News and Updates

NCAPA calls for support for LGBTQ community following Orlando tragedy: After the horrific hate crime last weekend, NCAPA members issued messages of solidarity. NQAPIA provided a list of resources on their website that includes helplines and counseling. As we mourn the lives lost, we also call for unity and oppose homophobia, anti-Muslim bigotry, xenophobia and fear.

Letter sent to cable news networks about under representation of AAPIs in their programming: NCAPA and Reappropriate were joined by more than 20 AAPI civic and civil rights organizations in sending an open letter to MSNBC, CNN and Fox News about the lack of AAPI voices on cable news networks. Read the full letter: http://bit.ly/AAPIMediaLetter. The Asian American Journalists Association also stated its opposition to offensive on-air comments directed toward our communities.

Four-year anniversary of DACA celebrated Wednesday: On the fourth anniversary of the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) program, NCAPA issued a statement stressing the need to do more outreach, as more than 100,000 Asian Americans are eligible but have not applied. We also anticipate the U.S. v Texas decision, which will determine if the President’s executive actions on immigration will go through. OCA and NAKASEC also marked the fourth anniversary.

AAPI education listening sessions held in California: Last weekend, SEARAC, APALA, OCA, NCAPA and NEA hosted listening sessions for the Every Students Succeeds Act (ESSA) in Sacramento, Fresno and Long Beach, California. The events were attended by community leaders, local officials and the Department of Education and discussed the impact of the new law on the AAPI communities.

APIAHF applauds introduction of comprehensive health equity bill: The Congressional Tri-Caucus introduced The Health Equity and Accountability Act of 2016 (HEAA). APIAHF applauded the bill, which addresses the health and health disparities experienced by minority and underserved communities.

APALA applauds filibuster calling for stronger gun control measures: APALA welcomed the 15-hour filibuster to move on stronger gun control measures, such as expanding background checks and closing the loophole on gun availability for individuals on U.S. terrorism watch lists.

NAPAWF represents AAPIs during United State of Women Summit: Several NCAPA organizations, including NAPAWF members and staff, participated in and joined the United State of Women Summit. NAPAWF Executive Director Miriam Yeung gave remarks during a seminar about advancing opportunity for women and girls of color. Read her full remarks.

APIASF holds annual Higher Education Summit: APIASF held its 7th annual higher education summit Thursday and discussed preparing AAPI college students for the future and how to accelerate student access. Department of Education Secretary John B. King, Jr. was the keynote speaker.

Nielsen report reveals new data on Asian American consumers: Chris Kang spoke at a Congressional panel hosted by Nielsen and APAICS Thursday on the latest Nielsen consumer report about Asian Americans. Kang noted that although the report highlights the importance of Asian Americans’ growing consumer power, we must take in account the diversity of our communities and not allow such data to perpetuate the model minority myth.

Philadelphia to host NaFFAA empowerment conference: NaFFAA announced its conference to be held in Philadelphia in August. The conference will discuss the U.S. presidential elections, civic engagement, leadership and more.

NCAPA National Director Christopher Kang appointed to board of American Constitution Society: Our director Chris Kang was appointed to the Board of Directors of the American Constitution Society, a progressive legal organization.

NCAPA in the News

In Mic, Zak Cheney Rice featured NQAPIA’s letter from Asian American parents to their LGBTQ children in support of Orlando victims.

In NBC Asian America, Frances Kai-Hwa Wang wrote about the solidarity from Muslim and AAPI groups following the Orlando tragedy. NQAPIA and SAALT are among those included.

In a Christian Daily article, Rachael Lee wrote about KCCD’s ninth annual Lighting the Community Summit and mentioned participation by our director Chris Kang, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC’s Mee Moua, APAICS’ Floyd Mori, and APIA Vote’s Christine Chen.

In a Huffington Post blog, Ben de Guzman wrote about Philippine Independence Day and mentioned our director Chris Kang.

Take Action!

New

Organizational sign-on: Support the Mikulski, Baldwin, and Hirono Amendment to prevent hate crimes and to effectively investigate and prosecute them when they occur.

Ongoing

• Tell us your #ImmigrationStoryIn5Words: Celebrate Immigrant Heritage Month by tweeting and blogging your immigration story.

• Tell Majority Leader McConnell it’s Time for #JusticeReformNOW: The Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights is collecting postcards to send to Majority Leader McConnell to show the wide range of support for the Sentencing Reform and Corrections Act. Send a postcard here.

• Share #MyAPALife with CAAM: Share a picture or video — of your family, friends and the experiences that are important to you with the hashtag #MyAPALife and watch the conversation unfold. View the social hub.

• Register to vote and encourage others to register at www.apiavote.org/register

• Join the open letter of AANHPI organizations in support of affirmative action: asianamericancivilrights.org

• Show your support for Filipino World War II veterans: Support the letter as an individual here.

• Sign the MPower Change Petition: Tell Southwest Airlines: End Discrimination Against Arab and Muslim Passengers

In Case You Missed It

In Everyday Feminism - 8 Ways Allies Can Show Up For the Queer Community After Orlando, Milo Todd lists the ways you can go beyond thoughts and prayers to be there for your LGBTQ friends.

In Diverse Elders Coalition - My Father’s Garden, Jon Melegrito writes about how his way of planting seeds has been passed down through generations of Filipino Americans. He recognizes that he learned these traditions from his father who also fought in WWII but never received a gold medal.  

In the Huffington Post - Denying Anti-Asian American Bias: The Five Stages, Frank Wu writes a blog post about the five steps in which Americans ignore Asian Americans experience with racism.

Announcements

USCIS Filipino World War II Veterans Program applications open: Translations about the parole program are available in Tagalog. Go to www.uscis.gov/fwvp to learn more.

JACL Kakehashi Project application period open:  The Kakehashi Project allows youth to travel to Japan all expenses paid for about 8 days. The project allows youth to establish cross-cultural relationships with those in Japan. There are three trips to Japan yearly during the fall, winter and spring. For the fall trip the application is due July 15, 2016. The winter and spring trips are due Oct. 1, 2016. You can learn more about the Kakehashi Project here.

APIAVote is looking for youth stories: APIAVote and partners are looking for young AANHPIs that can share their stories to be part of a digital campaign launching this summer. They need these stories by this weekend to be considered. Learn more→apiavote.org/callout-stories

Candidates needed for Appointments Project: The White House Presidential Personnel Office is continuing to develop slates for principal, assistant to principal and functional positions. NCAPA and APAICS work with PPO in diversity outreach and are seeking individuals who are interested in an appointment positions for various levels, roles and background experience for agencies. Please help us to identify ideal appointment candidates who are AAPI. Once candidates complete the online application athttps://apply.whitehouse.gov/, they should fill out this form, which will go to NCAPA and APAICS:http://goo.gl/forms/8Lnjv3G4oB

Partner Announcement

Comcast NBCUniversal Donates $1 Million to OneOrlando Fund: The OneOrlando fund will support local non-profit organizations mobilizing to help victims and their families, the LGBTQ, Hispanic and all other affected communities.

Events

• Saturday, June 18 - Sunday, June 19: “No No Boy” at the Burke Theater. Presented by Pan Asian Repertory.

• Tuesday, June 21 @ 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. ET: AAJC Presentation & Discussion of Survey: Perceptions of Asian Americans. Sign up to the join the webinar.

• Wednesday, June 22 @ 6:00 - 8:00 p.m. : CAPAL Session II: Election 2016 at Capitol Visitor Center

• Friday, June 24 @ 9:30 - 10:30 a.m.: SEARAC Briefing: Automatic Injustice at 122 Cannon HOB

• Friday, June 24 @ 5:30 p.m.: Center for APA Women APAWLI DC Reception at NEA

• Monday, June 27 @ 12:30 - 1:30 p.m.: NCAPA Summer Brown Bag Series Session I - What is a Health Center. Look out for RSVP form next week.

Job and Internship Openings

See NCAPA postings on ncapaonline.org/opportunities

External job (including Hill) opportunities:http://bit.ly/NCAPAexternaljobs