Award-winning NPR journalist Aarti Shahani to deliver Carleton convocation
Shahani is also a bestselling author and host of the hit podcast Art of Power.
Aarti Shahani is an award-winning NPR journalist and the bestselling author of Here We Are: American Dreams, American Nightmares. On her hit podcast Art of Power, a co-production with WBEZ, Shahani has interviewed President Barack Obama, the CEOs of Microsoft and PepsiCo, Queer Eye creator David Collins, democracy activist Stacey Abrams, Grammy- and Oscar-winning performer Common… and even the judge who sentenced her father to prison. Now, Shahani comes to Carleton to share her unique perspective with a talk titled, “Here We Are!” on Friday, May 8, from 10:50 to 11:50 a.m. in Skinner Chapel.
Shahani’s book, Here We Are, chronicles her unlikely journey from an undocumented kid in Queens, New York to a national voice on the frontlines of the most powerful industry on earth as a Silicon Valley correspondent. Her memoir has received praise across the literary world, with NPR calling it “riveting… a bruising critique of colonialism” and BookPage calling it “a raw and engaging glimpse into the challenges immigrant families face that are either too traumatic or mundane to land on the news.” Her book, for which more information is available on Shahani’s website, is currently being developed into a feature film.
Shahani also regularly hosts Forum, the Bay Area’s leading live daily news show (KQED/NPR). Her reporting has received an Edward R. Murrow Award, an Investigative Reporters & Editors Award, and an award from the Society of Professional Journalists. She has also guest hosted All Things Considered and CNN’s Amanpour & Co.
Shahani graduated from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government with a master’s in public policy on the Paul and Daisy Soros Fellowship for New Americans. She earned her bachelor’s degree in anthropology from the University of Chicago. She was also among the youngest recipients of the Charles H. Revson Fellowship at Columbia University and is an alum of A Better Chance, Inc. Now, she lives in San Francisco with her partner and son.
This convocation will also be live streamed — please register in advance to receive information on how to attend via Zoom. Carleton convocations are free and open to the public. Find upcoming events and archived recordings (including in podcast form) on the convocations website. For more information, including disability accommodations, call 507-222-5461 or email nponder@carleton.edu.
After each convocation address, Carleton hosts a luncheon with the speaker. Convocation luncheon is held in the Alumni Guest House Meeting Room (unless otherwise noted) from noon to 1 p.m. and is generally limited to 30 people. If you are interested in attending, please RSVP on the convocations website.