Ambreen Ali | Central Desi

Ambreen Ali

Ambreen Ali is a freelance journalist with over 15 years of experience writing about politics, business and cultural issues for newspapers and digital media, including The Washington Post, Los Angeles Times, Bloomberg, Fortune, Agence France Presse, Ozy, Runner's World, Edible Jersey and CQ Roll Call.

Join us on Thursday in Lawrence

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Jan 13, 2026

Join us on Thursday in Lawrence

Our writers will share how Muslim creators express identity in art.

Our most-read stories of 2025

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Dec 30, 2025

Our most-read stories of 2025

These five stories helped shared the lived experiences of New Jersey Desis.

Meet our new fellows: Aysha, Navya, and Joti

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Dec 9, 2025

Meet our new fellows: Aysha, Navya, and Joti

The third cohort of Central Desi's journalism fellowship includes accomplished reporters eager to tell Garden State stories.

Mother-son duo on Desi recipes, history, and collaboration

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Nov 18, 2025

Mother-son duo on Desi recipes, history, and collaboration

“Heartland Masala” uses food to tell a story far greater than the dinner plate.

What Sherrill’s big win means for Desi voters

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Nov 11, 2025

What Sherrill’s big win means for Desi voters

Tariffs, H-1B policies, and turnout shaped the election. Here's what comes next for South Asians in the state.

Ambreen Ali, +1

Why NJ schools are segregated

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Oct 21, 2025

Why NJ schools are segregated

Divided communities have created an imbalance in the quality of education kids receive.

Art made from bodhi leaves and ash trees

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Sep 30, 2025

Art made from bodhi leaves and ash trees

Spriha Gupta's paintings about nature have been featured in New Jersey museums and art stores.

Check out this case study on Central Desi and apply to be a fellow

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Sep 23, 2025

Check out this case study on Central Desi and apply to be a fellow

The third year of Central Desi's fellowship will include a spot for a video journalist.

🔁Our vision for a national Desi newspaper

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Aug 19, 2025

🔁Our vision for a national Desi newspaper

Watch this episode of Beehiiv's Creator Spotlight podcast to learn more about how Central Desi is developing.

Essay: The place with open doors

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May 20, 2025

Essay: The place with open doors

Libraries are often the first place that immigrants find a sense of home.

Join us at Desi Day on May 17 in Princeton

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May 6, 2025

Join us at Desi Day on May 17 in Princeton

Come meet other Central Desi readers at our second annual in-person gathering.

Fiction debut depicts Desis in med school

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Mar 11, 2025

Fiction debut depicts Desis in med school

Author Niru Mohandas is a longtime doctor who started writing for fun.

Our most-read stories of 2024

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Dec 31, 2024

Our most-read stories of 2024

Of the 49 articles we ran this year, you loved these the most.

Edison-raised author explores Black-Asian love and solidarity

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Dec 17, 2024

Edison-raised author explores Black-Asian love and solidarity

Nina Sharma opens up about the complexities of Afro-Asian allyship, mental health, and the personal journey of love and solidarity in a Black and Desi relationship.

Meet our fellows, Astha and Zoya

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Dec 10, 2024

Meet our fellows, Astha and Zoya

These New Jerseyans will bring fresh perspectives to our publication.

Harris inspires Indian women to get out the vote

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Oct 22, 2024

Harris inspires Indian women to get out the vote

With two weeks left in the race, South Asian organizers are using Diwali events to galvanize voters.

ACLU-NJ's Amol Sinha on being Desi in this election

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Oct 8, 2024

ACLU-NJ's Amol Sinha on being Desi in this election

NJ Desis need to avoid being pigeonholed to care only about immigration, he says.

Apply now for Central Desi's journalism fellowship

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Sep 24, 2024

Apply now for Central Desi's journalism fellowship

For the second year, we are hiring reporters to help tell nuanced stories about NJ's South Asian community.

Our vision for a national Desi newspaper

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Sep 3, 2024

Our vision for a national Desi newspaper

Watch this episode of Beehiiv's Creator Spotlight podcast to learn more about how Central Desi is developing.

NYC's India Day parade fraught with controversy

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Aug 27, 2024

NYC's India Day parade fraught with controversy

An Indian Muslim group pulled out of the parade as groups complained to the city.

5 books to read about NJ's Desi community

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Aug 13, 2024

5 books to read about NJ's Desi community

Add these books to your summer reading lists to learn more about South Asians in Jersey.

Announcing our $100K grant renewal!

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Aug 2, 2024

Announcing our $100K grant renewal!

We're doubling down on local news and recruiting fellows.

NJ Desi voters cautiously optimistic about Harris

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Jul 26, 2024

NJ Desi voters cautiously optimistic about Harris

Harris would become the first Desi president of the United States.

Why Afia Nathaniel is ready to tell it all

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Jun 7, 2024

Why Afia Nathaniel is ready to tell it all

The award-winning filmmaker once downplayed being a Pakistani Christian. Not anymore.

Holi goes mainstream at New Jersey color runs

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May 24, 2024

Holi goes mainstream at New Jersey color runs

The races are a nod to the growing influence of Desi culture.