National CAPACD

08/26/2026

National CAPACD was proud to host the next generation of rising leaders in the community development field at the 2026 Building CAPACD Convention, made possible through the generous support of Southwest Airlines.

Join us in acknowledging the participants of our 2026 Next Gen cohort:

👏 Xiaomeng (Brenda) Liu | Asian Community Development Center (ACDC)
👏 Jenny Lunte | Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon (APANO)
👏 Sharon Ng | Chinatown Community Development Center (Chinatown CDC)
👏 Mana Kheang | CMAA - Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association
👏 Alice Wong | Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC)
👏 Elizabeth Diaz-Jacobo | 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐮𝐧𝐢𝐭𝐲 𝐑𝐞𝐥𝐢𝐞𝐟 𝐂𝐨𝐦𝐦𝐢𝐭𝐭𝐞𝐞 (CRC)
👏 Mina Kim | Greater Milwaukee Association of Arab and Asian Communities (GMAAC)
👏 Rose Say | Hmong American Partnership American Partnership (HAP)
👏 Jennifer Chau | AZ AANHPI for Equity

We can’t wait to witness the continued impact of these extraordinary community leaders! ✨

Photo credit: C.A.N. Pictures (https://www.canpictures.net/)

08/19/2026

The Kresge Foundation recently featured National CAPACD board member Tap Bui and member organization, Song Community Development Corporation (Sông CDC), highlighting their community-driven climate justice work in New Orleans East.

From transforming 10 flood-prone acres into a resident-designed heritage garden to supporting local food systems, Sông CDC proves that true resilience relies on deep community roots and cultural power.

Read the full Kresge feature to see how Gulf South leaders are centering community and culture to drive climate action: [link in comments]

07/31/2026

One of the most meaningful parts of our Building CAPACD Convention is the opportunity to connect informally and deepen relationships in spaces of joy, such as our Community Reception.

This year, we’re excited to welcome attendees to our ✨𝗖𝗼𝗺𝗺𝘂𝗻𝗶𝘁𝘆 𝗥𝗲𝗰𝗲𝗽𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻: 𝗔 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗘𝘅𝗽𝗲𝗿𝗶𝗲𝗻𝗰𝗲 ✨, transforming the historic First Congressional Church of Long Beach into an experience inspired by the vibrant gathering spaces found across Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.

Throughout the evening, Convention attendees will enjoy light bites and drinks from local vendors — including Battambong BBQ, Boba Bestie, PlantBerri, and Shlap Muan Wings — while connecting with fellow attendees, visiting community tables hosted by our host committee, taking part in games enjoyed across generations, and experiencing cultural performances by Mera Dance Troupe and Barkadahan Dance Troupe.

To celebrate the spirit of this year’s reception, we’re also sharing our 𝗡𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗿𝗸𝗲𝘁 𝗠𝗮𝗽, a growing snapshot of night markets across our coalition’s communities. Explore the map and share a night market that brings your community together.

🗺️ Explore the Night Market Map: link in comments

07/30/2026

We’re excited to announce the speakers for our 2026 Building CAPACD Convention plenary, 𝘈𝘯𝘤𝘩𝘰𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘪𝘯 𝘛𝘳𝘶𝘴𝘵, 𝘗𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘊𝘰𝘭𝘭𝘦𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘷𝘦 𝘈𝘤𝘵𝘪𝘰𝘯.

This closing plenary brings the 2026 Building CAPACD Convention back to where we began—rooted in the places we each call home and the communities we carry with us. Grounded in trust built through local leadership, shared history, and long-term partnership, the session highlights how community development organizations are transforming neighborhood power into civic action.

As we head into the midterm election year, elected officials, nonprofit leaders, and movement partners will reflect on how place-based work strengthens democratic participation and ensures communities most impacted are shaping the decisions that affect their lives.

Moderator
Timmy Lu, AAPIs for Civic Empowerment Education Fund, Executive Director

Speakers
Lian Cheun, Khmer Girls in Action (KGA), Executive Director
Duncan Hwang, APANO, Community Development Director
Manufou Liaiga-Anoa'i, Pacific Islander Community Partnership (PICP), Founder & Executive Director

07/29/2026

The Building CAPACD Convention program is woven with performances from local artists who use their work to tell the stories of our places and communities.

We are deeply grateful to our Convention performers for sharing their artistry, culture, and creativity with us. Their performances enrich our convening, celebrate the diversity of our communities, and remind us of the power of art to inspire connection, reflection, and collective action.

Meet the 2026 Building CAPACD Convention artists & performers:
✨ Barkadahan Dance Troupe
✨ Daja Marks and Hannah 하연 Joo
✨ Fusion Zaffa
✨ Get Lit - Words Ignite - Rebecca Yang and Sailee Charlu
✨ Jason Pereira (JP)
✨ UCLA Kyodo Taiko
✨Malia Baricuatro, Blue Kinimaka Ka’ahanui, and Hokulani Aichel

07/27/2026

We’re excited to announce the speakers for our 2026 Building CAPACD Convention plenary, 𝘗𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳𝘦𝘥 𝘣𝘺 𝘊𝘰𝘮𝘮𝘶𝘯𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘦𝘴: 𝘚𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘖𝘶𝘳 𝘍𝘶𝘵𝘶𝘳𝘦 𝘍𝘰𝘳 𝘈𝘭𝘭.

The rules are being rewritten, chipping away at the hard-won progress on civil rights and equity. This moment calls on each of us as leaders not just to pivot, but to boldly reimagine our government and to work differently together within a social justice movement.

In this plenary, panelists will speak to the work their organizations are pursuing to ensure that communities are the creators and beneficiaries of new systems that work for all, and explore how we build a more just future together.

This session will be moderated by Chinatown Community Development Center Executive Director and National CAPACD Board Member, Malcolm Yeung.

Panelists:
- Janice Ikeda, Vibrant Hawaiʻi, Chief Executive Officer
- Michael McAfee, PolicyLinknk, Chief Executive Officer
- Marissa Tirona, Grantmakers Concerned with Immigrants and Refugees (GCIR), President

07/24/2026

Yesterday, Ranking Member Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and House Small Business Committee Ranking Member Nydia M. Velázquez (D-NY-7) introduced a Congressional Review Act (CRA) resolution that would rescind the Administration’s policy to ban green card holders from accessing essential Small Business Administration (SBA) loans to start and grow their businesses.

National CAPACD CEO Seema Agnani provided the following quote to the press release: “National CAPACD wholeheartedly supports the introduction of this resolution aimed at overturning the SBA's misguided policy prohibiting immigrants from accessing the 7(a) and 504 loan programs. As a coalition, we are committed to creating systems, organizations, and societies that are fair and just. We believe we and our economy are stronger when we uplift our rich and diverse communities. Access to capital helps small businesses create jobs, build wealth, and strengthen neighborhoods. Restoring this pathway is an important first step toward ensuring immigrant entrepreneurs can continue to grow their businesses and contribute positively to our economy as a whole. We urge Congress to build on this momentum by passing the Investing in the American Dream Act, which would fully restore fair access to safe and affordable credit and uphold our commitment to a fair economy that works for everyone."

Read the full press release here:

Bicameral resolution would rescind Trump administration policy banning green card holders from accessing SBA loans Resolution Text (PDF) | One-Pager (PDF) (Washington, July 23) – Ranking Member Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.) and House Small Business Committee Ranking Member Nydia M. Velázqu...

07/22/2026

We’re excited to announce the speakers for our 2026 Building CAPACD Convention plenary, 𝘗𝘰𝘸𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘧 𝘗𝘭𝘢𝘤𝘦: 𝘔𝘢𝘱𝘱𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘗𝘢𝘵𝘩 𝘵𝘰 𝘓𝘰𝘤𝘢𝘭 𝘖𝘸𝘯𝘦𝘳𝘴𝘩𝘪𝘱. This two-part plenary brings together two panels that explore both the power of place and the practicals tools needed to reclaim and protect it:

🔹Panel 1 examines the cultural significance of real estate, anti-gentrification strategies, and how place shapes power in our communities.
🔹Panel 2 offers practical insights, featuring implementation stories, actionable support, resources, and partnership models.

💫 Our very own Our Neighborhoods Capital Fund (ONCF) CEO Cindy Wu will be moderating this important conversation alongside fellow leaders who are also driving community investment and ownership:

Panelists:
✨Susana Sngiem, Executive Director, United Cambodian Community of Long Beach (UCC)
✨Takao “Tak” Suzuki, Co-Executive Director, Little Tokyo Service Center (LTSC)
✨Council Member Tunua Thrash-Ntuk, Long Beach’s Eighth District | President and CEO, The Center by Lendistry
✨Nadia Villagran, Vice President, Rural Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC)

07/21/2026

A signature feature of the Building CAPACD Convention is our mobile tours, which allow attendees the opportunity to experience the places that anchor communities in our host cities.

This year, attendees can explore Long Beach through tours like the Halo Halo: Filipino Heritage Tour, hosted by the Long Beach Filipinx Action Network (LBFAN). Participants will experience the many facets of the Filipino and Filipino American community—one of the city's largest Asian American populations—from small businesses and community murals to gathering spaces that reflect the community's rich history and continued presence.