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Civic Leadership USA President Andy Li, Elk Grove City Vice Mayor Darren Suen, City of Fremont Vice Mayor Teresa Keng, CalAsian Foundation Executive Director Lauren Oto, AAPI LIFT Program Director Rob Fong, Sacramento City Unified School Board Trustee Darrel Woo, SMUD Board of Director Gregg Fishman, and California State Assemblymember Mike Fong at the AAPI LIFT launch event.
AAPI Lift is a 6-month leadership program that supports AAPIs who are interested in public service as an elected official or serving on a local board or commission. AAPI Lift is a civic leadership program in California that focuses on mentoring community leaders, business owners, and entrepreneurs for public service and/or public office. This training and mentorship program, delivered by AAPI political professionals, offers practical insights about how to secure a board or commission appointment, setting policy, building coalitions, communicating your agenda, running winning campaigns, and then governing effectively. No matter if you are called to public service right now or in years to come, every participant will receive individualized support and advice to help them succeed, a peer network to lean upon, and a powerful set of skills they can use every day.
If you are interested in joining an upcoming cohort please apply at the button below.
The cost to participate in this premier program is $299.
All expenses for travel and lodging will be covered by the participant.
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.
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WEBINAR AGENDA
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.
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.
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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.
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.
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
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.
Check back for updates on upcoming Cannabis Talks.
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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.
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.
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.
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.
For updates on our work in the cannabis industry, our programs and upcoming events, sign up for our Cannabis mailing list.
