Hey there — In the United States, only 0.9% of elected leaders identify as Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI). Yet, the total number of AAPI folks in the U.S. is over six times this percentage and accounts as the fastest growing demographic in the country.
Here at NDTC, we have the chance to train candidates across the country in running for office, working on campaigns, or helping their local Democratic parties. Often for the first time!
That’s why we want you to attend our NDTC Expert Q&A: AAPI Leaders Pave the Way, event on Thursday, May 16 at 1pm ET.
We’re thrilled to host this event alongside our incredible partners Public Wise, AAPI Victory Fund, NCAAT in Action, They See Blue, DCCC, ASPIRE PAC, South Asians for America, and New American Leaders Action Fund.
Join us for this important panel to discuss how AAPI folks have navigated the world of Democratic politics. Our expert panelists will discuss working in politics as an AAPI individual, how they got involved in politics, and how they center their identities in their own work!
We hope you’ll join the conversation (and bring your questions!)
— The NDTC Team
And it doesn’t stop there! You can always visit the Online Academy’s Course Catalog, set up a free account, and keep track of your progress while taking advantage of our extensive course offerings.
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Gear up for our May 2024 focus: “Messaging that Matters”
At this point of the cycle, you should be getting out in the community. The best way to make your candidacy “stick” is through clear, effective messaging.
That’s why we’re organizing our programming in May around messaging and communications development. From doing the backend work to develop a message to actually rehearsing your stump speech, you will walk away with more confidence and a streamlined approach to your campaign communications.
In the meantime, look at two introductory courses from our online catalog to jumpstart your learning:
So You Want to Run for Office: AAPI Heritage Month Edition
Thursday, May 2 at 1pm ET
Whether it’s at the local, state, or national level, your unique experiences and ideas contribute to shaping your communities. And it can’t be said enough: better representation helps everyone.
Running for political office is one crucial way Asian Americans can empower their communities and shape policies that directly affect them.
So this Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, we’re excited to host a tailored version of our So You Want to Run for Office with our partners Public Wise, the Democratic Congressional Campaign Committee, AAPI Victory Fund, They See Blue, ASPIRE PAC, Indian American Impact, and North Carolina Asian Americans Together In Action, that focuses on the unique challenges and considerations for AAPI candidates.
Just touching base — Our AAPI So You Want to Run for Office training is happening this Thursday. Focused on first-time Asian American and Pacific Islander candidates, this training will prepare you to set up your run for office.
We’re bringing together an expert trainer, amazing partners, and a curated curriculum designed to walk through all the considerations of making the decision to run. And we’ll give you a preview right here of what’s to come!
The trainer: Vanessa Hsia is a storyteller, writer and PR consultant based in New York City. She has worked in-house within the non-profit communications space for more than five years spanning several organizations, including Sesame Workshop, Priorities USA, and The Hub Project. During the 2020 election, she trained hundreds of candidates and comms professionals in paid media and political messaging best practices. You can find her words in The Vibe Room magazine and at vanessahsia.com.
The curriculum: You’ll learn four key takeaways during Thursday’s training. By the end, you will understand the steps necessary to run for office, be able to explain best practices for choosing which office to run for, identify what support you’ll need from your team, and prepare for sharing your decision to run with friends and family!
The partner orgs:
Public Wise is committed to forging a diverse, multiracial Democratic Party. They accomplish this work by investing in research, supporting grassroots campaigns, and investing in educational opportunities like this training!
AAPI Victory Fund is the only national political action committee with the goal of increasing AAPI representation in elected offices by conducting research and analysis of voter data and demographics, providing resources and training for candidates and campaign staff, and increasing public awareness of AANHPI issues.
NCAAT in Action is committed to supporting equity and justice for all by building political power among Asian Americans and allies in North Carolina through voter education, progressive advocacy and leadership development.
They See Blue seeks to leverage a cultural connection to advance civic engagement among like-minded South Asians. Their goal is to support They See Blue chapters in all states with large South Asian populations and mobilize these voters in battleground states to ensure Democratic control of the White House, the Senate and the House.
DCCC is the Democratic Hill committee for the United States House of Representatives, working to elect Democrats. The DCCC recruits candidates, raises funds and organizes races in districts expected to yield politically notable or close elections.
ASPIRE PAC is committed to supporting candidates of AANHPI descent and incumbents who represent large communities of AANHPI voters. They offer a voice for the AAPI community and encourage active participation in the U.S. political process.
This training will provide you with the support you need to get started in earnest. We hope to see you this Thursday at 1pm ET!
— The NDTC Team
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