APIDAHM 2026 Keynote: A Conversation with Sarah Thankam Mathews
APIDA Heritage Month
Event Details
The 2026 Asian Pacific Islander Desi American Heritage Month Planning Committee is proud to present our Keynote for UW-Madison’s 2026 APIDA Heritage Month: Sarah Thankam Mathews!
Sarah Thankam Mathews ‘17 is an Indian-Omani author known for her rich and intimate storytelling. Her debut novel, All This Could Be Different, is a National Book Award finalist and New York Times Editor's Choice. It was also named a Best Book of the Year by NPR, Vogue, TIME, and more. She is the founder of the mutual aid network Bed-Stuy Strong. Sarah is a UW–Madison alum and served as President of WUD in 2012-2013.
Please join us in welcoming Sarah back to campus as our APIDA Heritage Month Keynote Event, a moderated Q&A in the Symphony Room, Gordon Dining and Event Center on Thursday, April 16, 2026, at 7:00 PM. Doors open at 6:30 PM (reserved seats will be held until 6:15 PM, at which point those without reservations will be admitted if there is space remaining, first come, first served).
Sarah will be available for autographs after the event, and books will be on sale on site by A Room Of One's Own.
This is an official APIDA Heritage Month event organized by the APIDA Heritage Month Planning Committee, which is part of the Multicultural Student Center.
For questions and accommodations, please email apidasc@studentaffairs.wisc.edu or call at 608-262-4503.
We value inclusion and access for all participants and are pleased to provide reasonable accommodations for this event. Please call 608-262-4503 (voice only) or email apidasc@studentlife.wisc.edu to make a disability-related accommodation request. Reasonable effort will be made to support your request.