Three women at an event, holding a large social media-style frame that reads 'Insta Frame' and displays their Instagram handle 'bacharlorai' from New York, NY. The background has a light green banner with yellow 'BL' logos repeated across it.

Impact Social

NYC 2024

BacharLorai Global took over New York city on 16 August 2024 for the second Impact Social in New York, bringing together young professionals, policy thinkers, and community change makers for networking with nonprofit leaders and raising funds for social impact initiatives.

65
Attendees

9
Industry Experts

Photo Album

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The Conversation

This second Impact Social, hosted at Bonnie Vee in New York City during the AFS Youth Assembly, centred on a shared question: How can stronger diaspora networks and cross-sector partnerships help turn shared purpose into meaningful change?

The evening brought together nonprofit leaders, community advocates, social impact professionals, and members of the wider South Asian and Bangladeshi diaspora. Across conversations on global advocacy, migrant rights, civic engagement, media, entrepreneurship, and cultural expression, speakers highlighted different ways communities can use their voices, expertise, and platforms to create positive impact.

With contributions from BacharLorai, Bengalis of New York, the Journalists and Writers Foundation, Adhikar, Royal Bengal Tea House, TINDS, and musician Joy Biswas, the second Impact Social reflected the power of bringing diverse perspectives into the same room—while creating opportunities to connect, collaborate, and mobilise for meaningful change.

Noshin Khan

COO, Bengalis of New York

Noshin Khan highlighted the importance of amplifying Bangladeshi voices around the world and strengthening diaspora networks. Her perspective underscored how connected communities can create greater visibility, representation, and opportunities for collective impact.

Cynthia Saxena

Co-Executive Director, Adhikaar

Cynthia Saxena brought a social justice perspective grounded in the rights of Nepali workers, emphasising the value of uniting South Asian communities around shared challenges. Her contribution highlighted the potential of cross-community solidarity to strengthen advocacy and collective action.

Mehmet Kilic

President, Journalists and Writers Foundation

Mehmet Kilic highlighted BacharLorai’s role in UN advocacy and encouraged attendees to engage with broader global conversations through the SDGs conference. He connected community-level engagement with the importance of participating in international spaces for sustainable development.

Farhim Zaman

Director of Operations, BacharLorai

Farhim Zaman opened the evening by outlining BacharLorai’s commitment to a global perspective, framing Impact Socials as spaces for networking, collaboration, and social action. He highlighted the importance of building connections that can turn shared purpose into meaningful impact.

Joy Biswas

Performer

Joy Biswas closed the evening through a performance of traditional Bangladeshi songs, bringing attendees together through culture and shared heritage. His performance reinforced the role of cultural expression in creating community and celebrating identity across borders.

Ifti Chowdhury

Founder, Royal Bengal Teahouse

Ifti Chowdhury shared how his collective uses art and cultural expression to bridge immigrant communities and encourage civic engagement. His contribution demonstrated how culture can create accessible spaces for connection, belonging, and participation.

Tahmid Khan

Co-Founder & Director of Communications, BacharLorai

Tahmid Khan joined in opening the evening, reinforcing BacharLorai’s vision of connecting communities and perspectives across borders. Through Impact Social, he highlighted the role of communication in bringing people together around shared opportunities for collaboration and change.

Azkka Noor

Communications & Outreach Lead, BacharLorai

Azkka Noor contributed to the evening’s focus on communications and community outreach, supporting BacharLorai’s efforts to connect people around social impact. Her role reflected the importance of sustained engagement in building relationships and expanding the reach of community-led initiatives.

Lameesa Reza

TINDs

Lameesa Reza highlighted TINDs’ commitment to promoting South Asian businesses and stories through its media platform. Her contribution demonstrated how media can amplify underrepresented voices, strengthen community visibility, and support cultural and economic connections.

Connecting impact-minded individuals within the Bangladeshi diaspora and beyond demonstrated the potential of diaspora networks to bring together knowledge, expertise, and relationships around Bangladesh’s future.
Strengthening visibility for Bangladeshi and wider South Asian communities showed how media, advocacy, and community platforms can give greater voice to stories, businesses, and issues that are often underrepresented.
Bringing together Bangladeshi and Nepali perspectives demonstrated the potential for South Asian communities to work across borders and identities around shared challenges, particularly social justice and migrant rights.
From traditional music to art and cultural expression, the evening showed how culture can create spaces for belonging, bridge immigrant communities, and encourage civic engagement.