News and Updates

What They’re Saying – AAPI Community: Like the majority of Americans, NCAPA and many of our members support President Obama’s nomination of Chief Judge Merrick Garland to the Supreme Court. In a White House blog by White House AAPI liaison Alissa Ko, see why AAPIs support the nomination and urge a timely vote for the nominee.

Advancing Justice conference held in Los Angeles: Asian Americans Advancing Justice convened its Advancing Justice conference last week, and NCAPA and many of its organizations, led by AAJC, presented, participated in, and learned from conversations focusing on social justice and civil rights in our communities. Search #AJC2016 and #AdvancingJustice on Twitter to see some highlights.

NCAPA applauds SCOTUS decision in ‘one person, one vote’ case: The Supreme Court unanimously ruled today that everyone is entitled to equal representation and states may create districts based on total population. NCAPA applauded this decision as a victory for our democracy.

APAICS releases studies measuring growth of AAPI participation in elected office: APAICS released two new resources last week that show the growing AAPI involvement in politics. The first resource and graphic show the number of AAPI candidates in each state, and APAICS also created a database of currently elected AAPI officials. Share the press release and studies on social media using #RisingAAPIs.

APALA responds to SCOTUS ruling on Friedrichs v. California Teachers Association case: APALA responded to last week’s Supreme Court victory that would have restricted the ability of working people, including teachers, police, firefighters and government workers, to come together in unions.

APIASF to increase higher education access for NHPI students: The Scholarship Fund announced that they will work with the Pacific Islander Access project to promote higher education access for Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders. The Pacific Islander Access project has worked to make sure underrepresented minority programs open their doors to NHPIs.

NCAPA in the News

#31Days of Feminism: Miriam Yeung: NAPAWF Executive Director and NCAPA Treasurer Miriam Yeung was featured by NBC in their #31Days of Feminism spotlight series for Women’s History Month. In her Q&A, Miriam discusses her definition of feminism and how we can all be feminists. The spotlight series was a collaboration between NBC Asian America, NBCBLK, and NBCLatino.

Separating Data on AAPI Communities Could Close Health Disparities: New America Media covered California’s Accounting for Health and Education in API Demographics (AHEAD) Act, AB 1726, and how the bill could help address health and education disparities in our communities. SEARAC has been leading the effort to disaggregate AAPI data in education, and NCAPA Chair Quyen Dinh is quoted in this piece.

Courtesy Calls Give Senators A Chance To Get To Know Supreme Court Nominees: NCAPA National Director Christopher Kang talked to Steve Inskeep on NPR Morning Edition about courtesy calls for Supreme Court nominees.

Advocates Concerned Bangladeshi Asylum Seekers May Be #Deported2Death: NBC Asian America reported on AAPI and Muslim American groups who have taken action against the possible deportation of 169 Bangladeshi political asylum seekers. APALA, who issued a statement on this issue, is quoted in the article.

Take Action!

• Sign the NQAPIA petition to tell the Department of Homeland Security to stop profiling. (Deadline: TODAY, April 4)

• Sign the AB 1726 petition to ensure AAPI communities are counted. (SEARAC website currently down)

• April is National Minority Health Month. Get tools and social media kits here.

• Join the #CallforNine today through Wednesday to tell Senate Republicans to #DoYourJob! More info: http://weneednine.org/take-action/call/

• Sign the AAJC petition to tell the Senate Judiciary Committee to stop the obstruction of President Obama’s Supreme Court nominee.

• Share your family reunification story with NCAPA’s immigration committee to help immigrant families by advocating for the Reuniting Families Act.

In Case You Missed It

Change the narrative and show that you’re #MoreThanBoba: An empowerment project by AAPI Data aims to tell stories to show that AAPIs are more than their consumer identities.

Welcoming Secretary John B. King Jr as co-chair of WHIAAPI: Department of Education Secretary King will co-chair the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders with Surgeon General Vivek Murthy. When Secretary King was confirmed, NCAPA congratulated him and his commitment to work for and with AAPI communities.

How I got here: from Macau to Chinatown, undocumented: Ivy Teng Lei, former OCA - New York board member, wrote in the Guardian about navigating life in Manhattan and the challenges she’s faced being undocumented.

Announcements

AT&T empowers Asian American millennials through “New GenerAsian” campaign: AT&T’s New GenerAsian campaign features Asian American millennials and a collection of their stories. They encourage you to join the conversation and share your photos using #newgenerasian.

3rd Annual Art as a Voice call for submissions: The Asian/Pacific Islander Domestic Violence Resource Project (DVRP) is looking for poetry, music, visual art, craft or objects from one’s own cultural identity as part of their annual Art as a Voice event to speak out against abuse. Contact Marie Ramos at [email protected] by April 14. The event will take place April 2 in D.C., and they are also looking for volunteers.

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 at https://apply.whitehouse.gov/, they should fill out this form, which will go to NCAPA and APAICS: http://goo.gl/forms/8Lnjv3G4oB

NCAPA Events

• Wednesday, April 6 @ 11:30 a.m.: NAKASEC to announce summer youth empowerment program in Annandale

• Saturday, April 9 @ 6:30-11:00 p.m.: NQAPIA Community Catalyst Awards in D.C.

• Tuesday, April 12: Rally in support of AB 1726 in Sacramento. More details to come.

• Monday, April 18 @ 6:00-8:00 p.m.: NAKASEC’s National AAPI/DACA Video Tour Launch at the AFL-CIO in D.C.

Other Events

• Tuesday, April 5 @ 7:00 p.m.: We Too Sing America Author Talk with Deepa Iyer in D.C.

• Tuesday, April 12 @ 2:00 - 3:00 p.m.: Congressional Briefing on Integration of Immigrants into American Society at Dirksen Senate Office Building

• Monday, April 18: DACA/DAPA Rally at SCOTUS. More details to come.

Job and Internship Openings

New - APIASF & Pacific Islander Access Project: Internship in D.C.

APALA: Communications and Development Coordinator in D.C. (Deadline: April 29)

APAICS: Fellowship Program (Deadline: April 29)

SALDEF: Executive Director

NAPAWF: Policy & Legislative Affairs Director in D.C.

HND/HAP: Policy Director in St. Paul, MN

NAPABA: Meetings Coordinator in D.C.

National CAPACD: Civic Engagement Coordinator in D.C.

Program Assistant in Oakland, CA

SAALT: Community Partnerships Coordinator in Takoma Park, MD or New York, NY

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