Finding Your Voice
If you think that “finding your voice” is difficult as an AAPI, I understand. For a long time, I didn’t share a lot of my experiences and thoughts. I was afraid that my views would not be accepted and I didn’t want to stand out. I wanted to be liked. The thought “what would they think of me?” was constantly in the back of my mind. Over the years, I found myself staying silent because I didn’t think my opinions mattered. I agreed to other people’s point of views and stifled my own voice. Although I wanted people to like me, I realized that people could only like the real me if I allowed others in. When we find our voice, we find the freedom to get to know more about who we are.
Redistricting LA County
LA County is divided into five supervisorial districts, each represented by an elected supervisor collectively known as the Board of Supervisors (or Board). Following the Decennial or ten-year US Census, boundary lines within the County must be redrawn to ensure the population is divided equally between the five supervisorial districts. This is called redistricting. In the past, the Board appointed 20 commissioners to advise on a redistricting plan. In the end, the Board had the final say on where to draw and adopt the final district lines. However, this year’s redistricting is different.
Distinguished Speaker: Akiko Tagawa
In a safe, socially-distanced Q&A fashion, we will introduce you to a County leader whose work and words of wisdom may inspire you in your career development in the County. In this issue, we introduce you to Akiko Tagawa, Chief Deputy Director, Medical Examiner-Coroner.
Congratulations Eddie!
After nearly a decade of exemplary performance in local government, our President, Eddie Yen has been promoted as the Assistant Executive Officer at the Executive Office of the Board of Supervisors, where he will oversee Technology, Planning, Legislation, the Assessment Appeals Board and Operations. This includes overseeing the Board operations.
The Executive Office manages technology, staffing, procurement and facilities, as well as the publication of information for the LA County Board of Supervisors, various County depts and the public. The office also oversees the Office of Inspector General and other County commissions, such as the Sheriff’s Civilian Oversight Commission, Office of Child Protection, Commission on Disabilities, and the County Equity Oversight Panel.
LACAAEA 2021 Scholarships
LACAAEA recently awarded scholarships totaling $1,500 to three promising young students. This program was started in 2000 to recognize the accomplishment of this organization’s founders and to financially assist members with their children’s higher education.
AAPI Youth @ Work
LACAAEA is proud to join Faith and Community Empowerment (FACE) to promote the Youth@Work program to AAPI youths of LA County. Youth@Work is a paid internship program offered by WDACS to provide those age 14-24 a chance to gain work experience within either County departments or private businesses. Currently, only 3% of the students participating in Youth@Work are AAPI while the population of LA County is made up of 15% AAPI. We are working hard to raise awareness of this program to the AAPI community so that our youths have equal access to the advancement opportunities available. For those interested in the Youth@Work program, please follow the directions on the flyer to join.
Businesses operating within LA County can also host students through the Youth@Work program. Students will be working through subsidized wages and businesses have a chance to help mentor our youths to a brighter future.
AAPI Contributions: Meet Lily Lee Chen
Lily Lee Chen's story reads like a timeline of Chinese, American and Chinese American history. Lily was born in China and brought up in Taiwan. She came to the U.S. in early 1960's, lived throughout the Kennedy years, Johnson's Great Society and the Civil Rights Era. She balanced her work and raising her two children. With a master degree in social work, Lily began her public service as a front line medical case worker for the County of Los Angeles. In 1983, Lily became the first Chinese American woman to win the mayorship of an American city. As Mayor of Monterey Park, California, Lily was the force behind a great number of civic improvements and achievements in this city. In 1984, Lily was instrumental in bringing the Olympics to Monterey Park. in 1985, she was selected by USA Today as a recipient of the "All-America City Award". Lily has dedicated her life and continues to contribute, educate and inspire global citizens by blending the eastern and western cultures. It is her dream to build a world of beauty and peace.
Celebrating AAPI Athletic Achievements
Since 2020, AAPIs have struggled with the anti-AAPI hate felt across the country. The Tokyo Summer Olympics reminds us that Americans of all races, culture and gender are competing in the Olympics representing one country, USA. The Olympics help remind us that what makes the US a great country is the fact that we are a country made of immigrants succeeding not despite being diverse, but rather because we are diverse. In this article, LACAAEA celebrates the outstanding achievements of all our AAPI Olympic athletes that are proudly representing all of us on the world stage. In this article, we’ve highlighted just a handful of unique stories to inspire you to stand taller.
Supporting Local AAPI Business: FishWives
Fishwives is an incredible, Asian owned, small business by Tim Tang serving up fantastic New England style seafood in Old Town Pasadena. It is known for classic seafood dishes like amazing lobster rolls and fish and chips, and reimagined classics like fried oyster deviled eggs! Fishwives opened in 2017 and has remained successful when other seafood restaurants in Pasadena like McCormick & Schmick's had to close their doors. Aside from operating a successful restaurant, Tim is giving back to the community by hiring justice impacted individuals and former substance abusers to work in his restaurant and learn the restaurant business. He's a big believer in giving people a second chance who want it!