CA Commission on APIA Affairs

CA Commission on APIA Affairs The California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs.

THE MISSION of the Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs is to elevate the political, economic, and social issues of Asians and Pacific Islanders by contributing to and strengthening how state government addresses the needs, issues, and concerns of the diverse and complex Asian and Pacific Islander American communities.

June is Immigrant Heritage Month! A time to recognize and celebrate the generations of immigrants whose stories, culture...
06/10/2026

June is Immigrant Heritage Month! A time to recognize and celebrate the generations of immigrants whose stories, cultures, resilience, and contributions continue to shape California.

Did you know that nearly 28% of Californians are immigrants? Among California's immigrants, over 35% identify as AANHPI, highlighting the significant contributions AANHPI communities make to our state's economy, culture, and civic life.

From small businesses and entrepreneurship to education, healthcare, public service, arts, culture, and innovation, immigrant communities continue to strengthen California and enrich our communities every day.

California's diversity is one of our greatest strengths. This month, CAPIAA celebrates the journeys, voices, and contributions of immigrant communities while honoring the countless immigrants who help shape our state as healthcare professionals, educators, farmers, entrepreneurs, attorneys, scientists, public servants, artists, and community advocates.

As we honor Immigrant Heritage Month, we reaffirm the importance of building a California where all communities are seen, valued, and empowered to thrive.

🚨 We're Hiring! Join the CAPIAA Team! 🚨Are you passionate about storytelling, community engagement, digital media, and c...
06/05/2026

🚨 We're Hiring! Join the CAPIAA Team! 🚨

Are you passionate about storytelling, community engagement, digital media, and creating meaningful impact across California's diverse communities?

The California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs (CAPIAA) is seeking a Digital Media Marketing Specialist to help lead our communications, social media, content creation, video production, marketing campaigns, and statewide outreach efforts.

This is an exciting opportunity to support initiatives that elevate the voices, experiences, and priorities of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities while working alongside a dedicated team committed to public service. The position offers professional growth opportunities and the chance to shape how CAPIAA connects with communities across California.

📅 Applications Due: June 18, 2026
💼 Full-Time | Analyst III
🔗 Apply here: bit.ly/DigitalMediaMarketingSpecialist

If you know a talented designer, content creator, marketer, or public affairs professional looking to make a difference, please share this opportunity with your networks.

Happy Tonga Independence Day! Today, CAPIAA joins communities across California and around the world in celebrating Tong...
06/04/2026

Happy Tonga Independence Day!

Today, CAPIAA joins communities across California and around the world in celebrating Tonga Independence Day, honoring the Kingdom of Tonga's rich history, enduring sovereignty, and vibrant cultural heritage.

With more than 26,000 Tongans calling California home, Tongan communities continue to strengthen California through cultural leadership, community service, entrepreneurship, athletics, education, and commitment to preserving Pacific Islander traditions for future generations.

As we recognize this important day, we celebrate the achievements and cultural legacy of the Tongan community and extend our warmest wishes to all those observing Tonga Independence Day.

📊 Did you know?Los Angeles County is home to more than 1.5 million Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander...
06/04/2026

📊 Did you know?
Los Angeles County is home to more than 1.5 million Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) residents, representing one of the most diverse populations in the nation.

The newly released Asian Economic Report from the Los Angeles County Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) highlights the economic contributions, experiences, and diversity of AANHPI communities across the region, and underscores why disaggregated data matters.

Key findings from the report include:
-More than 224 languages are spoken across AANHPI communities in Los Angeles County, including 28 distinct AANHPI languages actively spoken throughout the county. - Nearly 72.4% of AANHPI residents speak a language other than English at home, highlighting the importance of language access in education, healthcare, workforce development, and civic engagement.
-AANHPI households, entrepreneurs, cultural institutions, and community organizations play a vital role in strengthening the regional economy.

"As Chair of CAPIAA's Economic Equity Committee, I appreciate this report's commitment to highlighting the diversity within AANHPI communities and the importance of disaggregated data," said Commissioner Jason Tam. "When we better understand the unique experiences and economic realities of our communities, we are better positioned to advance policies and investments that promote opportunity, equity, and inclusive economic growth."

Thank you to LAEDC President & CEO Stephen Cheung and the entire LAEDC team for producing this important resource.

📖 Read the full report: https://laedc.org/download/the-asian-economic-report-part-1-of-2/

💬✨ What does educational equity look like for AANHPI students in California?Vice Chair Dr. Kirin Macapugay reflects on h...
06/03/2026

💬✨ What does educational equity look like for AANHPI students in California?

Vice Chair Dr. Kirin Macapugay reflects on how data can help uncover the barriers students face and provide a roadmap for advocacy, while Executive Director Khydeeja Alam emphasizes that access alone is not enough; students must also be supported through college completion and pathways to economic mobility.

CAPIAA's State of Higher Education for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Californians report offers important insights into the educational experiences of AANHPI communities and the disparities that continue to impact student outcomes.

For example, only 44% of Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander high school graduates complete the A-G coursework required for CSU and UC admission, and NHPI students are five times less likely than Asian American students to enroll at a University of California campus.

These findings reinforce the need for data-informed policies, targeted investments, and continued efforts to expand educational opportunity and student success across California.
🤝 CAPIAA is proud to partner with the Campaign for College Opportunity to advance research and recommendations that help improve educational outcomes for AANHPI communities across California.

📘 Download and read the full report:
https://capiaa.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2026/05/Final_State-of-Higher-Education-AANHPI-Californians-2026.pdf

New data from AAPI Data and NCAPA highlight important realities facing AANHPI workers across the country, from union mem...
06/01/2026

New data from AAPI Data and NCAPA highlight important realities facing AANHPI workers across the country, from union membership and workforce representation to low-wage labor and language-access barriers.

The data also reinforces why disaggregated data matters. While many AANHPI communities are heavily represented in industries like healthcare, science, and technology, significant disparities continue to exist across ethnic groups, immigration status, wages, and workplace experiences.

📊 Key findings include:
• More than 1 million AANHPI workers are part of the union movement.
• Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander workers are among the most unionized groups nationally.
• Nearly 1 in 4 AANHPI workers are low-wage workers.
• Limited English proficiency significantly increases economic vulnerability.
• AANHPI union members earn about 22% more per week than non-union workers in similar jobs.

Explore the full resource guide and data for yourself: aapidata.com/featured/by-the-numbers-labor/

CAPIAA is proud to elevate research and data that help strengthen understanding of the diverse experiences within AANHPI communities and inform policies that advance economic opportunity and equity for all.

Happy Samoa Independence Day! Today, we recognize and celebrate the history, resilience, culture, and contributions of t...
06/01/2026

Happy Samoa Independence Day!

Today, we recognize and celebrate the history, resilience, culture, and contributions of the Samoan community as Samoa commemorates its independence on June 1.

California is home to more than 63,000 Samoans whose leadership, service, traditions, and cultural contributions continue to strengthen communities across our state and beyond.

CAPIAA extends its warm wishes to all those celebrating this important day.

📢 Save the Date: Afghan Community Listening SessionJoin the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American...
05/29/2026

📢 Save the Date: Afghan Community Listening Session

Join the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs (CAPIAA) and the Afghan-American Foundation for a community listening session focused on the experiences, needs, and priorities of the Afghan community.

This is an opportunity for community members to share their perspectives on services, barriers, and opportunities for stronger support. Your feedback will help inform future policies, programs, and resources that better serve Afghan Californians.

📅 June 13, 2026
🕞 3:30 PM – 5:00 PM
📍 1616 Del Paso Blvd., Sacramento, CA 95815

Registration is free, but space is limited. Reserve your spot today:
🔗 bit.ly/AfghanCommunityListeningSession

We encourage Afghan community members, community leaders, service providers, advocates, and allies to attend and help ensure community voices are heard.

05/29/2026

This AAPI Heritage Month, CAPIAA is highlighting key legislation that supports representation, equity, and opportunity for AANHPI communities across California.

✔️ AB 2017 (Assemblymember Matt Haney, co-authored by Senator Aisha Wahab) would recognize Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as California state holidays. The bill recently passed the Assembly Floor with bipartisan support, reflecting California's commitment to honoring the traditions and contributions of its more than one million Muslim residents.

✔️ AB 2374 (Assemblymember Mike Fong) would establish a California designation for Asian American and Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions. We are thrilled to share that the bill passed the Assembly Floor with strong support and now advances to the Senate, bringing California one step closer to recognizing and investing in institutions that serve AANHPI students.

✔️ ACA 18 (Assemblymembers Jessica Caloza and Patrick Ahrens) would strengthen student representation on the University of California Board of Regents by creating dedicated undergraduate and graduate student regent positions, helping ensure student voices are represented in decisions that shape higher education.

✔️ CAPIAA also recognizes the important work behind AB 1878 (Assemblymember Darshana Patel), which advanced the conversation around disaggregated data and data equity. While the bill did not move forward this year, the need for detailed race and ethnicity data remains critical to ensuring communities are accurately represented in public policy and resource allocation.

As we continue celebrating AAPI Heritage Month, CAPIAA remains committed to supporting policies that help our communities be seen, heard, and represented.

📘 Today, the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs (CAPIAA), in partnership with the Camp...
05/28/2026

📘 Today, the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs (CAPIAA), in partnership with the Campaign for College Opportunity, is proud to release The State of Higher Education for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Californians, a new report examining the progress, barriers, and persistent inequities shaping AANHPI student success across California.

Far too often, AANHPI communities are treated as a monolith. This report challenges that narrative by highlighting how aggregated data can obscure major disparities in college preparation, access, transfer, completion, and economic mobility, particularly for Southeast Asian American and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities.

The findings reinforce why disaggregated data, culturally responsive support systems, and equity-driven policy solutions matter. Access alone is not enough. California must continue investing in pathways that support AANHPI students from enrollment through completion and into long-term opportunity.

We are grateful to partner with the Campaign for College Opportunity on this important work and hope this report serves as a resource for policymakers, educators, advocates, and community leaders working to advance educational equity across our state.

📖 Read the full report here:
https://capiaa.ca.gov/wp-content/uploads/sites/16/2026/05/Final_State-of-Higher-Education-AANHPI-Californians-2026.pdf

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