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| National Asian American Coalition | |
|---|---|
| Name | National Asian American Coalition |
| Formation | 1996 |
| Type | Advocacy organization |
| Headquarters | Washington, D.C. |
| Region served | United States |
| Leader title | President |
| Leader name | Frank Sharry |
National Asian American Coalition The National Asian American Coalition is a U.S.-based advocacy and service organization focused on representing diverse Asian American communities. Founded in the mid-1990s, it engages in community organizing, civic participation, and public policy advocacy across metropolitan centers such as New York City, Los Angeles, and Chicago. The organization operates through local chapters and national coalitions, coordinating with civil rights groups and immigrant-serving institutions.
The Coalition emerged during a period marked by activism associated with events like the 1992 Los Angeles riots and policy debates such as the 1996 Illegal Immigration Reform and Immigrant Responsibility Act of 1996. Early collaborators included leaders from groups like Asian Americans for Civil Rights and institutions such as the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund and the Japanese American Citizens League. Founding activities linked the Coalition to campaigns echoing protests seen in cities like San Francisco and Seattle, and to national efforts alongside organizations such as NAACP and League of United Latin American Citizens. Over time the Coalition has intersected with issues mobilized by movements including the Stop Asian Hate campaign and legislative initiatives during sessions of the United States Congress.
The Coalition’s mission emphasizes civic engagement, protection of civil rights, and socioeconomic advancement for communities originating from countries such as China, India, Philippines, Vietnam, Korea, Japan, Pakistan, Bangladesh, Thailand, and Cambodia. Routine activities include voter registration drives modeled after efforts by groups like Rock the Vote, community outreach similar to the Asia Pacific American Network, and legal referrals akin to those from the American Civil Liberties Union. The Coalition also hosts cultural events invoking traditions tied to Lunar New Year, Diwali, and Tet Festival celebrations, and coordinates public forums paralleling conferences held by the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans.
The Coalition maintains a national board of directors, regional directors, and volunteer-led chapters in metropolitan regions such as Houston, Philadelphia, San Diego, Atlanta, and Boston. Its governance reflects structures used by nonprofits like Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies and Coalition for Asian American Children and Families, with advisory councils including representatives from universities such as Columbia University, University of California, Los Angeles, and Georgetown University. Staff roles include a policy director, community liaison, and communications manager who engage with institutions like Federal Communications Commission and agencies such as the Department of Health and Human Services on relevant matters.
Programs range from civic participation initiatives inspired by the Voting Rights Act of 1965 landscape to economic development workshops similar to those run by the Small Business Administration and workforce training programs echoing efforts by the Department of Labor. Youth leadership initiatives draw on models used by YMCA and student groups at institutions like Harvard University and University of Michigan. Public health outreach has collaborated with organizations such as Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for campaigns addressing disparities referenced in reports by the National Institutes of Health. Disaster relief and mutual aid efforts have been coordinated alongside groups like the American Red Cross during emergencies affecting communities in regions including Hawaii and Puerto Rico.
The Coalition has filed amicus briefs and participated in coalitions responding to litigation before courts including the Supreme Court of the United States and various United States Courts of Appeals. It has advocated on immigration matters in dialogues with lawmakers from delegations representing states such as California and New York and has provided testimony to committees of the United States House of Representatives and United States Senate. Policy campaigns have addressed hate-crime legislation paralleling debates around the Matthew Shepard and James Byrd Jr. Hate Crimes Prevention Act and civil rights enforcement policies linked to the Civil Rights Act. The Coalition has also engaged with regulatory processes at agencies like the Department of Homeland Security when rules affecting visa categories and refugee resettlement were proposed.
Partnerships include collaborations with civil rights organizations such as the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, philanthropic entities like the Ford Foundation and the W.K. Kellogg Foundation, and community health partners including Community Health Centers. Funding sources have comprised foundation grants, corporate sponsorships from firms with footprints in Asian American markets, and individual donations tracked through nonprofit compliance similar to filings with the Internal Revenue Service. The Coalition has also worked with trade associations and chambers of commerce, including the U.S. Chamber of Commerce and local Asian Chamber of Commerce affiliates, to support small business programming.
Membership consists of individuals, student groups, faith-based organizations including congregations affiliated with Buddhist temples, Hindu mandirs, and Christian churches serving Asian diasporas, and partner nonprofits. Regional chapters operate in urban centers such as Sacramento, Phoenix, Minneapolis, Denver, and San Antonio and connect with ethnic media outlets like The Korea Times, India Abroad, and World Journal. Volunteer networks include alumni from schools such as Stanford University and University of California, Berkeley and professionals from sectors represented by associations like the National Association of Asian American Professionals.
Category:Asian American organizations