EMPOWERING & ELEVATING AANHPI COMMUNITIES IN CALIFORNIA

CALIFORNIA COMMISSION
ON APIA AFFAIRS

Image courtesy of Stanford Graduate School of Business Teaching and Learning Hub

GET TO KNOW US

About the Comission

California is proud to be home to over six million Asian and Pacific Islander Americans (APIA), the fastest growing ethnic population in the state.

The California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs (CAPIAA) was established in 2002 and is charged with elevating the political, economic, and social issues of Asian and Pacific Islander Americans (APIA), in the state.

The Commission advises the Governor and the Legislature on how to best respond to views, needs, and concerns of the state’s diverse and complex APIA communities. Additionally, the commission provides assistance to policymakers, state agencies, departments, and commissions to develop appropriate responses and programs that meet the needs of APIA communities, including focus on cultural language sensitivity, and hate incident and hate crime prevention measures.

Meet our new
Executive Director

In December 2023, Khydeeja Alam was appointed as the Executive Director of California Commission on Asian and Pacific Islander American Affairs (CAPIAA).

Khydeeja has over fifteen years of experience in California politics, government and external relations, budget, policy development, and coalition building.

Prior to the joining the Commission, Khydeeja was Governor Gavin Newsom’s appointee and served as the Director of External and Legislative Affairs at California Volunteers, Office of the Governor. In her capacity she led statewide initiatives, oversaw state grants, worked with Mayors across the state, statewide elected officials, higher education institution leaders, and community partners. Khydeeja successfully led expansion of two major programs at California Volunteers and built a strong relationship with the legislature; for which California was awarded the Innovation in Policy Making Award by the America’s Service Commissions.

THE STORY

From Vision to Reality

Former Assembly member George Nakano (Torrance) authored Assembly Bill (AB) 116 in 2002 to establish the commission, with members of the Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus (APILC) co-authoring the bill. The concept for the commission originated from strong community support and advocacy. The commission’s creation is a historic recognition of the accomplishments and needs of California’s growing Asian American Native Hawai‘ian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) populations.

Press Releases &
Comission Meetings 2023

Press Releases

Comission Meetings 2023

Serena Kirk

Commission Chair

Khydeeja Alam

Executive Director

Gavin Newsom

Governor