Founder Spotlight: Sana Javeri Kadri, Diaspora Co.
Welcome to AAPI Heritage Month! All month long, we'll be featuring some of our favorite AAPI entrepreneurs. First up is Sana Javeri Kadri, the founder of Diaspora Co. A 3rd generation Mumbai native, Sana founded Diaspora Co. to create a more equitable (and not to mention delicious) spice trade. If you haven't had Diaspora Co. spices, you're seriously missing out!
Q:
What does AAPI Heritage Month mean to you?
A:
It's a month to celebrate some of the most incredible communities and cultures with my favorite people. As an immigrant to this country myself, learning the contributions and impact of AAPI labor movements, organizing and elders who've led the way before us has been an absolute honor and huge source of inspiration.
Q:
How do you bring your heritage into your business?
A:
South Asian flavors, stories, and food ways are heroically underrepresented in the American grocery and kitchen landscape. We’re giving context, nuance, and color to the flavors of our homelands and diaspora. We believe that a business rooted in cultural work and true community is one that’ll last. Bringing my full self as a mixed, queer, Gujarati, Punjabi, Muslim, Jain, 3rd generation Bombay girl turned Californian immigrant to this brand is what makes it most exciting for me.
Q:
How has your approach to incorporating being AAPI into your life changed over time?
A:
When I first moved to America, I didn't even know what the term meant and felt little kinship or solidarity to the AAPI community. It's only been through learning from the Nikkei Resisters, or understanding the history of Chinese labor organizing in SoCal's citrus groves, to taking the Berkeley South Asian Radical History Walking Tour, to the beautiful work of the Hawai'i People's Fund - it's left me empowered and excited to do cultural and impact work as a member of this community!
Q:
Pass it on: what are some of your favorite AAPI-led small businesses?
A:
Tasting India's Bombay Chilli Crunch, Sun Noodle's fresh Ramen kits, Song Tea's Tea Sampler, Savouring Serendity's Dark Roasted Curry Powder (+ her wonderful cookbook!)
Q:
Let us in on your favorite AAPI snack!
A:
Just gim - nothing I love more than Korean toasted seaweed!
