AAPI LIFT

Overview

AAPI Lift is a six-month leadership program designed to cultivate and connect California’s emerging leaders, young professionals, business owners, and entrepreneurs. Through immersive leadership development and personalized mentorship, participants strengthen their ability to lead with purpose, authenticity, and impact—building the confidence, skills, and networks needed to create lasting change within their industries and communities.

Program Details

  • 6 months minimum commitment of customized 1-on-1 mentorship guided by experienced public and private industry professionals
  • Access to culturally sensitive training with the AAPI perspective in mind
  • Build long-term relationships with mentors who provide guidance, accountability, and career insight

 

Press Release


Be part of our
next cohort.

Applications for the 2026 cohort will open in the Spring of 2026

More Information
The conference was a great opportunity to meet community leaders that were brimming with energy and intelligence that were hungry for a way to have an impact. For myself, it was motivating to see I was on the right path for working for my city, as a city & county commissioner that has also won a school board seat in the last election. I would’ve loved to have attended this years ago to meet these great leaders that would have given me the direction I needed.
Zachary Borja
I was very impressed with the high caliber of speakers, from rising stars in elective office to seasoned campaign professionals with the proven expertise in winning campaigns. I will highly recommend the AAPI LIFT program to AAPI business and community leaders with an eye on running for local or state office to further empower our community.
Mark Pulido

2026 Program Information

Program Details

  • One full-day conference in Fall 2025, providing participants with practical insights on developing their leadership skills and pursuing public service and/or public office.
  • 6 months minimum commitment of customized 1-on-1 mentorship guided by experienced political professionals
  • Access to culturally sensitive training with the AAPI perspective in mind
  • Development of powerful skills and knowledge to navigate a pursuit in public service

Program Fee

The cost to participate in this premier program is $299. 

All expenses for travel and lodging will be covered by the participant.

Ideal Candidates

Ideal candidates for AAPI LIFT are self-starters, have strong fundamental core values, and have an interest improving in the community. They have a commitment to the greater good and a passion for working with stakeholders to address and find solutions to concerns and issues.

Advisory Board

Howard Chan

City Manager (Retired), City of Sacramento

Thien Ho

District Attorney, County of Sacramento

Paul Lau

Chief Executive Officer & General Manager, SMUD

Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen Headshot

Stephanie Nguyen

Assemblymember, District 10, State of California

Siri Pulipati

Councilmember, City of Rancho Cordova

Bobbie Singh-Allen

Mayor, City of Elk Grove

Darren Suen

Councilmember, District 1, City of Elk Grove

Dave Tamayo

Board Director, Ward 6, SMUD

Mai Vang

Mayor Pro Tem, District 8, City of Sacramento

Virtual Speaker Tour - A Call To Public Service

With Special Remarks from
State Treasurer Fiona Ma

WEBINAR AGENDA

  • Welcoming Remarks
  • AAPI Lift Program Details
  • Speaker Remarks: California State Treasurer Fiona Ma – Call to Public Service, Transitioning from the Private Sector to Public Service, Running for an Elected Position
  • Speaker: Ron Wong, APALF Founder – Experiences as a Governor’s Appointee and a Political Consultant
  • Q&A
  • Closing Remarks
Watch Webinar Recording

With Special Remarks from Assemblymember Evan Low

WEBINAR AGENDA

  • Welcoming Remarks
  • AAPI Lift Program Details
  • Speaker: Joe Zago, APALF – Impacts of Public Service & Parallels Between Business and Campaigning
  • Special Remarks: California State Assemblymember Evan Low – AAPI Perspective on Local Government (including Boards & Commissions), Call to Public Service, Running for an Elected Position
  • Q&A
  • Closing Remarks
Watch Webinar Recording

AAPI LIFT Launch Event Recap

Program Details

The CalAsian Foundation hosted a launch event for their APPI LIFT program on December 5, 2022 at the Leland Stanford Mansion.

 

AAPI LIFT is a new civic leadership program targeting AAPIs in the private sector, including small business owners and entrepreneurs, who are interested in pursuing public service through boards, commissions or elected office.

 

The launch event was well attended by statewide elected representatives, small business owners, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. Event host, Senator Dave Min, expressed the need for civic participation on all levels of government which was echoed by other speakers including California Assemblymember Mike Fong, Elk Grove City Vice Mayor Darren Suen, City of Fremont Vice Mayor Teresa Keng, Sacramento City Mayor Pro Tem Mai Vang, former Sacramento City Unified School District Trustee Darrel Woo, and program presenting sponsor Civic Leadership USA President Andy Li.

 

View Event Photos

AAPI LIFT Launch Event Recap

The CalAsian Foundation hosted a launch event for their APPI LIFT program on December 5, 2022 at the Leland Stanford Mansion.

 

AAPI Lift is a new civic leadership program targeting AAPIs in the private sector, including small business owners and entrepreneurs, who are interested in pursuing public service through boards, commissions or elected office.

 

The launch event was well attended by statewide elected representatives, small business owners, entrepreneurs, and community leaders. Event host, Senator Dave Min, expressed the need for civic participation on all levels of government which was echoed by other speakers including California Assemblymember Mike Fong, Elk Grove City Vice Mayor Darren Suen, City of Fremont Vice Mayor Teresa Keng, Sacramento City Mayor Pro Tem Mai Vang, former Sacramento City Unified School District Trustee Darrel Woo, and program presenting sponsor Civic Leadership USA President Andy Li.

 

View Event Photos
AAPI LIFT

In partnership with

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Scholar

AT&T

PhRMA

Sponsors

PRESENTING
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SCHOLAR
SCHOLAR

Sacramento Grow Green:
Cannabis Social Equity Incubator Program

The CalAsian Foundation has created a business incubator program for those facing tremendous hurdles to entering the cannabis industry due to cultural and language barriers, arrest records, and limited resources. We work with local jurisdictions to provide training, mentorship, business plan development, and support needed to ensure that the emerging cannabis market is accessible to all, regardless of economic status, gender, race, or criminal history.

We currently operate programs in Sacramento and Los Angeles and are actively seeking more partner jurisdictions.

Program Details

Since March 2019, we have worked with the City of Sacramento’s Cannabis Opportunity Reinvestment and Equity (CORE) program to provide business and job training to individuals in the city’s most underserved neighborhoods. Our Sacramento Grow Green program helps business owners and entrepreneurs start and expand operations through a five-phase approach.

  • Phase 1: 5-week training
  • Phase 2: One-on-one business assistance and consulting
  • Phase 3: Source property and begin business application process
  • Phase 4: Submit City and State applications and prepare for business launch

The job training program was piloted in 2020 with two cohorts that participated in a four-day “cannabis specialist” job training series. Participants were connected to job fairs with strategic partners and received job placement assistance. For program information, qualifications or to apply, visit SacramentoGrowGreen.com

Learn More

Cannabis Talks

AAPIs are increasingly starting cannabis businesses and moving up the ranks in cannabis corporations. In addition to the stereotypes, perceptions, and culture barriers, many AAPIs must combat the cannabis stigma that is prominent within their own families and communities, and recently have had to address an increase in anti-AAPI discrimination.

​​Join the CalAsian Foundation and other leaders for a wide-reaching conversation on the AAPI experience in the cannabis industry. Hear stories from successful AAPI leaders and entrepreneurs, discuss the growing opportunities within the sector, the ongoing industry challenges, and how we can normalize cannabis within our own communities.

Past Topics

  • The Future of Fundraising, Investment, and Banking
  • The Impact of the Pandemic on California’s Cannabis Industry
  • Cannabis 2.0: Adapting to the New Normal
  • AAPIs in the Cannabis Industry

Check back for updates on upcoming Cannabis Talks.

Cannabis Talk Sponsors

Series & Technology

Event

Program

Partner

Class II | 2021 Program Roster

Brian Aguilar

Adam Allen

Position

Company Name Here

Monica Coleman

Giovanni Davis

Alexis Dumonchelle

Adriana Jones

Judah Joslyn

Carter Noguchi

Seth Patterson

Jayda Preyer

David Rangel

Rudy Rises Regalado

Christopher Reynaga-Brown

Trayzell White

The CalAsian Chamber Foundation has done a great job over the years in supporting and engaging the diverse cannabis stakeholders of California. Meadow and CalAsian have enjoyed a strong partnership in educating and assisting the diverse entrepreneurs through their roundtable series, Cannabis Talks. Cannabis Talks brings together operators, legislators, and regulators for important and educational conversations. The diversity in speakers provides a unique shared perspective helping everyone navigate the industry more effectively.
David Hua
Co-Founder/CEO, Meadow

City of Los Angeles’s Cannabis Opportunity
Reinvestment and Equity (CORE) Program

In 2021, we were part of a group selected to help the City of Los Angeles build and manage their Business Licensing and Compliance (BLC) Program. BLC is the educational and training arm of the City’s Department of Cannabis Regulation Social Equity Program, which aims to “decrease disparities in life outcomes for marginalized communities, and to address the disproportionate impacts of the War on Drugs in those communities.”

Working with the city and our partners, we are building a program that will help aspiring cannabis businesses navigate the licensing process, understand cannabis business operations and compliance, acquire business savvy to discern predatory practices, and increase workforce development and job placement knowledge.

For more information on this program, contact Frank Louie, COO/Business Development, at flouie@calasiancc.org.

Cannabis External Study Missions

Each year, we lead a delegation of California leaders on a multi-day study mission to engage with and learn best practices from a city leading the industry. The trip is packed with tours, panel discussions, and meetings with key stakeholders.

Denver | 2008
Vancouver | 2008
CalAsian Foundation are staunch advocates for social equity and minority communities within California’s cannabis industry. It was an absolute pleasure working with them and engaging with their network on cannabis issues. I will always remember our trip to Canada with fond memories. It was such a valuable and informative experience. It was one of the highlights of my tenure with the Bureau.
Lori Ajax
Former Chief California Bureau of Cannabis Control

Additional Resources

Cannabis in AAPI History

Cannabis has an extensive history in AAPI cultures. Despite this, the cannabis industry is often stigmatized in AAPI communities, and misconceptions are spread. Our partners at Weedmaps shared information about the history of cannabis in AAPI cultures and what AAPI representation in the industry means.

Read Article

AAPI Cannabis Collective

The AAPI Cannabis Collective is an AAPI-led education movement that strives for a more inclusive and accessible cannabis community among AAPI. 

While global acceptance of cannabis is growing globally, there is still a need to destigmatize, educate, and guide AAPI, especially older generations and non-English speakers, about the wellness benefits of cannabis. 

This initiative is just the start of a massive movement to mobilize and have our own community support a plant with boundless potential. Learn more below.

Learn More

Cannabis Programs and Activities

For updates on our work in the cannabis industry, our programs and upcoming events, sign up for our Cannabis mailing list.

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Non-Discrimination Statement: The California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce Foundation affirms its commitment to equality of opportunity for all individuals. This commitment requires that no discrimination shall occur in any program or activity on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, ancestry, sex, gender identity, gender expression, physical or mental disability, medical condition, pregnancy, age, marital or partnership status, sexual orientation, genetic information, covered veteran status, or any other classification prohibited by local, state, or federal laws.

© 2026 California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce Foundation (CalAsian Foundation)