identity Archives | Punita Rice

Heems (Himanshu Suri) on the Underbelly, Rejecting the Model Minority Myth & What Forward Actually Looks Like

July 21, 2026

A note before we begin: this conversation touches on mental health, substance use disorder, and suicide. Heems speaks about these experiences openly and publicly as part of his advocacy work…

Sabeen Marghoob on Henna, Leaving the Ladder & Why Two Things Can Be True at Once

June 23, 2026

Henna artist Sabeen Marghoob (featured in Vogue, Elle, Allure) on pressure, henna, the corporate ladder, and building a creative life...

Vishal Vaidya on Broadway, Approval, & What He’d Tell Young Brown Kids

June 13, 2026

Broadway actor Vishal Vaidya on approval-seeking, South Asian representation in theater, and what he'd tell creative Brown kids today.

Jyoti Chand (Mamajotes) on Fitting Indian, Growing Up, & What She Hopes for Brown Kids

June 10, 2026

Jyoti Chand (Mamajotes) opens up about growing up, sobriety, Fitting Indian, and what she hopes for the next generation of Brown kids in schools.

When Students Simplify Their Names: What Teachers Should Understand

May 10, 2019

Some students simplify their names in school—not because they reject their identity, but because of context, fatigue, or past experiences. This post explores why that happens and how educators can…

A Good Birth: Experiences can Matter as much as Outcomes

April 30, 2019

How a book about childbirth helped me articulate why experiences can matter as much as outcomes.

Be Inspired: Sujata Day, Filmmaker and Actor

October 20, 2018

Actor, filmmaker, and Insecure star Sujata Day discusses South Asian American representation in Hollywood, working with Issa Rae, creating stories beyond stereotypes, and why supporting one another — on screen…

Be Inspired: Vishal Vaidya, Broadway Actor

December 9, 2017

Broadway performer Vishal Vaidya reflects on his journey to Groundhog Day, growing up in a diverse Maryland community, building a sustainable career in the arts, and why South Asian representation…

Kevin Negandhi, ESPN Anchor

November 19, 2017

ESPN anchor Kevin Negandhi reflects on becoming the first Indian American sports anchor on national television and why dreaming big requires preparation, resilience, and belief.

Be Inspired: Poet Pavana Reddy

October 30, 2017

Poet and writer Pavana Reddy reflects on grief, identity, and why giving language to pain is essential for healing and connection.

Be Inspired: Natasha Sumant of Gundi Studios

September 25, 2017

Digital art director Natasha Sumant shares how her project Gundi Studios reclaims power for South Asian women, and reflects on pursuing a creative career across India and the U.S.