July Newsletter

California Democratic Party Executive Board Meeting Week of August 22-August 24

The Summer E-Board meeting will be online, and is scheduled for the week of August 22-24. Registration is open now at https://cadem.org/executive-board/ Our Caucus will have an online membership meeting as part of the conference. Details and time to follow.

Welcome Anish Mohanty & Talavou (Vou) Aumavae

Anish Mohanty is joining us as our Digital Outreach Chair. Anish is a digital strategist, political communicator, and proud Asian American organizer based in the Bay Area. He has led digital strategy for progressive campaigns at the national, state, and local levels, including for U.S. Senator Ed Markey and California Treasurer Fiona Ma. He previously served as Communications Director for both Gen-Z for Change and Assemblymember Liz Ortega, helping shape advocacy and communications strategies grounded in authenticity and youth-driven action. Anish first discovered the power of storytelling at 16, when he produced a documentary about children at Adruta Children’s Home in Odisha, India. The project raised funds for new facilities and sparked his belief that creative media could be a tool for justice. He has since worked to blend aesthetics with advocacy—experimenting with cinematic video, campaign photography, and platform innovation to move people and shape narratives. For his work uplifting community voices, he received the Manorama Memorial Award in 2022 and the Youth Service Award in 2024 from the Odia Society of the Americas. In addition to his role with the AAPI Caucus, Anish serves as Communications Officer for the California Democratic Party Progressive Caucus, a Steering Committee Member of the Working Families Party, a Board Member of Project Super Bloom PAC, and Communications Co-Chair of the San Mateo County AAPI Alliance. He is also an Arts & Culture Commissioner and Sister Cities Committee Member for Union City, California. As Digital Outreach Chair, Anish is focused on deepening the AAPI Caucus’s digital presence through storytelling that reflects our communities, content that inspires civic action, and strategies that make politics feel more human, creative, and connected. https://aapicaucus.com/digital-outreach-chair/

Talavou (Vou) Aumavae is joining us as our Professional Development Chair. Talavou is a dedicated community organizer, civic leader, and political science graduate whose work centers on empowering Pacific Islander communities and advancing equity through culturally rooted initiatives. With over a decade of experience in advocacy, nonprofit leadership, and public service, Talavou has consistently championed the inclusion and visibility of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) voices in civic and policy spaces. As the Founder and President of the Pacific Islander Democratic Club in San Mateo County—one of the nation’s first of its kind—Talavou has been instrumental in building political power and engagement within the PI community. Their leadership in voter outreach efforts, including as Chair for NHPI coalitions in multiple presidential campaigns, has mobilized historically underrepresented communities to the ballot box. Whether serving on the board of Samoan Solutions, leading student organizations like the Pacific Islander Student Association at SFSU, or coordinating cultural education programs, Talavou brings a deep sense of purpose rooted in service, identity, and justice. Their vision is grounded in collective liberation and the belief that Pacific Islanders deserve not only a seat at the table, but the power to shape it. https://aapicaucus.com/about-us/executive-board/professional-development-chair/

Community Events Calendar Saturday, July 26 Edwin M. Lee Asian Pacific Democratic Club – Chinatown Food Tour https://www.edleedems.org/news/7-26-democrats-on-the-move-exploring-the-heart-of-chinatown-with-special-guest-supervisor-danny-sauter Thursday, July 31 Last day to apply for San Mateo County AAPI Alliance’s Rising Stars Fellowship, https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLSd62ZISwZh6MCNxj816lQ7AO67qLo8km-e2C1iz-_mh54oQQQ/viewform Thursday, Sept 11: Asian Pacific American Democratic Caucus of Alameda County Annual Membership Meeting and Fundraiser – Alameda, CA https://secure.actblue.com/donate/din25 Renew your Caucus Membership for 2025 Memberships are now by calendar year, so if you haven’t renewed yet for 2025, it’s time to renew your caucus membership! To pay dues, go to https://cadem.org/caucuses/ and click on Caucus Dues. AAPI Caucus Dues: Annual Dues (January – December) Student / 65+ : $5 Standard Dues: $20 Lifetime Member Dues: $250 Lifetime Sustaining Member Dues: $500