Infusion

Your curated blend of Culture, Connection, and Community

Author

IdentiTea Collective
February 05, 2026 • Estimated Reading Time: 3 minutes

Welcome to Infusion, the official newsletter of IdentiTea Collective

We hope you all are having a great start to 2026!

In our last issue, we mentioned that we have some exciting news so we’re thrilled to share that the IdentiTea team has grown! 💚 Niji Shah has stepped in as our Head of Marketing. 🌟 Niji was part of LinkedIn’s Asian employee resource group with Josh and now she works at Salesforce with Rae Rae. She will help us tell the IdentiTea story through creative content and fun but impactful events. 🎊 

Spill the Tea

Meet our newest team member, Niji Shah, joining as Head of Marketing! Learn more about what drives her “Why?”

“There is no greater power on this earth than story” - Libba Bray

Despite my brown skin, I have been surrounded by predominantly white demographics. I was born in North Carolina and moved to Indiana where I later attended a PWI and have spent the last 5 years working in tech sales amidst a sea of Chads & Brads. It would have been easy to view belonging through the lens of assimilation. However, I was resistant to the thought of diluting myself to feel accepted. 

Read the full story to see how Niji defines and creates pockets of belonging in both her personal and professional life.

Engagement Corner

January 24th: After the Afters x Gangnam Market DJ Popup

Photo Courtesy of @afterthe.afters IG - linked below.

Community Spotlight: @afterthe.afters 🎧

On January 24th, After the Afters hosted their FIRST DJ popup event at an Asian grocery store and the turnout was amazing. Bringing people together in the most organic way through music, food, dance, and culture. There was something there for just about everyone!

If you haven’t already, go show them love and follow @afterthe.afters on Instagram to stay tapped into their popup series like Sips & Spins, Soundbites, and Mix & Match. They’re spotlighting local DJs, supporting small businesses, and building community throughout Chicago and planning on scaling even bigger with their events in 2026.