All proceeds from this evening will go directly to supporting Sapna NYC’s Mukti [freedom] and Shakti [strength] initiatives.

At a glance, so far in 2023 Sapna’s Mukti and Shakti initiatives have:

• Supported over 50 survivors of domestic violence
• Provided 607 mental health counseling sessions in Bengali, Hindi, & Urdu
• Provided 80 immigrant women with  in-language computer literacy classes
• Facilitated 35 Women’s circle sessions with various in-person events
• Piloted a brand new financial literacy program with our first cohort of 10 women
• Taught 4 levels of English to 102 women ranging from basic literacy to intermediate
• Started a weekly women’s walking club in the Bronx with over 67 participants

Click here to support a dream today.

Click here to listen to the Sapna NYC Festival of Dreams playlist.

Ritika Gupta is a journalist for Bloomberg Television, covering the top business and financial markets stories. Ms. Gupta also works with Bloomberg’s New Voices Media Training Program, to support and amplify female and underrepresented voices globally. Prior to working in the New York office, Ritika was based in Bloomberg’s European headquarters in London. Ms. Gupta graduated from the University College London with a B.Sc. degree in Economics, and she obtained her Master’s degree in Broadcast Journalism from City University London with distinction.

Ayana Arts brings together a community of young professionals seeking to further cultivate their passion and experience in the South Asian arts. They aim to encourage fusion across all art forms, geographic regions, and styles with the shared goal of creating an innovative and unique performance. Ayana provides an enjoyable outlet for artists to collaborate, share and explore their talents. They push the boundaries of traditional South Asian performing arts while remaining rooted in and honoring our South Asian culture and heritage.

Tanvi Bhaskar is a classically trained Bharatanatyam dancer. Starting her training at the age of six, she performed professionally for a number of years across Singapore and India. Since moving to New York, she has trained and performed in competitive Bhangra across the US, has taught Classical, Bollywood fusion, and Bhangra, and has choreographed and performed at festivals internationally. She currently works as a Product Manager in media-tech and is very passionate about cooking, storytelling, and community-building.

Zarrin Maisha was born in NYC. Since the age of four, Maisha has been involved in the performing arts. Her career began as a student at the Bangladesh Institute of Performing Arts (BIPA) where she later became an instructor. Throughout her career, Maisha has been featured as both an ensemblist and a soloist at various events throughout the Bengali community. Currently Maisha is employed as a Dancer under Creatives Rebuild New York (CRNY) Artist Employment Program. Maisha hopes to continue her own journey of learning as well as teaching the future generations about Bengali culture.

Chef Surbhi Sahni, a long-time Sapna NYC supporter, uses her platform to support and collaborate with other brown, queer, local and women-led companies who share an ethos to make products that are delicious, sustainable and do social good. Initially founded as an Indian confectionary company in 2019 by Chef Sahni, TAGMO expanded to delivering regional homestyle meals across New York City during the pandemic. The popularity of the meals opened the doors for Chef Sahni to bring her dream restaurant to life. If you haven’t had the opportunity, check out her restaurant, you won’t be disappointed!

• Asia Society & Museum
• Anderson’s Martial Arts
• Korai Kitchen
• Live Tinted
• Nur Thai
• SoJo Spa
• St. Ann’s Warehouse
• Theatre for a New Audience
• Warby Parker

Photo Release:
When you attend the Festival of Dreams on September 28, 2023, you enter an area where photography, audio, and video recording may occur. By entering the premises, you consent to such recording media and its release, publication, exhibition, or reproduction to be used for news, web casts, social media or other promotional outlets.