Kunal Tanna is the assistant to the general manager of the Kansas City Chiefs. He is proud of his Gujarati Indian heritage. A tradition he is especially fond of is Navratri, a nine-day festival, which honors Durga, the goddess. Kunal’s father was from Mumbai, India. His late mother was born in Kampala, Uganda, which she left, due to Idi Amin’s dictatorship, moving to London, England. Kunal’s advice for young people, who, like him, are first-generation Americans? “Do not let anyone tell you that you can’t do anything you set your mind to, especially in sports. Growing up, most of us were pushed academically to become doctors, lawyers, or engineers. If you did not reach any of these professions, you were deemed as a failure. People might look at you and see your physical appearance and stereotype you. You and only YOU can create the real version of yourself.” 

Featured in the May 13, 2023 issue of The Independent.