Today we’d like to introduce you to Anu Sehgal
Hi Anu, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
The Culture Tree was found in 2016. After having my own kids, I realized that there was a critical need for real, authentic and accurate depiction of South Asian culture and practices in children’s programming and education. There was also a big gap in teaching South Asian–American kids their native languages in a more relevant, fun and consistent basis.
We have dual goals:
1) Raise bilingual and bicultural children of South Asian heritage who are knowledgeable and proud of their culture.
2) Educate the rest of the children and their families about South Asia, to remove any prejudices and stereotypes that exist about South Asians.
We all face challenges, but looking back would you describe it as a relatively smooth road?
It is not easy start a company with a new concept and leave my corporate job. The biggest struggle has been around raising funding and getting compensated for the programs we create.
Thanks for sharing that. So, maybe next you can tell us a bit more about your business?
The Culture Tree promotes cultural literacy about South Asia through language and educational & cultural programs. Our goal is to create empathy, respect and understanding towards all different cultures and further inclusivity, while still helping address questions about Identity with heritage cultures.
We partner with museums, galleries, schools and libraries to implement our classes and programming. Our programs include celebration of key festivals and events, puppet shows, bi-lingual storytime, mindful eating, mindfulness and language classes in key South Asian languages.
What quality or characteristic do you feel is most important to your success?
Persistence, humility and a lot of grit.
Contact Info:
- Website: https://theculturetree.com/
- Instagram: theculturetree
- Facebook: theculturetreeny
