On May 14, the Sikh Foundation and the UC Santa Cruz Sarbjit Singh Aurora Endowed Chair in Sikh and Punjabi Studies welcomed viewers to an online conversation featuring Delegate JJ Singh with Preetmohan Singh. The Sikhs in Action series explored how Sikh values such as Seva and Sarbat da bhala continue to shape civic engagement, public leadership, and community responsibility in the United States.
Speaking from his experiences in the Peace Corps, economic development, and the Virginia House of Delegates, JJ Singh reflected on the ways service became important to both his professional and political life. Throughout the webinar, he emphasized that Sikh principles were not simply personal beliefs, but values he sought to integrate into everyday public work. “I wanted them to be a part of the work that I do,” he explained, “not just an extracurricular”.
The two also spoke about the relationship between representation and responsibility in public office. Delegate JJ Singh spoke on his role as the first turbaned Sikh elected to statewide office in Virginia, Singh described leadership not as visibility for its own sake, but as an opportunity to serve with steadiness and accountability. “What represents our community well,” he noted, “is just steady, sober, governing”. He spoke about the importance of interfaith inclusion, coalition building, and creating public spaces where people of different backgrounds feel represented and welcomed.
Delegate JJ Singh focused on mentorship and political participation, especially for younger generations. Singh encouraged participants to think less about titles and more about meaningful action within their communities. “People get caught up in focusing on what they want to be,” he reflected, “and not what they want to do”. He urged young people interested in leadership to begin locally by helping neighbors, supporting their communities, and building long-term relationships rooted in trust and service.
The conversation also explored practical aspects of public life, including campaign organizing, legislative compromise, college affordability, and protecting houses of worship. Audience members joined with thoughtful questions about Sikh identity, civic responsibility, and the challenges of balancing family, faith, and political leadership.
The Sikh Foundation is grateful to Delegate JJ Singh, Preetmohan Singh, and all who attended. As the Sikhs in Action series continues, we look forward to further conversations on Sikh leadership, public service, and community engagement.