On Tuesday, Nov. 19, the Asian Pacific Islander Staff Association (APISA) hosted a vibrant celebration of Diwali, the Indian festival of lights, at the Broadway Conference Center in Oakland and via Zoom.

More than 150 UC staff attended in-person and online, including Executive Vice President and Chief Operating Officer Rachael Nava; Chief Financial Officer Nathan Brostrom, an executive sponsor of APISA; and Yvette Gullatt, vice president for Graduate and Undergraduate Affairs and chief diversity officer for the UC system.

Staffed by more than 50 volunteers, the event featured performances and contributions from UCOP staff and artists and artisans across UC Berkeley, Oakland and surrounding communities. Highlights included:

• UCOP colleagues Nathan Brostrom, Sneha Patel, and Krishna Roy shared personal reflections of how the culture of Diwali is connected to their own traditions and memories.
• UC Berkeley Indian dance group Nazakat performed North Indian dances and even taught participants a few dance moves.
• Premsheela Kumari, a spiritual Indian singing soloist, captivated attendees with her melodic voice and heartfelt wisdom.
• Fathima Jabeen, a talented henna artist, attracted crowds with her intricate and stunning henna designs, delighting many guests just in time for the Thanksgiving holiday.
• Biryani Kabab Halal Indian and Pakistani Cuisine provided delicious pakoras, vegetarian fritters and chutneys, complemented by contributions from 50 volunteers who brought an array of homemade and locally sourced snacks, representing the best of the Bay Area.

For more highlights — and a gallery of event photos and videos — visit UC Tech News!

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