Community in the Capital (CITC)

The foundation of National CAPACD's advocacy efforts is the grassroots leadership of our membership network. Over the last decade, we have convened more than 85 AAPI leaders from across our membership through an annual leadership development program called Community in the Capital (CITC) to do the following:

• Support the development of emerging leadership from its base.
• Provide opportunities to build strategic relationships with other community leaders.
• Deepen their perspectives on critical issues and concerns impacting AAPI communities at the federal level.
• Develop a coordinated national and local advocacy strategy around an identified AAPI policy agenda.
• Study the legislative process, including experiential learning on conducting education and advocacy with congressional representatives, policymakers from federal agencies, and the Administration.
• Build coalitions with allies and partners

Graduates of our CITC program have been promoted to executive directorships and other leadership roles within their organizations, hold roles as policymakers within federal agencies and the Administration, and continue to serve as key representatives on issues affecting low-income AAPIs.

CITC 2020-2021 Cohort

Grace Chan McKibben, Executive Director, CBCAC (Chicago, IL)
She/Her

Grace Chan McKibben is currently Executive Director of Coalition for a Better Chinese American Community (CBCAC), which seeks to empower the Chinese American communities in Greater Chicago through planning, advocacy, and organizing. In her role, Grace leads the programs and operations of CBCAC. Using her extensive network in the government, corporate, and non-profit sectors in the Chicago area, Grace also leads the advocacy efforts of CBCAC, She chaired the Chinese American Census Complete County Committee for the 2020 Census, and also was instrumental in advocating for increased support for Low English Proficiency voters in the Chinatown area in the November 2020 General Elections. For over 25 years, Grace has held senior level positions in education, government, corporate, and nonprofits. In these roles, she created numerous programs that brought communities together and amplified the voices and influence of marginalized communities. She is a fierce advocate of equality, inclusion, and access for immigrants, persons of color, the low-income community, and the LGBTQ+ community. Grace holds a B.A. in Linguistics and Sociology and an M.A. in Linguistics from The University of Chicago and an M.B.A. from The Keller Graduate School of Management. She currently serves on the Chicago Low-Income Real Estate Trust Fund Board; the Illinois State Asian American Employment Plan Advisory Council; the City of Chicago Language Access Task Force; the Illinois ACLU Board; and the National ACLU Board (of which she is also an elected member of the Executive Committee.) Grace is married to her high school sweetheart Tom. They live in Chicago and have four adult children.

Mimi Cheung, Special Projects Manager, PACE (Los Angeles, CA)
She/Her

An immigrant from Hong Kong, Mimi Cheung has nearly a decade of experience serving the nonprofit sector. As the Special Projects Manager of Pacific Asian Consortium in Employment (PACE), she manages special projects from conception through completion, contributes to the development of new business/program opportunities and expansions, as well as enhances the capabilities of programming and business opportunities throughout the organization. PACE is a community development corporation that creates economic solutions to meet the challenges of employment, education, housing, the environment, and business development in the Pacific Asian and other diverse communities in Los Angeles County. Before joining PACE, Mimi served in various capacities and brings expertise in development, strategic planning, project management, finance and operations within non-profit organizations. Prior to transitioning into the sector, Mimi worked for a number of Fortune 500 companies in the finance industry. Mimi is a graduate of University of California, Riverside with a major in Psychology and minor in Philosophy. In her spare time, she loves to travel, explore new cuisines and hang out with her fiancé and fur baby.

Celina Fernando, Youth Programs Associate, ACDC (Boston, MA)
She/Her

Celina Fernando is a Youth Programs Associate at Asian Community Development Corporation (ACDC). ACDC is a nonprofit located in Boston’s Chinatown that builds affordable housing, and supports residents and community members in the Greater Boston area through resident, civic engagement, and youth programming. In her role, Celina develops and facilitates the Malden A-VOYCE youth program, guiding Asian American youth from an inward exploration of personal identity, into an outward transformation of community power. In addition to the school year program, Celina leads the pilot internship program for third year returners in Malden focused on project management and leadership, as well as developing the six week Summer Leadership Academy focused on community engagement and storytelling. Previously in her role, Celina served as a youth worker for the Chinatown Tier 2 A-VOYCE program, serving youth returning to the leadership program for their second or third years. She additionally hired and supervised youth interns, through a SuccessLink partnership with the city of Boston. Outside of ACDC, she has also served as the Social Media & Volunteer Coordinator for ANGRY ASIAN GIRLS (AAG), and participated as a cohort fellow in the Asian American Women’s Political Initiative (AAWPI). Celina graduated from Simmons University in May 2019, with a Bachelor of Arts in Sociology with an emphasis on Critical Race Theory.

Yasue Katsuragi-Clark, Community Organizer, LTSC (Los Angeles, CA)
She/Her

Yasue Katsuragi-Clark is a Community organizer at Little Tokyo Service Center (LTSC). LTSC provides social services and community development services to help low income people in the greater Los Angeles area. As a Community organizer, Yasue works with low income Japanese speaking seniors living in Little Tokyo area. Also, she chairs Little Tokyo Senior Residents Association (LTSRA). LTSRA holds monthly meetings and discusses current issues regarding Little Tokyo, senior issues also conduct senior related topic educational workshops. During election season, Yasue organizes voter education workshops which include voter registration and voter education for LEP seniors.
The proudest achievement as a community organizer was that they were able to make the City of Los Angeles install a traffic light with a crosswalk in front of a senior housing in Little Tokyo. This low-income senior housing was facing a busy one-way street and located in mid-block where there was no traffic light or crosswalk. On the other side of the street there was a medical building where many Japanese speaking doctors had offices and many seniors jaywalked there for many years. After many people complained, they decided to go on the campaign, they petitioned, and frequently took seniors to City Hall. After almost 10 years of advocacy, and many visits to City Hall, the City finally agreed. She will always remember the day the traffic light turned on and seeing the smiling faces when they all crossed the crosswalk for the first time. She studied film and worked in the film industry for many years, and she enjoyed it very much. But after she had her son, working in the film industry didn’t fit in her lifestyle anymore. It was pure luck and she feels very fortunate to work with so many dedicated people at LTSC. She went through life changing moments in the last few years, without support from LTSC and Little Tokyo community, she wouldn’t be here today. She owes a lot to them and thinks this fellowship will help her to find the way to give back to LTSC and Little Tokyo.

Wanna Lei, Transportation Coordinator/Community Organizer, APANO (Portland, OR)
She/Her

Wanna Lei is the organizer and transportation coordinator on APANO’s community development team. Her responsibilities are focused on Metro, ODOT and PBOT mobility PILOT project and to organize Chinese community around issues in education, affordable housing, civic engagement, culture, community development, and community safety. The Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon (APANO) is a statewide, grassroots organization, we uniting Asian and Pacific Islanders to achieve social justice. APANO believes that together, people power can make change for our community. As a new immigrant woman, Wanna has many similar experiences with other immigrants. She is dedicated to organizing and advocating with her community to advance equity for immigrants. She was successful in building Chinese parents power to win a dual language immersion program Chinese in Jade District which most Chinese new immigrants reside. She organized Chinese tenants to advocate for their rights as tenants and connected them to a neighborhood preference for a local affordable housing development. She also had the opportunity to work with diverse populations within the Chinese community to build power and equity. She worked with seniors to build empowerment in their transportation access, children to cultivate more with nature outdoor experiences, community to increase street safety, disaster resilience, and civic engagement. She started her degree in Chinese History, Politics, and Language in China and she is continuing her education at Portland Community College. Wanna never gives up and is always learning to make herself better. She is involved at APANO because she has a passion to be a leader to organize Chinese immigrant parents to demand a high quality education for our Children. Later, she found her vision for advocacy and empowerment with her community. She loves challenging herself to grow and is on a mission to grow with the many immigrant moms who have similar experiences and struggles. She loves Zuma, culture work, and maintaining a healthy lifestyle.

David Li, Social Impact and Policy Officer, CASL (Chicago, IL)
He/Him

David Li is the Social Impact & Policy Officer at the Chinese American Service League, better known as CASL. CASL provides communities holistic wraparound services such as—high-quality childcare, afterschool programs, elder care, housing support, financial counseling, public benefits acquisition, career/vocational services, and legal assistance. David’s role includes understanding social service delivery mechanisms within the Asian America Pacific Islander (AAPI) community and the policies that drive change within this population. David is well-versed in mixed-methods research and aims to support ethical, participatory methods of reporting and accountability. As a former research fellow at Heartland Alliance, he had the opportunity to lead and contribute to several technical assistance projects including a theory of change narrative and social return on investment portfolio. He has worked in various industry sectors including but not limited to public policy, disability care, and applied research. As an administrator and former clinician, he seeks to engage all people with diversity, equity, and inclusion. David received his Master’s in Social Administration from the University of Chicago School of Social Service Administration and holds a Bachelor’s in Psychology from Wheaton College. He sits on the Impact Council at A Better Chicago, a philanthropy aimed at improving education infrastructure in the City. When away from the office, he enjoys tinkering with cars, all things Star Wars, trying new foods, and being outdoors with his wife and “Cookie,” a spoiled Wolfhound.

Jim Nguyen, Director - Asset Building Programs, The Alliance (Houston, TX)
He/Him

Jim Nguyen is Director for Asset Building Programs at The Alliance in Houston, a United Way multiservice agency, with a mission to create opportunities for refugees, immigrants and underserved residents to achieve their goals for self-sufficiency and improving their quality of life. The business units and programs Jim directs within The Alliance’s Asset Building Department include the Financial Opportunity Center (FOC), Individual Development Accounts (IDA) & financial products, Small Business Development & Technical Assistance, Small Business Administration (SBA) Microlending, all of the City of Houston’s Houston Financial Empowerment Centers (HFEC), The Alliance’s Housing Counseling Program, Entrepreneurship Programs and The Community CLOTH a microenterprise initiative for refugee artisan women, where he holds an additional designation as its General Manager. Prior to joining The Alliance, Jim gained over two decades of knowledge and experience in the private sector as a loan officer, managing financial lending branch offices, and serving as a general manager and regional trainer for nationally recognized retail companies. With an extensive background as a train the trainer, Jim is well versed in directing teams, creating effective projects and using targeted strategies to boost performance results. Jim is a University of California San Diego (UCSD) alumnus and was honored to be selected as part of UCSD’s Early Admission Honors (EAH) Program. Additionally, to better support his team and to understand and serve the multicultural individuals and families that The Alliance serves, Jim has also become a Certified Financial Coach and trained Financial Counselor. Jim believes positive encouragement fuels great strength and great achievement, and that which is currently beyond a person’s capabilities now, does not have to be so forever. Jim is a firm believer in The Alliance’s motto, “We work towards stability but we teach resilience.”

Fahad Rumi, Young Men’s Leadership Program Manager, SAYA (Queens, NY)
He/Him

Fahad Rumi has had the pleasure of serving the young people of South Asian Youth Action for 2 full years. Although Fahad’s role is entitled as the ‘Young Men’s Leadership’ Program Manager, he’s definitely had the opportunity and privilege of directly serving our youth and their respective communities in many meaningful ways. As the Manager of Young Men’s Leadership, he has a very unique and significant opportunity to work with young men who are rising juniors (10th grade to 11th grade transition) in equipping them with necessary skills such as public speaking, team building, leadership confidence and even, early personal financial literacy skills. Aside from the leadership enhancing curriculum, he also leads discussions in several social justice roundtables within the weekly curriculum in providing the necessary balance of being a well-rounded young person, societally. He’s recently taken on more responsibility in providing SAYA’s youth (as early as the 9th grade) with early college access. From early resume and personal statement building to the nuisances of Financial Aid/TAP as it applies to college tuition costs. What he loves most about working with young people however, is the daily interactions and conversations on balancing the struggles on route to the successes. At one point in life, Fahad intended on being a business major, namely accounting and go on to work as either an accountant or financial analyst. At the midpoint of his college career he realized how much it was not the ideal atmosphere for him. He’s always been someone who loved giving back, being meaningful with his presence and looks to always lead in situations of dire circumstances. In 2011, he picked up a role as a Sports Specialist at an after-school program for a non-for-profit organization (New York Edge, formerly SASF). It was a program within a middle school community, and he immediately felt a strong connection with the opportunity. He spent the typical week creating safe spaces, not only for sports, but for young people to also thrive individually. It was a space of high energy (the sports providing the initial spark) but it also made him realize how much he enjoyed leading and guiding young people through their daily lives. It was a role that jumpstarted his passion for youth & community development and the joy that came with seeing the youth further their development in a multitude of ways. It was at this point, he knew all the tension of letting go a career he truly didn’t connect with fundamentally nor passionately. Since 2011, having worked with the many NPOs that have helped his growth along the way, including New York Edge & Queens Community House (QCH). SAYA is now the atmosphere that fuels his work in the non-profit sector, serving our young people and their respective communities.

Sayon Syprasoeuth, Program Manager, UCC (Long Beach, CA)
He/Him

Sayon Syprasoeuth, Program Manager at United Cambodian Community. His role as a Youth Program Manager is to make sure staff and Executive Director are supported, and each program has everything it needs to run smoothly. UCC provides social services to low income Cambodian community in Long Beach. He is also a Lecturer at California State University Long Beach, and his previous experience was a Graphic Designer, and an artist. He continues to use in this organization in working with the youth and the community art projects such as painting a mural throughout Long Beach and doing healing art activities with people that have experienced with trauma. He is currently on the board as Vice President of the Arts Council Long Beach, a Multi-Cultural Advisory Commission for the City of Long Beach Prosecutor’s office, a practicing artist, and avid tennis player.

Karis Tzeng, Director of AsiaTown Initiatives, MidTown Cleveland, Inc. (Cleveland, OH)
She/Her

Karis Tzeng is the Director of AsiaTown Initiatives at MidTown Cleveland, Inc. Karis leads the community and economic development efforts in the AsiaTown neighborhood, developing a stronger sense of place, empowering economic growth, promoting the neighborhood, and supporting community organizing efforts. Initiatives include public art and streetscape amenities, neighborhood signage, technical and marketing support for businesses, and supporting resident-led programs. MidTown Cleveland, Inc. aims to leverage its diverse assets to develop a dynamic neighborhood and connected community in the center of it all, an inclusive place for people to innovate, create, prosper and live. Before joining MidTown Cleveland, Karis has served a variety of education, public art, or community development nonprofits or local government departments. Karis received an undergraduate degree from the University of Pennsylvania and a Master’s in Urban and Regional Planning from the University of Michigan. She loves to read, cook, garden in her local community garden, and spend time outdoors with her dog, Minkah.

Sina Uipi, Policy Associate, EPIC (Los Angeles, CA)
She/Her

Sina Uipi is the Policy Associate for Empowering Pacific Islander Communities (EPIC) who leads its national advocacy and policy work. EPIC is a national Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) organization that is pro-Black, pro-Indigenous, and pro-LGBTQ, based in Tongva Territory (Los Angeles, CA). As the DC-based staff, she is housed at the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA), a coalition of 37 national Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander organizations. In her current role, she advocates for Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders in issues such as health, education, immigration, civil rights, and housing and economic justice. In addition, she ensures messaging through NCAPA’s civic engagement committee and communications group caters specifically to the NHPI community. She also supports in managing NCAPA’s health and policy committees. Due to COVID-19 having a disproportionate impact on NHPIs, EPIC has shared the collective role in advocating for resources and policies for NHPIs. Sina supports advocacy efforts at the local level in California, and is part of the Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Policy Council, which is part of the National Pacific Islander COVID-19 Response Team. She also manages the NCAPA COVID-19 task force and serves as a liaison between the task force and the NHPI Policy Council in coordinating advocacy efforts whether it be writing letters to the Administration, submitting testimonies for congressional hearings, planning press conferences, or support in writing press releases. Prior to joining EPIC, Sina was a Senior Civil Rights Fellow at OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates, who is also an NCAPA member. In that capacity, she focused on policy priorities such as Education, Immigration, Census, and Technology/Workforce Development. Sina is a proud product of the CA public education system, and earned her Bachelor’s degree in Political Science at San Francisco State University, along with two minors in Counseling and Women and Gender Studies. She currently serves as a commissioner for the Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs (CAPIA) for the Mayor’s Office on Asian & Pacific Islander Affairs (MOAPIA) in Washington, D.C. In addition, she co-leads the Pacific Islander Task Force, an initiative intended to build relationships with local NHPI community members and finding ways to engage with local DC government. She is the daughter of Scottie and Leini Uipi and auntie to eight nephews and nieces that keep her grounded and provides lots of free entertainment when she needs a break from work.

Rosaline Yang, Operations Manager & Youth Program Coordinator, PCDC (Philadelphia, PA)
She/Her

Rosaline Yang, works at Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation (PCDC) as the Operations Manager & Youth Program Coordinator. Her key responsibilities include: Office Management, Property/Facility Management of N. 12th Family Homes (13 units), Crane Center, rental property and the office. She also is the Youth Program Coordinator, working under PCDC’s OST Site Director to provide a great after school program to youth in grades 7th-12th. Providing a safe space for youth to get academic support, prepare for high school/college, career exposure, and recreation. PCDC’s mission is to preserve, protect, and promote Chinatown as a viable ethnic, residential, and business community. Before joining PCDC as a full time staff member, Rosaline has a lot of experience working in the non-profit field. She had the pleasure of completing her internships at: PCDC, as their Special Projects and Marketing Intern and at Center for Architecture and Design as their Marketing and Events Intern. Before this, she worked in the hospitality industry. Rosaline graduated in December 2018 from Temple University with a Bachelor’s of Science in Tourism and Hospitality Management, with a concentration in Event Leadership, and a minor in Public Health.

Lamei Zhang, Projects Manager, PCDC (Philadelphia, PA)
She/Her

Lamei Zhang is the Projects Manager at the Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation (PCDC). Lamei first joined PCDC as a college intern, and after graduating, she found herself working full-time at PCDC. As Projects Manager, Lamei is responsible for various short-term and long-term projects, including real estate development, PCDC’s street cleaning program, and event coordination. During her time at PCDC, she has also managed and initiated civic engagement activities, such as voter registration and voter education. The Philadelphia Chinatown Development Corporation is a grassroots, community-based nonprofit organization with a mission preserve, protect, and promote Philadelphia’s Chinatown as a viable ethnic, residential, and business community. Prior to PCDC, Lamei spent much of her undergraduate career working with youth and children. She volunteered with local schools and acted as residential advisor in summer camp programs. Lamei received her BA in Growth and Structure of Cities and a minor in Chinese from Bryn Mawr College. During her free time, she enjoys playing badminton and board games.

Weiying Zhang, Housing Coordinator, CASL (Chicago, IL)
She/Her

Weiying Zhang is the Housing Coordinator at the Chinese American Service League (CASL). She oversees the housing program, develops and maintains partnership with funders and other organizations. She also organizes events, conducts workshops and provides day-to-day counseling services. CASL was established and exists as a nonprofit community-based social service agency to strengthen the physical, economic, and mental health of people of all ages and backgrounds of the Chinese community in the greater Chicago area. Weiying has 4 years of experience working with the housing program, including 2 years of experience as a housing counselor and 2 years’ experience as a housing coordinator. Since starting at CASL, she has conducted about 80 workshops/events, serviced approximately 1000 clients and managed other housing staffs. She has a Bachelor in Business Degree, and had finance working experience in China. When she came to the United States, she found so many people, especially low-income people, have difficulty pursuing their financial and housing success due to language barriers, limited education and resources. That is why she chose to work at a non-profit agency to encourage them to take the first step for their quality of life. She hopes to continue to help the community improve.