From Identity to Empowerment

From Identity to Empowerment: The Fight for Asian American Political Power

While more Asian Americans are engaged with politics and policy, the community still faces numerous barriers to building its power in the Chicago area and beyond. Despite being the fastest-growing demographic in the city, the state and the nation, Asian Americans remain underrepresented on all levels of government. And challenges remain for immigrant communities in battling inequitable policies and harmful stereotypes.

On November 19, join WBEZ’s Race, Class, and Communities reporter Esther Yoon-Ji Kang for a conversation on the past, present and future of Asian American power in the region. The event will feature a conversation with State Representative Theresa Mah, former Alderman Ameya Pawar and former candidate for Cook County State's Attorney Lori Yokoyama, as well as a panel on advocacy and organizing in the region.

This event will feature two panels:

Panel one:

• Ameya Pawar, former Chicago Alderman


• Theresa Mah, State Representative


• Lori Yokoyama, former Cook County State’s Attorney Candidate

Panel two:

• Andy Kang, Executive Director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAAJ)


• Wasan Kumar, President of UIC’s Indian Student Association


• Kristina Tendilla, Community Activist and Former Organizer for AAAJ and the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum


• Faith Kares, Associate Director of UIC’s Institute for Research on Race and Public Policy

Thank you to the following community organizations who helped WBEZ to promote this event: Chicago Asian Network, National Association of Asian American Professionals, Alliance of Filipinos for Immigrant Rights, Japanese Culture Center, Hanul Family Alliance, HANA Center, Filipino American Council of Greater Chicago, Asian Americans Advancing Justice, Cambodian Association of Illinois and National Cambodian Heritage Museum & Killing Fields Memorial.