Leadership Academy
Sydney Pike
BLOG 5: Saying, Yes!

When I received my bachelor's degree from UCLA in June, the only thing I knew was that I would be joining CAUSE for the next nine weeks. I didn’t know what to expect, however what I gained was a new sense of confidence, a community of amazing individuals, and a greater understanding of our AANHPI community and my place within it.

BLOG 5: Saying, Yes!
Leadership Academy
Malia Ferrer
BLOG 5: Thank Goodness I Checked My E-mail!

I often reflect on the “butterfly effect" moments that have occurred in my life; the seemingly small choices or coincidences that have led to profound changes. This internship is a prime example.

BLOG 5: Thank Goodness I Checked My E-mail!
Leadership Academy
Jianhao Cui
BLOG 5: Nine Weeks Just 60 Days

As each of the nine weeks of our internship passed, I felt myself developing skills and knowledge through my placement office at LA County First District Supervisor Hilda Solis’ Office and through CAUSE’s cohort sessions. 

BLOG 5: Nine Weeks Just 60 Days
Leadership Academy
Emma Tom
BLOG 5: C (you all) LA (ter)

I often face difficulties coming up with answers for this icebreaker because my facial expressions always reveal my true feelings. So when I released the waterworks in front of the CAUSE board members during graduation, it was clear that I was not ready to say goodbye and close this chapter in my life.

BLOG 5: C (you all) LA (ter)
Leadership Academy
Ryan Horio
Blog 5: FTP (Family, Trust, Power)

As my time at CAUSE comes to a close, I reflect on the lessons I've learned about family, trust, and the collective power of API communities. CAUSE has not only deepened my understanding of civic engagement but also has reinforced the importance of prioritizing being rooted in community and centering our hearts in the work we do.

Blog 5: FTP (Family, Trust, Power)

Leadership Academy

Week 5: Finding a Place in the Arts

Week 5: Finding a Place in the Arts

I’ve always wanted to be an artist. And if I’m being completely honest, I am an artist; I’ve been one since I first picked up a pencil. From acrylic to oil to graphite to pastel to chalk, I’ve dabbled in every medium. Even beyond the page I’ve found myself falling in love with art. I danced competitively and found myself head over heels for acting and theatre when I got to high school. But still, calling myself an artist feels weird to me even after years and years of explaining to others my passion for what I do.

Week 4: Connecting with the Community

Week 4: Connecting with the Community

I have only been working at the Office of Assemblymember Ed Chau for two weeks, but I’ve already gained so much information and insight into the role of local government. My average day consists of coming to work, creating news clippings (quick paragraph summaries of relevant news from that day), answering constituent phone calls, making certificates, and doing event research.

Week 3: Standing Up For Ourselves

Week 3: Standing Up For Ourselves

The Capitol Summit was an amazing experience. Being able to see those who look like me in positions to make a difference in the Asian community was really inspiring. I met leaders like Annie V. Lam, Bill Wong, Andi Liebenbaum, Robert Abelon and everyone in the legislature, all of whom strengthened my will to make a difference in my community. 

Leadership Academy Kickoff

Leadership Academy Kickoff

Los Angeles, CA – On Friday, June 21st, CAUSE held the 2019 Leadership Academy (CLA) Kickoff at the Los Angeles Chamber of Commerce to introduce the CLA Class of 2019 interns.

Week 7: Professionalism in Unorthodox Spaces

Week 7: Professionalism in Unorthodox Spaces

In my view, professionalism encompasses not only a wide range of mannerisms and habits, but more importantly also includes an overall mindset that is conducive to promoting oneself as both serious and competent within a specific field or position. In this respect, the most important and fundamental aspect of professionalism is having the right mindset, because a person’s mindset ultimately determines their thoughts, actions, and reactions to other people.

Week 7: What It Means to Be Teochew

Week 7: What It Means to Be Teochew

The typical phrase that people use when they want to show off that they are knowledgeable about Chinese identity is, “What Chinese do you speak, Mandarin or Cantonese?” Growing up, I hit everyone with a curveball by responding, “Neither, I speak Teochew.” Teochew is a Southern min dialect from South East China, the Eastern part of the Guangdong province. Many people may know it by its Cantonese name, “Chiu Chow.”

Week 6: Finding Commonality

Week 6: Finding Commonality

For this week’s civic leadership session, we were able to hear from panels of speakers from the healthcare and non-profit fields, both areas that I am greatly interested and passionate about. The healthcare panel revealed to me the intricate difficulties that come with trying to service a community as complex and diverse as the Asian American community.

Week 6: Cannabis Is Federally Classified as a Schedule 1 Drug

Week 6: Cannabis Is Federally Classified as a Schedule 1 Drug

This week, I felt very privileged to have the opportunity to research the cannabis market this week for State Treasurer John Chiang, who is assisting the establishment of a state bank for the regulated cannabis market. To one of my friends, they would probably say that since its legalization in California, all forms are cannabis are now legal. However, the policy implications are very different and not nearly that simple.

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