APIA Vote-MI In the News
June 8, 2023 | Detroit Regional Chamber
Butzel Attorney Reginald Pacis Featured During Immigration Town Hall on June 10 in Hamtramck
DETROIT, Mich. – Butzel immigration law attorney Reginald A. Pacis, will participate in a roundtable discussion on Saturday, June 10, 2023 as part of Asian & Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote) – Michigan. APIAVote is the nation’s leading nonpartisan nonprofit dedicating to engaging, educating, and empowering Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities to strengthen and sustain a culture of civic engagement. Pacis will discuss the latest immigration law matters and more during the event. Continue Reading…
May 18, 2023 | One Detroit
Michigan's AAPI Community: A roundtable on the issues & activism
As one of the fastest growing demographics in the state, Michigan’s Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community finds itself at the forefront of advocating for change, with potential new state legislation, efforts to include AAPI history in public schools and an outpouring of advocacy and activism shaping the present-day Asian American narrative. Continue Reading…
May 5, 2023 | WDET
Growing number of Bangladeshi, Hmong Americans running for Warren City Council
“To my understanding, at this time, this is historic,” says Rebeka Islam, the executive director of APIA Vote Michigan, a nonprofit that works with Asian and Pacific Islander Americans. “We have yet to have an Asian American city council member in Warren.” Continue Reading…
February 21, 2023 | Second Wave Michigan
Redistricting – and how nonprofits helped to preserve democracy
One such organization to successfully engage the commission was the Asian & Pacific Islander American Vote-Michigan (APIAVote-MI) nonprofit. While the organization advocates for Asian and Pacific Islander Americans throughout the state, APIAVote-MI kept their focus on Banglatown, a community of Bangladeshi immigrants that straddles the Detroit and northern Hamtramck border, as its primary community of interest in these hearings. Continue Reading…
February 1, 2023 | Michigan Advance
Michigan leaders speak out on continued violence against Asian Americans
“Eighteen Americans lost their lives and more were injured due to senseless acts of violence. We are heartbroken over the lives lost, and we mourn with their families who now face the difficult hardships — known well by too many — of losing a loved one to gun violence. Our community needs our support. Our voices deserved to be heard. Our emotions need to be understood and felt, and our community will unite as one …” said Rebeka Islam, APIAVote-MI executive director. Continue Reading…
January 28, 2023 | The Detroit News
Asian Americans in Metro Detroit remember California shooting victims
Madison Heights — More than 50 people gathered Saturday at a vigil to remember the victims of the Monterey Park and Half Moon Bay shootings, stand in solidarity with the Asian American community and call for gun control legislation. Continue Reading…
June 24, 2024 | Detroit Red Wings
Secretary Benson hosts youth roundtable, releases report on Michigan youth voting turnout gaps
DETROIT, Mich. – Secretary of State Jocelyn Benson hosted a Michigan youth voting roundtable in Detroit today and released a new report identifying two significant voter turnout gaps among young voters in the last two elections – a gap between the number of young people who were active registered voters and those who cast a ballot; and a gap in election participation between young people with college experience and those with no college experience. Continue Reading…
May 24, 2024 | Detroit Red Wings
Rebeka Islam named Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month Game Changers honoree
DETROIT -- Rebeka Islam was 5 years old when she and her family moved to the United States from Bangladesh. They eventually settled in Hamtramck, Mich., where Islam said she first remembered feeling inspired to make a difference in her community.
“Growing up in Hamtramck, it was very diverse,” Islam said. “That really opened my eyes to the differences and needs of the community. I saw the language barriers and accessibility issues our community had. Somewhere along the line, I felt that I needed to be a voice for the voiceless.” Continue Reading…
May 20, 2024 | Illitch News Hub
Ilitch Sports + Entertainment Honors Game Changers for Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month
Ilitch Sports + Entertainment, in partnership with Comerica Bank, recently recognized four exceptional individuals as Game Changers for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month this May. The honorees were celebrated during a pregame reception at Comerica Park, where their remarkable contributions to their communities and respective fields were highlighted. Continue Reading…
April 22, 2024 | Patch
Outstanding Student Leaders Honored with OU’s Most Prestigious Awards
Each year, Oakland University recognizes outstanding student leaders who demonstrate academic excellence while making a positive impact on campus and in the community. Continue Reading…
November 7, 2022 | VOA News
Michigan Cities Offer Arabic-Language Ballots Ahead of Midterms
"I hope to see at least that over time and in the near future that this will be expanded throughout the state of Michigan," said Nadia Alamah, a voter outreach program coordinator for the nonprofit organization Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote Michigan. Continue Reading…
November 2, 2022 | Michigan Advance
As Democrats make a push for the Michigan AAPI vote, some wonder where the GOP is
During the final days of the 2022 general election cycle, APIAVote-Michigan Executive Director Rebeka Islam said the Michigan Democratic Party (MDP) has reached out to the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community to assist in voter turnout. Continue Reading…
October 28, 2022 | WSU News
WSU Applebaum students promote the power of policymaking and civic engagement
The Eugene Applebaum College of Pharmacy and Health Science Commons was filled with students from a range of health care disciplines for a fun and educational event highlighting the power of policymaking and the importance of civic engagement. The event was organized by the college’s chapter of the American Pharmacists Association Academy of Student Pharmacists (APhA-ASP) and the WSU Up to Us team, comprised of members of the Industry Pharmacists Organization (IPhO). Continue Reading…
July 21, 2022 | Michigan Advance
Nonprofits, election officials launch voting resources in Arabic, Bangla and Spanish
In an effort to dismantle language barriers at Michigan’s polls and ensure citizens who speak languages other than English can vote, a coalition of nonprofit organizations and election officials this week launched an array of voting resources in Arabic, Bangla and Spanish. Continue Reading…
April 11, 2022 | PBS News
How violence against Asian Americans has grown and how to stop it, according to activists
But “prior to the Atlanta shootings, there was already a rise in racist, violent acts against Asian Americans all across the country. It was horrifying to watch this happen,” said Islam, the executive director of APIAVote-Michigan, a grassroots nonpartisan organization working to increase Asian American and Pacific Islander civic engagement. “This is where it hit even closer to home for me. I’m sure many women like myself were thinking, ‘that could have been me.’” Continue Reading…
October 5, 2021 | Model D
How underrepresented communities have a chance to overcome gerrymandering
The Asian & Pacific Islander American Vote-Michigan (APIAVote-MI) organization, a member of the MNA coalition, represents dozens of countries, languages, and cultures, communities spread out in different areas throughout the state. APIAVote-MI has submitted multiple maps, advocating for the different groups that they support, in the different areas of the state in which they reside. Town halls organized by the organization have been held in Hamtramck, various suburbs of Detroit, the Grand Rapids area, and elsewhere. Continue Reading…
October 5, 2021 | Michigan Advance
Asian Americans in Hamtramck, Detroit fight to preserve voting bloc in redistricting process
As the Michigan Independent Citizens Redistricting Commission (MICRC) nears the end of its process to draw new legislative districts before the 2022 election, members of the metro Detroit Asian Pacific Islander (API) community are raising concerns. Continue Reading…
May 27, 2021 | WDET
This Young Asian American Activist Aims to Show Up in Solidarity for Communities of Color
Whenever We’re Needed (WWN) means just that: Ceena Vang and Zora Bowens go whenever they’re needed.
The organization, founded by Vang and Bowens in the wake of the Atlanta spa shootings in March which killed six Asian women, aims to support Asian, Black and marginalized communities.
For Vang, a Hmong American whose mother and sister work in the beauty industry, the Atlanta shootings hit a little too close to home, she said at a rally WWN co-hosted with APIAVote-Michigan in Troy last month. Continue Reading…
May 11, 2021 | WWMT
Michigan leaders celebrate Asian American, Pacific Islander Heritage Month in online event
APIA Vote and the Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission hosted the special event that virtually gathered lawmakers, leaders and supporters of the Asian American population from across Michigan. Normally the event is held in person at the Michigan State Capitol in the rotunda with breakout sessions where organizations can meet with lawmakers. Continue Reading…
November 20, 2020 | NBC News
Asian American swing state early and absentee voting increased 300%, more than any other group
“For the last four to five years, there’s been a concerted effort from AAPI groups to develop state-specific mobilization strategies,” Christine Chen, executive director at Asian Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote), told NBC Asian America. “We’ve seen a dramatic increase in AAPIs engaging in different issues, participating in rallies and running for office.” Continue Reading…
October 29, 2020 | Yemeni American
Bengali Ballots in Hamtramck: what’s at stake for Bengali voters during the election?
Hamtramck’s Bengali speaking voters have the option to request Bengali ballots at the election polls next Tuesday as part of the Voter Rights Act, section 203, which says jurisdictions with a single language population of 10,000 or at least 5 percent of the city with non-proficient English speakers must provide ballots in that language. Continue Reading…
