Pars Equality Center's New Pars Generation+ Program Hosts Election Day ART & CULTURE MIXER at the Cambria Gallery in San Francisco

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The Burgett Group, Inc.

Nov 01, 2016, 09:00 ET


San Francisco, CA (PRWEB) November 01, 2016 -- On Tuesday, November 8, 2016, Pars Equality Center (PEC)—the leading non-profit organization providing social, legal and community services to the Iranian-American community—presents an event by Pars Generation+, the new program for supporting and connecting the next generation (ages 21 – 40) of Iranian Americans. Pars Generation+ hosts an Art & Culture Mixer on Election Day 2016 at the Cambria Gallery, located at 1045 Bryant Street in San Francisco, from 6:00 – 9:00 p.m. As young professionals and community leaders network, they will view the “Iran Unveiled” exhibit, as well as works by renowned Persian artists Elham Ashrafi and Keyvan Shovir. Persian cuisine by Chef Naz Afarin Mahini and Komaaj Catering will be served, while Election results will be viewable on an HD TV monitor. Special guests to be announced. This is a ticketed event, 21+, and guests can register on Eventbrite.

PEC founder and executive director Bita Daryabari says, “It’s important to connect the young generations of Iranians to each other culturally and bring the community together. We want to eliminate any potential gaps between our kids that are born here and the new ones that are coming here as immigrants. They need to get to know each other, and integration is the most important part of our work at Pars Equality Center.”

Managing director Sepideh Nasiri, a serial entrepreneur and the former vice president at Women 2.0, conceived Pars Generation+ in October 2015 and launched in May 2016. She has assembled an impressive Advisory Board, including Elnaz Eilkhani (executive director, Iranican Inc.), philanthropist Mahnaz Milani Baladi, attorney Nima Rahimi, Shadi Rezvan (senior manager of Services and Transformation, Twitter) and Navid Shahdi (engineering manager, Oculus/Facebook).

Nasiri says, “Our aim is to empower the next generation through community, careers and connections. Pars Generation+ acts as a catalyst for social, cultural and economic integration of Iranians and Persian speaking communities to achieve their highest potential, stay connected and share their Iranian heritage."

The Generation+ Program launched in May 2016 with a special performance by renowned musical performer Rana Mansour. Other recent events include an August mixer at Barbarossa Lounge and a September career fair at Galvanize.

Election Day Art & Culture Mixer Highlights:

  • "Iran Unveiled" Exhibit: A collective photo project that explores the country of Iran up-close and personal through the lens of nine Iranian photographers who reside in Iran and the United States.
  • Works by Elham Ashrafi: Elham is a recognized painter and muralist who has been a well-regarded artist, as well as a manager of art galleries in Tehran. Her unique murals are installed in commercial and residential buildings in Iran and her paintings have been exhibited at multiple exhibitions.
  • Works by Kevin Shovir / “CK1”: CK1 is an Iranian visual and graffiti artist pioneer. He explores Iranian root culture poets like Hafez and Rumi with the use of Persian alphabet/Islamic art motifs in his work. He was among the first artists that established the Iranian graffiti movement that emerged in Tehran in 2002. CK1 moved to San Francisco in 2011 where he has done many street and public art projects, such as the Clarion Alley mural project, SFMTA and the Chinese Culture Center project with Justin Hoover and Shaghayegh Cyrous.
  • Cuisine by Naz Afarin (Affie) Mahini: A full-time Persian Chef at one of largest Bay Area Corporations and former Cafe Pomegranate owner.
  • Cuisine by Komaaj: Recognized for bringing Gilaki Cuisine from Northern Mountains of Iran to the Bay Area and the world through pop-up events and catering. Gilaki food is a celebration of the richness and diversity of this remarkable Caspian region and the culinary heritage of its distinct population. The Iranian city of Rasht gets UNESCO’s recognition as one of the best places in the world in Gastronomy.

To learn about sponsorship/partnership or how to get involved with Pars Generation+, please email parsgenerationplus(at)parsequalitycenter(dot)org. To become a mentor or mentee, please fill out the online Registration Form.

About Pars Generation+
Managing director Sepideh Nasiri conceived Pars Generation+ in October 2015 and launched in May 2016. Nasiri, a serial entrepreneur and the former vice president at Women 2.0, saw a gap in her community for the 21 – 40 demographic, so she approached Pars Equality Center to create a solution. Pars Generation+ is now the glue that brings the next generation of Iranian Americans together as individuals and organizations through “community, careers and connections.” The organization provides the younger generation of Iranians, both American-born and immigrants, with career mentors, peer mentors and career opportunities. Pars Generation+ acts as a catalyst for social, cultural and economic integration of Iranians and Persian speaking communities to achieve their highest potential, stay connected and share their Iranian heritage.

About Pars Equality Center
Founded in 2010 by renowned entrepreneur and humanitarian Bita Daryabari, the Pars Equality Center (PEC) is the first non-profit organization of its kind, supporting the full integration of people of Persian (Iranian) origin in the United States. PEC provides social and legal support for all members of the Iranian-American community, including refugees, immigrants and the American-born. The Center advocates for more positive perceptions of Persians in the U.S. media, while offering services and programs that help establish, integrate and support Iranian-Americans so that they are able to function responsibly and productively in American society. Daryabari’s aim is to create a more just and compassionate community in which Iranians of all cultures and beliefs participate. PEC is headquartered in the San Jose-based Daryabari Iranian Community Center, which opened in April 2015, making it the first and most comprehensive non-profit legal, social and community support center providing direct services to Iranians in the United States. Additional PEC offices are also located in Menlo Park, Los Angeles and Orange County. Popular programs include the Silver Club for the 55+ demographic, while Generation+ is aimed at the younger generation, ages 21 to 40.

Links:

Heather Burgett, The Burgett Group, Inc., http://www.theburgettgroup.com/, +1 (310) 633-4801, [email protected]