Moderator: Deepti Sharma moderated the NextGen Elected Leaders panel at the 2026 Impact Summit in Washington DC — a national gathering of South Asian American change makers exploring how a new generation is building political power and shaping what belongs next.

Art & Storytelling: Reclaiming Narrative, Moving Hearts and Minds

From the stories we tell to the art we create, South Asian American communities are reclaiming narrative power to resist harmful stereotypes, counter disinformation, and drive social change. In this session, we’ll explore how storytelling and art can move hearts and minds and how you can use both to amplify issues that matter most to you.

You'll hear from artists and storytellers using their craft for activism, get tools to tell compelling stories rooted in values and identity, and collaborate with others to brainstorm how creative strategies can support your work.