LOS ANGELES, CA – June 22, 2022 – The Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE) celebrated virtually the graduation of the 2022 CAUSE Leadership Institute (CLI) Fellows.
Over the past six months, the 12 CLI Fellows met weekly to network, develop leadership skills, and learn more about APA issues to elevate their civic engagement. To take the next step in their leadership journeys, the fellows selected one of the three following civic engagement tracks based on their interests and aspirations: Running for Office, Serving on a Campaign, or Serving on a Non-profit Board. In each track, fellows met with experts in the field for training and discussions, tips for success, and additional insights. Despite the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, fellows were able to hone their leadership skills and develop impactful relationships all virtually.
“I feel my confidence has grown exponentially through this program. I had so many questions about how to be an effective leader and how I should prepare myself. After attending the sessions and listening to guest speakers and CLI fellows share their experiences I felt inspired and am glad to have been able to pick their brains and solicit advice.”
- Duke Choi, Program Manager, API Forward Movement
2022 CAUSE Leadership Institute Fellow
The graduation keynote speaker, Susan Jin Davis, Social Impact Officer for Al Roker Entertainment and Board Chair of Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS), shared how her upbringing as the daughter of hardworking Korean immigrant parents equipped her with the skills to find and use her voice to advocate for herself and the APA community. She reminded the cohort of the importance of creating connections throughout their leadership journeys, “Relationship building is important in how we get civically engaged, how we build movements, how we bring people along, and how we inspire others to action. Create relationships with mentors and sponsors. You have met many of them through this CAUSE journey and you will continue to meet more”.
A unique part of the CLI program was the 2022 CLI Fellows Lookbook. As part of the program, each CLI fellow crafted and recorded a “1 Minute Story” video. These one-minute videos briefly introduced each CLI fellow, their story, and personal vision for civic engagement. They provided an opportunity for the fellows to build connections, align interests and passion areas, and convey strong intentions and values in a short amount of time.
Watch the 2022 CLI Fellows Lookbook today to learn more about the CLI cohort through their words. Perhaps you will find new connections and future advocacy partners.
The 2022 CLI program featured 27 guests throughout the six-month program. Thank you to the following speakers and trainers for sharing their wisdom and support with the CLI fellows.
Creating Our Paths: Women in Power Speakers
THE HONORABLE JUDY CHU
Congresswoman, State of California
THE HONORABLE STEPHANIE CHANG
State Senator, State of Michigan
CAROLINE CHOI
Senior Vice President Corporate Affairs,
Edison International and Southern California Edison
DIANA HWANG
Executive Director, Asian-American Women’s Political Initiative (AAWPI)
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ANDREW MURPHY
Co-Director, Los Angeles Unified School District API Equity Steering Committee
BEN WONG
Public Affairs Consultant
Former Mayor of West Covina
Secretary, CAUSE Board of Directors
BILL WONG
Senior Political Advisor, Office of California Assembly Speaker Anthony Rendon
CHANCHANIT MARTORELL
Executive Director, Thai Community Development Center
CHARLIE WOO
Owner, Megatoys
Chair, CAUSE Board of Directors
CHIRAG MENON
Principal, Third Settlements
DIANA HWANG
Executive Director, Asian-American Women’s Political Initiative (AAWPI)
EURIE CHUNG
Producer, Flash Cuts Productions
GODFREY PLATA
Community and Political Organizer, and Former Candidate
JANET MCINTYRE
Vice President of Programs & Training, Executive Service Corps of Southern California
JOHN TANG
Director, Government Relations and Public Affairs, Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling
JOHN YI
Executive Director, Los Angeles WalkLANCE TOMACEO, San Francisco Community Health Center
LEILA LEE
Director of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, LA Mayor’s Office of Economic Development
MANJUSHA KULKARNI
Executive Director, AAPI Equity Alliance
MARY ANNE FOO
Executive Director, Orange County Asian Pacific Islander Community Alliance (OCAPICA)
MELISSA APUYA
District Director, Office of Assemblymember Marc Levine
NIRA SINGH
Director of Behavioral Health, Asian Americans for Community Involvement (AACI)
RACHELLE ARIZMENDI
Council Member and Former Mayor, City of Sierra Madre
RAPHAEL SONENSHEIN
Executive Director, Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs at California State University, Los Angeles
RICHARD CALVIN CHANG
Data Analytics Director, NHPI Data Policy Lab at the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research
SUSAN JIN DAVIS
Social Impact Officer, Al Roker Entertainment
Board Chair, Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies (APAICS)
SOUKPRIDA PHETMISY
Senior Managing Director of Asian American & Pacific Islander Alliances, Teach for America
TAVAE SAMUELU
Executive Director, Empowering Pacific Islander Communities (EPIC)
SPONSORS
CLI is made possible with the support of the following sponsors:
CAUSE SPONSORS
Thank you to the following sponsors for their support for CAUSE which help sustain programs including CLI:
J.T. Tai & Co. Foundation Inc.
Charlie Woo
East West Bank
Stamps.com
Ernst & Young
Glassman Family Fund
Harbor Freight Tools Foundation
Southwest Airlines
Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling
TURO
Byte
Teach for America