New Year, New Beat: Finding Joy in Justice

Event Date: Jan 23 from 6:30pm to 9:30pm CST

Join SASM for an evening of reflection, rootedness, connection, JOY, and intention setting.

As we step into 2026, the team at the South Asian Solidarity Movement (SASM ) invites you to our Winter event, “New Year, New Beat: Finding Joy in Justice.” This will be an immersive evening of reflection, connection, and joy. Together, we’ll explore what it means to root ourselves in joy—not as an escape, but as a strategy for sustaining our movements and one another.

We will gather at Healthy Hood in the Pilsen community to reflect on the heaviness of this past year, reconnect to our values, and explore how joy can sustain our justice work in 2026.

This no-talent-required community drum circle & dialogue will be curated and led by our very own Rahul Sharma, leadership coach and consultant, speaker, Licensed Psychologist, and founder of Funkadesi. The SASM team members, several who are also licensed psychotherapists, will co-design this immersive experience, leading us through guided reflection, paired sharing conversations, and facilitated dialogue. Join us as we ground ourselves in solidarity and step into the new year with care, conviction, and community. Drums will be provided.

Light snacks and drinks will be available for purchase.

This event is open to people across ALL communities of color who are committed to creating a more inclusive Chicago and who want to better understand how joy can be incorporated into justice work. So, spread the word and bring a friend! .

We hope you will join us for an evening rooted in connection, creativity, and collective care. Come ready to drum, reflect, release, and recommit to justice—using rhythm as our guide and community as our heartbeat.

Registration Details:

* General Admission: $22.50
* Registration closes Jan 19
* Sliding Scale tickets available for anyone who is unable to pay the full fee. Please email southasiansolidaritymovement@gmail.com or DM us on Instagram to request the promo code which will unlock a more accessible ticket.*

The SASM Team (Shanta, Cindu, Ammara, Rebekah, Rahul, Ankur, and Pooja)

JOIN THE FUN