Video Link: https://youtu.be/K4ARxkNXAh4
On June 11, the Sikh Foundation and the UC Santa Cruz Sarbjit Singh Aurora Endowed Chair in Sikh and Punjabi Studies hosted a conversation with Harsimran Kaur, Executive Director of the United Sikh Movement (USM), and Simran Jeet Singh. As part of the Sikhs in Action webinar series, the discussion explored how community, mentorship, and Sikh values help young people develop as leaders while strengthening their connection to Sikhi.
Speaking about her journey, Harsimran Kaur spoke about the importance of finding sangat during college and how it transformed the course of her life. Recalling her first USM conference, she shared, “For the first time in college, I felt connected to something bigger.” She described the college years as a pivotal period when young adults begin shaping their identity and values. “If they don’t have opportunities to engage with Sikhi, have community, and really build their own leadership skills during these years, we’re really not going to capture them after,” she explained.
Simran Jeet Singh reflected on this stage of life and why it’s so significant. “There’s a freedom in becoming who you want to be, or becoming who you will be,” he said. He said that college is often the first time many young people are living independently and making important decisions for themselves, making mentorship and community especially meaningful during those years.
The conversation also explored mental health, youth engagement, and USM’s work to cultivate leadership opportunities for Sikh students across the country. Throughout the discussion, both speakers emphasized that leadership begins with belonging, creating spaces where young people feel seen, supported, and empowered to serve their communities.
The Sikh Foundation is grateful to Harsimran Kaur, Simran Jeet Singh, and everyone who joined this conversation. As the Sikhs in Action series comes to a close, we thank all who participated in these meaningful discussions celebrating Sikh leadership, service, and community.