January 11, 2021 to January 15, 2021
Dear Community
I am very excited to share our new 2021 economic report: Redefining Wealth Through Communal and Cultural Assets. Now more than ever we need disaggregated data to understand the unique and diverse experiences of Asian Minnesotans. When data on Asian Minnesotans are lumped together, it creates a monolithic picture of the population that further drives and perpetuates the invisibility of this community. Our intentions are to provide deeper understanding of the unique economic challenges and community assets across 10 different Asian Minnesotan groups by looking at seven data points—geographic distribution, population growth, general demographics, employment, income and poverty, housing, and intergenerational wealth building.
Please join our report launch and research briefing next Wednesday, January 20, 2021 from 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM. The event features guest speakers, including Tawanna Black, CEO, Center for Economic Inclusion, Alene Tchourumoff, Senior Vice President of Community Development and the Center for Indian Country Development, Federal Reserve Bank and Leona Thao, MPP and report author. Please register in advance to receive the zoom link. We hope to see you there!
In solidarity,
Michelle Chang
Lead Organizer, Economics and Education Priority Issues
| Aki Shibata is a behavioral artist, multi media installation artist, educator, facilitator and community organizer from Tokyo, Japan, now based in Minnesota. She received her BFA in photography and media production in 2008 and a MA in teaching and instruction in 2017. In her artistic work she develops intersections for people in public spaces to discover their authentic selves and to nurture compassion for all. Her work is about finding a sense of belonging and finding ways to let people meet their inner peace. Her artistic practice involves the examination of body and mind in public and gallery spaces through exploring the behavior of human interaction and notions of performance. She currently teaches fine art and participatory art at the Minneapolis College of Arts and Design and schools throughout the Twin Cities. In 2017 she founded Primary School of Behavioral Art, where people come together to learn from each other and to work together to bring liberation for all through art. Her artistic awards include grants from the St. Paul and Minnesota Foundation, the F.R. Bigelow Foundation, a Creative City Challenge grant, a Groundwork BIPOC public art fellowship, and many others. Aki Shibata’s art samples may be viewed on her website: ps-ba.com. | Jun-Li Wang is a connector of people, places and ideas. By day, she is a community organizer (and Associate Director at Springboard for the Arts), and by night when she has time, she is a craft artist. She primarily works in printed designs and textiles, either making useful quirky household objects or small public installations – all with the intention to surprise, delight and give people pause. Her first funded public art project of $140 (the number of characters in a tweet) was Flag Flora – colorful marking flags drawn with daffodils, leaves, and the names of daffodil (or flower) in a dozen languages heavily used in the Twin Cities that were “planted” in bundles and swaths in public places in late winter to give people a sense of the joy we all feel when yellow daffodils finally peek their heads out in the spring. She founded Board Repair, a network organized by and for Black, indigenous and people of color to create a more effective non-profit sector by increasing their participation on boards in the Twin Cities and has received multiple individual grants for her work to support people of color and newcomers to Minnesota. |
CAAL ACTIVITIES & EVENTS
Send Us Your Paper Cranes!
We are excited to welcome Aki Shibata and Jun-Li Wang as the lead artists for our #PaperCraneWish art installation. They will be crafting a mobile installation inspired by Chinese temple incense spirals and hanging paper cranes, which will stand as a symbol of solidarity, unity, and hope for our shared future.
If you would like your folded paper cranes to be used in the creation of our art installation, please mail your cranes to us by this Friday, January 15, 2021, at: CAAL Office, 941 Lafond Ave, Ste 205, St. Paul, MN 55104
Research Briefing: Redefining Wealth Through Communal and Cultural Assets
Wednesday, January 20, 2021 from 4:00 PM – 5:00 PM CT
We are pleased to invite you to join us for the official launch and briefing on the findings of our recently published economic research report on Asian Minnesotans and wealth building entitled, “Redefining Wealth Through Communal and Cultural Assets.” This first research of its kind was conducted with communities from 10 different Asian ethnic groups and offers a deeper look at practices and values that drive wealth building in this population. At this event, we will go in-depth about the research findings. You’ll then hear from leaders working on wealth building from various angles who will react to and share how they imagine using the research findings.
In this critical time, when everyone is contemplating how we will build back more inclusively and better, we must explore future prosperity models grounded in cultural intelligence and values to combat poverty and build wealth. Whether you are moving solutions in the banking, housing, workforce, small business, or in the general community development field, the report findings can help you innovate and align efforts with the community’s values and definitions of wealth.
Please register in advance for the event here.
CAAL Media Consultant – Request for Proposals (RFP)
Project Timeline: The project timeline is January – June 30, 2021.
Proposal Deadline: All proposals must be sent via email to Nick@caalmn.org by Friday, January 22, 2021, at 11:59 PM.
We seek an experienced media consultant to support our communications work to build power narratives that have the potential to ensure systems become more inclusive and equitable for Asian Minnesotans. The consultant will work with our team to develop relationships with mainstream and ethnic media, pitch stories, write op-eds, and pursue other strategies to ensure our community’s stories and solutions are covered.
Apply today or help us spread the word! See full RFP here.
Education Work Group Meeting
Wednesday, January 27, 2021 from 4:00 PM to 5:00 PM CST
We invite you to register for our first Education Work Group meeting of the year. Our guest speakers this month are Justice Alan Page and Neel Kashkari. They are joining us to present on the Page Amendment, and the upcoming campaign. Participants will have the opportunity to learn more about the campaign and there will be an opportunity for questions and comments. We look forward to seeing you there!
Registration Link: https://secure.everyaction.com/rpq72injvEiBEe3nIv4GfA2
OTHER OPPORTUNITIES & EVENTS
Racial Equity Virtual Town Hall
Tuesday, January 19, 2021 from 4:00 PM to 5:30 PM CST
In honor of the Fifth Annual National Day of Racial Healing, join a virtual town hall to learn about Ramsey County’s racial equity efforts and strategies. The town hall will include opportunities to ask questions and provide input regarding racial equity initiatives in Ramsey County. All are welcome. Please share with your network.
For more information visit: https://www.ramseycounty.us/content/racial-equity-virtual-town-hall
Become a CollegeBound Program Ambassador
Calling community leaders! Join CollegeBound Saint Paul‘s second cohort of program ambassadors. Be part of helping families in your community build a strong foundation for their children’s futures! Have conversations with people you already talk to and help fam learn about saving for their child’s future with CollegeBound Saint Paul. Ambassadors must be Saint Paul residents (16 years old and up) and commit to a year-long ambassadorship.
Ambassadors receive $1200/year stipend, leadership development opportunities and recognition on the CollegeBound website.
Help spread the word and apply today: bit.ly/CBSTPambassador
Asian American Organizing Project’s Student Key Issues Survey for 2021
While the 2020 elections are over, the work continues and it’s more important than ever to work together. The work we do together is critical to sustain our momentum and push for a sustainable model of student empowerment through the political process.
Are you an #APIDA #student? Share your responses with AAOP on key issues you care about now: bit.ly/apidaissues