Leaders uplift diversity and power of AAPI communities, fastest growing group of eligible voters [Video]

MONTEREY PARK, Calif. (KABC) — Asian Americans are the fastest growing group of eligible voters in the country.

Nonprofits and local leaders are spearheading efforts to understand and uplift the unique needs of these diverse communities and continue increasing civic engagement.

The city of Monterey Park is predominantly Asian American and offers a glimpse into the rich diversity within AAPI communities; from religion to immigration status and language.

“You look at some of our dancers, they’re singing Chinese, different dialects of Chinese,” said Vinh T. Ngo, Monterey Park’s mayor pro tem. “This group here is Mandarin. The group behind there was Cantonese,”

“When you look here in Southern California, you’re talking about more than 40 different ethnicities that speak more than 40 different languages,” said Connie Chung Joe, CEO of Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California.

The organization is the largest legal service and civil rights organization in the country for AAPI communities. It is currently leading a statewide policy initiative called Combating Asian Invisibility…