Meet the young NJ Desis redefining community

Second-generation South Asians are not only reshaping what American representation looks like, but redefining what community means across generations.

By building spaces they didn’t grow up seeing, from pop-up events in local cafes to podcasts recorded from childhood bedrooms, young Desis are changing what community means to them. 

“Community is where people find belonging; community is where people feel seen, supported, and strengthened in the company of others,” said Samia Jahangiri, a brand strategist and community organizer. 

As the co-founder of Marvie & Mahrukh, Jahangiri curates events for the South Asian community in New Jersey. These events bring together people from all parts of the diaspora who are interested in the arts or identify as local creatives or small business owners.

While their parents built temples, mosques, and community centers, many in the next generation are establishing creative spaces for young professionals to come together not only to engage but also to collaborate artistically. 

Speaking to Jahangiri and like-minded individuals, I found that these efforts to build community aren’t just creative projects. They are responses to a feeling many Desis share of existing between two cultures, carrying traditions forward while questioning the structures that once defined belonging.

“The temple gave us a shared language, devotion, values, continuity,” said Sanya Arora, founder of Dharma MD, a medical practice created to address the unique health needs of South Asian communities. “Even when a community is well-intentioned, there is not always room for nuance. There is not always room for mental health to be spoken about openly, for creative expression to be treated as a valid path, or for young women to be expansive about their vision without being questioned.”

Feeling “the absence of belonging in other spaces,” Arora not only focused her practice on South Asian health but began hosting health workshops and community healing circles that build community without “requiring you to shrink to belong.”

Many second-generation South Asian Americans are reimagining community in new and unexpected ways beyond religion, expanding into spaces they believe are more fluid, more accessible, and more reflective of who they are beneath the surface.

Reflecting on what community means to him and the rise of spaces catering to Desis, event planner and co-owner of XO Events, a luxury event planning company renowned in the South Asian space, Tapan Patel said, “Creating spaces that feel relevant and impactful is what builds community.”

“Community isn’t just about who you are, where you’re from, or where you live. It’s about who you choose to share your culture with, experience life alongside, and grow with —regardless of background,” Patel added. 

Hosting events that bring together different aspects of Desi culture through food, performances, music, fashion, and “shared community spirit” gives him a “platform to openly talk about the wins, challenges, and behind-the-scenes moments that reflect that in-between experience many of us grew up with,” Patel said. 

With one of the largest South Asian populations in the nation, New Jersey is ripe for the kind of intentional community building that Jahangiri, Arora, and Patel are creating. The spaces they are building are not only honoring Desis across the diaspora for the communities they come from, but holding space for their interests, while spreading knowledge and support.

“We were hoping to create a space where, in order for people to find belonging, they didn’t need to present a two-dimensional version of themselves to be palatable,” Jahangiri said. Through monthly cafe meetups, Jahangiri and her business partner, Marvie, create a space not only for community building and networking, but also for Desi Americans to share their artistic abilities and collaborate. Several of their events offer opportunities for creators to collaborate and support local businesses.

Patel said his generation’s ability to create these unconventional spaces builds on the legacy of the previous generation.

“Given the challenges my parents and many immigrant parents faced when first moving here, I truly don’t think I’d be the person I am today without those spaces. They were navigating education, work, family, and life in a completely unfamiliar place, often without resources or a roadmap,” Patel said. “Along the way, they found others with similar struggles, values, and goals, and formed their own samaj [community]. Through that samaj, they organized fundraisers, events, and celebrations that reinforced the importance of coming together.” 

This shift in community building doesn’t reflect a move away from identity or communities previously built. It signals growth and a community confident in its roots, one that is secure enough to explore belonging beyond being Desi.

“As our global landscape evolves, so do our needs. Filling that gap by creating more intentional spaces becomes our responsibility as a future generation, and our means of paying it forward,” Jahangiri said.

While critics may argue that these new spaces lack structure or longevity, and worse, may be an attempt at assimilation, the current generation of Desis building community disagrees. They see their work as a continuation, not a departure from culture or their roots.

“From the outside looking in, our work may seem pointless, confused, and cluttered. But only because whilst these spaces welcome older generations in to reap their benefits, they were not designed for them by them,” she said.

These new spaces are created for Desi Americans, by Desi Americans.

“Not everyone in our generation wants to limit their communities to faith and family. There’s a whole world out there we want to experience, so we’re making it happen. Together,” Jahangiri said.

Aysha Qamar is a 2025-26 reporting fellow at Central Desi and a freelance journalist based in New Jersey. Her reporting focuses on culture, community, and global affairs.

Upcoming events

February 13 – The Monthly Pour: Galentine’s Edition
7 PM - 10 PM
Chashni Chai Co.
349 Bloomfield Ave
Montclair, NJ 07042
Join us for a girls-only creative café night designed for connection and community. This month, Marvie & Mahrukh are teaming up with Chashni Chai Co. and Awaaz Collective for an evening that brings together creatives, community builders, and women looking for meaningful connection. For dress code and to secure your spot, RSVP here.

February 13 – Galentines Madhubani Art
6:30 PM
Kulture Kool
225 Highland Cross
Rutherford, NJ 07070
Paint a Madhubani art tote bag with friends or family. All supplies included. While this event is aimed at adults, children 10+ are welcome to attend with supervision. Ticket cost is $45, sign up here.

February 13 – Galentine’s Paint Party
6:30 PM - 9:00 PM
Nagpuri Saoji
1227 Haddonfield Berlin Rd
Voorhees, NJ 08043
Come join us for a relaxing paint night and dinner to celebrate the wonderful women in your life. BYOB. This is a ladies only event. You can get your tickets here.

February 16 – Ani Zonneveld in conversation with Ambreen Ali
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM
Princeton Public Library - Community Room
65 Witherspoon St
Princeton, NJ 08542
Ani Zonneveld will be discussing her new memoir, “An Unlikely Social Justice Warrior: Making My Life Count as a Muslim Feminist,” at this event, with a book signing to follow. From the music industry to global human rights forums, Ani uses her voice to advocate for freedom of expression, women’s rights, and LGBTQIA+ inclusion within Islam. RSVP here.

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