This session will focus on the role of the AANHPI community in the 2020 election, particularly as a voter bloc in swing states/counties. Key topics of discussion include: AANHPI voter participation (both historically and currently), AANHPI voter engagement and mobilization, as well as the growing power/voice of the AANHPI community in politics. Key takeaways can include avenues in which to get involved in elections and grassroots organizing as well as public service.
Note: All WLP Sessions will be recorded live.
Chantale Wong had a long and distinguished career in public service. During that period, Chantale was a participant in some of the most significant events in our US history. Having spent the majority of her professional career in public service and in locations around the world representing the United States in key positions, she regrets at not having captured those moments of significance. She retired after 23 years and has begun a new journey as a photographer. 
Grace Choi is the Director of Policy in the New York City Mayor’s Office. Recently, she served as the Constituency Director for Asian American & Pacific Islander Outreach for the Stacey Abrams for Governor Campaign. Previously, she was the Associate Director for Global Gender Policy and Advocacy at Save the Children. She served in President Obama’s Administration as Policy Advisor in the Secretary of State’s Office on Global Women’s Issues and as Staff Assistant in the White House Liaison’s Office at the U.S. Department of State.
Linh Nguyen has extensive political campaign experience, specializing in outreach strategies to young voters, Asian-Pacific Islanders, and communities of color, while working for a number of candidates across the country. 
A graduate of Georgia State University in Economics, Vyanti Joseph is a long-time community organizer and advocate for immigrant and human rights in Georgia. She had a professional career in Business Intelligence and Program Management before moving into social advocacy spaces in the last couple years. In 2020, Vyanti recently joined the Asian American Advocacy Funs as their Organizing Director. Previously, she served on the GA AAPI Advisory Council for Biden Harris and was the first AAPI Director hired in the 2020 GA election cycle, working on Senator Warnock’s campaign in the primary and the runoff. She is also co-founder of the GA chapter of They See Blue, a national organization that helped propel historic winning margins in the South Asian voter turnout, as well as No Safe Seats, a progressive organization mobilizing women in Metro Atlanta. Vyanti has dedicated many volunteer hours to organizing relief for refugees, the unsheltered, food-insecure communities, and gender violence victims. Her Indo Caribbean roots, friendly nature, and love for relationship building across organizations have propelled her work in helping marginalized communities. 
Christine Chen is a co-Founder and Executive Director of Asian Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote), one of the most trusted national, nonpartisan organizations. APIAVote’s mission is to work with local and state community based organizations (CBOs) to mobilize Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities in electoral and civic engagement. Since 2007, APIAVote has been building power in AAPI communities by investing in their capacity and infrastructure to mobilize voters. This investment, as well as, proactively training and resourcing community leaders across the country, paid off in the 2020 election cycle and Census. Under Chen’s leadership, APIAVote strengthened and expanded APIAVote’s partners into 28 states and made two historical milestones; attracted, then candidate Joe Biden to speak directly to the AAPI electorate, a first in history for a Presidential nominee, and second, contributed to the groundwork that led to the highest AAPI voter turnout in history.