Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Chicago

05/16/2022

Compromise on new City Council ward map could take issue away from Chicago voters

Today, we celebrate the official creation of Chicago’s first Asian American majority ward! City Council passed a ward map that created the first-ever Asian American majority ward in Greater Chinatown and unified the Asian and immigrant communities of Albany Park into one ward. These are historic wins for Chicago’s Asian American community that will amplify our voice in City Council for decades to come.

Check out this article from The Chicago Sun-Times that quotes our Democracy, Voting Rights, and Redistricting Counsel, Justin Sia: “Asian American representation in City Hall has been long-overdue,” said Justin Sia of Asian Americans Advancing Justice-Chicago. “Our historic redistricting achievements will allow Asian American voters to have greater influence in local elections and will help elevate the unique issues that impact our community.”

Under the deal, which still needs to be cemented by a Chicago City Council vote next week, the map will create 16 Black majority wards and 14 Latino majority wards — one fewer than the Latino caucus had fought for.

05/12/2022

Summer is just around the corner, and that means our annual KINETIC Summer Leadership Program is starting soon! Our program is a 6-week, in-person, stipendiés leadership development opportunity for rising 8th-12th graders in CPS. We’re looking for 15 dynamic immigrant/refugee students to join us this summer to build community, sharpen their political knowledge, develop organizing skills, and collectively build towards a future where immigrant and refugee youth and families can thrive.
Applications will be accepted through Tuesday, May 31st at 11:59 pm. We’re hosting an virtual info session on May 21st at 2:30pm for anyone who wants to hear directly from our youth leaders, and get help on their applications!

05/10/2022

Today, we applaud Chicago City Council for producing a citywide ward map that creates Chicago’s first Asian American majority ward in Greater Chinatown and unifies Albany Park’s Asian American and immigrant community into one ward. The new ward map will bolster our community's influence in City Council and have groundbreaking impacts for our communities through the next decade and beyond!

However, City Council failed to unify the vibrant South Asian community in West Ridge into one ward. Given the fast-growing South Asian population in this area, we are hopeful that Ward 50 could become Chicago’s next Asian American majority ward in 2031.

As the Asian American community continues to build political power through this decade and beyond, Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago will continue to hold City Council accountable and uplift issues that are important to Asian American communities across Chicago.

We are especially thankful for Ald. @sigchofor25 for zealously advocating for the Asian American majority ward and for Ald. @rossanafor33 for helping lead the effort to consolidate Albany Park and empower this community.

We are also thankful to have partnered on this historic redistricting effort with the Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community, Pui Tak Center, Chinese American Service League, HANA Center, Alliance of Filipinos for Immigrant Rights and Empowerment, the Cambodian Association of Illinois, South Asian American Policy & Research Institute, the Indo-American Center, and the Illinois Muslim Civic Coalition.

05/06/2022

Congratulations to Honorees and Champion Award recipients Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz and State Senator Ram Villivalam ! #30yearsofJustice

05/05/2022

Today's the day! We are so excited to celebrate #30YearsofJustice with you at Morgan's on Fulton tonight! For important attendee information, please visit: https://www.advancingjustice-chicago.org/30th/

05/04/2022

We are so excited to celebrate #30YearsofJustice with you at Morgan's On Fulton tomorrow!

For important guest information, please visit: www.advancingjustice-chicago.org/30th. Today's Then & Now spotlight is on our Milestone Awardee, Michael Chu! "Advancing Justice | Chicago has been incredibly important to me ever since, and I have done everything I can to support it."

05/03/2022

We are so excited to celebrate #30YearsofJustice with you at Morgan's on Fulton this Thursday, May 5! For important guest information, please visit: www.advancingjustice-chicago.org/30th

Today's Then & Now spotlight is on our Champion Awardee, State Senator Ram Villivalam! "Thanks to their partnership, TEAACH was signed into law and Advancing Justice | Chicago is continuing their efforts to implement the curriculum in our schools."

05/02/2022

This is THE week! Celebrate #30YearsofJustice with us at Morgan's on Fulton this Thursday, May 5! For important guest information, please visit: www.advancingjustice-chicago.org/30th

Today's Then & Now spotlight is on our Champion Awardee, Representative Jennifer Gong-Gershowitz! "[Advancing Justice | Chicago] has been a stalwart partner in making Illinois a more just, equitable place."

05/02/2022

From all of us at Advancing Justice | Chicago, we wish you joy this Eid!

#eid2022 #eidmubarak2022

05/02/2022

Photos from Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights's post

04/28/2022

TODAY 3PM CST/4PM EST: When states redraw their district lines, it is of the utmost importance it empowers voters – not politicians. By making our voices heard, AAPIs made a difference in holding state legislatures accountable to this. Join us today to hear from Justin and other community leaders to learn more about these victories, lessons learned, and what comes next. Register now via Asian Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote): apia.vote/2022redistrictingbriefing.

04/27/2022

Today's Then & Now spotlight is on former Executive Director Andy Kang! "Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago will always be home for me. For three decades, people who believe in the power of Asian American and immigrant communities have come together to challenge racism and achieve justice, with Advancing Justice | Chicago leading every step of the way."

Celebrate #30YearsofJustice with us next week! Reserve your tickets today: www.advancingjustice-chicago.org/30th

04/26/2022

Today's Then & Now spotlight is on Board Director Milynn Mapalo! "I'm honored to serve such a long-standing and impactful organization that is not only relevant to the societal issues we are facing today but is also paving the way for a progressive and just future."

Just over a week until our 30th Anniversary Celebration! Celebrate #30YearsofJustice with us and reserve your tickets today! www.advancingjustice-chicago.org/30th

04/25/2022

Our 30th Anniversary Celebration is next week! Tickets are going fast - reserve yours for May 5th at Fulton's on Morgan today! https://www.advancingjustice-chicago.org/30th/

Looking back at #30YearsofJustice: In 2013, Asian American Institute (AAI) re-branded as Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago.​ The plan was for four groups - Asian American Justice Center in Washington D.C., Asian Pacific American Legal Center in Los Angeles, AAI in Chicago, and Asian Law Caucus in San Francisco - to transition into a shared identity in stages over the coming years. Tuyet Le, former Executive Director of Advancing Justice | Chicago shared, “By affiliating gradually, we will maintain our identity and presence in our local communities. AAI is the leading pan-Asian organization in the Midwest, and we will continue to speak to local issues. Asian Americans Advancing Justice gives us a voice to speak to national ones as well.” While each organization continues to be based in its home city, including a fifth affiliate in Atlanta, all affiliates collaborate on key national issues, like voting rights and immigration reform. Today, the Asian Americans Advancing Justice affiliation is a leading voice on policy and legal matters affecting the Asian American community.

04/22/2022

Our amazing Development Associate, Megan Singson, is moving on from Advancing Justice | Chicago. Megan has been an essential part of the Development team for the past two and a half years. We are grateful for both her efforts as the former Communications Specialist and Development Associate. She has made an impact in our fundraising efforts to support our critical mission. We thank her for her commitment and dedication and wish her the best in her next chapter!

04/21/2022

Last call! Apply this weekend for the best chance to be considered as we near the end of our rolling applications window! We're looking for a full-time Community Organizer or Organizing Manager and Policy/Political Director to join our team!

Apply to the Community Organizer / Organizing Manager role: https://bit.ly/communityorganizerJD

Apply to the Policy/Political Director role: https://bit.ly/PolicyDirectorJD

04/21/2022

Just two weeks until our 30th Anniversary Celebration! Celebrate #30YearsofJustice with us and reserve your tickets today! www.advancingjustice-chicago.org/30th

Today's Then & Now spotlight is on former staff Brandon Lee! Brandon was at Advancing Justice | Chicago for 12 years as a staff member, leader, and volunteer. "I saw what could be accomplished by building and mobilizing a powerful Asian American community. Now in my role with the Illinois Coalition for Immigrant and Refugee Rights, I see Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago staff and A Just Chi members as a source of inspiration and an example of how bold, values-forward leadership can win meaningful change." Thank you, Brandon!

04/18/2022

A little over two weeks until our 30th Anniversary Celebration. Have you reserved tickets yet? Celebrate #30YearsofJustice with us! www.advancingjustice-chicago.org/30th

Today's Then & Now spotlight is on Board President Khai Yang! "At the heart of Advancing Justice Chicago are courageous individuals that stand up for AAPI and immigrant rights through community organizing and advocacy."

04/15/2022

One year ago, a gunman murdered eight people at an Indianapolis FedEx facility. Today, we solemnly remember the lives lost and those who were injured. Our hearts are with those whose lives were changed forever by this horrible act of violence. Please visit The Sikh Coalition to view their collective statement on today’s anniversary.

#RememberingIndianapolis #FedExShooting

04/15/2022

Continuing with today's #Throwback at #30YearsofJustice:

In 2010, Advancing Justice | Chicago (then Asian American Institute) co-founded the Pan-Asian Voter Empowerment (PAVE) Coalition. One of PAVE's first joint events was a Mayoral Candidate Forum during the 2011 municipal election, which was the first election since 1947 to have an open seat for mayor. The coalition also collaborated on non-partisan voter turnout throughout Chicago. Learn more in the graphic!

Celebrate #30YearsofJustice with us on May 5. Reserve your tickets today at https://www.advancingjustice-chicago.org/30th/

04/13/2022

We're still looking for a full-time Community Organizer or Organizing Manager to join our team! Apply: https://bit.ly/communityorganizerJD

The Community Organizer position is an opportunity for a strategic and motivated relationship-builder to build power in the Asian American community, develop grassroots leadership, lead strategic issue campaigns, and move community members to take action. Depending on experience, this position could be elevated to a Chicago Organizing Manager position, with additional responsibilities of managing community organizers.

Applications reviewed on a rolling basis throughout April. Learn more & apply today: https://bit.ly/communityorganizerJD

04/12/2022

Less than a month away until our 30th Anniversary Celebration. Have you reserved tickets? Celebrate #30YearsofJustice with us! www.advancingjustice-chicago.org/30th

Today's Then & Now spotlight is on our very own Deputy Director Bryan Hara! "Over the last 10 years of being on staff at Advancing Justice – Chicago, I am so proud to see how much our organization has grown and become what we are today."