Hey Student Leaders! Apply to the Youth Leadership Summit.

Asian American Advancing Justice is accepting applications for the 2017 Youth Leadership Summit.



Hey, student leaders! Asian Americans Advancing Justice - AAJC is accepting applications for the Youth Leadership Summit, a three-day leadership development program for high achieving college students. The program brings together a group of students to Washington DC for advocacy trainings and leadership development workshops focused on civic engagement.

Through interactive workshops, hands-on activities, and a visit to Capitol Hill, participants build advocacy skills and gain a deeper understanding of how advocacy and activism affect policy decisions. Student leaders will work with experienced policy advocates and have opportunities to interact with the legislative staff of U.S. Senators and Representatives. This year's Summit will take place September 13-15.

File Under Badass: Four women fight off restaurant robber

"I just told the other girls to just hurt him and I'll hold the register."



This robber messed with the wrong restaurant -- a restaurant staffed with some badass ladies.

Earlier this month, a man attempting to rob the cash register at Tony's Breakfast in Northeast Washington was met with the full fury of four employees who smacked, slapped and thwacked the crap out of him.

Four women fought off a robber at a restaurant. 'You guys are crazy,' police told them.

On the morning of November 7, manager Justine Choe opened the cash register to make change for a customer, when a man suddenly lunged across the counter and made a grab for a cash drawer.

But Justine, whose parents own the restaurant, was not letting go without a fight. And this dude definitely got a fight. A crazy five-person tug-of-war ensued as three more of the restaurant's employees jumped into the fray.

Why are these Asian Americans camped out in front of the White House?

Youth from NAKASEC and other groups are leading a 24-hour, 22-day vigil to defend DACA.



Right now, Asian American youth from NAKASEC (National Korean American Service & Education Consortium) and other groups are leading a 24-hour, 22-day vigil in front of the White House to call attention to the Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals program and defend thousands of immigrant youth who are under threat of deportation if the Trump administration should end the program.

DACA was initiated under President Obama in 2012. The executive order allowed undocumented youth to come forward, undergo a rigorous background check, pay a fee and receive temporary legal status that allows them to have work permits and drivers licenses. Since the program's inception, nearly 800,000 beneficiaries -- including 130,000 Asian Americans -- have been granted permission to live, work and study legally in America.

But now, DACA and the futures of thousands are at risk.

In June, a coalition of ten state attorney generals, led by Texas, threatened legal action if Trump didn't make moves to rescind DACA by September 5. As it stands, DACA is "currently under review," with an update expected any day now. Trump is reportedly leaning towards ending the program.

That's almost 800,000 people who came forward with the government's promise of protection who would now be at risk of deportation. Who would lose their jobs. Who would be forced back into the shadows.

Hey Student Leaders! Apply to the Youth Leadership Summit.

Asian American Advancing Justice is accepting applications for the 2017 Youth Leadership Summit.



Hey, Asian American and Pacific Islander student leaders! Heads up. Are you an organizer on campus? Are you passionate about serving your community? Do you want to elevate Asian American and Pacific Islander issues to a national level? Asian Americans Advancing Justice is currently accepting applications for the Youth Leadership Summit, happening September 14-16 in Washington DC.

The Youth Leadership Summit is a three-day leadership development program for high achieving college students. The Summit brings a group of student leaders to D.C. for advocacy trainings and leadership development workshops focused on civic engagement, providing a unique opportunity for young advocates from across the country to both interact with their peers as well as learn from and network with national leaders.

But get your application together today -- they're due on May 31.

When Angry Asian America showed up to march

Reader-submitted photos from the Women's March on Washington and beyond.



You may have heard that some people got together and marched on Saturday. In Washington DC and cities across the nation, an estimated 3.7 million took the streets -- the biggest one-day protest in U.S. history -- in widespread, vocal defiance of Donald Trump's presidency. This is the first day of the next four years.

I knew a lot of friends and readers of this blog would be participating, and I thought it might be fun to create a photo gallery of faces and sights from the Women's March. So I put a call out on social media asking for folks to send photos of themselves and their signs in action...

... And I got flooded with photos. People showed up. I received hundreds of amazing photos from people who participated in marches in cities all around the country. I received so many, I couldn't keep track, and there was no way I could process all of the photos into a gallery in any reasonable amount of time.

But here is a small sampling of the reader-submitted photos from the march. Thank you to everyone who sent one in. I apologize; not every photo I received made it into the gallery. People are still sending them as I write this, and I just had to cut it off. But I appreciate your support and enthusiasm. Stay Angry!

Fast Forward 2060

Wednesday, December 7 at Impact Hub DC


Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are the fastest growing racial group in the United States -- now 20 million strong and expected to more than double to over 50 million by 2060. How do we get there? How do we mobilize and move forward right now during this important time?

Next week in Washington DC, there will be a day-long public pop-up exhibit and event called Fast Forward 2060: Highlighting Legacy and Action in the Asian American and Pacific Islander Community Under President Obama and Beyond. Fast Forward 2060 will celebrate AAPI progress under the Obama Administration and beyond and also provide a platform for the AAPI community at large to mobilize going forward.

It's happening Wednesday, December 7 at Impact Hub DC. Here are some more details:

'Fresh Off The Boat' Live Viewing Party with Hudson Yang

Tuesday, May 3 at CAPITALEdc in Washington DC



This is for all you Fresh Off The Boat fans in the Washington DC area... On Tuesday night, I'll be hosting a live viewing party for the hit ABC comedy's latest episode, "Rent Day," followed by a discussion/Q&A with star Hudson Yang. It's happening Tuesday, May 3 at CAPITALEdc, and sponsored by APIAVote and APA Film.

Here are some more details about the event:

Hey Student Journalists! Apply for JCamp 2016

AAJA is accepting applications for its annual multicultural journalism training program for high school students.



The Asian American Journalists Association is accepting applications for JCamp, an all-expenses-paid annual multicultural journalism training program for talented high school students of diverse backgrounds.

The program will celebrate its 16th year in 2016 at the George Washington University School of Media and Public Affairs in Washington, DC, August 1-6. The six-day camp brings students together for intensive training in writing, photography, broadcast, online media and reporting led by professional journalists.

JCamp is free and open to current freshmen, sophomores and juniors in high school. Students of all races and ethnicities are encouraged to apply. Here's some more information about the program:

Apply to be a 2016 Summer Intern with APIAVote

Seeking student leaders for the APIAVote Internship Program.



Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote) is looking for energetic and motivated interns who are passionate about civic engagement to join their team in Washington, DC this summer.

APIAVote encourages and promotes civic participation of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders in electoral and political participation at the national, state and local levels. APIAVote envisions a society in which all AANHPIs fully participate in and have access to the democratic process.

The APIAVote Internship Program strives to encourage and cultivate young student leaders to explore a career in the public sector or the political arena. The program will provide hands on experience and training on how to organize and implement voter activities to increase the participation of AAPIs in the electoral process.

For the summer of 2016, APIAVote is offering both paid and unpaid internships:

Cornrows, Bindis, Kimonos: The Impact of Cultural Appropriation on Communities of Color

A Panel on Cultural Appropriation; Wednesday, September 9



If you're in the Washington DC area, API Resistance invites you to Cornrows, Bindis, Kimonos: The Impact of Cultural Appropriation on Communities of Color, a panel discussion focused on the connection between cultural appropriation and state violence. The event, organized as part of the Black Lives Matter Week of Action, is happening Wednesday, September 9 at St. Stephen & the Incarnation Episcopal Church.

Here are some more details:

National CAPACD's 15th Anniversary Convention

"Moving Forward, Rising Together: United for Thriving Communities," September 28-30



National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development's (National CAPACD) mission is to improve the quality of life for low-income Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders by promoting economic vitality, civic and political participation. You are invited to join hundreds of progressive and diverse AAPI organizations at the National CAPACD 15th Anniversary Convention, "Moving Forward, Rising Together: United for Thriving Communities," happening September 28-30 at the Embassy Row Hotel in Washington DC.

Here are some more details about the convention:

Tune In: The White House Summit on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

Livestream the Summit on May 12, from 9:00-11:30 am and 3:00-6:00 pm ET



On Tuesday May 12, nearly 2,000 community leaders, federal officials, and members of the public will gather in Washington, DC for the first-ever White House Summit on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

The Summit will be an unprecedented and historic all-day convening of senior federal officials and leaders from across the country. The day will include conversations with federal officials and AAPI leaders, artistic presentations by distinguished AAPI artists, and interactive sessions on diverse issues including economic growth, education, health care, civil rights, and immigration.

If you can't make it to Washington DC, but would still like to sit in on the conversation, you can watch a livestream of the Summit here, May 12, from 9:00-11:30am and 3:00-6:00pm Eastern Standard Time. You can also join the conversation online using #AAPISummit.

2015 CAPAL Asian Pacific American Heritage Ball

Friday, May 15 at the National Press Club Building



If you're in the Washington DC area, the Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership invites you to the 2015 Asian Pacific American Heritage Ball, a celebration of public service leaders and advocates, APA Heritage Month and CAPAL's achievements within the APA community.

The evening, hosted by Jason Tengco and Rebecca Lee, will include remarks from featured keynote speaker Nani Coloretti, Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development. It's happening Friday, May 15 at the National Press Club Building.

Here are some more details about the event:

Register for the White House Summit on AAPIs

Tuesday, May 12 at The George Washington University in Washington DC



Got plans for AAPI Heritage Month? The White Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders invites you to Connect, Share and Mobilize at the first-ever White House Summit on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, happening May 12 at The George Washington University in Washington DC.

The Summit will be an all-day convening of senior federal officials and community leaders. The day will include panel discussions, conversations, interactive sessions on a variety of issues, plus performances by distinguished AAPI artists. The event is free and open to public. Registration just went live.

Here are some more details about the Summit:

'Fresh Off The Boat' Screening Party in Washington DC

Presented by DC APA Film & BUL, Tuesday, February 10



For folks in Washington DC who are looking forward to the upcoming premiere of the ABC sitcom Fresh Off The Boat, save the date for a screening party hosted by DC Asian Pacific American Film at DC's first and only Korean-style pojangmacha, BUL. After the viewing, special guests Janelle Wong (UMD), Christian Oh (DC APA Film), and Kat Chow (NPR) will provide insight and comments and lead an engaging audience discussion.

It's happening Wednesday, February 10. Here are some more details:

2015 Youth Leadership Summit, March 26-28

Asian Americans Advancing Justice | AAJC invites students to a three-day leadership program in Washington DC.


Hey, students! Asian Americans Advancing Justice AAJC's Youth Leadership Summit is a three-day leadership development program for college students. The summit provides a unique opportunity for young advocates from across the country to come to Washington DC to network and learn together.

Through interactive workshops and hands-on activities, summit participants will build advocate skills and gain knowledge on policies and civil rights issues affecting AAPI communities. This year's summit will be held March 26-28, with advocate trainings and leadership development workshops focused on racial equity.

Here's some more information about the Youth Leadership Summit:

Save the Date: White House Summit on AAPIs

Tuesday, May 12, 2015 in Washington DC



What are you doing on May 12? Save the date. The White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders invites you the White House Summit on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in Washington DC. The Summit will feature panels, workshops, and armchair dialogues with senior Administration officials, AAPI celebrities, and well-known community leaders, plus performances by distinguished AAPI artists.

The Summit is part of a series of events happening May 11-15 during AAPI Heritage Month in Washington, and provides a unique forum to actively engage with hundreds of AAPI leaders from across the nation. Previous AAPI Heritage Month speakers have included President Obama at the 2013 White House Celebration and Vice President Biden at the 2014 Opening Ceremony.

Programming details are still coming together, but more information on the Summit will be available in the coming months. In the meantime, visit the Summit website or subscribe to the weekly White House AAPI email newsletter. For further questions, email whitehouseaapi@ed.gov.

Sign up to help defend voting rights for Asian Americans

Volunteer as a poll monitor on Election Day

Do you want to help defend voting rights for Asian Americans?

The Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund is looking for volunteers to help monitor upcoming midterm elections for bilingual ballots under the federal Voting Rights Act and to document instances of anti-Asian voter disenfranchisement.

Volunteers Needed On Election Day, Nov. 4, 2014

They're looking for volunteers in to work 3-hour shifts on Election Day at polls in New York, New Jersey, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, Nevada, Michigan, Texas, Georgia, Louisiana, Virginia, Maryland, and Washington DC. There will be a 90-minute training session for all volunteers.

Here's schedule of AALDEF's poll monitoring trainings:

Awesome Asian Bad Guys screening in Washington DC!

Saturday, September 27 at The Burke Theater at the U.S. Navy Memorial



Washington DC! It's your turn! Awesome Asian Bad Guys are coming to get you. National Film Society's action/comedy webseries comes to our nation's capital for a screening presented by DC APA Film. Fun and good times happening Saturday, September 27 at The Burke Theater at the U.S. Navy Memorial.

In Awesome Asian Bad Guys, Stephen Dypiangco and Patrick Epino direct and star as down-and-out filmmakers who must recruit an unlikely team of Asian American heroes -- a motley crew that includes Al Leong, Yuji Okumoto, Tamlyn Tomita, George Cheung and Randall Park -- to take down a ruthless crime lord. The series is an homage to your favorite nameless Asian movie character actors of the 1980s and 90s.

Here are some more details about the screening:

6th Annual Advancing Justice Conference, September 25-26

Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Standing Together For Racial Justice



Community leaders and advocates will be gathering in DC next week for the sixth annual Advancing Justice Conference, the largest national conference focusing on civil and social justice issues impacting Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. It's happening September 25-26 at the Washington Hilton.

Whether you're a student, an activist, or just interested in a more equal America, the conference will including plenaries and workshops providing Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and our allies with the opportunity to strategize and mobilize so we can have a lasting impact on all the issues we care about.

I will be speaking on a panel during the Thursday morning session "The Shifting Media Landscape: Strategies That Work" with Olivia Chow, Adriel Luis, Sandhya Bathija and moderator Karin Wang.