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Michelle Wong

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Michelle Wong
September 4, 2024

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COVID-19 Emergency Fund

apicouncil

The trusted, unified voice of SF’s API communities. We’re a coalition of 50 SF nonprofits that ensure the needs and priorities of APIs are addressed.

The countdown is on and this is our friendly remin

The countdown is on and this is our friendly reminder for you to vote!

At the API Council Congressional Town Hall in CD-12, community members came together to hear directly from candidates like Scott Wiener, Connie Chan, and Saikat Chakrabarti, showing how important it is to stay informed and engaged.

In San Francisco, every registered voter is mailed a ballot. Voting by mail is secure, convenient, and already underway.

Be sure to:
• Check your mailing address
• Sign your ballot envelope
• Return your ballot by Election Day

The June 2 Primary Election is almost here. Make your plan to vote!

Check out the SF Department of Elections for more info:
www.sf.gov/departments--department-elections

As promised, we're sharing more moments from our c

As promised, we're sharing more moments from our celebration earlier this month with Speaker Emerita Nancy Pelosi!

This evening brought together generations of advocates, organizers, elders, elected leaders, and longtime partners to celebrate, reconnect, and carry forward the stories and work that continue to shape our communities.

Thank you to everyone who joined this special night!

Last Thursday evening, the API Council celebrated

Last Thursday evening, the API Council celebrated AAPI Islander Heritage Month alongside @speakerpelosi, our members, community partners, and sponsors.

@speakerpelosi has been a longtime friend and partner to the Council and the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander community in San Francisco, from annual community town halls to her fearless support and advocacy for our communities over the years. We’re incredibly thankful we were able to gather together to celebrate the people, relationships, and work that continue to strengthen our communities across San Francisco and beyond.

We’re honored by the generosity, partnership, and belief in our community shown by the sponsors and partners who helped make the evening possible, including PG&E, UCSF Health, @xebecsf for hosting us and @littlesweetsf for another generous boba donation.

We have many more photos to come!

Photographer: @erikhamiltonphoto

AAPI voices matter at every level of decision-maki

AAPI voices matter at every level of decision-making. At our CD-12 Congressional Town Hall, community members showed up to listen, learn, and engage with candidates about the issues impacting our families and neighborhoods. Elections are one of the most powerful ways we ensure our communities are seen and heard.

The June 2 Primary Election is coming up…and ballots are dropping soon—be ready to vote! Find out more: sf.gov/departments—department-elections

We’re excited to celebrate the rich history, cul

We’re excited to celebrate the rich history, culture, and contributions of the Jewish American community. We recognize the importance of honoring diverse identities and the strength of community. Happy Jewish American Heritage Month!

At API Council, this month is dedicated to our com

At API Council, this month is dedicated to our community. We celebrate the cultures, histories, and diversity that shape who we are, and the collective strength that comes from working together. We are proud to stand alongside our member organizations and partners who show up every day to serve, uplift, and advocate for our communities and look forward to celebrating with everyone this month!

Earlier this month, the API Council hosted a Con

Earlier this month, the API Council hosted a Congressional Town Hall in with CA-11 candidates Scott Wiener, Connie Chan, and Saikat Chakrabarti, moderated by NBC Bay Area’s Raj Mathai.

Community members came together to hear directly from candidates on the issues that matter, from housing to public safety to the future of our neighborhoods. This is what civic engagement looks like.

The June 2 Primary Election is coming up. Make a plan to vote and make your voice heard. Learn more: www.sf.gov/departments—department-elections

Thank you so much, @littlesweetsf! We are so grate

Thank you so much, @littlesweetsf! We are so grateful for your generosity in providing boba tea for our community and candidates at last week's Congressional Town Hall. Your support means the world to us and it was truly the sweetest addition to our day! 🧋

Photos by @erikhamiltonphoto

Last week, API Council convened a Congressional To

Last week, API Council convened a Congressional Town Hall in Chinatown featuring Scott Wiener, Connie Chan, and Saikat Chakrabarti—moderated by Raj Mathai.

Thank you to NBC Bay Area for covering this important conversation and helping bring community voices to a wider audience.

@nbcbayarea @rajmathai

We’re celebrating our trans community members to

We’re celebrating our trans community members today because visibility matters. So does belonging. Happy #TransDayOfVisibility

It’s Equal Pay Day and the numbers are stark. Na

It’s Equal Pay Day and the numbers are stark. Nationally, women earn just 76 cents for every dollar paid to men, and AANHPI women earn just 83 cents for every dollar paid to white, non-Hispanic men. Here in the Bay Area, Asian American women earn $17,700 less per year than their male counterparts. And those are just the averages — for Southeast Asian, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander women, the gaps are far worse.

This isn’t abstract. It’s lost rent, lost savings, lost retirement. It compounds every single year.
The gap is real, it’s local, and it’s long past time to close it.

Sources: NAPAWF; Bay Area Equity Atlas

We’re excited to welcome Emmy Award-winning jour

We’re excited to welcome Emmy Award-winning journalist Raj Mathai, with NBC Bay Area, as moderator for the API Council CA-11 Congressional Town Hall.

With media partners NBC Bay Area and Sing Tao Daily—and livestreaming by Sing Tao—we’re bringing this conversation to our community and beyond.

Join us April 2nd from 2-3:30pm at CCCSF at the Hilton. Cantonese translation will be provided.

RSVP now: bit.ly/april2townhall

📢 Moderator announcement! Raj Mathai, evening n

📢 Moderator announcement! Raj Mathai, evening news anchor of NBC Bay Area, will be moderating the upcoming API Council CA-11 Congressional Candidate Town Hall on April 2nd!

Confirmed candidates are Sen. Scott Wiener, Sup. Connie Chan, & Saikat Chakrabarti.

Date: April 2, 2026
Time: 2-3:30pm
Location: Hilton SF (CCCSF) - 750 Kearny Street, 3rd Floor

Spots are limited! RSVP by March 27 to guarantee your seat by visiting: bit.ly/april2townhall

Cantonese interpretation available for attendees (must register to reserve). This town hall is offered strictly as a community education and engagement opportunity and not an endorsement forum. Community members, press, and partner organizations are welcome to attend!

Media partner: @singtaousa

#CA11

@rajmathai @scottwienerforcongress @connieszechan @saikatforcongress

Happy Nowruz from API Council! Today we honor the

Happy Nowruz from API Council! Today we honor the Persian New Year and the vibrant traditions of our South Asian, Middle Eastern, and Central Asian communities. May this new year bring light, growth, and prosperity to all. Nowruz Mobarak!

We’re hosting a CA-11 Congressional Candidate To

We’re hosting a CA-11 Congressional Candidate Town Hall in Chinatown.

Confirmed candidates include:
• Scott Wiener
• Connie Chan
• Saikat Chakrabarti

Date: April 2, 2026
Time: 2-3:30pm
Location: Hilton SF (CCCSF) - 750 Kearny Street, 3rd Floor

Spots are limited! RSVP by March 27 to guarantee your seat by visiting: bit.ly/april2townhall

Cantonese interpretation available for attendees (must register to reserve). This town hall is offered strictly as a community education and engagement opportunity and not an endorsement forum. Community members, press, and partner organizations are welcome to attend!

This Holi, the API Council celebrates a tradition

This Holi, the API Council celebrates a tradition alive with color and joyful expression as communities welcome the arrival of spring. As friends and families come together, we recognize the cultural richness and longstanding traditions that make this holiday so meaningful to many in our community.

On February 19, 1942, Executive Order 9066 authori

On February 19, 1942, Executive Order 9066 authorized the forced removal and incarceration of more than 120,000 people of Japanese ancestry. Most were U.S. citizens who lost their homes, livelihoods, and freedom without charges or due process. We honor the families who endured incarceration and discrimination, and we recognize the strength, perseverance, and dignity they carried forward in rebuilding their lives and communities. This painful chapter in our history reveals the fragility of civil liberties in times of fear and calls on us to remain vigilant in protecting the rights, dignity, and safety of all communities.

Ramadan Mubarak! We extend our warmest wishes to a

Ramadan Mubarak! We extend our warmest wishes to all who are observing this sacred month and share in the spirit of a season that brings families and communities together in faith, reflection, and service.

Happy Lunar New Year from API Council! We are hon

Happy Lunar New Year from API Council!

We are honored to celebrate alongside our community, embracing the vibrance of our cultures and the cherished traditions passed down through generations. As families gather, tables fill with food, and loved ones reconnect, we hope this season brings warmth and joy to every home. May the new year bless you with happiness, prosperity, good health, and new opportunities. Thank you for being such an important part of our community. We are grateful to celebrate with you and look forward to all that the year ahead will bring.

Happy Valentine’s Day from the API Council. Send

Happy Valentine’s Day from the API Council. Sending love to our members, communities, and partners. Thank you for leading with care and helping build a stronger, more connected community.

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