Join a Ballot Party

Election season is in full swing and ballots will be arriving in our mailboxes soon (Oregon ballots will be mailed between Oct. 19-23). Beyond the big race that everyone is talking about, Oregonians also are faced with important decisions on a number of ballot measures.

The Asian Pacific American Network of Oregon's VOTE Team, comprised of volunteers, community leaders and APANO staff, has been hard at work on elections work. In addition to voter registration drives, APANO volunteers also hosted ballot measure forums in Portland and Eugene. Some 80 participants attended a civic engagement training hosted by APIAVote in Portland. Organizers discussed strategies around building impactful campaigns, in an effort to boost the capacity of Asian Pacific Islander groups to mobilize around issues of concern. Click on the link to learn more about the training, learn about the trainers, and jump to page 3 for APANo's voter guide.

Participants at the APANO Civic Engagement Training talk about framing issues,

getting the message out, and building on the power of coalitions.

There are a number of opportunities in the coming weeks to join an APANO ballot party. Learn more about the issues, ask questions, and meet community leaders and organizers who are committed to advancing issues of importance to API communities.

If you want to attend or want more information, email Colin Kiley or call 541-510-2096.

Friday, October 19

6pm | Salem

Hosts: Micronesian Islander Community

Saturday, October 20

time TBA || Portland

Hosts: Gauri Raj, Jennifer Kleskie

Sunday, October 21

4pm | Eugene

Hosts: Misa Joo, Jennifer Chain, Elaine Szeto

Wednesday, October 24

5:30pm | Portland

Hosts: June Schumann, Jean Yamamoto

Saturday, October 27

2-5pm | Portland

Hosts: Channbunmorl Sou, Linda Than, Sokho Eath, Sourixay Vilalay

Saturday, October 27

5-7pm | Portland

Hosts: Chinese American Citizens Alliance

Saturday, November 3

8:30pm | Portland

Hosts: Jennifer Tam, Cassy Nguyen

Minding the Wealth Gap

As a Black investor and startup founder, Cliff Goins IV brings firsthand experience and sharp insight to one of America’s most urgent issues: the racial wealth gap. Having navigated the worlds of finance and entrepreneurship, Goins has seen up close the systemic disparities in wealth creation, access to capital, and asset management. From unequal opportunities in homeownership and education to persistent challenges in business funding and employment, the historical gaps are perpetuated in present-day practices. In "Minding the Wealth Gap," Goins skillfully blends data, lived experience, and the insights of experts to illuminate the deep-rooted economic disparities facing Black Americans. More importantly, he highlights the power of collective uplift. Through the voices of nine dynamic “gap closers,” Goins shows how real change happens when Black investors and leaders open doors for others. Each success “play” or strategy underscores the ripple effect of support. Selena Cu...

A Beginner’s Guide to the Roots of Yoga

The modern practice of yoga in Western culture is often criticized for disconnecting from its cultural, historical, and spiritual roots. In many studios and gyms, yoga is reduced to a fitness routine—focused on stretching rather than its original purpose of enlightening the mind. In "A Beginner’s Guide to the Roots of Yoga," celebrated practitioner Nikita Desai reconnects readers with yoga’s ancient Indian origins. Drawing on her Indian heritage, Desai explores the deeper meanings behind yoga’s forms, postures, and intentions, offering a rich historical and philosophical context for those seeking a more authentic practice. Desai shares her personal journey of reclaiming yoga’s essence, inviting readers to do the same by integrating cultural awareness into their practice. Her tone is welcoming and nonjudgmental, making the book accessible to readers of all backgrounds. Although I do not practice yoga, my meditation roots lie in Zen Buddhism. Through conversations with prac...

Wash

Ebony Stewart’s "Wash" is a powerful, unflinching poetry collection that draws the reader into a world of raw emotion, deep introspection, and lyrical brilliance. As I read through the poems, I found myself captivated by Stewart’s honest reflections on identity, love, loss, and healing. Her voice is unapologetically bold, revealing the complexities of being a Black womxn navigating relationships, societal expectations, and hard-fought victories toward self-worth. Yet, her themes are universal, resonating with anyone who has grappled with their own identity and relationships. What struck me most was Stewart’s emotional transparency: each poem feels like a cleansing, a shedding of shame, doubt, and grief, revealing the triumph of knowing one’s value in a world that often seeks to diminish it. Stewart doesn’t shy away from exploring the pain of extractive love or the vulnerability of desire, but she also leaves room for empowerment and resilience. As a celebrated spoken word ...

Colors of Influence Reviews

Search This Blog