Press Release regarding the 49th Assembly District Special Primary Election on February 15, 2022.
CALIFORNIA CITIZENS REDISTRICTING COMMISSION APPROVES FINAL MAPS
WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 22, 2021 -- LOS ANGELES, CA -- During the late evening hours of Monday, December 20, 2021, the Commission voted to approve the final Congressional, Senate, and Assembly maps, which can be viewed here. This marks one of the last steps of the redistricting process as the Commission is required to post these maps for 3 days before they will be final. By law, maps need to be certified by December 27, 2021, so they are unlikely to change. Once finalized, these maps will play a major role in the future of our communities and California politics for the next decade.
JOINT STATEMENT OF SAN GABRIEL VALLEY LEADERS ON THE DILUTION OF THE AAPI COMMUNITY IN DRAFT REDISTRICTING MAPS
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 16, 2021 -- LOS ANGELES, CA -- A coalition of Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community leaders and organizations are joining together to raise concerns over California Citizens Redistricting Commission’s draft maps of the San Gabriel Valley (SGV). The draft maps split West San Gabriel Valley cities (WSGV) and East San Gabriel Valley (ESGV) cities with significant AAPI populations into multiple congressional districts. In these drafted commission maps, the AAPI community would face an uphill battle to elect a representative from their own community and reverse four decades of progress by community coalitions and partnerships.
CAUSE CELEBRATES MULTIPLE NATIONAL CIVIC LEADERSHIP AWARDS
TUESDAY, NOVEMBER 9, 2021 -- LOS ANGELES, CA -- The Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE) announced today that its current and future programs have been recognized through multiple national awards that honor civic leadership. Despite the challenges of a pandemic and a leadership change, these awards highlight the success of CAUSE’s existing programs and the potential of its future programs.
STATEWIDE POLL REVEALS MULTI-ETHNIC VIEWS OF RACIAL DISCRIMINATION AND THE IMPACT OF COVID-19
Los Angeles, CA, May 7, 2021 -- The Asian Pacific American community in California has been experiencing both the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic and an increase of anti-Asian hate crimes and incidents for the past 14 months. With over 3,800 incidents reported since the start of the pandemic, incidents of violence towards the community continue to surface across the country.
Joint Statement from Multiethnic Leaders on Increase of Anti-Asian Hate
Los Angeles, CA, April 8, 2020 -- The Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE), Hispanas Organized for Political Empowerment (HOPE), the Jewish Center for Justice (JCJ), and the Los Angeles Urban League (LAUL) believe that hate against any group should not be tolerated, in any form.
STATEWIDE POST-ELECTION POLL REVEALS MULTI-ETHNIC VIEWS OF ELECTION, COVID-19, AND RACE RELATIONS
Los Angeles, CA, November 23, 2020 -- Statewide polling conducted from November 4 to November 15 revealed multi-ethnic attitudes towards the November 3rd General Election ballot, Covid-19, and race relations in the United States. The poll is the third in an ongoing series that began in February of this year and surveys 1,300 adults statewide with over-samples of Latinos, African Americans, and Asian Pacific Americans (APA) to allow more detailed analysis.
“Make Us Count”: A Conversation with California Secretary of State Alex Padilla and Asian Pacific American Community Leaders about November 3rd Election and Voter Resources
Los Angeles, CA -- The Center for Asian Americans United for Self-Empowerment (CAUSE) will host a virtual press conference featuring California Secretary of State, Alex Padilla, and leaders of community organizations representing the Asian Pacific American community via Zoom on Thursday, October 8, 2020 at 02:00 PM PST.
MULTIETHNIC COALITION’S STATEWIDE POLL SHOWS ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICANS VIEWS ON DISCRIMINATION, COVID-19 RECOVERY, AND POLICE REFORM
Los Angeles, CA, July 17, 2020 – As California confronts the unprecedented threat of COVID-19 and historic civil unrest, statewide polling conducted by a coalition of diverse nonprofit organizations led by CAUSE demonstrates that the state’s most prominent racial and ethnic groups are coalescing on paths forward for both police reform and for the re-opening of the state.
CAUSE NAMES RESPECTED API LEADER NANCY YAP AS NEW DIRECTOR: YAP TO HEAD GROUP IN NEW ERA OF API CIVIC ENGAGEMENT
Los Angeles, CA – Respected Asian Pacific Islander (API) community leader and activist, Nancy Yap, has been named as the new Executive Director for CAUSE (Center For Asians United for Self Empowerment), it was announced today. Yap, who has been serving as Vice President for Development at LEAP (Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics), will begin her new position with CAUSE on July 20 and will be responsible for all facets of the organization’s leadership training, political and community engagement and other programming.
CAUSE Board Chair Charlie Woo Helps Lead Conversation on Racial Justice, Discusses APA Community Involvement
Los Angeles, CA – The Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE) will come together with Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE) and the Los Angeles Urban League for the “Confronting Racism: A Pandemic Within a Pandemic” Livestream hosted by the Los Angeles World Affairs Council & Town Hall on Wednesday, June 17, 2020 at 11:00 AM-12:00 PM.
CAUSE Board Chair Charlie Woo to Help Lead Los Angeles Racial Justice and Community Cooperation Discussion Panel
Los Angeles, CA – The Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE), in conjunction with Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE), the Jewish Center for Justice, and the Los Angeles Urban League, will participate in the “Building Bridges: A Cross-Cultural Dialogue About Confronting Racism” panel hosted by the Los Angeles Museum of the Holocaust on Monday, June 8, 2020 at 12:00PM-1:00PM.
CAUSE to Postpone Annual Gala in light of COVID-19 Concerns
Los Angeles, CA – In light of public health concerns related to the COVID-19 coronavirus and to do our part in inhibiting its spread, CAUSE is postponing our 27th Annual Gala, originally scheduled for April 9th, 2020. CAUSE is monitoring the situation and following recommendations made by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and by California State Governor Gavin Newsom, and will announce a new date when decided.
CAUSE Partners with LA Times for Poll on Presidential Sentiments Among APA Community
Los Angeles, CA, February 26, 2020 – The Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE), in a historic, unprecedented partnership with Hispanas Organized for Political Equality (HOPE), Los Angeles Urban League, and the Los Angeles Times, conducted a poll on U.S. Citizens residing in California on their presidential preferences ahead of the primary election.The poll makes the effort to capture Asian Pacific American (APA) sentiment surrounding the presidency and presidential candidates.
California Secretary of State Alex Padilla joins CAUSE, APA Leaders for “Make Us Count” Press Conference
Los Angeles, CA – The Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE), in conjunction with local community organizations representing the diverse Asian Pacific American (APA) communities, will host the “Make Us Count” Press Conference featuring California Secretary of State, Alex Padilla at the Japanese American National Museum in Los Angeles on Tuesday, February 11, 2020 at 10:00AM.
CAUSE Announces Departure of Kim Yamasaki, Outgoing Executive Director
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Haidee Pan
Director of Marketing & Communications
Phone: (213)269-4639
Email: haidee@causeusa.org
Los Angeles, CA – As of January 3rd, 2020, Kim Yamasaki has formally resigned from her position as Executive Director of CAUSE. The decision was personal and came from her desire to lean into her entrepreneurial spirit to start a social impact business with a colleague.
Kim first became involved with CAUSE in 2013 when she was a student intern through the CAUSE Leadership Academy summer internship program. Her passion to serve the Asian Pacific American community led to her being recruited to help coordinate the program the following summer, and to the position of Executive Director soon after. CAUSE staff and board members are extremely grateful for Kim’s leadership for the past five and a half years. From streamlined/mission-aligned programming to bolstering and elevating the organizational brand — CAUSE has made tremendous strides under her direction. CAUSE staff intend to continue to build upon Kim’s vision of sustainability, collaboration, and innovation and wish her the best in exploring her full potential beyond her role at CAUSE.
“I will always be thankful to CAUSE, the Board of Directors, especially our Board Chair Charlie Woo, our team of staff, volunteers, and the countless supporters in the community. I grew up in the community and the community raised me. It was an honor and privilege to give back to those same communities,” said Kim Yamasaki, outgoing CAUSE Executive Director.
“While we are saddened by her departure, we always take great pride to see young leaders from the CAUSE family spreading their wings to pursue their passions outside the organization. I will miss working side by side with her as I have for the past five and a half years. She was an amazing colleague who shared my vision and passion for CAUSE,” said Charlie Woo, CAUSE Board Chair.
The CAUSE Board of Directors has put together a search committee to actively recruit a new Executive Director over the next few months. During this time, Richard Leong, previously CAUSE Director of Programs & Strategic Innovation, will be acting as the Interim Executive Director. Kim Yamasaki will also be involved in the transition process as an organization consultant on a contractual basis.
CAUSE has always been rooted in our Leadership Development programs and plans to continue to ensure their ongoing development and execution in 2020 and beyond. CAUSE staff are committed to upholding our values of sustainability, collaboration, and innovation while ensuring our program participants receive the necessary knowledge, access, and network to enhance their growth as leaders.
About CAUSE
Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE) is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan, community-based organization with a mission to advance the political empowerment of the Asian Pacific American community through nonpartisan voter outreach, training, and education as well as leadership development.
For any further inquiries, please contact CAUSE via phone at (213) 269-4639 or email at info@causeusa.org. General information can be obtained from our website at www.causeusa.org. Our office is located at 1605 West Olympic Boulevard, Suite #1027, Los Angeles, CA 90015.
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CAUSE celebrates APA leadership for its 26th Annual Gala “The Future We Define”
CAUSE Receives Charitable Grant From Southwest Airlines
CAUSE Board Legal Counsel Kenneth Lee Nominated to Serve as Judge on the Ninth Circuit
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Haidee Pan
Director of Marketing & Communications
Phone: (213)269-4639
Email: haidee@causeusa.org
Los Angeles, CA – October 10, 2018 – CAUSE proudly congratulates our Board of Directors Legal Counsel Kenneth Lee for his nomination by President Donald J. Trump to serve as a Circuit Judge on the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit.
Kenneth Lee is a partner in the Los Angeles, California, office of Jenner & Block LLP, where his practice focuses on appellate litigation and internal investigations, and where he serves on the firm’s Diversity & Inclusion Committee. He has briefed and argued appeals in multiple federal courts of appeals, including the U.S. Courts of Appeals for the Second, Fifth, and Ninth Circuits. He also maintains an active pro bono practice, providing free legal representation to indigent and incarcerated clients. Prior to joining Jenner & Block, Mr. Lee served as Associate Counsel to President George W. Bush and as an associate with Wachtell, Lipton, Rosen & Katz. Upon graduation from law school, Mr. Lee clerked for Judge Emilio M. Garza of the U.S. Court of Appeals for the Fifth Circuit. Mr. Lee received his A.B. from Cornell University, summa cum laude, and his J.D., magna cum laude, from Harvard Law School.
Kenneth has been an active CAUSE Board Member and has provided the organization with invaluable legal and community building support.
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James Hsu Named Managing Partner of the Squire Patton Boggs Los Angeles Office
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
LOS ANGELES – April 05, 2018 – Squire Patton Boggs is pleased to announce that James Hsu has been appointed managing partner of the firm’s Los Angeles office. The managing partner role transitions to Mr. Hsu from Adam Fox, who was appointed to the firm’s 12-person Global Board earlier this year.
“In the years that I have known James, he has proven to be an exceptional lawyer and a leader. His integrity, commitment to clients and civic engagement make him a natural choice to carry the torch in the Los Angeles market,” said Mark J. Ruehlmann, Chairman and Global CEO of Squire Patton Boggs. “It is with deep respect and admiration that I thank Adam for his service to the Los Angeles office, and am pleased he will continue to serve in a senior leadership position at the firm.”
Mr. Hsu, who currently leads the Los Angeles Corporate Practice Group, represents clients in a broad range of corporate finance and securities matters, including mergers and acquisitions, debt and equity offerings, joint ventures, public finance transactions, tax-exempt financing, fund formation and private equity/venture capital transactions.
Mr. Hsu has particular experience representing clients in complex multijurisdictional acquisition and divestiture transactions. Fluent in Spanish and Chinese, he has focused on practices in Latin America and the Greater China region. Over the last two decades, Mr. Hsu has represented numerous clients in inbound and outbound matters involving jurisdictions such as Argentina, Brazil, Colombia, Honduras, Mexico, Spain, Australia, China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore and Vietnam. In addition to his cross-border corporate transactional practice, Mr. Hsu also has extensive litigation experience representing clients in US federal and state court actions, arbitrations and alternative dispute resolution proceedings.
Mr. Hsu is active in the community and serves on the board of a number of not-for-profit organizations, including the Asian Business League (ABL), Center of Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE), Los Angeles Economic Development Corporation (LAEDC) and UCLA Department of Political Science. In 2007, Mr. Hsu received The California Lawyer’s Angel Award for outstanding pro bono service.
“Adam has been a tireless steward for the firm and it is an honor to take up this role,” said Mr. Hsu. “We have a talented, diverse team in LA that is closely integrated into the global firm and will carry forward our tradition of exceptional client service.”
Mr. Fox assumed the role of the Los Angeles office managing partner in 2015, while maintaining his positions as leader of the firm’s False Advertising Litigation & Protection Practice and the Food & Beverage Litigation Practice. Mr. Fox focuses on handling and trying to verdict high-stakes controversies spanning a wide range of subject matters. In addition to his leadership in many false advertising class actions and competitor suits under the Lanham Act (often in the food and beverage industry), he also has substantial experience in other complex commercial cases and those involving environmental contamination or exposure. A graduate of the Riordan Volunteer Leadership Development Program, Mr. Fox serves as co-chair of the Los Angeles branch of the National Campaign to Stop Violence and coordinates the Los Angeles office’s pro bono activities.
“James is a stellar lawyer with substantial cross-border corporate and M&A transactions,” said Mr. Fox. “His leadership, judgement, global perspective and commitment to service make him an excellent choice for this role.”
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