200+ Organizations Unite for 2026 API Advocacy Day at the California State Capitol
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
April 21, 2026
Contact: advocacy@apiadvocates.org
SACRAMENTO, CA — On May 18, 2026, the California API Advocacy Coalition will host its 3rd Annual California API Advocacy Day at the California State Capitol, bringing together a statewide coalition of more than 200 organizations dedicated to strengthening California's Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities through collective advocacy.
A Press Conference will be held at 12:00 pm, Monday, May 18, 2026 at the California State Capitol (West Side Steps). Join the CA API Advocacy Coalition with Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen, Assemblymember Darshana Patel, Superintendent Tony Thurmond, community leaders and students who will share their personal stories and lived experiences.
The Advocacy Day event welcomes students, educators, community leaders, and advocates from across the state for a day of direct engagement and meetings with state legislators.The day also includes hands-on training in grassroots advocacy, empowering attendees to engage confidently and effectively in legislative spaces. The event is free and open to all, ensuring accessibility for nonprofit organizations, students, community leaders, and first-time advocates.
Last year's Advocacy Day brought together more than 100 organizations to the State Capitol, reaching 115 legislative offices in a single day. Two of their priority bills were chaptered into law: AB 49 (Muratsuchi) and AB 863 (Kalra). This year in 2026, the Coalition has grown to over 200 organizations, including an increase of over 40% of Pacific Islander representation, to rally behind three priority bills addressing language access, data collection and disaggregation, and higher education: AB 1242 (Asm. Nguyen), AB 1878 (Asm. Patel), and AB 2374 (Asm. Fong).
This year, the CA API Advocacy Coalition has expanded their reach across the state, and launched a Steering Committee including: Manufou Liaiga Anoa'i Executive Director of PICP, Richard Calvin Chang Chairperson of PIHP, Ko Ser Lu Htoo CEO of CKYC, Tana Lepule Director of PICSD, Mary Yin Liu of APAPA Davis, Dylan Morgan President of APAPA CSUS, Katherine Parpana Director of UCD LMC, Karthick Ramakrishnan Executive Director of AAPI Data, Anupriya Ramraj BOA of IAS, Alisi Tulua Executive Director of SOCAL PICRT, Isa Whalen Executive Director of API Advocates, Andrew Yang Director of CSUS APIDA, and Nancy Yap Executive Director of CAUSE.
"The growth we've seen in Pacific Islander participation reflects the power of intentional outreach and culturally grounded leadership. When our communities see themselves represented in these spaces, they understand that their voices matter," said Honorable Manufou Anoa'i, Chair of the CA API Advocacy Coalition. "This Coalition is proof that when we stand together, we can create lasting change."
“As a student at California State University Sacramento, and someone who grew up in an immigrant community, I appreciate the importance of educational programs and resources, especially for the minority communities which are struggling with federal funding cuts,” shared Dylan Morgan, Youth Steering Committee lead intern. “AB 2374 is a huge step forward in the right direction.”
“Our Coalition reaffirms the importance of elevating underrepresented voices, the strength of collective action, and the need for community-centered policy work," said Isa Kelawili Whalen, Executive Director of API Advocates.
Visit https://www.apiadvocates.org/coalition or contact advocacy@apiadvocates.org for more information.
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The CA API Advocacy Day Coalition is organized by API Advocates, a California-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit, nonpartisan organization committed to building strong community partnerships and amplifying the voices of Asian and Pacific Islander communities. Through flagship initiatives—the California API Advocacy Coalition, Advocacy Day, and the California Capitol Student Internship Program—API Advocates empowers individuals and communities to come together and advocate for meaningful, positive change.