Indian-American Senator Jay Chaudhuri (D-North Carolina) will host the Indian-American Gen Z Summit for Political Engagement at Elon University School of Law on Sept. 23.
Indian-American Senator Jay Chaudhuri (D-North Carolina) will host the Indian-American Gen Z Summit for Political Engagement at Elon University School of Law on Sept. 23.
The summit is being organized to “connect young North Carolina Indian-Americans who want to engage in the political process at the state and local level.” The event registration page says #IAGENZSUMMIT “will inspire attendees to speak up and get involved with our community, explore public service as a career option through interactions with several North Carolina public servants at the event, and meet other young Indian-Americans trying to make a difference in the same way.”
Among the elected officials speaking at the event include Representative Chaz Beasley of Charlotte, Senator Gladys Robinson of Greensboro, Morrisville Mayor Pro Tem Steve Rao, Morrisville Mayor Satish Garimella and Charlotte City Council Member Dimple Ajmera.
The summit will be held on Saturday, Sept. 23 at Elon University School of Law in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Chaudhuri, the first Indian-American elected to the North Carolina General Assembly is one of the youngest members of the Senate. Areas he has focused on include equality in educational excellence for school and students, building a healthier middle class, returning the state government to the people and fostering more compassion.
According his website, he “is a progressive problem solver.” He served as senior attorney to Attorney General Roy Cooper and State Treasurer Janet Cowell. Among his goals are making education a priority again, including fighting for better teacher pay. He claims to stand up against the Tea Party and right-wing Republicans and “will lead the fight to protect a woman’s right to choose, push for stronger gun control laws, and always stand up for North Carolina children and families.”
As General Counsel and Senior Policy Advisor to Cowell, Chaudhuri helped recover almost $100 million into pension and escheat funds. Specifically, he played a key role in uncovering alleged wrongdoing that led to eight investment managers paying the pension fund back $15 million and imposing tougher ethical standards.
He also led efforts in establishing the first-ever Innovation Fund, a $230 million fund dedicated to support and invest in businesses with significant operations in North Carolina.
He recently served as Chair of the Council of Institutional Investors, an association of pension funds with combined assets of more than $3 trillion that “serves as the leading voice for effective corporate governance and strong shareholder rights.” He also served on the Harvard Institutional Investor Advisory Board. He helped lead an investigation by all 50 Attorneys Generals that resulted in a landmark agreement with MySpace and Facebook, to better protect children from Internet predators.
He also played a key role in developing the Attorney General’s school safety kit that helps every school in North Carolina prepare for school shootings.
Among his laurels include being honored with the Marvin Award by the National Association of Attorneys General, given to an individual who furthers that association’s goals and Citizens Lawyer award from the North Carolina Bar Association, given to lawyers who provide exemplary service to their communities.
Chaudhuri graduated from Davidson College, Columbia University School of International and Public Affairs and North Carolina Central University School of Law with honors.
Robert Haugh, a Bay Area based journalist who has been covering news, elections, arts & entertainment, professional sports, community events and crime for 18 years.
