Who we are

The people behind DEN.

A volunteer board of teachers, artists, builders and storytellers who believe every family in Metro Detroit should get to try a new art form, and share their own.

Nandita Bajaj

Founding member

Her passion for people, culture, and cohesiveness drives her.
Read Nandita's story

About

Nandita is an entrepreneur, teacher, dancer, and a student for life. She was born and raised in India and has lived in the area for over 25 years. Nandita is a founding member of Diversity Exchange Network.

Background

Nandita Bajaj is the Cultural Ambassador at Center for Performance Arts and Learning, where she works to make arts accessible to all and bring the community together through the Arts, Dance, and Music. She also teaches second language classes and dance. She is an Early Childhood Montessori Certified Teacher with an MBA.

Why DEN?

Her passion for people, culture, and cohesiveness drives her. She enjoys working with students and people of all ages, as well as the diversity and collaborative nature of her work.

Ajay Arora

Board member

Keeping an open mind and providing opportunities to everyone to share their talents and learn.
Read Ajay's story

About

Ajay loves to be outside, and plays golf almost on the verge of being a golf addict.

Background

Ajay is an IT Executive with over 30 years of experience. He is currently leading teams at Centroid Systems LLC as Chief Technology Officer. Prior to his current role, Ajay led teams at various organizations, leading to referenceable and successful deployments.

Why DEN?

DEN's idea is to promote various cultural ventures, and that jives with the thought process of keeping an open mind and providing opportunities to everyone to share their talents and learn. That initiative is what prompted me to join the board and devote my time to further DEN's mission.

Abhilasha Singh

Board member

Access to dance, music, and artistic expression shouldn't be limited to those who already have it.
Read Abhilasha's story

About

Abhilasha Singh brings a global sensibility and a pan-cultural identity shaped by roots across multiple places. Her love of storytelling runs through everything she does, from photography and cinema to food culture and dance.

Background

Abhilasha comes from an advertising background, having spent years working across agencies on integrated campaigns before stepping away to pursue an M.S. in Strategic Design & Global Leadership at Parsons School of Design. She's drawn to narratives about migration, community, and cultural identity, and to systems thinking as a way of understanding how communities and creative ecosystems grow and sustain themselves. Her longer-term ambitions lie in documentary filmmaking and publishing, telling stories about underrepresented communities.

Why DEN?

Abhilasha joined DEN to help support the arts and the communities that cultivate and foster it. She believes access to dance, music, and artistic expression shouldn't be limited to those who already have it, and wants to help build the network's reach into more communities. Outside of board work, she loves photography, exploring food culture, watching films, and building community through visual and cultural storytelling.

Edee Franklin

Board member

Bringing diverse cultures and the arts to communities who might not otherwise have the opportunity.
Read Edee's story

About

Edee Franklin is an Associate Broker with Max Broock Realtors and the founder of Sanctum House, a long-term residential program for women survivors of human trafficking. She pairs a successful real estate career with hands-on advocacy in the fight against trafficking.

Background

With over 25 years of experience helping buyers and sellers across the Detroit Metro and Tri-County areas, Edee runs a referral-based business known for clear communication and a people-first approach. She holds degrees in psychology and special education from Wayne State University.

Why DEN?

Edee joined DEN to bring diverse cultures and the arts to communities who might not otherwise have the opportunity to experience dance, music, and other forms of artistic expression. Outside of work, Edee loves to cook (and eat!), enjoys the movies, storytelling, and public speaking.

Duriya Lakdawala

Board member

An organization that works with integrity and is transparent in how and where funds are used.
Read Duriya's story

About

I love a good book to get lost into. I am reinventing myself and looking inwards to bring the change outwards. Married to a kind, loving and hardworking husband of 38 years. We have 2 adult children, our dog Oden and cat Babette.

Background

I have a Bachelors in Business Studies with a minor in Accounting and a major in Finance (banker by profession).

Why DEN?

I wanted to be a part of an organization that worked with integrity and was transparent in how and where funds were used. I also deeply felt the need for an organization that put their dollars into Diversity in the Arts & Culture as a medium used to express oneself constructively. There is so much energy out there in the world among children and adults that would benefit from streamlining positively.

Kaycee Miller

Board member

Bio coming soon.

Join us

Carry a tradition? Teach it here.

We're always looking for culture bearers, volunteers and partners. Artists from the tradition lead every DEN workshop, and we credit them by name.

Get involved