Blog — News — Shalini Varghese

A while back my friend, Jamal, aka "Savvy", and I collaborated on a song called "What it Means to Be". This song sends a message of humanity, equality, and unity, and was inspired by the struggles people of color face in this country. In this moment of reckoning, we want to re-share our song with you. For the rest of the month, 100% of the funds (less transaction fees) will go to the organization close to Jamal's heart called “Know Your Rights." Their mission is to " advance the liberation and well-being of Black and Brown communities through education, self-empowerment, mass-mobilization and the creation of new systems that elevate the next generation of change leaders." Listen to and download the song here:

What it Means to Be by Shalini Varghese, released 25 December 2017 Ahh... Ooo-Ohh If I could walk could walk in your shoes Would I see the world as you do? To me, it's a beautiful place To you, it's a stormy race Ahh...

Also, as tomorrow is “Juneteenth,” Bandcamp, the site hosting my song, will be donating all of its revenue share to NAACP Legal Defense Fund, a racial justice organization with a long history of effectively enacting change through litigation, advocacy, and public education. Together we can increase our charitable contributions to these organizations.

Thank you for your support!

Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS), also known as Lou Gehrig's disease, is a devastating and potentially fatal disease that affects up to 16,000 Americans at any given time.

This year, on November 3, I was invited to perform “America the Beautiful” for the 18th Annual “LA Walk to Defeat ALS” in downtown Los Angeles, in honor of all the beautiful people who have had the unfortunate plight of enduring this disease. 1500 participants including celebrities, Renee Zellweger and Courtney Cox came to support the cause. It was an honor and a privilege. I thank Mark Nguyen and Jessica Partida for the opportunity to be a part of this special event.

Here is a clip of my performance that one of the supporters of celebrity public relations agent, Nanci Ryder (who has ALS) captured: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LmdoPKkmDhQ

Thank you for reading and listening!