When Brooklyn artist Ro Maharjan was first approached to design a logo for Brooklyn Nets Asian American and Pacific Islander Night, they thought the message might be a scam.
“It felt so surreal,” Maharjan told BK Reader. “It was such a huge honor to be able to represent my heritage and the AAPI community at large in this way.”
A self-taught illustrator of Nepalese descent, Maharjan set out to create a design celebrating the interconnectedness of their family’s heritage and the diverse communities that make Brooklyn unique.
That spirit of connection carried throughout the evening at Barclays Center. The arena was electric as fans enjoyed Aiko ice cream samples, origami-making activities and appearances by special guests representing five different AAPI cultures, who helped announce the starting lineups. The celebration also coincided with the Nets’ first home win of the 2026-27 season.
AAPI Night has been part of the Nets Unite program since its launch in 2021.
“The idea is that these nights shouldn’t just be about what happens during a game,” said Becky Kimbro, senior vice president of marketing for Brooklyn Sports & Entertainment. “They should create opportunities for people to connect, learn about one another and celebrate what makes their communities unique.”
Exploring Chaos and Interconnectedness
“Ro’s work really stood out to us because of the way they explore community and connection through their art,” Kimbro said.
“Brooklyn is home to so many different cultures and communities, and we wanted to build a platform that celebrated that diversity in a way that felt authentic to the borough.”
Maharjan said Nepalese architecture, much of which embraces maximalist design, inspired their approach. They saw an opportunity to bring that visual richness into a project celebrating Brooklyn, a borough shaped by countless cultures and traditions.
“There’s just so many things to include,” Maharjan said. They wanted the design to feel chaotic while maintaining a clear throughline of interconnectedness.
Maharjan’s designs also reflected the warmth and celebratory spirit of Nepalese culture. With the Nepalese festival of Tihar approaching, they said, they wanted the artwork to evoke a celebration of life, community and togetherness.
The project was especially meaningful for Maharjan’s family. Their parents drove from Indiana to see the designs in person.
“It means so much to see everything coming together,” Maharjan told BK Reader at the Nets team shop, where their parents had the opportunity to see the merchandise featuring their work.
“We are so proud,” their dad said.
Honoring Brooklyn’s Communities
For Maharjan, art is one of the things that continues to connect them to Brooklyn. After living in Crown Heights for four years, they now call Bed-Stuy home. The borough’s neighborhoods and residents played a central role in shaping the designs.
Before beginning the project, Maharjan spent days walking around the city, observing the people and places that make Brooklyn what it is.
“I spent a day or two just walking around and seeing everyone, going to the double shop, going to the bodega, going to the parks and the community gardens, just absorbing, sketching so many people and moments,” Maharjan said.
That process reflected the very spirit of the project: celebrating the borough's cultural richness while drawing inspiration from the everyday details of neighborhood life. Maharjan’s work brought together a deep connection to their Nepalese heritage and an appreciation for the people and places that define Brooklyn.
“I don’t think [the opportunity] would have happened if I hadn't been in Brooklyn for the past few years,” Maharjan said.
To learn more about Nets Unite programming, visit the official Nets Unite page.
Upcoming Nets Unite celebrations include Noche Latina, Pride Night, Chinese New Year, Black History Month, Caribbean Carnival, HBCU Homecoming and Women’s Impact Night.
