Celebrating Heritage, Empowering Youth, and Uplifting Spokane Through Indian Culture!

A New Beginning

When Sowmya Surapaneni moved to the United States, she encountered the familiar challenges many immigrants face—adjusting to new food, culture, and climate, and the heartache of being far from family and traditions. Instead of succumbing to these struggles, Sowmya saw them as opportunities to connect, share, and build community.

Small Steps With Big Meaning

It all started with simple acts: sharing food, stories, and the desire to provide her children and others with a space to experience their heritage. She introduced Indian culture in libraries, taught in schools, and brought flavors of home to multicultural church events. These humble beginnings soon blossomed into something much larger.

Spokane India Community(SIC) 

In 2015, Sowmya co-founded the Spokane India Community (SIC), serving as a Vice-President until 2017 and later as a President until 2019. She energized like-minded families and led celebrations, bringing Indian festivals and traditions to Spokane in joyful, inclusive ways.

India Youth Club of Spokane

By late 2019, her focus expanded to the next generation. As co-founder and Community Relations Manager of the India Youth Club of Spokane, Sowmya created a platform where teens could build leadership skills, serve the community, and find their voices. What began as a space for Indian youth has since grown into a broader Spokane community initiative, uniting people through service projects and cultural programs. The India Youth Club of Spokane, under Sowmya's leadership, has become a platform for all youth in Spokane to build leadership skills, serve the community, and find their voices. Sowmya led several impactful initiatives in local high schools aimed at promoting cultural awareness and inclusion. She collaborated with school staff to plan and host cultural celebration events that introduced students and families to diverse traditions, foods, and performances. These events featured interactive activities, including henna art and traditional dances, as well as booths showcasing Indian culture and heritage. They provided opportunities for participants to learn about Indian customs, appreciate different heritages, and engage directly with new cultural experiences. Her efforts led to the establishment of lasting traditions within the schools, helping to strengthen community bonds and foster respect for diversity. By taking the initiative to create these programs, she played a key role in building a more inclusive, culturally aware school environment.

Empowering Women Through Tradition

Sowmya's vision is also deeply rooted in women's well-being. By bringing the Bathukamma Festival to Spokane, she celebrates feminine energy, cultural preservation, and community bonding—ensuring that traditions are not only remembered but lived, shared, and passed on.

Recognitions and Impact

Her efforts have not gone unnoticed, earning her accolades such as Gordon's Best Manager of the Year (twice) and the Spokane Meritorious Award (2020). However, the true testament to her leadership is the positive influence she has on the lives she touches: from shy children blossoming into confident speakers, to neighbors bonding over festivals, and youth discovering the joy of giving back.

Story of Courage, Commitment, and Community

From her own journey of adjustment to becoming a bridge-builder for many, Sowmya Surapaneni's story is one of culture, courage, and community—uplifting everyone around her.