Our Constituency and Leadership
Jahajee Sisters’ constituency, staff, and Steering Committee are comprised of a diverse group of inter-generational Indo-Caribbean women and gender-fluid people. We embrace reflective practices and team-building to establish a strong core group of leaders who recognize and identify with the gender justice challenges in our community and share a common vision for change.
Our Staff
Simone Devi Jhingoor, Co-Director (she/her)
Simone is an artist, social entrepreneur and embodied leadership coach who brings knowledge and expertise in program development, resource mobilization, organizational change and event production. For over a decade, she has supported youth of color in NYC to become cultural and community organizers; has led transformational leadership development programs for women of color to center their healing; and has produced dynamic cultural events to create a platform for artists of color. Simone is proud to be a co-founder of Jahajee Sisters and now the first Co-Director. She is committed to building the power of survivors of intimate partner and sexual violence to fight for gender justice in the Indo-Caribbean community. Simone continues to consult through her family business, Media Sutra, with social justice organizations to support them to become more visible, impactful and sustainable. She also trains and coaches women of color and gender-fluid leaders to make a lasting imprint on the world by tapping into their inner wisdom to realize their life’s purpose. Simone previously served as the Director of External Communications at the Women’s Housing and Economic Development Corporation (WHEDco) where she led the organization’s communications efforts and managed institutional funder relationships. Her other experience includes running SAYA!’s first Desi Girls on Da Rise Program in Richmond Hill for teens and creating a ground-breaking youth development program called Linking Identity to Living Arts (LILA) for the Rajkumari Cultural Center that was taken into Queens public schools. In her spare time, Simone enjoys penning and performing poetry that speaks to her unique experience as an Indo-Caribbean woman growing up in the Boogie Down Bronx.
Simone is an artist, social entrepreneur and embodied leadership coach who brings knowledge and expertise in program development, resource mobilization, organizational change and event production. For over a decade, she has supported youth of color in NYC to become cultural and community organizers; has led transformational leadership development programs for women of color to center their healing; and has produced dynamic cultural events to create a platform for artists of color. Simone is proud to be a co-founder of Jahajee Sisters and now the first Co-Director. She is committed to building the power of survivors of intimate partner and sexual violence to fight for gender justice in the Indo-Caribbean community. Simone continues to consult through her family business, Media Sutra, with social justice organizations to support them to become more visible, impactful and sustainable. She also trains and coaches women of color and gender-fluid leaders to make a lasting imprint on the world by tapping into their inner wisdom to realize their life’s purpose. Simone previously served as the Director of External Communications at the Women’s Housing and Economic Development Corporation (WHEDco) where she led the organization’s communications efforts and managed institutional funder relationships. Her other experience includes running SAYA!’s first Desi Girls on Da Rise Program in Richmond Hill for teens and creating a ground-breaking youth development program called Linking Identity to Living Arts (LILA) for the Rajkumari Cultural Center that was taken into Queens public schools. In her spare time, Simone enjoys penning and performing poetry that speaks to her unique experience as an Indo-Caribbean woman growing up in the Boogie Down Bronx.
Shivana Jorawar, Esq., Co-Director (she/they)
Shivana is a queer first-generation Guyanese American and intersectional feminist who believes in unapologetically speaking truth to power. She is a founding member of Jahajee Sisters and brings 10+ years of experience as a policy advocate, organizer, and storyteller. She has served as State Legislative Counsel at the Center for Reproductive Rights and directed federal policy advocacy at the National Abortion Federation. For over four years, she directed reproductive justice priorities for the National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum (NAPAWF), running advocacy campaigns, leading coalitions, developing youth leadership, and serving as a voice for Asian American and Pacific Islander women in Washington, D.C. Her additional experience includes working with Sakhi for South Asian Women, where she led the organization’s first outreach effort in the Indo-Caribbean neighborhood of Richmond Hill, Queens. She has also served on the boards of If/When/How, the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance, and Washington D.C.'s LGBTQ organization Khush DC. Her writing and commentary have been featured in many outlets, including The Hill, The American Prospect, Colorlines, the Nation, the Associated Press and the Harvard Asian American Law Journal. She is also a proud abortion storyteller with the We Testify project. Originally from the Bronx, Shivana holds a B.A. in Political Science from Fordham University and a J.D. from Emory University School of Law. She is licensed to practice law in New York state. Follow Shivana on Twitter @shivspeaks and on Instagram @shivlandia.
Shivana is a queer first-generation Guyanese American and intersectional feminist who believes in unapologetically speaking truth to power. She is a founding member of Jahajee Sisters and brings 10+ years of experience as a policy advocate, organizer, and storyteller. She has served as State Legislative Counsel at the Center for Reproductive Rights and directed federal policy advocacy at the National Abortion Federation. For over four years, she directed reproductive justice priorities for the National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum (NAPAWF), running advocacy campaigns, leading coalitions, developing youth leadership, and serving as a voice for Asian American and Pacific Islander women in Washington, D.C. Her additional experience includes working with Sakhi for South Asian Women, where she led the organization’s first outreach effort in the Indo-Caribbean neighborhood of Richmond Hill, Queens. She has also served on the boards of If/When/How, the National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance, and Washington D.C.'s LGBTQ organization Khush DC. Her writing and commentary have been featured in many outlets, including The Hill, The American Prospect, Colorlines, the Nation, the Associated Press and the Harvard Asian American Law Journal. She is also a proud abortion storyteller with the We Testify project. Originally from the Bronx, Shivana holds a B.A. in Political Science from Fordham University and a J.D. from Emory University School of Law. She is licensed to practice law in New York state. Follow Shivana on Twitter @shivspeaks and on Instagram @shivlandia.
Tish Singh, Outreach & Relationships Manager (she, her)
Tish is an Indo-Guyanese entrepreneur with over five years of experience fostering community and wellness among Indo-Caribbean women and girls. Through her dance and fitness studio located in the heart of Little Guyana, she has supported hundreds of women to find joy, health, and comraderie. Tish comes to Jahajee with many years of experience building strategic partnerships, raising awareness for programs, and cultivating lasting relationships. She is dedicated to the empowerment and safety of our community, having opened up her space for countless mutual aid efforts during the pandemic and offering an affordable venue option for grassroots community groups. Tish also brings over a decade of experience in business operations, including building platforms and systems to lay the groundwork for a company's success. She is excited to use these skills to support Jahajee's growth. Dedicated to the community of women and girls she serves, Tish will continue her work to advocate for their safety and equality through her role at Jahajee. Tish holds a B.S. in Business Administration & International Business from York College.
Tish is an Indo-Guyanese entrepreneur with over five years of experience fostering community and wellness among Indo-Caribbean women and girls. Through her dance and fitness studio located in the heart of Little Guyana, she has supported hundreds of women to find joy, health, and comraderie. Tish comes to Jahajee with many years of experience building strategic partnerships, raising awareness for programs, and cultivating lasting relationships. She is dedicated to the empowerment and safety of our community, having opened up her space for countless mutual aid efforts during the pandemic and offering an affordable venue option for grassroots community groups. Tish also brings over a decade of experience in business operations, including building platforms and systems to lay the groundwork for a company's success. She is excited to use these skills to support Jahajee's growth. Dedicated to the community of women and girls she serves, Tish will continue her work to advocate for their safety and equality through her role at Jahajee. Tish holds a B.S. in Business Administration & International Business from York College.
Lalita Duke, Direct Services Manager (she, her)
Lalita is an Indo-Guyanese woman who has worked in the field of social services for five years. With a strong commitment to community empowerment and advocacy, she has dedicated her career to making a difference in New York City. Lalita's journey began with her pivotal roles working with the homeless, mentally ill and vulnerable children. Armed with a B.A. in Forensic Psychology, Lalita’s academic background, coupled with her professional experience, allows her to approach her work with a unique perspective and a deep sense of empathy. Driven by her passion for uplifting the Indo-Caribbean community and survivors of gender based violence, Lalita Duke transitioned her expertise to Jahajee Sisters, an organization that resonated with her values and goals. Through her work, Lalita strives to bridge gaps, foster empowerment, and build a brighter future for the community she holds dear.
Lalita is an Indo-Guyanese woman who has worked in the field of social services for five years. With a strong commitment to community empowerment and advocacy, she has dedicated her career to making a difference in New York City. Lalita's journey began with her pivotal roles working with the homeless, mentally ill and vulnerable children. Armed with a B.A. in Forensic Psychology, Lalita’s academic background, coupled with her professional experience, allows her to approach her work with a unique perspective and a deep sense of empathy. Driven by her passion for uplifting the Indo-Caribbean community and survivors of gender based violence, Lalita Duke transitioned her expertise to Jahajee Sisters, an organization that resonated with her values and goals. Through her work, Lalita strives to bridge gaps, foster empowerment, and build a brighter future for the community she holds dear.
Gabrielle Francis, Program Coordinator (they, she)
Gabrielle is a queer Indo-Caribbean interdisciplinary artist, organizer and healer from Queens, New York. They graduated with a B.A. from The New School in May 2021 with a double major in Visual and Global Studies and a minor in Race & Ethnicity. Their multi-disciplinary work centers intersectionality, healing, ancestry, and fostering radical imaginations grounded and rooted in liberation and abolition. Their work is informed by their research on the visual archives of Indo-Caribbean women and their own lived intersectional experience. Their work often invite us in as active participants by making space for us to meditate on ancestry and how we want to be remembered as living ancestors? They are dedicated to uplifting and creating stories, healing spaces and realities where those of us at the margins are centered.
Gabrielle is a queer Indo-Caribbean interdisciplinary artist, organizer and healer from Queens, New York. They graduated with a B.A. from The New School in May 2021 with a double major in Visual and Global Studies and a minor in Race & Ethnicity. Their multi-disciplinary work centers intersectionality, healing, ancestry, and fostering radical imaginations grounded and rooted in liberation and abolition. Their work is informed by their research on the visual archives of Indo-Caribbean women and their own lived intersectional experience. Their work often invite us in as active participants by making space for us to meditate on ancestry and how we want to be remembered as living ancestors? They are dedicated to uplifting and creating stories, healing spaces and realities where those of us at the margins are centered.
Our Steering Committee
Vesna Naidoo-Chinsammy, Esq. (she/her) is a Guyanese immigrant who is passionate about leaving the world better than which she found it. She strongly believes in serving others and building a world where resources and options are readily available for anyone who needs them. Vesna’s commitment to her community and passion for immigration law has led her to offer pro bono immigration advice and services. She has been involved with organizations such as Operation Dreamcatchers (a NYS nonprofit addressing the medical disparities in Guyana by collecting and donating medical supplies and devices to underfunded medical facilities and underserved patients), the Uncontested Divorce Program (a no-cost pro se divorce program serving low-income clients in executing their divorce pleadings and providing advice and counsel about the divorce process) and The Civil Legal Advice and Resource Office (CLARO) (a limited, legal advice program for unrepresented defendants with consumer debt cases in New York City, Westchester, and Buffalo.) In 2012, Vesna graduated from Fordham University’s Gabelli School of Business with a Bachelor of Science in Finance and a minor in Economics and Fordham University’s School of Law in 2019. She worked as a credit analyst at Standard & Poor’s and TIAA before law school. Vesna is licensed to practice law in New York State. Her current practice focuses on real estate and general business transactions, including the acquisition, financing, development, joint venture, operation, leasing, and disposition of commercial real estate. Vesna is the granddaughter of Guyanese healer and philanthropist Jamsie Naidoo (Uncle Paplo).
Latchmi Devi Gopal is a first-generation Guyanese-American born and raised in The Bronx. Grounded in the gift of a collectivism philosophy from her culture, she has become a dedicated community organizer, activist, and campaign strategist, focusing on national and local issues as well as electoral campaigns. Her expertise lies in coalition development, electoral and grassroots issues training, scaling mass movements, and advocating for economic justice. Latchmi holds degrees in Political Science and Public Health from Boston University, and proudly identifies as a queer woman. Throughout her career Latchmi has specifically chosen impactful roles that shift and develop community power including fighting to raise the minimum wage at Demos, working on international grant-giving at Open Society Foundations, and creating and executing a national canvassing program to mobilize thousands to vote as the National Distributed Organizer for the Bernie 2020 Presidential Campaign. She went on to be part of the inaugural team at Unemployed Workers United as the Director of Communications and Strategic Partnership. In 2021, Latchmi chose to transition and run for NY City Council in her neighborhood, in the peak of COVID -19, when communities in The Bronx were disproportionately impacted by the health crisis. Latchmi is currently a National Digital Outreach Coordinator, rejoining the Unemployed Workers United team to shift political power by contributing to the Black Future’s Lab’s efforts to survey the most Black folks in this country, ever. She is currently serving in her fifth year as an Associate Board Member for WHEDco, an organization dedicated to creating thriving families in The Bronx and is an active member of Rider’s Alliance which fights for Transit Justice for all NYers. You can catch her exploring the world through food and neighborhood runs, a habit she picked up after running two NYC marathons!
Priya Florence Dadlani (all pronouns) is an Indo-Caribbean cultural worker from Silver Spring, MD. Informed by the belief that art sparks culture shift & sustains revolution, Priya’s charge is to utilize the transformative powers of storytelling, community organizing, political education, facilitation & radical imagination to collectively disrupt the current world order & rebuild anew. Priya currently organizes with SPICY, a zine-making collective they founded in 2018 that works at the intersection of art, justice, and cultural archival. In addition, they are leading strategic communications to resource gender justice movements at Third Wave Fund, dismantling patriarchy with Jahajee Sisters, and supporting the dreams of Black and brown creative entrepreneurs at Media Sutra . You can find Priya on social media at @priya.florence, their website priyadadlani.com, or subscribe to her newsletter titled Dispatches from Chrysalis through which she openly spirals through her own process of becoming, and hosts collective journaling workshops. Priya resides in Brooklyn, NY with her partner Jordan and their two sweet dogs, BiBi and Cheeni.
Nadia Khan-Roopnarine is a first generation Muslim American of Indo-Guyanese descent. After graduating from New York University with a Masters degree in English education, Nadia served as a founding teacher at a 6-12 public community school in Brooklyn, NY. In this role she helped manifest the school's commitment to critical pedagogy by shaping an equitable and democratic school community that served the local neighborhood. As a classroom teacher, department chair, mentor teacher, and coach to new educators, Nadia spent a decade working collaboratively with various stakeholders while elevating the voices and experiences of students through activism and project based learning. Nadia is a radical educator whose philosophy is built on a foundation of critical pedagogy and constructivism. Mainly, she believes that learning experiences should be shaped mutually and equitably by all parties involved in a teaching and learning relationship. Nadia also pursues an active research agenda with interests including anti-colonial approaches to schooling, Indo-Caribbean feminism, femtorship, and new teacher mentorship. After working for a decade in the New York City Department of Education and upon completion of her doctorate in Educational Leadership for Diverse Learning Communities from Molloy University, Nadia shifted to a new position as an assistant professor of education at a small University on Long Island. In this role, Nadia works with pre-service teachers to prepare them for lifelong careers as educators. It is her hope that her students graduate and go on to work in low-income communities and communities of color. In her free time Nadia enjoys reading novels and spending time with her husband, son, and cat.
Sarah Bhagudas (she, her) is a first-generation Guyanese-American and third-year medical student passionate about making a difference in her community, both in the pediatric community and among women. Growing up in Brooklyn, she was raised to appreciate the beauty and culture of her Indo-Caribbean roots although she was faced with a lot of self-hatred. As she grew older, she was able to realize where we as Indo-Caribbean members come from and learned to appreciate the honorable efforts made by her ancestors. However, throughout her education and work experience, she noticed a lack of Indo-Caribbean representation in medicine. Currently, Sarah is part of the brilliant Vaksana project team with A Different View which works towards building the first-ever women's retreat in Guyana. Sarah believes it is an absolute honor to be able to contribute to Jahajee Sisters which has and will continue to make such an impact on the lives of so many people. Going forward, her mission is to continue representing the Indo-Caribbean community and serve as an example that anything is possible and within reach if you put your mind to it!
Nikita Boyce (she/they) is a queer abolitionist and liberationist from Guyana. Having graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Critical Theory and Social Justice with a focus on Critical Race Theory, Nikita spent time in the non-profit field working in both medical and shelter-based case management. She is currently a financial consultant for low-income Black and Brown women in the US. Nikita's framework for being is predicated on the experience of joy and the goal of decolonization. They believe in the power of community and ancestral gratitude. You can find her by bodies of water or tall trees- often with a delicious homemade meal.
Rhue Ivy (they/them) is the first of many in their family - college graduate, nonprofit professional, and openly out queer person. They obtained their BA in Creative Writing and Ethics and Public Policy at Lehman College, where they served as the President and Event Coordinator for the college’s literary and arts magazine, Obscura. Rhue has worked in fundraising, events, and program operations with various nonprofit organizations. Their passion lies with advocating for human rights and speaking out about mental illness, sexual and domestic abuse, and substance abuse through their poetry. They are interested in the history of indenture and diaspora within the Indo-Caribbean community. In their free time, Rhue enjoys stand-up comedy, reading interactive fiction and visual novels, and baking vegan pastries.
Aliyah Tihani Salim (she/her) is an Indo-Guyanese feminist, activist, and community organizer. She was born in Berbice, Guyana and grew up in Ozone Park, New York. Aliyah is a passionate advocate for education, diversity, gender equality, and human rights and has worked on these causes as a founding member of ReCoded and as an advisory board member of Glamour Gals. She has dedicated her time in support of her community, fighting for social and economic justice in the U.S. She has organized various grassroots initiatives within her community focused on empowering girls with the tools necessary to access higher education. Aliyah has also led teams and collaborated with organizations on raising funds to support the human rights and educational opportunities of vulnerable and marginalized communities around the world. Aliyah holds a B.A. and M.S. from New York University. She is also a mother to the best four year old.
Lisa Maria Ramadhar (she/her) is a program evaluator in New York City. With a background in public health, her work focuses on addressing structural barriers to health equity. Recently, she has been evaluating capacity building efforts to address organizational policies and practices that promote health inequities. This work operates on the principle that if we can eliminate inequities in the way we do our work, then we can eliminate inequities in health that are based on social identities and position. Lisa's social justice work began in adolescence when she discovered her passion for serving her community. In various volunteer appointments, she has served as a sexual assault crisis counselor, tutor for disadvantaged high schoolers preparing for the SAT, and counselor for individuals living with severe mental illness. In 2014, when Michael Brown was murdered, Lisa realized that her service to her community could be enhanced by being politically active to call attention to injustice and advocating for change. Service-oriented volunteerism could help individuals, but political activism could change entire communities and society as a whole. This was the beginning of her activism, which has evolved from participating in her first march to a more focused effort to promote the safety of people of all gender identities in the Indo-Caribbean community as a member of the Jahajee Sisters Steering Committee. Lisa is a Guyanese immigrant, who enjoys coffee in the morning, tea at night, and a good game of "trop chal" with her cousins.
Nathalie Sarju (she/her), Steering Committee Co-Chair, is a first-generation, Indo-Caribbean trailblazer, proud daughter, and big sister. She currently serves as a Mental Health Clinician for Henry Street Settlement's School-Based Mental Health Clinics where she empowers families to dream beyond their zip code and provides therapy to youth aged 5-12. From growing up in Miami, Fl, Nathalie believes in spreading rays of sunshine to those in need and supporting others to "dance in the rain while they wait for the rainbow." She is an advocate for young women and serves as the Programs Chair on the National Board of Women and Youth Supporting Each Other (WYSE). Nathalie graduated from the University of Central Florida with her Bachelor of Science in Psychology where she maintained her role as a mental health advocate and mentor to young people. Nathalie is also a graduate of Columbia University where she earned her Master of Social Work with a concentration in Clinical Practice and Family, Youth and Children. In her free time, Nathalie can be found on foodventures seeking out oversized dessert and the best Cacio e Pepe in NYC or planning her next getaway!
