August 4, 2021 IN: Our Voices
SEARAC’s 2021 Digital Advocacy Training was a success!
Thank you to everyone who joined us for #SEARACDAT2021!
SEARAC’s annual Leadership and Advocacy Training program looked a little different this year. Because of restrictions on travel and in-person gatherings, we hosted a Digital Advocacy Training (DAT) program for the second year in a row. However, this year, participants met with their Members of Congress and advocated for solutions to the education and immigration issues facing Southeast Asian Americans.
During our kick-off session, SEARAC DAT participants were welcomed with opening remarks from Rep. Judy Chu (CA-27), who reminded us all of the power of our stories and the importance of our voices in national, state, and local politics. We also heard from SEARAC Executive Director Quyen Dinh and Director of National Policy Kham Moua about the immigration and education policies that impact Southeast Asian Americans.
Throughout the next two weeks of DAT, participants took a deep dive into education policy or immigration policy, depending on which track they chose. They also joined the full cohort for an advocacy training that got them ready for virtual meetings with their members of Congress. A huge thank you to our program facilitators, many of whom were alumni of SEARAC’s previous LATs:
- Anthony Tan Nguyen
- Linh Dang
- Mike Hoa Nguyen
- Rex Yin
- Seng So
Thank you also to Ay Saechao, who joined us on opening day and shared his story as an educator, an advocate, and a member of the SEAA communities.
During the last week of LAT, participants shared their stories with Congressional staffers and advocated for policies that will improve the lives of their families and communities. We are so proud of our participants for bringing their power (virtually!) to Capitol Hill while meeting with the following offices:
- Sen. Alex Padilla (CA)
- Sen. Dianne Feinstein (CA)
- Sen. Ed Markey (MA)
- Rep. Ayanna Pressley (MA)
- Rep. Betty McCollum (MN)
- Rep. David Price (NC)
- Rep. Marilyn Strickland (WA)
We hope that our DAT participants leave our program feeling empowered, inspired, and informed — and we can’t wait to see the impact they will have on their communities and the world!
Thank you to our generous sponsor, State Farm, for its continued support of SEARAC’s Digital Advocacy Training.
