Leadership Academy
Sydney Pike
BLOG 5: Saying, Yes!

When I received my bachelor's degree from UCLA in June, the only thing I knew was that I would be joining CAUSE for the next nine weeks. I didn’t know what to expect, however what I gained was a new sense of confidence, a community of amazing individuals, and a greater understanding of our AANHPI community and my place within it.

BLOG 5: Saying, Yes!
Leadership Academy
Malia Ferrer
BLOG 5: Thank Goodness I Checked My E-mail!

I often reflect on the “butterfly effect" moments that have occurred in my life; the seemingly small choices or coincidences that have led to profound changes. This internship is a prime example.

BLOG 5: Thank Goodness I Checked My E-mail!
Leadership Academy
Jianhao Cui
BLOG 5: Nine Weeks Just 60 Days

As each of the nine weeks of our internship passed, I felt myself developing skills and knowledge through my placement office at LA County First District Supervisor Hilda Solis’ Office and through CAUSE’s cohort sessions. 

BLOG 5: Nine Weeks Just 60 Days
Leadership Academy
Emma Tom
BLOG 5: C (you all) LA (ter)

I often face difficulties coming up with answers for this icebreaker because my facial expressions always reveal my true feelings. So when I released the waterworks in front of the CAUSE board members during graduation, it was clear that I was not ready to say goodbye and close this chapter in my life.

BLOG 5: C (you all) LA (ter)
Leadership Academy
Ryan Horio
Blog 5: FTP (Family, Trust, Power)

As my time at CAUSE comes to a close, I reflect on the lessons I've learned about family, trust, and the collective power of API communities. CAUSE has not only deepened my understanding of civic engagement but also has reinforced the importance of prioritizing being rooted in community and centering our hearts in the work we do.

Blog 5: FTP (Family, Trust, Power)

CAUSE Congratulates Vice President-Elect Kamala Harris

We, at CAUSE, want to celebrate and recognize Kamala Harris’ historic moment as the first female, South Asian American, and Black American Vice President-elect. 

This year’s historic voter turnout of more than 160 million people speaks to CAUSE’s mission of political and civic empowerment of the Asian Pacific American (APA) community. A recent statewide poll conducted in partnership with CAUSE, Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE), and Los Angeles Urban League, shows that 81% of APAs find their ethnicity important to their identity and how they think of themselves. Though they value their own ethnic identity, 57% of APAs also believe that they face racial barriers when it comes to involvement in politics.  

As the fastest-growing group of eligible voters in the US according to the Pew Research Center, APAs have an important role and opportunity in the upcoming years to be more civically engaged. The 2018 Asian American Voter Survey, conducted by AAPI Data and APIA Vote, found that an increase in APA civic participation is related to the increased number of APA elected officials and candidates running for office. CAUSE’s conducted statewide poll also shows that APAs most believed out of any other group, at 71%, that they will be more accepted in the United States in the future. 

Having Kamala Harris on the Presidential ticket is momentous for our country and our APA community. It has inspired many APA voters to make their voices heard and get involved  in this year’s election. CAUSE will continue working to increase APA civic participation and engage our powerful voting community by actively being part of the process to build today’s and tomorrow’s APA leaders. 

We are so appreciative to all the voters, poll workers for their support in the voting process, and community organizers for their work, including increasing APA voter accessibility. 

CAUSE has supported current and future APA leaders through the various programs that we offer. Vice President-elect Kamala Harris was a keynote speaker at the 2013 CAUSE Women In Power Luncheon. Echoing similar sentiments in her Vice President-elect acceptance speech this past Saturday, she encouraged young minority women to pursue careers in politics and public service and reminded them that they are not alone.

Watch then CA Attorney General Kamala Harris’ speech highlights at the CAUSE 2013 Women in Power Luncheon.

"Building Bridges: Racism, Prejudice and Antisemitism" Panel

Los Angeles, CA –On Tuesday, September 1, 2020, CAUSE participated in the "Building Bridges: Racism, Prejudice and Antisemitism" Panel of some of California’s most respected community leaders for a monthly discussion on how we can work together to overcome our common challenges.

Week 9: Knowledge Worth A Lifetime

Week 9: Knowledge Worth A Lifetime

As my experience with the CAUSE Leadership Academy comes to an end, I often find myself taking a step back to reflect on the 9 weeks of the internship. These last few weeks have been an emotional rollercoaster. Starting with orientation week, to the Annual Capitol Summit, to our weekly Monday workshops, I have been privileged to essentially gain a lifetime’s worth of knowledge and perspective through CAUSE.

Week 9: Where We Stand

Week 9: Where We Stand

At UCLA, I participated in a political science professor’s study on the identity marker “people of color.” A handful of questions were simple for me to answer: yes, “person of color” is a real identity. Yes, I am a person of color. But some were more difficult: who is a person of color? What makes people of color similar? What disqualifies a person from being a person of color?