Center for Asian Americans United for Self-Empowerment

Join CAUSE in welcoming twelve (12) exceptional interns to the 2026 CAUSE Leadership Academy (CLA)!

Continuing CAUSE’s longest-running program, the CAUSE Leadership Academy (CLA) is a nine-week, paid internship that equips college undergraduates to lead and advocate for the Asian Pacific Islander (API) community on their campuses and beyond.

We’re excited to share their journeys and experiences with you. Learn more about CLA and the 2026 interns at causeusa.org/leadership-academy.

The 2026 CLA is supported by: California Department of Social Services in partnership with the Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs, SoCalGas, Asian Women Leadership in Philanthropy Fund, Edison International, and Southwest Airlines.

We are proud to share that CAUSE Executive Director Nancy Yap has been elected Chair of the Los Angeles County Governance Reform Task Force (Governance Reform Task Force), with longtime CAUSE friend Dr. Sara Sadhwani selected as Chair Pro Tem.

As Los Angeles County enters a critical stage of Measure G implementation, their leadership will help guide recommendations on major governance reforms that will shape the future of County government.

This moment reflects what CAUSE has believed for more than 30 years: investing in leadership and elevating AAPI voices helps shape the decisions that affect our communities and our future.

Read the full press release at the link in our bio 🔗

Thank you to everyone who joined us for Jeepney to the Polls and brought energy, connection, and community spirit to civic engagement! 🇵🇭🚎🗳️✨

A huge thank you to our partners, volunteers, and community members who made this event so special. Special thanks to Milton Liu (Executive Director of Asian American Media Alliance ), Pilipino Workers Center , the Echo Park Branch Library Vote Center, and Thunderbolt Bar LA for opening your spaces and serving as our jeepney station.

We had a blast riding the jeepney to the polls and gathering with community over good food and drinks for our Together We Vote: Hollywood Votes and Vote Center Food Crawl—a perfect way to close out AANHPI Heritage Month and primary election season. 🌟

🚨 Election Day is tomorrow, June 2! If you haven’t voted yet, make a plan to drop off your ballot or vote in person.

Together, we build power. Together, We Vote!

THE MIGHTY GIANTS () – A collective of artists and puppeteers from Los Angeles, seamlessly blending hip hop culture with unique puppeteering performances. Originally hailed as some kids who loved everything boom bap in their previous iteration, they have matured with the realization that their creative boundaries are limitless, and inclusive of all types of music they appreciate. The group is composed of muralists, DJs, music producers, MCs, illustrators, graphic designers, and dancers, each represented by a unique puppet alter ego. Primarily active on Twitch, The Mighty Giants entertain audiences with live DJ shows and puppeteering acts while also bringing original music and skits to life in live performances on stage. https://www.themightygiants.com/

WHY WE VOTE?
We’re The Mighty Giants, and we vote because we know that together we’re stronger. When we combine our efforts, we can work towards bringing real change in our community for the causes that matter most to us. Whether it’s for matters on immigration or policies affecting the entertainment industry, we want people to be safe and secure to live, work, and thrive in our neighborhoods. When we have people in office representing our interests, we can do what we do best... Keep the tunes, laughs, and good vibes flowing.

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This post is part of CAUSE’s Together We Vote Series in partnership with filmmaker Milton Liu ().

Matt Okumura (), Screenwriter (MARVEL’S VISIONQUEST, STAR TREK: PICARD, INTERIOR CHINATOWN)

WHY I VOTE?

Why vote? Why stand? Why speak? When it’s only a name, a word, a yes, a no. Just marks on a page. How much could they matter? One choice, one voice, yes. But joining a chorus. To say, again and again, as history seems to demand, “No more. Not to us. Not to them.”

That’s why I vote.

No more. Not to us. Not to them.

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This post is part of CAUSE’s Together We Vote Series in partnership with filmmaker Milton Liu ().

AANHPIHeritageMonth

Janet Hsieh (): Actor (ZERO DAY ATTACK, FROZEN) and Host (FUN TAIWAN, GET AWAY WITH JANET HSIEH)

WHY I VOTE?

I have kids–and policies that affect them matter to me.

I vote because policies affect my everyday life.

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This post is part of CAUSE’s Together We Vote Series in partnership with filmmaker Milton Liu ().

Bobby Choy aka Big Phony (): Singer/Songwriter, Actor & Filmmaker – K-TOWN COWBOYS, I HATE BIG PHONY, FICTION & OTHER REALITIES

WHY I VOTE?

I vote so my kids have the best possible opportunities for success.

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This post is part of CAUSE’s Together We Vote Series in partnership with filmmaker Milton Liu ().

AANHPIHeritageMonth

Sonal Shah (), Actor– FOUR SAMOSAS, SCRUBS, DEFINITION PLEASE, MIRA ROYAL DETECTIVE

WHY I VOTE?

I vote because my voice deserves a seat at the table-and so does yours! Small actions, done together, create real change. And something as simple as turning in a ballot can shape the future we all share!

I vote because honestly… it makes absolutely no sense not to.

We have the right to do something this important-and we’re just gonna… skip it?? What the what?!

I vote because policy isn’t abstract-it shows up in all our everyday lives.

It shapes whose voices are heard-including my friends, my community, my family.

It shapes whether people feel safe or targeted.

In my work as an actor, I’ve seen how industry shifts have meant fewer jobs and fewer opportunities to tell the stories that matter.

These aren’t hypotheticals. They’re already happening.

So yessss- I vote.

Because the systems we live in don’t just exist on paper.

Because the future isn’t something that just happens—it’s something we show up for.

I vote because it’s not just a task-it’s a moment.
A moment to show up, be counted, and do something together.

And hey if we’re all showing up anyway, we might as well make it a thing. A party!! Turn in the ballot. Bring a friend. Make it fun. Let’s do it together!!!

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This post is part of CAUSE’s Together We Vote Series in partnership with filmmaker Milton Liu ().

AANHPIHeritageMonth

Featuring Koji Steven Sakai (Writer/Producer) and his son Takao Sakai:

Koji Steven Sakai is a prolific writer and producer behind numerous feature films and chart-topping podcasts. A versatile storyteller and educator, he also teaches screenwriting at UCLA Extension.

Takao Sakai is an elite baseball catcher in the Class of 2031, recognized for his exceptional defensive skills and command of the game. This summer, he will take his talents to the national level as a member of the Team USA 14U roster.

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This post is part of CAUSE’s Together We Vote Series in partnership with filmmaker Milton Liu () (). Vote by June 2nd!

AANHPIHeritageMonth

Minji Chang (), Singer/Songwriter, Actor. Filmmaker, Podcast Host – CYBERPUNK 2077 PHANTOM LIBERTY, ASHIMA, JANE

WHY I VOTE?

I vote because I have the privilege, opportunity and responsibility to represent myself and my community. I’ve seen the impact policies and subsequent attitudes have on our rights, opportunities, and our safety. Over the years, I’ve learned to pay more attention to how resources are allocated, how power is perceived, distributed and abused, often without accountability or effective oversight. I learned that giving away our power and abstaining from participation sets a dangerous precedent; conversely, embracing our rights is more empowering than I’d previously imagined or understood.

As a millennial Asian American woman, I’m humbled to realize how I’ve benefited from the extensive political advocacy of marginalized people who refused to settle for inequality, oppression, and exploitation. It’s inspiring to know that everyday people rallying together and standing up for what we want and need is a special kind of stewardship. It’s a demand for visibility and justice, and a counterbalance to unchecked or sometimes ignorant power. Even if it doesn’t feel like it, especially nowadays, I remind myself of that to hold the line and encourage those around me that we can’t give up.

Loving a community and loving our neighbors is not just a sentiment, it’s an action. One of those actions is using our voice and our collective power to protect and build the world we live in - our jobs, schools, healthcare, safety, and more.

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This post is part of CAUSE’s Together We Vote Series in partnership with filmmaker Milton Liu ().