SEAAs’ refugee history, their invisibility in education data and policy, and systemic racism create barriers to our students’ educational success. Our government must address the disparities that SEAA students experience and invest in their futures.
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SEARAC Responds to President’s FY2025 Budget Proposal
WASHINGTON, DC – Yesterday, the Biden administration released the Fiscal Year 2025 President’s Budget. The annual budget proposal details the President’s priorities for the upcoming fiscal year and, though non-binding,…
Learn more“My commitment to educational advocacy is shaped by my personal experience as a low-income, immigrant Southeast Asian student in the U.S public school system and my professional experiences as a teacher and youth facilitator. As a high school student, I experienced firsthand a lack of a culturally inclusive education and witnessed an unequal distribution of resources between my high school and the wealthier, predominantly white high school just across the bridge. Yet, I did not have the language to name what I was experiencing.”
SEARAC LAT 2019 participant
We need to be actively thinking about creative spaces and after-school programs that encourage participation from refugee parents in preparing their children for college. More importantly, we need to address language access. Without the ability to read documents or understand robocalls, parents are further barred from being informed on their child’s educational attainment and success.”
Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association of Greater Lowell
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When Southeast Asian American communities are invested into, we can build leaders who will advocate for policies rooted in equity, justice, and healing. SEARAC is deeply grateful to our LAT 2026 sponsors who were able to make LAT possible. Thank you to our lead funder, @statefarm, whose generosity has made LAT possible for more than two decades. We also want to thank our additional sponsors for investing in Southeast Asian American leaders: @aarp, @blueshieldcafoundation, District Capital Management, @ocanational, and @thekresgefoundation .
LAT is made possible through support from our funders and donors! Join our movement to build a pipeline of leaders. Learn more at the link in our bio or visit bit.ly/givetosearac
Aug 12
Last month, SEARAC held our 27th annual Leadership & Advocacy Training program and 23 leaders from across the country are continuing the legacy of Southeast Asian American advocacy power on Capitol Hill. Guided by our wonderful facilitators, including our friends at @nationalcapacd, Diverse Elders Coalition, and @advancingjustice_aajc, our participants gained tools to successfully lead meetings with their elected officials and uplift the experiences of their communities. They elevated key issues like data disaggregation in education, access to quality healthcare, and the protection of family immigration.
We are so proud of our #LAT2026 cohort we are inspired by the bravery, resilience, and joy you shared with us. SEARAC is deeply grateful to our partners, sponsors, and the congressional offices who welcomed our participants.
✨ Read our highlights at the link in bio.
Aug 11
SEARAC is proud to be a Community Partner for the 49th Asian American International Film Festival (AAIFF)! All five episodes from @seaajourneys_doc are screening tomorrow, Aug. 7, at the Asian American International Film Festival. This screening is particularly special because each episode from the docuseries now features a brand new original score! Learn more at the link in our bio. Repost from @asiancinevision 🌊 Join #AAIFF49 for the NYC Premiere of SOUTHEAST ASIAN AMERICAN JOURNEYS, preceded by the short film SEA SONG.
SEA SONG / Sea Song follows a group of South Vietnamese men at their 17th OCS naval officer reunion. For over 30 years they’ve convened every two years in a different city across the US. Now, in their 70s and 80s, age and declining health threatens the future of their tradition. The film is a reflection on survival, mortality, and enduring friendship. 🗣️ Directed by An-Phuong Ly @di.di.an_
SOUTHEAST ASIAN AMERICAN JOURNEYS @seaajourneys_doc / Presented with five chapters, SOUTHEAST ASIAN AMERICAN JOURNEYS follows different refugee communities across the US. Altogether, this feature sheds light on Southeast Asian voices in America, layering their work with identity and community. Directed by Quyên Nguyen-Le (AAIFF47 Alumni, “Nobuko Miyamoto: A Song in Movement”) @smellydurianface, Joua Lee Grande @joualeelens, Oanh-Nhi Nguyen
📅 August 7 @ 6:00 PM
📍Village East by Angelika
🎟️ Get your passes and tickets today — link in bio!
Aug 6
This Friday, BlackStar Film Festival will feature the East Cost premiere of Muoz-doic Mixtape, an episode from @seaajourneys_doc focused on intergenerational storytelling from the Iu Mien community in Portland, Oregon. Thank you @blackstarfest for sharing and elevating Southeast Asian American experiences. Learn more at the link in our bio. @reshare_app • @seaajourneys_doc Meet us at the 15th annual BlackStar Film Festival this August in Philadelphia! @blackstarfest is celebrating this milestone with a powerful program of films from Black, Brown, and Indigenous artists, panels, and of course, parties.
𝗠𝗨𝗢𝗭-𝗗𝗢𝗜𝗖 𝗠𝗜𝗫𝗧𝗔𝗣𝗘 screens in the shorts program AUTOSCOPY
📅 August 7, 2026 at 11:30am
📍Philadelphia at the Kimmel Center
blackstarprojects.org/festival
#CinemaForLiberation #BSFF26
Aug 5
Repost from @asiancinevision 🌊 Join #AAIFF49 for the NYC Premiere of SOUTHEAST ASIAN AMERICAN JOURNEYS, preceded by the short film SEA SONG.
SEA SONG / Sea Song follows a group of South Vietnamese men at their 17th OCS naval officer reunion. For over 30 years they’ve convened every two years in a different city across the US. Now, in their 70s and 80s, age and declining health threatens the future of their tradition. The film is a reflection on survival, mortality, and enduring friendship. 🗣️ Directed by An-Phuong Ly @di.di.an_
SOUTHEAST ASIAN AMERICAN JOURNEYS @seaajourneys_doc / Presented with five chapters, SOUTHEAST ASIAN AMERICAN JOURNEYS follows different refugee communities across the US. Altogether, this feature sheds light on Southeast Asian voices in America, layering their work with identity and community. Directed by Quyên Nguyen-Le (AAIFF47 Alumni, “Nobuko Miyamoto: A Song in Movement”) @smellydurianface, Joua Lee Grande @joualeelens, Oanh-Nhi Nguyen
📅 August 7 @ 6:00 PM
📍Village East by Angelika
🎟️ Get your passes and tickets today — link in bio!
Jul 22
