Program Duration: January 2023 – June 2023 (6 months)

Location: CLI will be primarily a virtual program with 3 required, in-person weekend events in Los Angeles.

Time Commitment: The CLI Program will take place virtually on every other Wednesday from January through June from 6pm - 8pm PST. The 3 required, in-person sessions in the Los Angeles area will be on Saturdays.

For CLI participants outside of the Southern California area, plane tickets will be provided for the required, in-person sessions in the Los Angeles area. Housing, transportation, and food will be each participant’s responsibility.

Program Cost: A $300 Commitment fee will be due upon acceptance into the program and is non-refundable.

SPEAKER SESSIONS

These sessions will feature guest speakers leading discussions on the four program areas: APA Issues, Leadership Development, Civic Engagement, and Networking. 

pod meetings

These meetings will focus on small group discussion, connection, developing community impact projects, and exploring 1 of 2 Civic Engagement Tracks.

REQUIRED IN-PERSON SESSIONS

Fellows are required to be in-person for 3 Saturdays at the beginning, middle, and end of the program (January 14, March 25, and June 17). Plane tickets will be provided for CLI participants outside of the Los Angeles area. Housing, transportation, and food will be each participant’s responsibility.

Civic engagement projects

Fellows will work on 2 different projects, both individually and with their cohort, to articulate and plan how they will make an impact in their communities. These projects may require some additional time outside of the program sessions.

APA Issues

CLI Fellows will meet with thought leaders for candid discussions on current issues impacting the APA community. These conversations will provide insight into APA issues and policy developments. Topics in the past have included: AAPI hate, data disaggregation, education, healthcare, energy and the environment, workforce development, transportation, and housing.

Leadership Development

CLI Fellows will meet with experienced leaders to refine essential leadership skills needed to effectively advocate for the APA community. Past sessions included public speaking, messaging, and cultivating individualized authentic leadership styles. CLI Fellows will be prepared for civic leadership after the program’s end.

CIVIC ENGAGEMENT

CAUSE’s network will give CLI Fellows access to many influential leaders in California. Speakers share their personal experiences, leadership journeys, best practices on public service and civic leadership, and provide deeper perspective into leading the APA community. Past speakers have included California Attorney General Rob Bonta, State Senator Stephanie Chang, Congresswoman Judy Chu, Bill Wong, and California State Controller Betty Yee, and California State Treasurer Fiona Ma.

NETWORKING

The CAUSE network is united around advancing the APA community. CLI Fellows connect with each other, guest speakers, and the larger community. CLI Fellows are also invited to exclusive networking, political, and community events.

• Deepened their understanding of APA community issues

• Honed their leadership skills

• Developed political advocacy and organizing skills

• Cultivated the confidence to advocate for the APA community

• Created a plan to impact the APA community

• Connected to a large and thriving professional network

ALL CLI APPLICANTS MUST HAVE:

• A desire to advocate for the APA community in the public, private, and/or nonprofit sectors

• At least 5+ years experience in the workforce

• Leadership experience

APPLICATION REQUIREMENTS

Applicants must:

1. Complete the CLI Application here

2. Upload a resume (PDF preferred) as part of their application

3. Have at least 1 Recommender upload a Letter of Recommendation here

4. (OPTIONAL) Upload a 2nd letter of recommendation 

PLEASE NOTE: CLI Applicants are strongly encouraged to include at least 1 recommendation from an:

• Elected official at the city, county, state, or federal level

• Nonprofit executive director, or

• CAUSE Board Member

For full consideration, applicants must ensure both Application and Letter(s) of Recommendation

are received by Sunday, December 4, 2022, 11:59pm PT.

Melissa Apuya

District Director, Office of Assemblymember Marc Levine

Rachelle Arizmendi

Council Member (2X former Mayor), City of Sierra Madre and PACE

Richard Chang

Data Analytics Director, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Data Policy Lab

The Honorable Stephanie Chang

State Senator, State of Michigan

Caroline Choi

Senior Vice President, Edison International & Southern California Edison

The Honorable Judy Chu

Congresswoman, State of California

Eurie Chung

Producer, Flash Cuts Productions

Susan Jin Davis

Social Impact Officer, Al Roker Entertainment

Mary Anne Foo

Executive Director, Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance (OCAPICA)

Manju Kulkarni

Executive Director, AAPI Equity Alliance

Leila Lee

Director of Small Business and Entrepreneurship, Los Angeles Mayor's Office of Economic Development

Chanchanit Martorell

Executive Director, Thai Community Development Center (Thai CDC)

Janet McIntyre

VP of Programs & Training, Executive Service Corps of Southern California

Chirag Menon

Principal, Third Settlements

Andrew Murphy

Co-Director, Los Angeles Unified School District API Equity Steering Committee

Soukprida Phetmisy

Senior Managing Director, Asian American & Pacific Islander Alliances, Teach For America

Godfrey Plata

Community and Political Organizer, Former Candidate

Tavae Samuelu

Executive Director, Empowering Pacific Islander Communities (EPIC)

Nira Singh

Director of Behavioral Health, AACI

Raphael Sonenshein

Executive Director, Pat Brown Institute for Public Affairs

John Tang

Director, Government Relations and Public Affairs, Reyes Coca-Cola Bottling

Lance Toma

CEO, San Francisco Community Health Center

Kyle Tsukahira

Co-Director, Asian Pacific Islander Forward Movement (APIFM)

‘Alisi Tulua

Project Director, NHPI Data Policy Lab @ UCLA Center for Health Policy Research

Bill Wong

Principal/Consultant, Bill Wong LLC

John Yi

Executive Director, Los Angeles Walks