how different things would be if everyone tried to communicate that clearly, whether in school, at work, or in friendships.

I also liked how she connects politics with creativity. She founded Oakland Diwali, a festival that brings hundreds of people together to celebrate South Asian culture and local talent. It reminded me that leadership can also mean building spaces where people feel seen and proud of who they are.

How this connects to other guests:

Councilmember Ramachandran’s story connects beautifully with what so many other guests have shared.

Like Gagan Biyani, she’s deeply rooted in Oakland and believes in improving her city through community action. Both of them talked about bridging two worlds and using their Indian and American identities as strengths, not conflicts.Like Dr. Nirav Pandya, she emphasized embracing who you are instead of trying to hide it just to fit in.Her commitment to public service reminded me of Dr. Neha Gupta, who talked about finding meaning through work that helps others.When she spoke about resilience and being okay with standing out, it echoed what Divya Venn said about authenticity and pushing forward even when others don’t understand you.Her emphasis on civic engagement felt connected to Prashanthi Raman’s idea of “Seva,” or service, and how storytelling and leadership can shape policy.And her celebration of culture and community reminded me of Dr. Rajni Mandal, who spoke about identity as something you carry proudly into every room you walk into.

Together, these conversations show that being Indian American isn’t about balancing two separate sides. It’s about blending them into something uniquely your own and to lead, create, and inspire without fear.

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