The Center for Asian Americans United for Self-Empowerment (CAUSE) has submitted official comments regarding the proposed congressional redistricting maps that will appear on the November 4, 2025 special election ballot as Proposition 50 (Use of Legislative Congressional Redistricting Map Amendment).
The Center for Asian Americans United for Self-Empowerment (CAUSE) proudly celebrates the appointments of Michael Yap and Andrea Mac to the Los Angeles City Charter Reform Commission. Their appointments follow advocacy from CAUSE and community partners to ensure that Asian American voices are represented in shaping the future of Los Angeles governance.
The Center for Asian Americans United for Self-Empowerment reaffirms its foundational commitment to the right of all citizens to access and question their government. This principal is nonpartisan. We believe that no member of the public or elected official, regardless of their political affiliation, should be subjected to the violent and disrespectful treatment Senator Alex Padilla experienced today.
Los Angeles, CA - October 21, 2024 -- Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE) is partnering with the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk’s office to bring an official Mobile Vote Center to the largest Halloween party in Little Tokyo, the 8th Annual Haunted Little Tokyo Block Party.
Los Angeles, CA - October 18, 2024 -- Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE) will host a series of events called Together We Vote: An API Get Out the Vote Fest throughout Los Angeles’ historic Asian and Pacific Islander (API) neighborhoods celebrating community and civic engagement in the 10 days of early voting leading up to the November 5 General Election.
Los Angeles, CA - January 23, 2024 -- Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE) will provide vote information for the Primary Election on March 5, 2024 at the Monterey Park Lunar New Year Festival from January 27th through 28th, 2024 with the support of the World Journal.
CAUSE’s open letter to Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in support of Motion 32 on the Monday, September 12th Meeting Agenda.
Open letter to Los Angeles City Council Ad Hoc Committee on City Governance Reform from CAUSE in support for the reforms to the City Charter that would increase the size of the City Council and create an independent redistricting commission.
An open letter to the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors in support of Agenda Item 10 to ensure inclusivity for Los Angeles County’s Anti-Racism, Diversity, & Inclusion (ARDI) Strategic Plan through an outreach plan that actively engages vulnerable communities and populations that include Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
Los Angeles, CA - December 19, 2022 -- Following the heated race to become Los Angeles’ next mayor, the most recent poll conducted by the Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE), Hispanas Organized for Political Equality, and the Los Angeles Urban League, in partnership with the Los Angeles Times, focuses on opportunities for Los Angeles Mayor Karen Bass to improve relationships and the state of racial relations in Los Angeles.
The 2022 CAUSE Leadership Institute concluded on June 22, 2022. Over the past six months, the 12 CLI Fellows met weekly to network, develop leadership skills, and learn more about APA issues to elevate their civic engagement. Despite the ongoing challenges of the pandemic, fellows were able to hone their leadership skills and develop impactful relationships all virtually.
Los Angeles, CA - May 23, 2022 - Chinatown and Koreatown voters will now have several in-person voting options in their neighborhoods for the June 7, 2022 Statewide Direct Primary Election, thanks to the efforts of the Center for Asian Americans United for Self-Empowerment (CAUSE), Korean American Coalition (KAC), AAPI Equity Alliance, and Asian Americans Advancing Justice - Los Angeles (AAAJ-LA).
Los Angeles, CA - May 10, 2022 -- As California reopens its economy and the fear of COVID-19 declines, Californians’ dissatisfaction with crime and public safety has risen during the pandemic according to the most recent statewide poll conducted by the Center for Asian Americans United for Self Empowerment (CAUSE), Hispanas Organized for Political Equality, and the Los Angeles Urban League, in partnership with the Los Angeles Times.
CAUSE the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) Board of Trustees’ decision to appoint Dr. Kelsey Iino to fill a vacant Board position. Upon reviewing her qualifications, CAUSE has full confidence that Dr. Iino will be an informed and effective advocate for AAPI students on the LACCD Board of Trustees.
CAUSE releases the first-ever Los Angeles mayoral interview series created for and by the AAPI community. Listen to the leading mayoral candidates about their approaches to top issues impacting the Los Angeles AAPI community.
As the governing board of the largest community college district, Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) Board of Trustees, considers a pool of qualified candidates to fill a recent vacant seat, CAUSE shares appointee considerations to ensure AAPI community needs are voiced and met.
A group of Cal State LA students convened in Los Angeles’ Little Tokyo on Thursday, March 27, with a singular purpose: to prepare for a future of leadership and impact.
“It was a drive around the block for a good cause.
The Pilipino Workers Center the and Center for Asian United for Self Empowerment or CAUSE were both on board in bringing voters to a polling center in LA's Eagle Rock neighborhood this past weekend via jeepney.”
Improving the quality of translated voting materials, broadening government outreach to potential voters and increasing the number of in-person voting sites are key to boosting voter turnout among Asian Americans in Los Angeles, according to a newly published report from the UCLA Asian American Studies Center.
Asian-American community leaders and elected officials are coming together in support of a Los Angeles County proposal to give Asian Angeleños a voice when it comes to the county’s government while also cracking down on corruption.
A proposal to expand the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has garnered support from Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) elected officials, who say that doing so could lead to the creation of a special district for the community.
Some of L.A. County’s best-known Asian American leaders came out in strong support of a plan to expand the Board of Supervisors — and to get it before voters this fall.
VoyageLA talks with Executive Director, Nancy Yap, about her leadership journey.
Westside Voices coverage of the Culver City Asian American and Pacific Islander Night Market, speaking with CAUSE Executive Director Nancy Yap.
World Journal coverage on CAUSE’s efforts working with elected officials in conversation with CAUSE Board Chair Charlie Woo.
The LA Times Benjamin Oreskes coverage on CAUSE’s recently released California Community Poll findings. The poll is the 7th in a series conducted in a historic partnership between CAUSE, HOPE, and LA Urban League.
Pasadena Star News coverage of Health Secretary Xavier Becerra amd Congresswoman Judy Chu’s roundtable with Monterey Park leaders.
LA Times coverage on the results of multiethnic poll produced by CAUSE, HOPE, and LA Urban League.
CAUSE Board Chair, Charlie Woo, is interviewed by World Journal and shares the importance of multicultural collaboration in addressing anti-Asian hate.
PASADENA, Calif.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In recognition of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month (AAPIHM), East West Bank today reaffirmed its continued commitment to the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. As part of its second-year pledge to the AAPI Giving Challenge, East West will donate upwards of $6 million to key nonprofits and initiatives supporting the AAPI movement for inclusion, equality, and justice.
The Tribune journalist Alexandra Yoon-Hendricks coverage on CAUSE’s recently released California Community Poll findings. The poll is the 5th in a series conducted in a historic partnership between CAUSE, HOPE, and LA Urban League.
The Sacramento Bee reporter Alexandra Yoon-Hendricks coverage on CAUSE’s recently released California Community Poll. The poll is the 5th in a series conducted in a historic partnership between CAUSE, HOPE, and LA Urban League.
Los Angeles Times Staff Writer, Teresa Watanabe covers the recent findings in the April 2022 California Statewide Community Poll made in collaboration with CAUSE, HOPE, and LA Urban League.
The Sacramento Bee reporters Gillian Brassil, Jeong Park, Andrea Briseño coverage on the new Congressional redistricting maps and their impact on Latino, Asian, and Black communities. This article features an interview with Nancy Yap, CAUSE’s Executive Director.
World Journal coverage of the 2021 California Redistricting final maps.
The Washington Post reporter Colby Itkowitz coverage on the newly approved Congressional redistricting maps. Coverage includes quotes from an interview with Nancy Yap, Executive Director of CAUSE.
Redistricting maps are not final until the commission takes a vote on Dec. 27. But Asian American leaders expressed..
Researchers from USC and UCLA, Dr. Christian Grose and Dr. Natalie Masouka, respectively, share evidence and findings supporting the San Gabriel Valley Asian American community will vote together for shared interests, based off of 2018 and 2019 voting patterns.
A proposal before the state redistricting commission would redraw two congressional districts currently represented by Judy Chu and Young Kim. Critics say..
LAist’s Josie Huang talks with Nancy Yap, CAUSE Executive Director, and other local leaders about the CA 20221 Redistricting efforts and its impact on the SGV AAPI community.
NextShark coverage of CAUSE’s efforts in advocating for the AAPI community during the 2021 CA Redistricting process.
As part of our 2025 Together We Vote efforts, CAUSE partnered with South Asian Network (SAN) to host a Vote and Seek: Vote Resources Scavenger Hunt, an interactive way to explore our neighborhoods and identify key voter materials for the upcoming elections.
In response to community feedback, CAUSE has adapted the CAUSE Leadership Institute into a monthly conversation series about current issues called the CAUSE Power Lunch Series: Strategies with API Community Leaders. Invited guests include CAUSE alumni, board members, and community partners.
“Their program culminated on Friday, 8/15, with an opportunity to share what they learned with their host offices and the CAUSE network. It included reflections about CAUSE leadership workshops, host office placements, a Capitol Summit trip to Sacramento, and their Mock Campaign for Assembly District 49, featured at the CAUSE Summer Soiree.”
“At first, it was casual, something that we’d say when deciding whether to grab boba after programming or testing out a risky campaign strategy. But over time, it grew into something more profound: a way of affirming our commitment to one another. “
“As I watched JP reveal this collective creation, I realized it embodied one of the most important lessons from my internship: the power of collective action.”
“This is the beginning of a lifelong commitment to service, advocacy, and making sure that the policies we fight for truly reflect the needs and dreams of the people they’re meant to serve.”
“Through this time with CAUSE, I learned and saw firsthand how a community helps each other, stays connected, and works together. “
“Before this program, I had already begun to lose faith in the idea of pursuing a career at the federal level.”
“I was so impressed by my peers’ civic advocacy experiences and leadership, and loved hearing their stories of coming from across California (and the country) to be part of this program.”
“But what gives me hope despite these realities is that I just spent the summer surrounded by people who genuinely care about making the world a better place.”
“These experiences not only strengthened my writing and communication skills but also deepened my understanding of how local government serves its community.”
“It feels surreal to have reached this point: the end. It’s been nine weeks of listening, speaking, learning, and acting, and I feel very privileged to be here. “
“Over the last nine weeks, I have gained invaluable experience in local government, nonprofit work, and API political empowerment as a member of the CAUSE Leadership Academy.”
“ I am grounded not just by the world around me, but especially by the people I met here at CAUSE and through the CLA program.”
“From taking selfies at the State Capitol’s Assembly floor to celebrating achievements at Soirée, this internship has absolutely prepared me for whatever lies next on my career path towards civic advocacy, and I am beyond grateful for the program coordinators, mentors, community members, peers, and interns who made this summer an unforgettable one. “
“ It seems like only yesterday we were shyly introducing ourselves, laughing over marshmallow towers that swayed on brittle spaghetti sticks, and imagining the kind of leaders we might become.”
The connotations of community and coalition will forever be changed in my mental schema because of CLA.
“Growing up in Sri Lanka, I saw firsthand how less-developed countries are often silenced on the global stage. Living in America, I’ve also witnessed how marginalized communities are overlooked in decision-making. These parallels fuel my dream: to stand in those spaces and speak for the voices that too often go unheard. “
“With this year’s Summer Soiree theme was “Together We Build,” I realized the importance of working together to build a vision.”
“ Standing in that space, surrounded by my diverse team that respected and celebrated each other’s heritage, reminded me why representation matters. I left feeling proud to be Filipina-American, part of a mock campaign rooted not only in policy but also in the lived experiences and histories that shape who we are.”
“For the past 9 weeks, all fifteen of us prepared for endorsement and Soirée during and after hours to show the fruits of our efforts throughout those weeks.”
“Like light, land, and water—the earliest forms of community and the core elements of the Soirée venue and theme—I remembered that we cannot win, grow, and thrive in isolation. “
“Each act of the evening gave me something valuable to take away, but together they created a night I know I’ll remember vividly as a source of my passion and drive.”
“How many interns does it take to write the opening joke for a two-minute mock campaign speech? More than you might think! “
“In having a strong rationale for why we were completing this project, Esther gave our team a North Star to follow through a long, and at-times exhausting, eight week campaign. “
“All of the hours we spent working during and outside of CAUSE hours on our mock campaigns built up to this moment. “
“I feel more empowered to go into advocacy spaces having had this experience, and I am walking away with a greater understanding of how policy can meet the people.”
“When the candidates took the stage to give their speeches, I watched with pride as both leaders spoke passionately about serving their communities and the unique experiences that shaped their decision to run.“
“From the endorsement panel and soirée to the abundance of coalitions and the get out the vote process, I found the Soirée was a culmination of many experiences and an excellent space to connect with some of the most prominent folks in the local AANHPI community. “
“This simulation was hands down one of the most challenging positions I have ever been in, and I am very, very proud of the product of our campaign and believe that everything happened according to a bigger plan.”