These past nine months I took part in the South Asian American Digital Archive (SAADA) Fellowship program. During the course of the fellowship, I interviewed more than 10 Bangladeshi women from Metro Detroit who found creative ways to open their own business, some outside of the traditional brick-and-mortar model.
Some of these women expressed the need to do something for themselves, while others said they are providing services they once needed.
Tomorrow I’ll be hosting a virtual event to celebrate these stories and share what I’ve learned about these women, Detroit, and the community over the course of the project.
Here is what some of the ladies had to say about their journeys:
Shamsun Nehar, Owner of Cakes by Lucky
“I really enjoy doing this to this day… every time I do it, and I look at the cake, it just brings me joy. I think that cake does not just represent culture — it brings a family together. And you know, you just the thought of how you know what this cake is going to do. It makes you just delightful,” she says.”
Jahura Hobby, Makeup by JHobby
“I like the freedom of being an entrepreneur.”
Mafruza Begum, Owner of Mersiha Home Healthcare Services
“As kids we have become their interpreter [and] translator from such a young age, filling out their forms, helping them out, and talking for them. That has become so natural to me. It has become a part of me.”
The series is also featured on Bengalis of New York’s podcast platform.
Learn more about their stories. Join us by registering for this virtual event at saada.org/enterprise.
Open to the public. Free event!