Leadership
The people behind
the work.
Umar John
Umar John is the Founder and Chairman of Hummingbird Art and Culture Foundation Ltd., a nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing art, cinema, cultural heritage and community dialogue.
A filmmaker, producer, musician, poet, entrepreneur and multidisciplinary artist, Umar has spent much of his creative life bringing stories, artists and communities together. His work is guided by a simple belief: art should not remain confined to studios, galleries or screens — it should enter public life, create conversation and connect people across cultures.
Through the Foundation, he has developed platforms for filmmakers, visual artists, performers and cultural voices whose work deserves wider recognition. His leadership brings together creative vision, cultural advocacy and community service, with a particular commitment to South Asian American artists and audiences in the Washington, D.C.–Maryland region.
A journey through storytelling
Umar’s creative journey began through film and media. Over the years his work has expanded across filmmaking, television, music, cultural programming, public events and artist development.
As President and CEO of Hummingbird Film Studios, he has worked to support independent storytelling and develop projects capable of reaching audiences beyond geographic and cultural boundaries. His experience as a filmmaker continues to shape the Foundation’s approach: every exhibition, screening and cultural gathering is treated as an opportunity to tell a meaningful story.
For Umar, filmmaking is not simply entertainment. It is a way of preserving memory, questioning the present and allowing people to recognize themselves — and one another — through shared human experiences.
Establishing the Foundation
Umar founded Hummingbird Art and Culture Foundation to create a lasting nonprofit platform for art, film and cultural exchange. The Foundation was established in Virginia in 2017 and re-established in Maryland in 2022.
From its earliest initiatives its purpose has been to recognize creative achievement, support underrepresented voices and create public occasions where art and community can meet. Under his leadership the Foundation has presented cultural gatherings, artist-recognition initiatives, film programs, public conversations and community events.
Founder’s vision
Umar envisions the Foundation as an open cultural platform — rooted in South Asian heritage while welcoming artists and audiences from every background. His long-term vision is to build sustainable opportunities for emerging and established artists, expand access to meaningful cultural experiences, and develop partnerships with museums, universities, filmmakers, arts institutions and community organizations.
“Art carries our memory, our identity and our possibilities. When we create space for artists and audiences to meet, culture does not simply survive — it moves forward.”
Umar John
Beyond the Foundation
Alongside his work with the Foundation, Umar continues to develop projects through Hummingbird Film Studios and related creative initiatives. His interests span independent cinema, cultural documentaries, music, poetry, live programming and emerging forms of digital storytelling. Across these disciplines his focus remains consistent: supporting authentic expression and creating work that carries emotional, artistic and social meaning.
A message from Umar John
“Culture lives through people — through the stories we tell, the music we remember, the images we create and the traditions we pass from one generation to the next.
Hummingbird Art and Culture Foundation was created to provide artists and storytellers with a platform, but also to create a place where communities can come together. We want audiences to experience art not as something distant, but as something alive, personal and shared.
Our journey is still growing. We welcome artists, filmmakers, educators, institutions, volunteers and supporters who believe that creativity can build understanding and bring people closer.”
Board of Directors
Hummingbird Art and Culture Foundation Ltd. is governed by a Board of Directors committed to advancing the Foundation’s charitable mission and ensuring that its programs serve artists, audiences and communities with integrity.
The Board provides strategic guidance, financial oversight and organizational accountability. Its members help protect the Foundation’s nonprofit purpose, review major policies and partnerships, oversee potential conflicts of interest and support the responsible development of its arts, film and cultural programs.
Together, the directors bring community experience, institutional knowledge and a shared belief in the power of art and culture to encourage understanding, preserve heritage and connect people across backgrounds.
Dr. Sajid Tarar
Dr. Sajid Tarar is a Pakistani American entrepreneur, social-service leader, political analyst and community advocate with extensive experience in nonprofit leadership, public engagement and cross-cultural dialogue.
He serves as Executive Director and Chief Executive Officer of the Center for Social Change, a Maryland-based organization providing services and opportunities for individuals with intellectual and developmental disabilities. Through this work he has supported initiatives focused on dignity, inclusion, independent living and improved quality of life.
Dr. Tarar is also widely recognized for his participation in civic and public-policy conversations affecting Muslim Americans, Pakistani Americans and the wider South Asian diaspora. His work has brought him into national and international discussions concerning community representation, public service and United States–South Asia relations.
As a Director of the Foundation, Dr. Tarar contributes leadership experience, nonprofit insight and a commitment to community participation. He supports the Foundation’s efforts to develop responsible partnerships, expand public engagement and use cultural programming as a platform for understanding among diverse communities.
He also serves on the Advisory Board of the Hollywood International Film Festival, a flagship initiative organized by the Foundation.
Dr. Jasdip Singh Jesse
Dr. Jasdip Singh Jesse is an Indian American entrepreneur, strategist and respected Sikh community leader. He is the Founder and Chairman of Sikhs of America Inc., an organization dedicated to strengthening Sikh representation, encouraging public service and building constructive relationships between communities.
Through decades of community engagement, Dr. Jesse has worked to promote unity, youth participation, interfaith understanding and recognition of Sikh contributions to American society. His leadership has connected community organizations, public officials, cultural representatives and members of the wider Indian American diaspora.
Dr. Jesse believes that cultural identity and active citizenship can work together to strengthen American society. His public work consistently emphasizes service, mutual respect and cooperation across religious and cultural boundaries.
As a Director of the Foundation, he provides strategic guidance on community relations, cultural partnerships and public engagement. His experience supports the Foundation’s mission to bring artists, institutions and audiences together through film, visual arts, cultural events and meaningful dialogue.
Dr. Jesse also serves on the Advisory Board of the Hollywood International Film Festival, where he supports the festival’s mission to recognize filmmakers and encourage international cultural exchange.
Akram Butt
Akram Butt serves as a Director of the Foundation. As a member of the Board he shares responsibility for protecting the Foundation’s charitable purpose, reviewing major organizational decisions and supporting the responsible growth of its cultural programs.
He contributes to Board discussions concerning strategy, community engagement, partnerships and long-term development.
Asad Khan
Asad Khan serves on the Board of Directors, contributing to the Foundation’s governance, strategic development and community-centered mission.
As a Director he assists the Board in reviewing programs, partnerships and organizational priorities, and supports the development of accessible cultural events.
Ashar Asgher
Ashar Asgher is a Director of the Foundation. He supports the Board’s responsibility for organizational accountability, strategic planning and the advancement of the nonprofit mission.
Through his Board service he contributes to discussions concerning program development, operations, community participation and long-term sustainability.
Naseer Haider
Naseer Haider serves as a Director of the Foundation. In this role he participates in governance and strategic oversight, and supports the development of its arts, film and cultural initiatives.
He works with fellow directors to strengthen community relationships and ensure that activities remain aligned with the Foundation’s charitable objectives.
Iqra Saleem
Iqra Saleem serves on the Board of Directors, supporting the mission to advance artistic expression, cultural heritage and inclusive community engagement.
As a Director she participates in organizational planning, policy review and program oversight, contributing to efforts to welcome new audiences and create accessible opportunities for cultural exchange.
Munaza Umar Farooq
Munaza Umar Farooq is a Director of the Foundation. She supports its governance, administrative continuity and commitment to responsible nonprofit service.
As a member of the Board she contributes to organizational planning, program review and community engagement.
Board responsibilities
- Protecting the Foundation’s charitable purpose
- Establishing organizational policies and strategic priorities
- Providing financial oversight and reviewing major expenditures
- Reviewing programs, projects and institutional partnerships
- Maintaining an appropriate conflict-of-interest policy
- Supporting ethical fundraising, sponsorships and donor stewardship
- Monitoring legal and nonprofit compliance
- Evaluating organizational risks and long-term sustainability
- Promoting inclusive and accessible cultural programming
- Protecting the Foundation’s reputation and public trust
Governance statement
Members of the Board are expected to act in the best interests of Hummingbird Art and Culture Foundation Ltd. and its charitable mission. Directors disclose potential conflicts of interest, maintain appropriate confidentiality and exercise independent judgment when reviewing Foundation matters.
Board membership reflects service to the organization and its mission. Empty positions, unapproved titles and placeholder leadership categories are not published on this website.