Sher Vancouver founder and social activist honoured with award for social justice work
Alex Sangha, who works to amplify marginalized voices, was presented the King Charles III Coronation Medal
Alex Sangha founded Sher Vancouver in 2008. (Submitted)
Sher Vancouver founder Alex Sangha often doesn’t have time to go shopping for formal clothing as a social worker and counsellor.
However, when Sangha received a call from Delta North MLA Ravi Kahlon notifying him that he was awarded with the King Charles III Coronation Medal, he knew it was time to find the perfect outfit for the occasion. He received recognition for his social work at a ceremony on Sept. 12.
The King Charles III Coronation Medal honours the contributions people make in their community and the work they do to make the lives of others better each day. Curtis Miller Joe, a child and youth care worker, as well as Val Windsor, Delta School District chairperson and a retired teacher, received the award alongside Sangha.
Sher Vanouver is a non-profit charity for 2SLGBTQIA+ South Asians and allies, which Sangha founded in 2008. He also developed Sher Films to produce documentaries and co-founded the Sundar Prize Film Festival, which celebrates impactful films that promote social justice and underrepresented voices.
“The moment I listened to Ravi’s speech during the ceremony, I almost teared up,” Sangha wrote in an email statement to The Runner.
“His words were truly touching as he highlighted my advocacy and human rights work within the LGBTQ+ community and the challenges I faced in the South Asian community. It was an emotional moment for me because I never imagined someone as prominent as Ravi would not only recognize my struggle but also deeply understand and support it.”
Sangha has worked to support marginalized and vulnerable South Asians in the LGBTQIA+ community who face challenges due to their gender, sexuality, and cultural background. He provides them with a safe, inclusive space and aims to reduce alienation and promote understanding.
Beyond his work through Sher Vancouver, he has taken his contributions to the multimedia field. He produced the documentary My Name Was January, which highlighted the life of January Marie Lapuz, a transgender woman of colour who was tragically murdered.
In terms of the Sundar Prize Film Festival, Sangha wrote that it has “grown into an important platform for filmmakers committed to change.”
Sangha finds receiving the King Charles III Coronation Medal is a celebration of his identity, boosting his self-esteem and sense of belonging.
“It feels empowering to know that society is telling me I should feel proud of who I am, and that my work and journey are being validated in such a meaningful way,” he wrote.
“This recognition provides me with an even stronger platform to continue my mission and advocacy for marginalized individuals.”
Being the home of his foundation and location for projects, the North Delta community has a special place in Sangha’s heart.
“I’ve lived here for many decades, and the community has been an essential part of both my personal and professional life,” he wrote. “It has supported my journey and the growth of Sher Vancouver, and I’m incredibly grateful for the connection I have with this community.”
Looking towards the future, Sangha already has established goals, setting his sights on an upcoming documentary titled, I, Migrant, which will portray the experiences of Indian immigrants in their search for a better life in Canada.
Sangha says all his work is interconnected, and it all stems from the same desire — “to uplift and empower those who are marginalized.”
“Ultimately, it’s another way of doing social work — using different platforms to advocate for social justice and create a more equitable world.”
