Bdeshi or Bideshi: Finding Belonging Across Borders as Bangladeshis
What does it mean to belong when home is both here and there? How do we stay rooted while navigating new grounds?
Join us for an evening of stories, sounds, and shared experiences as we explore the complexities of belonging within the Bangladeshi diaspora in Toronto. We’ll hear from four Bangladeshis—each on their own journey of finding connection and identity in Canada. Whether born here, having arrived a decade ago, or just within the last few years, their stories reflect the diverse ways we seek home away from home.
The conversation will flow into a night of music with Raf Reza, a celebrated Toronto-based DJ of Bangladeshi origin, spinning beats that move both body and soul. Come for the stories, stay for the food, drinks, and dancing.
Bdeshi. Bideshi. No matter where you land, belonging is a journey worth sharing. Everyone’s welcome. Bring your friends. Bring your stories. Let’s connect.
Your ticket includes:
Private access to a stunning evening at RUNWAY 06 (formerly MARKED Restaurant), known for its globally inspired menu and immersive experience
Gourmet canapés (vegetarian options included) • Cocktails (with non-alcoholic options available)
A welcoming, vibrant community space for connection, dancing, and celebration
Live panel conversation on identity, home, and connection, featuring:
Nabila Khan – human rights lawyer
Asna Towfiq – social impact leader + coach
Raf Reza – genre-bending DJ and cultural connector
Tahsin Aman - entrepreneur, industrial engineer, and purpose-driven leader
Live music by Raf Reza + visual storytelling from photographer and poet Saimum Saeed
Programming starts at 7:30 PM and runs until 11:30 PM, but guests are welcome to stay longer.
This events is generously sponsored by the Nikean Foundation and Sanjay Singhal, and organized by B/deshi Toronto.
Artists:
Raf Reza is a Bangladeshi-Canadian DJ and producer who weaves sonic connections between seemingly unrelated elements. Raf has touched many corners of Toronto’s music community over the last 10 years. Between curating the bins at Standard Time Record Shop and now running his record label Orphic Apparition, his ears are tuned to music coming from both the local and international community. His DJ and Live sets are genre-fluid in nature where tracks flow through a variety of tempos and sonic palettes. A handful of releases under Raf Reza and various aliases give nods to a wide range of influences. His debut album Ekbar (out via Telephone Explosion Records) creates a meeting point between Bangladeshi folk music with the UK Hardcore / Bass continuum. The elastic nature of his musical expression took him across several venues beyond North America, United Kingdom and Europe as well as landed him slots on Boiler Room and Keep Hush. You can also find him on internet radio stations NTS Radio, Clyde Built Radio (Glasgow) and more. Raf’s limitless reach will continue to morph the musical boundaries within dance-floors.
Saimum Saeed is a professional photographer, poet, and visual artist based in Toronto, Canada. Known for his creative vision and storytelling, he is the owner of Classic Moments Studio in Scarborough, where he works as a full-time photographer, specializing in capturing timeless moments through photography and videography. In addition to his work as a photographer, Saimum is a published poet with two poetry books. His poetry delves into themes of human emotion, nature, and the essence of life. Saimum is also a photography panelist for the University of Toronto's Hart House Camera Club, where he regularly contributes to discussions, critiques, and mentorship, helping to shape the next generation of photographers. Saimum's work has been published, exhibited, and awarded on national platforms, and his passion for poetry and visual storytelling continues to drive his work in Canada.
Panel:
Nabila Khan is a human rights lawyer specializing in international law, workers' rights, and business and human rights. She is currently a Research Associate at the University of Toronto, Faculty of Law's International Human Rights Program, where she contributes to the Program's research, litigation, and advocacy efforts on a broad range of human rights issues, including corporate accountability. Previously, Nabila practiced employment and human rights law at a boutique employment law firm in Toronto, worked with the Business and Human Rights Unit at the UN Office of the High Commissioner for Human Rights in Geneva, and guest lectured labour and employment law courses at Osgoode Hall Law School. She holds an LL.M. from Columbia University, a J.D. from Osgoode Hall Law School, and an Honours B.A. in Political Science and Communication Studies from McMaster University.
Asna Towfiq is a passionate professional with over 14 years of experience in social impact, international development, and gender equity. With a strong background in marketing, economics, and policy, she has worked extensively across Asia and Africa, leading policy and program initiatives in clean energy, women’s empowerment, and inclusive economic growth. Asna has worked for global organizations like the World Bank and the United Nations Foundation shaping impactful strategies for sustainable change. Asna launched her own podcast last year that amplifies the voices of resilient Bangladeshi women worldwide. She is also trained in Soul Coaching, and coaches women from her community to lead a more soul aligned, fulfilling life.
Raf Reza is a Bangladeshi-Canadian DJ and producer who weaves sonic connections between seemingly unrelated elements. Raf has touched many corners of Toronto’s music community over the last 10 years. Between curating the bins at Standard Time Record Shop and now running his record label Orphic Apparition, his ears are tuned to music coming from both the local and international community. His DJ and Live sets are genre-fluid in nature where tracks flow through a variety of tempos and sonic palettes. A handful of releases under Raf Reza and various aliases give nods to a wide range of influences. His debut album Ekbar (out via Telephone Explosion Records) creates a meeting point between Bangladeshi folk music with the UK Hardcore / Bass continuum. The elastic nature of his musical expression took him across several venues beyond North America, United Kingdom and Europe as well as landed him slots on Boiler Room and Keep Hush. You can also find him on internet radio stations NTS Radio, Clyde Built Radio (Glasgow) and more. Raf’s limitless reach will continue to morph the musical boundaries within dance-floors.
Tahsin Aman is an entrepreneur, industrial engineer, and purpose-driven leader dedicated to advancing education and business in Bangladesh. He is the Founder and Chairman of Ayat Education, which includes the Ayat Skill Development Center and Ayat College of Nursing and Health Sciences, offering both undergraduate and postgraduate programs. As Vice-Chairman of the Aman Group of Companies, he oversees ventures across textiles, insurance, and consumer goods. Tahsin has held prominent leadership roles, including President of the American Alumni Association and Entrepreneurs’ Organization Bangladesh. He presented his gamified student scholarship initiative at Stanford University during the 2016 Global Entrepreneurship Summit led by President Barack Obama and represented Bangladesh at the 2019 International Entrepreneurs’ Summit at the United Nations.
Event Partner:
Shadlee Jadeed is a multidisciplinary artist and creative professional with a career spanning photography, cinematography, music, and marketing. Since 2010, he has captured moments behind the lens and performed as the lead guitarist and lyricist for the Bangla death metal band Embrace of Death, sharing stages with bands like Severe Dementia and Orator. From 2013 to 2017, Shadlee appeared in over 15 commercials and multiple screen productions, becoming a brand ambassador for Airtel and Grameenphone. He’s worked with leading production houses in both on-screen and behind-the-scenes roles, including films like Paathshala and Jajabor. A former official photographer for the BPL’s Dhaka Dynamites, he later earned an MBA in the U.S., worked in art media, and now serves as a B2B Marketing Manager in Canada. He is also the founder of Toronto-based custom apparel brand Eeldahs and aims to transition into full-time wedding photography by 2025.
Sponsor:
Sanjay Singhal is a Canadian entrepreneur, author, and venture capitalist, widely recognized for founding Audiobooks.com, a pioneering service in the digital audio realm, which he sold in 2016. He then got into venture capital as General Partner for 500 Startups Canada, a fund dedicated to supporting innovative Canadian tech startups. Beyond his business achievements, Sanjay has authored the memoir “Zero to Tesla,” chronicling his journey from startup to success and the lessons learned along the way. His entrepreneurial spirit also led him to open Coffee Oysters Champagne, a unique bar experience as well as Runway06 in downtown Toronto. In a bold move to contribute to mental health solutions, Sanjay launched the Nikean Foundation, which supports groundbreaking research in psychedelics and novel therapeutic techniques. Sanjay’s personal struggles and triumphs, including overcoming bankruptcy and managing his bipolar diagnosis, are candidly shared in his engaging newsletter, “Sanjay Says.”
Sanjay is based in Toronto, Canada, where he lives with his wife, three children, and two dogs, none of whom are impressed by his resume.
Organizer:
B/deshi Toronto is a chapter of B/deshi, which connects the Bangladeshi diaspora + reinvents the global narrative about Bangaldesh.