Mango Bites 🥭

August is the Sunday of summer 🙁 

I hope y’all soaked up the sun despite the crazy heat, and have some last hurrahs planned before it’s gone. For those of you in the city this month looking to be outside while you can, we’ve got not one but two events in Central Park lined up!

🧺 The Mango Summer Picnic (8/24) - An open-to-all picnic with spikeball, snacks, and other surprises (mangoes ofc) in Central Park! Bring friends and make new ones there 😄 

🚶Mango x TechWalk (8/14) - Take a break in the middle of your week with a Wednesday afternoon walk through the park. We're teaming up with our friends at TechWalk for this one, co-hosted by Mango members Sakib Jamal and Tapan Kataria

Hope to see you at one (or both) of these!!

PS: Thanks for the great showing at the Product HH!!

Upcoming Mango Events 🎇

Register on the links below!

• Mango x TechWalk (8/14) - A mid-day walk through Central Park with incredible Desi co-hosts

• The Mango Summer Picnic (8/26) - A summer Central Park social open to everyone!

• Caplinked x Mango: The Brown Banker Brunch (9/14) - Brunch for IB Analysts and Associates, courtesy of our friends at Caplinked!

The Scene 🪔

Other South Asian events I’m keeping an eye on in and around the city

Cool Desis Doing Cool Thing 🐘

Highlighting people in our community making strides in diverse fields!

Pankti Doshi is a certified genetic counselor by day and event creator by night. Trained as a biomedical engineer and mathematician, her work helps to prevent genetic problems being passed down to the next generation. As co-founder of Masala Mixtape (NYC’s and LA’s South Asian Music Festival) and And/Aur, Pankti loves to uplift South Asian talent in our community. She even started her own event-based company in NYC dedicated to highlighting South Asians in fashion, beauty, music, media/entertainment, and food. She also gathers most events happening within the South Asian community on a weekly basis.

Why do you do what you do?
I really love meeting people – I find people’s upbringing, culture, talents, creativity, and overall story so meaningful. Building connection is a feeling that speaks very deeply to me, and I love creating a feeling of home, love, and family within my events.

As for genetics, I look forward to sharing conversations with others, especially South Asians, about our hereditary risk factors and how to increase awareness around health. As the classic saying goes “health is wealth”, and I hope to be the clinical expert helping people through complex diseases and guiding them through their respective anxieties.

What does your Desi identity mean to you, and how has it influenced your journey?
Growing up in the Bay Area, California and taking annual trips to visit my grandparents and cousins in Gujarat, India, I have been so grateful to be surrounded by a community of South Asians that always made me feel at home and proud of the culture we came from. 

I am so excited to take this passion into all the events I produce and the people I meet. My goal is for people to come to my events feeling they are part of the NY family. My favorite feeling is when people build friendships and relationships through my events – it’s when I hear people getting that “ah-ha” or “I do too” moment that makes my day!

What advice do you have for those entering your field?
My favorite quote is “the only certainty in life is uncertainty”. I encourage people to take the time to figure out what you are drawn to, double down on your strengths, and take risks. You never know what door will open another door for you.

Ankit’s favs 🌟 
🎬 Bollywood Movie: Kuck Kuch Hota Hai
🍛 Desi Eat: Dal Makhani
🌶️ NYC Restaurant: Taco Mahal 

Meme Bazaar 👳🏽‍♀️

Random Stuff 💃

• Want to sponsor an event or host something with me? Get in touch!!

• Have a friend who’d want to be on this newsletter? Sign up for Mango Bites here!!