Join us this Tuesday, August 4th, 2020, for an online discussion with Dr. Paul Song.
COVID-19, Healthcare Access, & AAPI Activism with Dr. Paul Song
We’ll be talking about the repercussions of COVID-19 in the U.S. for AAPI communities and other minority groups, as well as the effects on healthcare. We’ll also be talking about how we can effect change. RSVP here for the link!
Dr. Song is the grandson of the late Sang Don Kim, the very first popularly elected Mayor of Seoul, South Korea, a physician, and progressive activist. He serves on the national board of Physicians for a National Health Program and Progressive Democrats of America.
A national surrogate for the Bernie Sanders Campaign and the former Executive Chairman of the Courage Campaign, he previously served on the boards of People for the American Way, Healthcare Now, Liberty in North Korea, and the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies.
Volunteer with the AAPI Caucus
Join one of our caucus working groups. We have established five groups which meet every other week. Sign up to volunteer here.
Communications & Outreach
Help reach new caucus members and share stories of Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders living abroad. This working group curates our caucus’s online presence (web, social media, email) and promotes events, activities, and issues.
Country Committee Guidelines
Help coordinate with, support, and organize with Democrats Abroad's 40+ country committees to establish an AAPI caucus at the country and chapter levels.
Issues
The AAPI community is large and diverse, which means there is also a wide range of issues impacting our members. Help us identify and educate our members about these different issues.
Events in a Box
To help local AAPI caucuses, we are preparing pre-made events that caucus leaders at the country and chapter levels can use for events to bring their members together. Volunteers can help create an event based on issues identified by the Issues Working Group and find ways to facilitate discussions.
Speakers
Organize speaking events with prominent members of the AAPI community. This could include these roles:
- Coordinate event with the Global Communications & Global AAPI Co-Chairs
- Zoom training with Global IT
- Liaise with speakers and plan logistics
Form a Local AAPI Caucus
As the Asian American and Pacific Islander Caucus, our goal is to speak to, and speak for, the diverse AAPI community among Democrats Abroad membership. The AAPI Caucus hopes to act as a unified voice to call for structural reforms and for recognizing AAPI perspectives in Democrats Abroad.
If you would like to form a local AAPI caucus in your locality, please make sure to reach out to your local leadership, join us at www.democratsabroad.org/aapi, and contact us at [email protected] to let us know that you are forming.
Read our newly published guide to forming a local AAPI Caucus.
Meet the AAPI Caucus Steering Committee
Suma Shamanna, AAPI Caucus Steering Committee member, DA Global IT team member, Chair, DA India
I'm Suma, an Oregon voter. I grew up in Bangalore, India and relocated to the US to pursue my Master's degree in Computer Science. I was introduced to US politics while in school and I actively participated in organizing events and fund raising. With a rich experience of two Master's degrees and decades of work experience, I returned to India. I am on the board of a technology start-up and mentor new businesses. I am a fitness enthusiast, and participate in marathons.
Powen Shiah, AAPI Caucus Steering Committee member; Press & Communications, Democrats Abroad Berlin; DPCA Representative, Germany
My name is Powen, and I've been living in Berlin, Germany, since 2014. I've been involved in Democrats Abroad for almost that whole time. I'm currently the Press & Communications coordinator on the Berlin chapter board, and I also serve as one of the representatives for Germany to the Democratic Party Committee Abroad (DPCA).
Starting the Asian American and Pacific Islander Caucus at Democrats Abroad is important to me because I believe that AAPI communities need a voice in our political system. The best way to focus on the needs, stories, and issues important to us to get organized and make ourselves heard.
Click here to read more about our AAPI Steering Committee Members!
The AAPI Caucus is one of Democrats Abroad’s eight global caucuses. Check out the global caucuses page at www.democratsabroad.org/caucuses to see what we have and feel free to join as many as you’d like. Each one is a group with a focus on issues and lots of activities.
Democratically Yours,
Emily and Cory
Co-Chairs
