PAST EVENTS
Staff Academy’s Bid & Banter Silent Auction
Team Tortoise of Legislative Staff Academy Cohort 7 hosted a silent auction fundraiser, Bid & Banter, as their capstone community group project to raise funds for the Sacramento-based nonprofit, My Sister’s House. The event featured about 30 items available for auction, which were all donated by local businesses and generous donors.
Team Tortoise of Legislative Staff Academy Cohort 7 hosted a silent auction fundraiser, Bid & Banter, as their capstone community group project to raise funds for the Sacramento-based nonprofit, My Sister’s House. The event featured about 30 items available for auction, which were all donated by local businesses and generous donors.
My Sister’s House is a nonprofit organization committed to serving and supporting Asian and Pacific Islander and other underserved women and children impacted by domestic violence, sexual assault, and human trafficking. The funds from this event supported their services towards providing a culturally appropriate and responsive safe haven, job training, and community services.
During the program, guests were able to place bids on a range of items, while networking with fellow attendees and esteemed guests. APILCI Board Members, Legislative Staff Academy alumni, and members of My Sister’s House were in attendance to support the event. The fundraiser was a night of shared community and lively conversations that raised over $4,100 for My Sister’s House! This event demonstrated the supportive partnerships and emerging leadership of our rising legislative leaders that was inspiring to see.
Appointments Project Workshop: San Jose
As the first workshop of our Appointments Project workshop series, we partnered with invited elected officials and the California Appointments office to host an interactive workshop to introduce participants to a pathway into public service. The session focused on guiding attendees to use their voice, experience, and leadership to pursue appointed roles and contribute to stronger government systems.
As the first workshop of our Appointments Project workshop series, we partnered with invited elected officials and the California Appointments office to host an interactive workshop to introduce participants to a pathway into public service. The session focused on guiding attendees to use their voice, experience, and leadership to pursue appointed roles and contribute to stronger government systems.
Held at San Jose State University, a diverse mix of attendees, ranging from public leaders to emerging civic voices, participated in the session to learn more about public appointments and civic leadership. Opening the program, special guest speakers, Assemblymember Ash Kalra and Assemblymember Alex Lee, encouraged attendees to consider appointed leadership roles and stressed about the shared commitment to expanding Asian and Pacific Islander representation in civic leadership.
Appointment Secretary Morgan Carvajal presented on the processes of State Appointments and engaged in a lively Q&A with attendees. CAPILCI Board Member Aubrie Fong introduced a specialized workbook created as a reflection tool for AANHPI leaders considering appointed positions. The program closed out with a time for networking over a wonderful lunch.
This first convening was inspiring to see meaningful relationships forming with participants sharing experiences, offering support, and identifying opportunities to stay engaged in public service together.
Hot Tea on Policy Talk: California State Lottery
To commence our new Hot Tea on Policy series, we hosted our inaugural session with invited guests from the California State Lottery. This new series was designed to strengthen connections between legislative staff, regional policy experts, and California’s top leaders through inspiring conversations with invited guest speakers.
To commence our new Hot Tea on Policy series, we hosted our inaugural session with invited guests from the California State Lottery. This new series was designed to strengthen connections between legislative staff, regional policy experts, and California’s top leaders through inspiring conversations with invited guest speakers.
The name “Hot Tea on Policy” draws on inspiration from the cultural importance of tea across many AANHPI communities and the modern phrase of “spilling the tea” to symbolize the shared community and real-world conversations.
The first session featured California State Lottery Director Harjinder K. Shergill Chima and Chief Deputy Director Florence Bernal for a candid discussion and meaningful policy exchange to share insights as AANHPI leaders managing a $9 billion state agency. Attendees participated in an intimate panel discussion, moderated by CAPILCI Executive Director Sonya Harris, and an audience Q&A to learn more from industry experts. After the program, guests networked with fellow attendees and speakers.
Staff Academy: Theravada New Year
In celebration of Theravada New Year, Team Hare of Legislative Staff Academy Cohort 7 hosted a special fundraiser event for two AANHPI-serving institutions, the Asian Pacific Islander Capitol Association (APICA) and Asian Resources Incorporated (ARI).
In celebration of Theravada New Year, Team Hare of Legislative Staff Academy Cohort 7 hosted a special fundraiser event for two AANHPI-serving institutions, the Asian Pacific Islander Capitol Association (APICA) and Asian Resources Incorporated (ARI).
Theravada New Year is a culturally rich and meaningful tradition observed in many Southeast Asian countries, including Cambodia, Thailand, Laos, Myanmar, and Sri Lanka. This celebration reflects our commitment to honoring and uplifting diverse cultural heritage while fostering an inclusive space for community engagement and education.
APICA and ARI were selected as benefactors because both organizations are deeply rooted in advocating for and serving the AANHPI community. APICA focuses on leadership development, civic engagement, and representation within government, while ARI provides essential social services, workforce development, and youth programs to underserved communities. Supporting these organizations allows us to invest directly in the empowerment and well-being of the AAPI community, making a meaningful impact through our fundraiser.
API Heritage Month Reception
The California Asian Pacific Islander Caucus Institute hosted its API Heritage Month Reception on May 29, 2024. This event served to honor the outgoing director, Dr. Annie Lam, while promoting the new executive director, Sonya Harris.
The California Asian Pacific Islander Caucus Institute hosted its API Heritage Month Reception on May 29, 2024. This event served to honor the outgoing director, Dr. Annie Lam, while promoting the new executive director, Sonya Harris.
Guests were invited to honor the accomplishments of the Institute, with many of the guests being alumni of the Capitol and Legislative Staff Academy. They were entertained by taiko drums during the program, and API legislators were acknowledged for promoting the API community as well. Assemblymember Mike Fong gave closing remarks, honoring the Institute’s role within the Capitol and noting how it helped him as an Assemblymember. After the program, attendees were allowed to network with one another while looking at Staff Academy pamphlets to inform them of the new Staff Academy program upcoming in the fall.
The API Heritage Month Reception left attendees informed about Dr. Annie Lam’s work within APICI and interested in the future of the Institute.
Note: The API Heritage Month Reception was also combined with the APAPA Advocacy Day with multiple API advocacy groups joining the reception as well.