Save the Date: The Fall Endorsing Convention is coming up! Registration and hotel reservations will open on September 12. We will have a Caucus Meeting during the convention, date and time TBD.
Thank you for attending our meeting in Visalia! Thank you to everyone who joined us at our Central Valley Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander panel discussion this weekend at the Visalia California Democratic Party conference! Special thanks to our panelists Uriah Kishon Ikaika Napaepae Blackwell, Leng Power, Assemblymember Dr. Jasmeet Bains, and Lilian Thaoxaochay, as well as our moderator and Central Valley Vice Chair, Riverbank Vice Mayor Rachel Hernandez.
AC Transit Redistricting The Alameda and Contra Costa Transit District is currently switching to fully districted elections. Maps and Comments on Communities of Interest can be submitted online or at public workshops. Please visit https://www.actransit.org/redistricting for details.
Upcoming AAPI Events AAPI Leadership Summit by Asm. Evan Low and the AAPI Legislative Caucus September 7 and 8, 2023, Sacramento, CA https://aapileadershipsummit.org/home Asian Democrats of Los Angeles County Inaugural Awards Gala Originally scheduled for Aug 20, this event was rescheduled due to the tropical storm. The new date is Friday, September 15th from 7-9PM at the San Gabriel Grapevine Arbor. Tickets and sponsorships are available at bit.ly/ADLACAwards and follow us on Instagram @asiandemsla for more updates!
Uriah Kishon Ikaika Napaepae Blackwell (he/him), Community EngagementCoordinator CVPIA
Uriah is 25 years old and identifies as Kanaka Maoli and Black. As the eldest of 9 siblings, qualities of being of service come natural to him. He began his organizing journey while attending UCLA from 2016 – 2020 with UCLA’s Pacific Islands’ Student Association (PISA) mobilizing around issues such as low Pacific Islander retention rates on and off campus, as well as the Mauna Kea Movement and much more. Uriah’s work with UCLA led to more opportunities with other organizations such as EPIC, APIFM and SOCAL PICRT, to name a few. He envisions our community as one who thrives here in the states, while also being connected to roots back home on our islands. Through CVPIA, he is able to work towards making that vision a reality everyday!
Leng Power (she/her), Community Builder
Leng Power is a first generation Cambodian American who grew up in the Central Valley Modesto Community where she is committed to causes related to poverty alleviation, strengthening the leadership fabric of the Valley, and building resilience among marginalized groups. Leng has served professionally as part of the Stanislaus County Behavioral Health department, Homeless and Housing Systems and currently serves as a Community Services Manager for an East Bay municipality. Leng is the past chair of the Salida Municipal Advisory Council, a Senior Fellow with the American Leadership Forum Great Valley Chapter and a 2020 Emerge CA alumni.
Dr. Jasmeet Bains (she/her), Assemblymember District 35
Assemblymember Dr. Jasmeet Bains was elected to the California State Assembly in November of 2022 to represent the 35th Assembly District. Assemblymember Bains worked as a family doctor providing primary healthcare to families throughout the Valley. Dr. Bains also serves as a volunteer with Global Family – an organization dedicated to combating human trafficking and child abuse, on the San Joaquin Valley Air District’s Environmental Justice Advisory group – working to improve our Valley’s air and water quality, and on the Taft College Foundation – fighting to expand access to higher education.
The daughter of immigrant parents from India, Dr. Bains grew up in the Central Valley. After graduating from medical school, Jasmeet returned home and completed her residency at Clinica Sierra Vista in Kern County, choosing to work in underserved healthcare settings to increase access to healthcare.
Lilian Thaoxaochay (she/her), Small Farms Community Educator
Lilian Thaoxaochay is a first-generation Hmong American born and raised in Fresno,
CA. Her family has farmed Asian specialty and vegetable crops in the Central Valley for three decades now. She completed her MA in Cultural Anthropology at UC Santa Cruz and has a BA in Medical Anthropology and Asian American Studies from Stanford University. Her previous work and research interests revolved around community racial/ethnic health disparities and policy, cultural competency in medical education, and Southeast Asian oral histories as political protest.
Lilian is currently a Small Farms Community Educator with the UCANR Cooperative Extension Office in Fresno County for the Small Farms and Specialty Crops Program where she provides technical assistance to Southeast Asian and other small scale and minority farmers for disaster relief; translation and education around soil health and water efficiency practices; and connects growers to resources on a variety of agricultural regulatory concerns.
The California Democratic Party Rules Committee has asked us to make the following amendments to our bylaws to meet the current Party policy on standard Caucus bylaws. This will be voted on at our meeting on either August 18 or August 19 during the Visalia E-Board conference.
Remove Article IV.C.5 Standard Biennial Dues: $40.00
Remove Article VI.F.4 A “Vacancy” shall refer to a Board officer who resigns from their position, or misses three meetings in a calendar year without having first contacted the Caucus Chair in advance of a meeting to request an absence, and is unresponsive to communications pertaining to Board business, as determined by the Caucus Chair.
Remove Article VI.I “A “Vacancy” shall refer to the circumstance where the Caucus Chair resigns from the position.”
Meet Our New Caucus Board Members Get to know our newest board members!
Gurpreet Kaur, Legislative Director Gurpreet Kaur has more than seven years of experience in the California State Government including in and around the Legislature. She has worked as Legislative, Policy and Regulatory Analyst and is proficient in legislative research and analysis as well as the Rulemaking process. Gurpreet is well-versed in initiating legislative proposals and resolutions as well as working with authors/legislators and stakeholders in ensuring that interests are advocated and protected.
Marilyn Cachola Lucey, Treasurer Marilyn is Deputy District Director for an Assemblymember and has been active in community organizing and legislative advocacy with organizations such as ACLU and ACCE, using her training as an OFA Fellow. She strives to ground her professional and community work explicitly in anti-racism, anti-ableism, and cultural humility. As a current board member for her region’s PFLAG affiliate, she leads their legislative advocacy efforts to protect and extend LGBTQ+ rights. In 2020, she worked for the Democratic Party’s Coordinated Campaign in California, and co-directed the East Bay Victory 2020 for Biden-Harris virtual field operations. She volunteers with Bay Area Action Coalition to train and support field teams, and execute field strategy for Democratic state and federal candidates. She is an appointed commissioner to Contra Costa’s Commission on the Status of Women and Girls First 5 Children and Families Commission. She is serving her second term as Assembly District 16’s elected delegate to the California Democratic Party executive board. She lives in the San Francisco East Bay with her neurodiverse family. Her lived experience as an immigrant continues to motivate her to advocate for the protection of human rights and to organize communities to elect leaders who champion justice for the global majority.
Malia (“Lia”) Aiavao, Northern Secretary Lia Aiavao firmly believes in the power of representation and has spent her political career working to uplift the voices of historically overlooked communities. She knows that by amplifying voices, perspectives, and experiences, meaningful change can be achieved. As a biracial woman of Samoan descent, Lia has seen firsthand how Polynesian and Pacific Islander communities have been left behind and forgotten. She knows that engagement in the political process, community organizing, and support for Polynesian and Pacific Islander candidates are vital steps toward ensuring that specific needs are met — and she’s committed to bringing people together to make that happen. In 2018, Lia served as Field Director for Catherine Stefani’s successful campaign for San Francisco Supervisor, managing all aspects of the voter contact, volunteer management and outreach programs. She then went on to work as a Northwest Finance Associate with Kamala Harris for the People where she coordinated with top-raising National Finance Committee members and helped organize high-dollar and grassroots fundraising events. Lia is now an award-winning Deputy Media Director with an Oakland-based political consulting firm working with progressive candidates who are fighting for marginalized people and our future leaders of tomorrow.
Dr. Andrew Murphy, Southern Secretary Dr. Andrew Murphy (he/they) is an experienced leader in education, government, and policy. His previous roles include serving as a public school teacher, community organizer, union leader, nonprofit Executive Director, and Policy Deputy for the Los Angeles Unified School District Board of Education, where he was the primary author of the “Everyone Counts” resolution, a civil rights achievement that instituted data disaggregation policies for all students and employees of color in the nation’s second-largest school district. Andrew is an elected California Democratic Party Assembly District Delegate and currently serves as President of the Asian Democrats of LA County and as a Board member of the Democratic Party of the San Fernando Valley and the Korean American Democratic Committee. He completed a Bachelor of Arts in Political Science and Psychology from the University of Louisville, a Master of Education from the University of Nevada-Las Vegas, a Master of Korean Studies from Seoul National University as a Korean Government Scholar, and a Doctorate in Education from Loyola Marymount University.
California Democratic Party Executive Board Meeting in VisaliaFriday, August 18 to Sunday, August 20 The AAPI Caucus will be meeting in person as part of the conference. We’re planning a special event for you to meet and hear from AAPI leaders in the Central Valley. Online registration for the Summer Executive Board Meeting closes on Wednesday, August 2, 2023, at 5:00 pm. The party encourages everyone to register online for easier credential pickup on-site. Non-EBoard Members or non-standing Committee Members wishing to be credentialed to attend the Executive Board General Sessions can request an EBoard Observer Pass. Caucus meetings, Standing Committee meetings, training, and organizing actions during the Executive Board meeting are open to all Democrats. Registration, Tentative Agenda, and more: https://cadem.org/executive-board/
The California Democratic Party is updating the party platformGive input now! Suggestions and comments on the party platform can be provided in three ways:
Online Testimony Form 2024 Testimony Submission Form on the Platform Committee Website The deadline for submitting testimony online is Saturday, August 19, 2023 at 5:00 PM
In Person at the Executive Board Platform Committee Meeting Date: Friday, August 18, 2023 at the E-Board Meeting in Visalia Planks Accepting Testimony: Veterans and Military Families, Seniors, Health Care, Immigration, Preamble
Notice of Upcoming Vote on Caucus Bylaws Amendments The California Democratic Party Rules Committee has asked us to make the following amendments to our bylaws to meet the current Party policy on standard Caucus bylaws. This will be voted on at our meeting on either August 18 or August 19 during the Visalia E-Board conference. Details of the changes will be sent in a future newsletter before the meeting.
Upcoming AAPI Events Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE) Summer Soiree Friday, August 18, 2023, 6-10pm, San Gabriel, CA https://www.causeusa.org/2023-summer-soiree Asian Democrats of Los Angeles County’s Inaugural Awards Gala Sunday, August 20th, 2023, 4-6pm, San Gabriel Grapevine Arbor (324 South Mission Drive, San Gabriel, CA 91776) http://bit.ly/ADLACAwards AAPI Leadership Summit by Asm. Evan Low and the AAPI Legislative Caucus September 7 and 8, 2023, Sacramento, CA https://aapileadershipsummit.org/home
Today the Supreme Court struck down race conscious (Affirmative Action) policies in college admissions.
Our Caucus has led on Affirmative Action in the past and led programs and outreach efforts, including in 2020 to support Prop 16 (which if it had passed, would have repealed the Prop 209 ban on affirmative action).
To provide a space for our community to gather to grieve this loss and discuss the implications and rollback of progress, along with the California Young Democrats API Caucus, we will be hosting a virtual program tomorrow night, Friday June 30th from 5:30-6:30pm.
We will be inviting community members and speakers to discuss this topic as well as organizing work to combat this significant curtailment of progress.
Meet the 2023-2025 AAPI Caucus Board State Chair: Deepa Sharma State Vice Chair: Hon. Tammy Kim State Communications Secretary: Alfred Twu State Parliamentary Chair: Aref Aziz State Legislative Director: Gurpreet Kaur State Treasurer: Marilyn Cachola Lucey State Recording Secretary: Shivam Patel Northern Chair: Hon. Harris Mojadedi Northern Vice Chair & Political Director: Hon. Emily Ramos Central Valley Vice Chair & Political Director: Hon. Rachel Hernandez Northern Secretary: Malia (“Lia”) Aiavao Northern Outreach & Local Clubs Chair: Zahra Hajee Southern Chair: Jessica Caloza Southern Vice Chair & Political Director: Michael Milan Southern Secretary: Dr. Andrew Murphy Southern Outreach & Local Clubs Chair: Steve Kang Learn more about us at https://apicaucus.com/about-us/executive-board/ We would like to sincerely thank outgoing colleagues Vice Chair Adam Ma, Legislative Director Olivia Lee, and Treasurer Shawn Kumagai for their invaluable contributions to our Caucus.
The California Democratic Party is updating the party platformGive input now!
Suggestions and comments on the party platform can be provided in three ways:
Online Testimony Form 2024 Testimony Submission Form on the Platform Committee Website The deadline for submitting testimony online is Saturday, August 19, 2023 at 5:00 PM
In Person at the Executive Board Platform Committee Meeting Date: Friday, August 18, 2023 at the E-Board Meeting in Visalia Planks Accepting Testimony: Veterans and Military Families, Seniors, Health Care, Immigration, Preamble
Comment on the Delegate Selection Plan for the 2024 Democratic National Convention The California Delegation will send a total of 497 delegates and 35 alternates to the Democratic National Convention in Chicago, Illinois. The total delegation comprises of 424 Pledged Delegates, 35 Alternates, and 73 Unpledged Delegates. The California Democratic Party develops the National Delegate Selection Plan that outlines how the 277 District-level delegates, 92 At-Large delegates and 55 PLEO delegates are chosen. An important part of the plan is ensuring that our delegation reflects California’s diversity. A draft version of the Plan is available HERE. If you would like to provide comment or testimony for consideration, please fill out the following form: 2024 California Democratic Party Delegate Selection Plan Testimony Submission Form
Oral testimony provided at one of the in-person hearings listed below must also be submitted online HERE to be considered.
Upcoming Testimony Hearing Dates:
Central Valley: July 1, 2023, 1-4PM, Fresno County Democratic Party Office- 1033 U St., Fresno CA. 93721
Northern California: July 8, 2023, 1-4PM, California Democratic Party Headquarters- 1830 9th Street, Sacramento, CA 95811
Online: July 15, 2023 (11AM-1PM): ZOOM LINK For more information on the National Delegate Selection process, click HERE. If you have any questions, please contact Delegate2024@cadem.org.
Upcoming AAPI Events Silicon Valley Asian Pacific American Democratic Club’s “Dinner with a Dem” Event on July 10 from 6-7:30pm, Santa Clara County Democratic Party HQ 2901 Moorpark Avenue #110 San Jose, CA 95128. RSVP at www.tinyurl.com/dinnerwithadem2023
Southern CA Armenian Democrats, Asian Democrats of Los Angeles County, Korean American Democratic Committee, and the Pilipino American LA Democrats BBQ Battle Saturday, July 22, 2023, 11am – 3pm, Glendale Verdugo Park, located at 1621 Canada Blvd, Glendale, CA 91208 Join us and enjoy some delicious Armenian, Korean Pilipino and Asian Fusion BBQ and spend a relaxing afternoon with your fellow Dems! The event is FREE for folks to attend. Kindly fill out the RSVP form to let us know you are attending: bit.ly/BBQ-23
Asian Democrats of Los Angeles County’s Inaugural Awards Gala Sunday, August 20th, 2023, 4-6pm, San Gabriel Grapevine Arbor (324 South Mission Drive, San Gabriel, CA 91776) http://bit.ly/ADLACAwards
As we reconvene in person meetings, the API Caucus of the California Democratic Party remains committed to minimizing our environmental impact. For that purpose only a limited number of meeting material copies will be printed at our incoming meeting.
Please see all of the meeting materials including agenda here.
Please find the meeting materials for this meeting below linked in the agenda below.
2023 API Caucus Membership Meeting Saturday, May 27, 2023, 7:45pm-9:30pm Updated Location: Platinum F-J Meeting Room, JW Marriott 900 W. Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles
AGENDA I. Call to Order | Welcome (1 minute) II. Approval of Agenda (1 minute) III. Elected Officer Reports (20 minutes) a. State Chair Report b. State Vice Chair c. State Communications Secretary d. State Recording Secretary e. State Treasurer f. State Legislative Director g. State Parliamentary Chair i. Recertification Items ii. Caucus Goals iii. 2021-2023 Term in Review iv. Adoption of Bylaws – Mandatory per CDP and Name Change to AAPI Caucus h. Northern California Regional Report – Northern Chair and Northern Regional Team i. Southern California Regional Report – Southern Chair and Southern Regional Team IV. API Caucus Awards Ceremony – Rising Star, Organization Award; Trailblazer to be presented in November 2023 a. Assemblymember Alex Lee – 2023 Rising Star Honoree b. Equality California – 2023 Organizational Excellence Award, Presented to Tony Hoang, Executive Director
V. Invited Speakers a. AG Rob Bonta, AAPILC Chair Evan Low b. Candidates for CDP Officer Elections c. Democratic Senate Candidates i. Rep. Schiff (arriving some time between 8:30-8:45) ii. Rep. Katie Porter (8:45pm) iii. Rep. Barbara Lee – sending surrogate
VI. CDP Caucus Officer Elections a. Candidates i. State Chair: Deepa Sharma ii. State Vice Chair: Hon. Tammy Kim iii. State Communications Secretary: Alfred Twu iv. State Parliamentary Chair: Aref Aziz v. State Legislative Director: Gurpreet Kaur vi. State Treasurer: Marilyn Cachola Lucey vii. State Recording Secretary: Shivam Patel viii. Northern Chair: Hon. Harris Mojadedi ix. Northern Vice Chair & Political Director: Hon. Emily Ramos x. Central Valley Vice Chair & Political Director: Hon. Rachel Hernandez xi. Northern Secretary: Malia (“Lia”) Aiavao xii. Northern Outreach & Local Clubs Chair: Zahra Hajee xiii. Southern Chair: Jessica Caloza xiv. Southern Vice Chair & Political Director: Michael Milan xv. Southern Secretary: Dr. Andrew Murphy xvi. Southern Outreach & Local Clubs Chair: Steve Kang VII. Speakers Addressing API Caucus (Time Permitting – Please Be Courteous; Caucus Meeting Time Ends at 9:30) i. Hon. Tammy Kim ii. Carolyn Fowler iii. Hon. Gabriel Quinto iv. Diana Love v. Andrew Lachman vi. Malcolm Johnson vii. Assemblymember Phil Ting viii. Andrew Lachman, DNC Member ix. San Francisco City Attorney David Chiu / Former Chair, CA API Legislative Caucus x. Avinder Chawla xi. Irene Green xii. Hon. DA George Gascon xiii. Hon. Darshana Patel xiv. Jennifer Esteen xv. Jonathan (Tana) S. Lepule xvi. John Yi xvii. Alex Mohajer xviii. Jonathan (Tana) Lepule xix. Sade Elhawary xx. State Senator – AAPILC Vice Chair Dave Min xxi. Hon. Sally J Lieber xxii. Dr. Jirair Ratevosian (Pronounced je-RAHR ra-teh-VOS-yan) xxiii. John Yi xxiv. Assemblymember Eloise Reyes xxv. Maha Rizvi xxvi. Susie Shannon or Betty Toto xxvii. Asm. Pilar Schiavo xxviii. Kipp Mueller xxix. Jennifer Williams xxx. Aditya Pai xxxi. Ysabel Jurado xxxii. Rozzana Verder-Aliga xxxiii. Derek Marshall xxxiv. Alex Mohajer xxxv. Hon. Jed Leano xxxvi. Senator Scott Wiener xxxvii. Dr. Rozzana Verder-Aliga (Vice Mayor of Vallejo) xxxviii. Hon. Lateefah Simon xxxix. Hon. Yvonne Yiu xl. Hon. Dan Kalb xli. Cheyenne Hunt xlii. Jennifer Tran xliii. Fmr. Rep Laura Richardson
Friday, May 26 Convention Welcome Reception – 7pm First Draft Taproom and Kitchen, 1230 S. Olive Street, Los Angeles
Saturday, May 27
CADEM Celebrates AAPI Heritage Month – 1:30pm During General Session in LA Convention Center Hall A
California Young Democrats API Caucus Happy Hour – 5-7pm with Assemblymember Mike Fong HiDef Brewing, 1203 S Olive St, Los Angeles http://tinyurl.com/CYDAPIHAPPYHOUR
API Caucus Meeting – 7:45-9:30pm Platinum F-J Meeting Room, JW Marriott, 900 W. Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles
AAPI Legislative Caucus Hospitality Suite – 10:15pm- Midnight with Assemblymember Evan Low Platinum E Meeting Room, JW Marriott, 900 W. Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles
Share your convention experience! Use hashtag #Organize4CA and #CADEM
All events are open to the public except General Session. Convention credentials or observer pass required for General Session.
2023 API Caucus Membership Meeting Saturday, May 27, 2023, 7:45pm-9:30pm Updated Location: Platinum F-J Meeting Room, JW Marriott 900 W. Olympic Blvd, Los Angeles
– Awards Ceremony – Trailblazer, Rising Star, and Organization Award
– Democratic Senate Candidates
– Invited guest speakers: – AG Rob Bonta – AAPILC Chair Evan Low – California Democratic Party officer candidates – Democratic Candidates for US Senate: Adam Schiff, Katie Porter, Barbara Lee (sending surrogate)
Marilyn Cachola Lucey, Treasurer Marilyn is Deputy District Director for an Assemblymember and has been active in community organizing and legislative advocacy with organizations such as ACLU and ACCE, using her training as an OFA Fellow. She strives to ground her professional and community work explicitly in anti-racism, anti-ableism, and cultural humility.
Asian American Pacific Islander Caucus 