CA Commission on APIA Affairs

Juneteenth is a time to honor the enduring contributions, leadership, and resilience of Black Americans and to reflect on the ongoing pursuit of freedom, justice, and opportunity.

The struggles and achievements of the Black community helped lay the foundation for many of the civil rights protections, opportunities, and freedoms that communities across the nation benefit from today, including Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. Through generations of advocacy, organizing, and leadership, African Americans challenged systems of exclusion and expanded the promise of democracy for all.

Juneteenth also reminds us of the longstanding solidarity between African American and AANHPI communities. From movements for civil rights and voting rights to efforts advancing educational access, economic opportunity, and racial justice, these communities have often stood together in pursuit of a more equitable future.

As we commemorate Juneteenth, CAPIAA celebrates the contributions of Black communities and reaffirms our commitment to advancing equity, inclusion, and opportunity for all Californians.

Join us for a special briefing on Foundations and Futures: Asian American and Pacific Islander Multimedia Textbook, a groundbreaking free educational resource developed by the UCLA Asian American Studies Center and featuring contributions from more than 100 scholars, journalists, organizers, and community historians. The multimedia textbook highlights the histories, experiences, and contributions of more than 20 AAPI communities across the United States, its territories, and the Pacific.

Presented in partnership with the CA Asian American and Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus, the California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs, and the UCLA Asian American Studies Center, this briefing will feature UCLA Professor Karen Umemoto and explore how this innovative resource can support educators, students, and community members in advancing AAPI history and ethnic studies education.

🗓 June 29, 2026
⏰ 10:30 AM – 11:30 AM
📍 Swing Space, Room 6010, Sacramento

Registration is free, but space is limited. Reserve your spot today: https://lnkd.in/g94AeUGe

Thank you to everyone who joined CAPIAA and the Afghan American Foundation for our Afghan Community Listening Session in Sacramento.

Community members, advocates, and public officials came together to discuss key issues impacting Afghan Californians, including education, health and mental health services, economic opportunity, civic engagement, language access, and support for the Afghan diaspora. The conversations highlighted both the challenges facing the community and the resilience, leadership, and contributions of Afghan Americans across California.

We are grateful to Commissioners Diann Kitamura, Zain Yahya, and Dr. David Yee for attending and engaging directly with community members. We also thank Assemblymember Maggy Krell, Eduardo Madrid Moreno, and Sohrab Reha for joining us and listening to the experiences and priorities shared throughout the day.

A special thank you to the Afghan American Foundation, Mustafa Babak, Nesar, Mina, and all participants who helped make this meaningful conversation possible. Your voices will help inform future engagement and strengthen efforts to advance equity and opportunity for Afghan communities throughout California.

To learn more about the event and hear directly from participants, read the Sacramento Bee's coverage: https://www.sacbee.com/news/local/article316119680.html

🚨 ACTION ALERT: Submit Your Support Letters for AB 2017 & AB 2374 🚨
Your voice can help advance two important bills impacting AANHPI communities across California.

📌 AB 2017: Eid Holiday Recognition
⏰ Deadline: TODAY by 5:00 PM
📍 Submit to the Senate Governmental Organization Committee
🔗 sgov.senate.ca.gov/committeehome
📧 Subject Line: "AB 2017 Letter of Support"

AB 2017 would add Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha to California's list of recognized state holidays, increasing visibility and recognition for Muslim Californians.

📌 AB 2374: AANHPI-Serving Institutions Designation
⏰ Deadline: Friday by 12:00 PM
📍 Submit to the Senate Education Committee
🔗 sedn.senate.ca.gov/committeehome
📧 Subject Line: "AB 2374 Letter of Support"

AB 2374 would establish an AANHPI-Serving Institution designation to help colleges and universities better support AANHPI students' success through data-informed, culturally responsive practices.

Every letter submitted reflects community support and helps lawmakers understand why these measures matter. We encourage community organizations, educators, students, advocates, and allies to take a few minutes to submit a letter before the deadlines.

🌈 Happy Pride Month!

This June, CAPIAA joins communities across California in recognizing Pride Month and celebrating the diverse experiences, contributions, and resilience of LGBTQ+ individuals.

Pride Month is an opportunity to honor the generations of advocates, leaders, artists, educators, public servants, and community members whose courage and determination have helped expand opportunity, visibility, and belonging for others.

It is also a reminder of the importance of creating communities where people can live authentically, feel supported, and have access to the resources they need to thrive, including mental health and wellness support.

As we recognize this important month, we celebrate the many ways LGBTQ+ Californians strengthen our state through their leadership, creativity, service, and commitment to building more inclusive communities.

CAPIAA wishes a Happy Pride Month to all who celebrate.

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 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 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 (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 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