CIVIC ENGAGEMENT + ADVOCACY

During COVID, data collection was conducted related to anti-Asian violence, hate crime, and hate incidents. Survey results were shared.

AACS members of the history initiative Hannah M and Max Z visited Jefferson City to provide testimonies at the Missouri House of Representatives in support of Bill 1051. Sponsored by Representative Emily Weber, this significant bill designates May as AAPI Heritage Month. The team is so proud of these Clayton students for their efforts in advocacy for inclusion and representation!

In 2020, AACS hosted an online town hall for the four candidates in the democratic primary for county executive. AACS held a one-on-one interview from an Asian youth, with topics ranging from the pandemic, violence and safety, race relations, Asian representation, etc in hopes that it will motivate more Asian votes in the upcoming elections.

• The link below provides more information:

  https://web.scanews.com/2020/07/27/%E5%B0%B1%E4%BA%9A%E8%A3%94%E5%85%B3%E5%BF%83%E8%AE%AE%E9%A2%98-%E5%9C%A3%E8%B7%AF%E6%98%93%E4%BA%9A%E8%A3%94%E9%AB%98%E4%B8%AD%E7%94%9F%E4%B8%8E%E5%9B%9B%E4%BD%8D%E6%B0%91%E4%B8%BB%E5%85%9A%E9%83%A1/

AACS volunteers took part in phone banking in 2018, 2020, and 2022, with a targeted outreach, urging AAPI communities to engage in political conversations and participate in the democratic process. AAPI phone banking is instrumental to amplify voices of AAPI voters, educate them, and advocate for their needs. It plays a significant role in promoting representation, inclusion, and participation within the AAPI electorate.

A while ago, AACS started a government job shadowing program, in which it called African American and Asian American high school students in the St. Louis region to visit with area government leaders and engage in direct dialogue about important region-specific civic issues.

Recently, AACS has started the 2024 Civic Fellows Program, which seeks to provide AAPI youth with tools and resources for engaging their communities this election cycle. It is a paid program for high school students (10-12th) in the St. Louis region interested in government and civic engagement.