Page 36 - The Indian EYE 061325

Newsmakers of the Week JUNE 13, 2025 | The Indian Eye 36

Raja Kumari Makes Usha Vance to Keynote

History as First Indian-Origin US-India Summit as Second

Artist to Win AMA Lady Makes History

railblazing rapper and singer sha Vance, Indian-American
Raja Kumari has become the lawyer and Second Lady of
Tfirst artist of Indian origin to Uthe United States, will deliver
win an American Music Award, se- the keynote address at the USISPF
curing the Favorite Soundtrack tro- Annual Leadership Summit on June
phy for her track “Renegade (We 2, 2025, in Washington, D.C.—a sym-
Never Run)” from Arcane: League bolic moment underscoring the grow-
of Legends Season 2. ing prominence of Indian Americans
The win marks a milestone not in U.S. leadership.
just for Kumari but for global Indian Daughter of immigrants from
representation in mainstream music. Andhra Pradesh and a Yale-educated
Collaborating with Stefflon Don and legal scholar, Vance brings a unique
Jarina de Marco, Kumari infused her perspective to the summit. Her key-
signature fusion of Indian classical note will anchor a day of high-level
sounds with Western hip-hop, creat- discussions focused on strengthening U.S.-India-Japan economic ties.
ing an anthem of empowerment. Vance’s academic résumé includes editorial leadership at Yale Law Jour-
“This win is for every underdog,” nal and legal work at top firms like Munger, Tolles & Olson. Her presence at the
said Kumari. “Bringing this home for summit reflects both personal and political resonance for the Indian diaspora.
India means the world to me.” This year’s summit will also honor three business titans—Arvind Krishna
The Grammy-nominated artist (IBM), Kumar Mangalam Birla (Aditya Birla Group), and Toshiaki Higashi-
has long championed cultural pride hara (Hitachi)—with the USISPF Leadership Award.
through genre-defying music. A Hosted by the U.S.-India Strategic Partnership Forum, the event will
Coachella alum, Kumari has worked gather policymakers, diplomats, and business leaders shaping the future of
with John Legend, Gwen Stefani, Indo-Pacific cooperation. Vance’s keynote, delivered at the intersection of di-
Iggy Azalea, and Fifth Harmony, while also lending her voice to Bollywood hits. plomacy and diaspora, is poised to be a defining voice for a new generation of
Her track record of breaking barriers continues to grow. “I’ve always transnational leadership.
wanted to change how the world sees India,” she said. “Now, I feel we’re
being heard.” To read more about Indian diaspora and Global Indians, log on to and follow
Her award cements her status as a global force—one who blends identity our website www.TheIndianEYE.com
and innovation with unapologetic creativity.

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