CA Commission on APIA Affairs

CA Commission on APIA Affairs The California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs.

THE MISSION of the Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs is to elevate the political, economic, and social issues of Asians and Pacific Islanders by contributing to and strengthening how state government addresses the needs, issues, and concerns of the diverse and complex Asian and Pacific Islander American communities.

🎓Celebrating CAPIAA’s Summer 2026 Intern Cohort! As our Summer Internship comes to a close, CAPIAA extends our appreciat...
08/20/2026

🎓Celebrating CAPIAA’s Summer 2026 Intern Cohort!

As our Summer Internship comes to a close, CAPIAA extends our appreciation to Malia Santos, Utkarsh Dubey, and Aariya Shergill for their dedication, hard work, and service to California’s AANHPI communities.

Throughout the summer, our interns gained hands-on experience in public service while contributing to several of CAPIAA’s key projects and initiatives. They participated in AANHPI Spotlight Series interviews, helped promote the 2026 CAPIAA Annual Report Cover Design Contest, filmed and created social media content, and attended legislative hearings connected to CAPIAA’s work. Through these experiences, they supported the Commission’s efforts to engage communities, elevate AANHPI voices, and keep Californians informed.

🌟 Malia Santos — UC Davis
🌟 Utkarsh Dubey — UC Berkeley
🌟 Aariya Shergill — UC Berkeley

Thank you, Malia, Utkarsh, and Aariya, for the time, energy, creativity, and perspective you brought to CAPIAA this summer. We’re grateful for your contributions and proud to have been part of your professional journey.

Please join us in wishing our Summer 2026 interns continued success in their education, careers, and service to their communities! 👏

AANHPI Spotlight Series: LEAD FilipinoFor more than a decade, LEAD Filipino has worked to empower Filipina/x/o and AANHP...
08/18/2026

AANHPI Spotlight Series: LEAD Filipino

For more than a decade, LEAD Filipino has worked to empower Filipina/x/o and AANHPI communities by building pathways to leadership, strengthening civic engagement, advancing health equity, and preserving Filipino American culture and history.

Founded in 2015 as a voter registration initiative, LEAD Filipino has grown into a national nonprofit that creates opportunities for youth, college students, and emerging professionals to recognize their power to lead and make a difference.

Through programs ranging from the Fly Pinays leadership network and Awareness in Action to health advocacy, Filipino Advocacy Day, and cultural preservation initiatives, LEAD Filipino continues to turn community engagement into meaningful action.

As Founder & CEO Dr. Angelica Cortez shares:

“Leadership begins when people see themselves as part of the solution. Lasting change happens when communities are empowered to shape their own future.”

CAPIAA is proud to spotlight LEAD Filipino and celebrate a decade of empowering communities, cultivating future leaders, and advancing equity through grassroots action and civic engagement.

CAPIAA Legislative UpdateCAPIAA is proud to sponsor AB 2017 (Haney) and AB 2374 (Fong), two bills advancing priorities f...
08/13/2026

CAPIAA Legislative Update

CAPIAA is proud to sponsor AB 2017 (Haney) and AB 2374 (Fong), two bills advancing priorities for California’s diverse AANHPI communities. We’re pleased to share that both bills have passed the Senate Appropriations Committee and will now move to the Senate Floor for consideration!

AB 2017 — State Holidays: Eid
Authored by Assemblymember Matt Haney and principal coauthored by Senator Aisha Wahab, AB 2017 would formally recognize Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha as California state holidays.

🎓 AB 2374 — California AANHPI-Serving Institutions
Authored by Assemblymember Mike Fong and coauthored by Senator Eloise Gómez Reyes, AB 2374 would establish a California AANHPI-Serving Institution designation for qualifying higher education institutions that serve Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander students, helping strengthen institutional support and improve educational outcomes for AANHPI students.

Passing Senate Appropriations marks another important step in the legislative process. Both bills now head to the Senate Floor for consideration.

CAPIAA will continue to keep our communities informed as these bills move through the Legislature.

🌟 CAPIAA 2026 AANHPI Spotlight Series: Lauren GarcesCAPIAA is proud to recognize Lauren Garces as one of our 2026 AANHPI...
08/11/2026

🌟 CAPIAA 2026 AANHPI Spotlight Series: Lauren Garces

CAPIAA is proud to recognize Lauren Garces as one of our 2026 AANHPI Spotlight honorees, a community leader whose work demonstrates the power of art, culture, storytelling, and civic engagement to create spaces where people feel seen, connected, and empowered.

For more than 15 years, Lauren has dedicated herself to community organizing and cultural event production. As the founder of Social Artistry, she creates experiences that uplift diverse communities, celebrate cultural identity, and inspire people to take action beyond the event itself.

Lauren has also played an instrumental role in strengthening San Diego’s AANHPI community. She co-founded and serves as Co-Chair of the San Diego Asian Pacific Islander Coalition, which grew out of a collective response to the rise in anti-Asian hate during the COVID-19 pandemic and now brings together dozens of Asian and Pacific Islander-serving organizations. Her work has also supported the growth and visibility of the Convoy Pan-Asian Cultural District, helping create opportunities for small businesses, artists, and community members to celebrate and preserve their stories.

At the heart of Lauren’s work is a belief that creativity can help communities heal, connect, and imagine a better future.

“Artists spark dialogue. They help us imagine what’s possible, reveal what often goes unseen, and remind us that joy, culture, and creativity can bring communities together.” — Lauren Garces

CAPIAA is honored to recognize Lauren for her commitment to uplifting AANHPI voices and showing the next generation what is possible when creativity and purpose come together.😁

08/06/2026

The documentary writes itself… 🎬

CAPIAA’s Annual Report Cover Design Contest is open to California artists ages 14–24, and this is an opportunity for young creatives to have their artwork seen in a meaningful way.

The selected artist will have their design featured on CAPIAA’s Annual Report cover and receive a $1,000 award.

This year’s theme is “California: Where We Belong,” inviting artists to reflect on identity, culture, community, and what belonging means across California.

Deadline: August 14
Submit: tinyurl.com/CAPIAACover26

If you’re a young artist, or know one, this is your sign to submit your design today.

CAPIAA is proud to highlight Noshaba Afzal as part of our AANHPI Spotlight Series.Noshaba is a lifelong educator, traine...
08/05/2026

CAPIAA is proud to highlight Noshaba Afzal as part of our AANHPI Spotlight Series.

Noshaba is a lifelong educator, trainer, and civil rights advocate whose work has helped transform educational practices and strengthen opportunities for students, educators, and communities across California and beyond. As Executive Director of Trainings for the Guided Language Acquisition Design (GLAD) program, she has trained educators across all 50 states and internationally, supporting student-centered learning and language acquisition strategies that improve outcomes for multilingual students.

During our interview with Noshaba, she stated, “Every child deserves to feel seen, respected, and valued. Lasting change happens when we pair education with accountability and have the courage to stand up for one another.”

Her advocacy is rooted in the belief that inclusive education and civil rights go hand in hand. Through her leadership, Noshaba continues to advance educational equity, promote accountability, and create spaces where communities can build trust through dialogue.

CAPIAA recognizes Noshaba for her commitment to empowering the next generation of educators and civic leaders to lead with courage, compassion, and service.

🎨 We've extended the deadline! 🎉There's still time to submit your design for the 2026 CAPIAA Annual Report Cover Design ...
08/03/2026

🎨 We've extended the deadline! 🎉

There's still time to submit your design for the 2026 CAPIAA Annual Report Cover Design Contest!🤩

If you're between the ages of 14–24, this is your opportunity to have your artwork featured on CAPIAA's Annual Report and receive a $1,000 award if your design is selected.

🗓 New Deadline: August 14, 2026

This year's theme, "California: Where We Belong," invites young artists to showcase what belonging, community, and the rich diversity of California's Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities mean to them.

🎨 Submit your design today:
🔗 tinyurl.com/CAPIAACover26

Know a talented young artist? Please share this opportunity with your family, friends, schools, youth organizations, and community networks. We can't wait to see your creativity come to life!

CAPIAA has released a Request for Information for the AANHPI Serving Institutions Pilot Program.We are seeking input fro...
08/03/2026

CAPIAA has released a Request for Information for the AANHPI Serving Institutions Pilot Program.

We are seeking input from interested organizations and institutions to help inform the development of a potential statewide pilot program focused on strengthening support for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander students.

The RFI asks for input on service models, program design, implementation capacity, estimated costs, staffing needs, student support, career development, mental health and wellness, family engagement, community partnerships, institutional capacity building, and culturally responsive curriculum.

Key Dates:
Questions due: August 12, 2026
CAPIAA responses to questions: August 24, 2026
RFI responses due: September 7, 2026

Submit responses by email to [email protected].
Review the full RFI: https://tinyurl.com/CAPIAA-RFI

07/30/2026

🎨TOMORROW IS THE LAST DAY TO SUBMIT!🚨

Calling all young California artists and designers ages 14–24! Tomorrow, July 31, is your final chance to submit your artwork for CAPIAA’s 2026 Annual Report Cover Art Contest.

Show us what “California: Where We Belong” means to you through your creativity and vision. ✨

🏆 Selected artist will receive a $1,000 award!
📅 Deadline: July 31, 2026
🔗 Submit: tinyurl.com/capiaacover26 (link in bio)

Don’t wait until it’s too late, submit your design today!

CaliforniaArtists YouthArtists DesignContest

🎨 FINAL WEEK TO SUBMIT!Calling all young California artists ages 14–24: The deadline for CAPIAA’s 2026 Annual Report You...
07/27/2026

🎨 FINAL WEEK TO SUBMIT!

Calling all young California artists ages 14–24: The deadline for CAPIAA’s 2026 Annual Report Youth Cover Design Contest is this Friday, July 31!

Create an original design inspired by this year’s theme, “California: Where We Belong,” celebrating belonging, identity, and the many ways Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities shape California.

The selected artist will:
✨ Receive a $1,000 award
✨ Have their artwork featured on CAPIAA’s 2026 Annual Report cover
✨ Be recognized through a creator spotlight on CAPIAA’s digital platforms

Submit your design today at tinyurl.com/capiaacover26 or visit the link in our bio. Help us spread the word by sharing this opportunity with a young artist in your community!

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Sacramento, CA
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