News + Opinion

By Jewel Edwards In the wake of the Boston Bombings and a rash of destructive tornadoes in the Midwest, emergency preparedness is arguably more important in the U.S. than ever. Resilient DC is working to construct a framework by which communities in the Metropolitan area can map their assets, organize, and respond to disasters before they strike. The program is …

This morning, President Obama met with members of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) at the White House to discuss a range of important issues facing the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities.  The President thanked CAPAC for their work to expand the middle class within AAPI communities and among all Americans, and said that he looks forward to continuing …

By Lily Qi We often hear public leaders say “our diversity is our strength,” which has become somewhat a cliché over the years. While I don’t doubt their sincerity in believing what they say, I wonder how many truly understand what it means to have a large, diverse, and global population in their communities. This past weekend, I attended the …

By Jennie L. Ilustre The all-volunteer World Health Ambassador Program (WHA), the lead coordinator for a big, multi-team, two-week medical and dental mission to Myanmar, recently announced the teams are continuing to raise funds for the project, estimated to cost about $75,000. Myanmar, formally known as Burma, is located in Southeast Asia. Dr. Thien Do, WHA founder and CEO, also …

WASHINGTON, DC – On July 16, 2013 President Obama announced his intent to nominate the following individuals to key Administration posts: ·         Kent Hirozawa – Member, National Labor Relations Board ·         Nancy Schiffer – Member, National Labor Relations Board President Obama said, “The National Labor Relations Board is responsible for enforcing protections that are fundamental to growing the economy and creating jobs from the middle …

By Jennie L. Ilustre Washington, D.C.–Asian American advocates and families, in a coalition with Latin American and African American labor, civil rights and multi-faith leaders across the country, vowed to keep fighting for family reunification visas at a highly-energized rally held on June 5 at the Capitol (Congress). “If you are for justice, make some noise,” said African American national …

by Suchi Rudra Like the food we eat and the air we breathe, what we wear is an inextricable part of our every day lives. But whether we shop for simple, affordable garments or trendy outfits with a famous label, our clothes are actually chock full of chemicals that can be hazardous to our health. Most of the clothing manufactured …

By Jewel Edwards Washington, DC – On Sunday, June 23, Eastern Law gave a talk titled Place, Identitiy, and the Makings of Culture at Chinatown’s Chinese Community Church. Law is working with residents to dispel the stereotype that D.C.’s Chinatown is an inauthentic, over-commercialized space. The talk, part of a larger series of Talk Story events hosted by Organization of …

By Jennie L. Ilustre The Appreciation Reception, hosted recently by the Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs (OAPIA), paid tribute to the rich diversity in the District. Indeed, Chancellor Kaya Henderson noted, “We are an international community.”            The event also highlighted the major contribution of Asian Pacific Americans in the field of education in the mainstream in general, …

For more than 50 years, Ms. Lee has worked as a tireless advocate for the Metropolitan Washington region and has supported some of DC’s biggest projects, including the Walter E. Washington Convention center and The Verizon Center.  Through her contributions as a business owner and leader, Ms. Lee worked to usher in a new era of cultural growth and opportunity …

From Thursday July 18 – Saturday July 21, the Organization of Chinese Americans will host their largest event of the year – the OCA National Convention. The program includes a variety of workshops including health workshops, writer’s workshops, and more. OCA has created five different tracks: chapter advancement track, federal leadership training track, professional development track, college track, and youth …

Asian American leaders convened today via teleconference to discuss the passage of the upcoming immigration senate bill, expected to come up for a final vote by Friday, June 28. AAPI Leaders Deepa Iyer, Kathy Ko Chin, Mari Quenemoen, Jacinta Ma and Jenny Seon addressed all aspects of the Border, Economic Opportunity and Immigration Modernization Act of 2013 with callers. Leaders …

Washington, DC – On Thursday evening, July 27, 2013 the Senate passed a bipartisan immigration reform bill that would rewrite the country’s immigration system. The bill would allow the nation’s unauthorized immigrants to get temporary legal status after they passed a criminal background check, paid a fine and paid whatever back taxes they had outstanding. If they successfully maintained a …

The U.S. Census Bureau today  named Mee Moua from Asian Americans Advancing Justice-AAJC as one of 10 new members of its National Advisory Committee on Racial, Ethnic and Other Populations. The National Advisory Committee advises the Census Bureau on a wide range of variables that affect the cost, accuracy and implementation of the Census Bureau’s programs and surveys, including the once-a-decade census. …

President Obama met with business leaders on June 25 to discuss plans for immigration reform. The President stated that the current immigration system in place now is “broken,” and called for systems to be put in place so that immigrants can be a part of the above board economy, as opposed to the low-board economy. He cited the bipartisan bill …

WASHINGTON, D.C.–Some 1,000 Asian Pacific American Catholics in the East Coast are expected to attend the 11th annual Marian Pilgrimage on May 11, a Saturday. Venue is the Basilica of the National Shrine of the Immaculate Conception in the nation’s capital. “We’re inviting the general public to join us in this one-day celebration of faith and heritage,” said Fred Semendy, …

Asia’s Highest Ranked Player on ATP World Tour Commits to DC Tournament WASHINGTON—Kei Nishikori, who rose to a career-high No. 11 on the Emirates ATP Rankings this week, will compete in this summer’s Citi OpenSM tennis tournament in Washington, DC. Nishikori is one of the highest ranked male players from Asia in history, second only to Thailand’s Paradorn Srichaphan, who reached …

As many of you may be aware, this year is another in the 15 year cycle when thousands of cicadas will descend upon the DC area. Our friends at The Family Handyman have some tips to make the season more bearable. Beat the Nuisances with The Family Handyman’s Simple, DIY Tips for a Peaceful Spring Don’t let spring nuisances like pests, …

By Jennie L. Ilustre Photos: Jennie L. Ilustre Do you want to influence law-making and policy-making on important Asian Pacific American issues? Then publicly tell your stories and “visit, call or write your legislators as a constituent–make noise,” advocates and aides to members of the US Congress in Virginia suggested at a recent discussion organized by the Coalition of Asian …

On May 14th 2013, the McDonald’s Family Restaurants of Greater Washington, D.C. presented the McDonald’s Educates Scholarship to 60 outstanding local students, totaling nearly $105,000.  Eliza Adhikari, Jae Wook Choi, Rafa Chowdhury, Megan Huynh, Shahzeb Khan, GyeongMin Lee, Do Yeon Park, Ana Gloribel Pereira, Yasamin Rahmani, and Khanh Vo were among the recipients. These students all demonstrated dedication to volunteerism, …

By Lily Qi This is the season of inaugurations and internships, with the class of 2014 college grads starting a new chapter in life in a recovering yet still challenging job market, and with students beginning a summer of exploring what to do beyond school lives. Whether it’s a full-time job or an internship, the experience is as much about …

Though President Obama stated last year that DACA recipients — youth who have grown up in the United States and given permission to live and work in the country for two-year renewable periods– were not eligible to receive federal benefits, some may qualify for state-funded only Medi-Cal. California is one of a few states with large immigrant populations that use …

By Devika Koppikar Washington, DC – After a devastating 2009 car accident, then-college student Gauri Sarin decided she didn’t want a typical office job after graduation. So in late 2011, Sarin, whose parents hail from India and business partner Michelle Nguyen, whose parents hail from Vietnam, opened Something Stuffed, a food truck that specializes in fusion “stuffed pockets.” Together, they …

By Duncan Hardock The atmosphere inside the Chinese Culture and Community Service Center (CCACC) is festive. To the right, a fitness class chants as they move to beat of the music. In a classroom down the hall, rows of elderly Chinese Americans practice the ancient art of calligraphy. Eighty-year-olds are playing table tennis in the middle of the hallway, bantering …