APAPA Greater Sacramento Chapter

08/11/2025

More than 75 students from various socioeconomic backgrounds participated in the annual Asian Pacific American Public Affairs Association Youth Leadership Academy (APAPA-YLA) on Saturday, August 9 from 9:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. The annual workshop was specifically geared towards promoting opportunities for students, especially for those in marginalized communities in the Sacramento region.

The keynote speaker, the Honorable Betty Yee – former California State Controller – delivered the inspiring opening remarks. Influential leaders from the healthcare, business, law, and public service sectors provided a day of engagement, dialogue, and valuable tools to help students craft their resumes, cover letters, and college applications. Activities and lessons covered a range of topics, including personal development, leadership, and career path planning. The aim of these workshops was to empower students by offering insights and career advice from some of California’s most influential leaders.

APAPA YLA Chair Samantha Yee said, "It was the best academy to date with truly inspiring speakers and amazing role models. This program brings incredible value to my fellow students and to those beginning their leadership journey."

Special guests and speakers:
· Hon. Betty Yee – Former California State Controller
· Judge Jaya Badiga – Sacramento Superior Court
· Robert Churchill – Sacramento Zoo CEO
· Romer Cristobal – Sacramento County Fair Board Director
· Dr. Jasraj Kahlon – Chief Resident of Internal Medicine at Creighton University
· Hon. Jacqui Nguyen – Solano Community College Board of Trustee
· Hon. Dr. Richard Pan – Former California State Senator
· Hon. Ed Perez – Reclamation District 1000 Trustee & California Physician Assistant Board
· Anupriya Ramraj – Visionary Tech and AI Leader CEO
· Kristin Vartan – Founder/CEO of VAR™, Former FOX 40 News Anchor/Reporter
· Dr. David Yee – California Commissioner, Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs
· Sarah Yee – Harvard University student, California Youth Empowerment Commission

07/21/2025

APAPA Youth Leadership Academy is Back!

Are you a student ready to level up your leadership skills, explore career paths, and get inspired by some of California’s most influential leaders?

Join us for the 2025 Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) — a FREE one-day program designed to empower future changemakers through workshops on civic engagement, career development, and personal growth. There will be workshops on Styled to Succeed, Resume and Cover Letter, and College Applications Secrets.

📅 Date: August 9th
📍 Location: APAPA HQ — 4000 Truxel Rd #3, Sacramento, CA 95834
💵 Cost: FREE!

🎤 Featured Speakers Include:
🔹 Former CA State Controller & Gubernatorial Candidate, Hon. Betty Yee
🔹 Reclamation District 1000 Trustee & CA Physician Assistant Board Member, Hon. Ed Perez
🔹 Solano Community College Board Trustee, Hon. Jacqui Nguyen
🔹 Sacramento County Fair Board Director & President, Hamptons Foundation, Romer Cristobal
🔹 CEO of the Sacramento Zoo, Robert Churchill
🔹 Sacramento Superior Court Judge, Jaya Badiga
🔹 Dean of California Northstate University College of Medicine, Dr. Richard Isaacs
🔹 Chief Resident of Internal Medicine, Creighton University, Dr. Jasraj Kahlon
🔹 Former CA State Senator & AAPILC Chair, Hon. Dr. Richard Pan
🔹 Harvard University student & CA Youth Empowerment Commissioner, Sarah Yee
🔹 President of Sierra Foothills Medical Society & CA API American Affairs Commissioner, Dr. David Yee
🔹 Visionary Tech & AI Leader, CEO Anupriya Ramraj
🔹 Founder/CEO of VAR™ Media and Co-Founder/CEO of Style Speaks™ LLC; Former News Anchor/Reporter at FOX40, Kristin Vartan
..and more!

✨ Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to grow, connect, and lead.
🔗 Space is limited — sign up today!
📧 Email: [email protected] to register.

07/18/2025

06/30/2025

APAPA Youth Leadership Academy is Back!

Are you a student ready to level up your leadership skills, explore career paths, and get inspired by some of California’s most influential leaders?

Join us for the 2025 Youth Leadership Academy (YLA) — a FREE one-day program designed to empower future changemakers through workshops on civic engagement, career development, and personal growth.

📅 Date: August 9th
📍 Location: APAPA HQ — 4000 Truxel Rd #3, Sacramento, CA 95834
💵 Cost: FREE!

🎤 Featured Speakers Include:
🔹 Former CA State Senator & AAPILC Chair, Dr. Richard Pan
🔹 Former CA State Controller, Betty Yee
🔹 RD1000 Trustee & Gubernatorial Appointee, Ed Perez
🔹 Solano County Board of Trustee, Jacqui Nguyen
🔹 Gubernatorial Appointee & President, Hamptons Foundation, Romer Cristobal
🔹 CEO of the Sacramento Zoo, Robert Churchill
🔹 Sacramento Superior Court Judge, Jaya Badiga
🔹 Dean of CNU College of Medicine, Dr. Richard Isaacs
🔹 Harvard student & CA Youth Empowerment Commissioner, Sarah Yee
🔹 President of Sierra Foothills Medical Society & CA API Commissioner, Dr. David Yee
🔹 Visionary Tech & AI Leader, CEO Anupriya Ramraj..and more!

✨ Don’t miss this incredible opportunity to grow, connect, and lead.
🔗 Space is limited — sign up today!
📧 Email: [email protected] to register.

05/26/2025

05/22/2025

GSC APAPA team was honored to attend the 24th Anniversary Gala of My Sister's House this past Monday, May 19. Driving Change. Creating Hope. Transforming Lives

05/02/2025

On April 28th, APAPA GSC board members supported the CA AANHPI Advocacy Day Coalition of over 100 organizations with 115 legislative office visits. Our community then celebrated together at the APAPA Shining Stars Reception with 17 legislators joining us to recognize our outstanding student interns. It was a monumental day!

04/29/2025

04/18/2025

Greater Sacramento Chapter, APAPA Team celebrated NAACP's Annual Prayer Breakfast this morning.

Congratulations to Dr. Flo Cofer – NAACP Trailblazer Honoree! GSC Sacramento also honored Dr. Cofer last month and awarded her the "Rising Star Award."

04/03/2025

The Greater Sacramento Chapter was proud to support the launch of the new Elk Grove Chapter! Trustee and Gubernatorial Appointee Ed Perez served as one of the emcees for the evening, helping make the event truly special. GSC Chapter Vice President and fellow Gubernatorial Appointee, Romer Cristobal was also in attendance, representing our chapter with pride.

Congratulations to the APAPA Elk Grove Chapter on an incredible kickoff—your future is bright!

03/30/2025

We Marched Today to Honor the Legacy of César Chávez!

APAPA GSC Board members Katherine Morris, Ed Perez, and Romer Cristobal along with Vice Mayor Karina Talamantes and Mayor Pro Tem Eric Guerra proudly marched to honor César Chávez and the farmworkers who fought for equal rights and fair treatment. Their courage and determination paved the way for lasting labor protections—but the fight for justice is far from over.

Ed Perez and Romer Cristobal were elected officers for two different SEIU Local 1000 districts, one of their signature accomplishments was helping to make César Chávez Day a state holiday. I still remember delivering 50,000 petitions to the Governor’s Office, a powerful moment in the movement that led to California becoming the first state to officially recognize César Chávez Day in 2000, signed into law by Governor Gray Davis.

This holiday isn’t just about remembering one man—it’s about honoring the entire movement, including the Filipino labor leaders like Larry Itliong and Philip Vera Cruz, who co-led the Delano Grape Strike of 1965 to demand better wages and working conditions for farmworkers.

Today, we marched in their honor, but the work continues. Let’s stand together, raise our voices, and keep fighting for justice and workers' rights. ¡Sí se puede!

03/19/2025