Asian Americans are now the fastest growing ethnic group in the United States. Through civic engagement, this trend could shape American politics and society in powerful ways in the coming decades. This population has a diverse spectrum of youth engagement, ranking as both the ethnic group least likely to engage in politics and most likely to donate to charitable causes according to a 2010 study by the Center for Information and Research on Civic Learning and Engagement. The Asian American and Pacific Islander electorate will also double by 2040 to over 12 million eligible voters, thus it is becoming increasingly important for candidates to understand issues salient to the community. Join panelists Christine Chen, Executive Director of APIAVote, Vinh Ho, Managing Attorney for the Civil Practice Clinics at Houston College of Law, and Mustafa Tameez, Founder and Managing Director of Outreach Strategists LLC, as they explore the benefits of and avenues for the social empowerment of Asian Americans. KTRK-TV Channel 13's Miya Shay will moderate the program.

About the Panelists

Christine Chen is Executive Director of APIAVote, where she was Founding Executive Director from 2006-2008 and returned in 2011. In addition, Chen serves as President of Strategic Alliances USA, a consulting firm specializing in coalition building, institutional development, and partnerships among the corporate sector, government agencies, and the nonprofit and public sector. Profiled by Newsweek in 2001 as one of 15 women who will shape America’s new century, Chen served from 2001 to 2005 as national executive director of the Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA), one of the leading APIA civil rights organizations in the country. Chen is well-known by activists across the county. Her track record in building coalitions and working at the grassroots and national levels established her as one of the strongest voices in the APIA community. Her role as a trusted coalition builder has her effectively building relationships with key Congressional offices including the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, federal agencies, and the administration.

Vinh Ho is the Managing Attorney for the Civil Practice Clinics at the Randall O. Sorrels Legal Clinics of the Houston College of Law (not affiliated with University of Houston). He is also the Director/Adjunct Professor of the Immigration Initiative at HCL and co-teaches the Immigration Clinic. Prior to HCL, he was Executive Director and Legal Services Manager of BPSOS-Houston. He began his legal career as a staff attorney for YMCA International Services. He has represented survivors of domestic violence, human trafficking victims, and low-income clients in VAWA, T and U-Visas, family petition cases, and family law matters.

Mustafa Tameez is Founder and Managing Director of Outreach Strategists LLC, a bipartisan public affairs firm. His firm serves clients and projects ranging in size and scope from small local interests to national governments. Tameez’ clients include Uber, AARP, Kelsey-Seybold Clinics, Cravath, Swaine & Moore, and the Houston Police Department. His long career in communications and public affairs has focused on helping clients overcome challenges at home and abroad. Texas Monthly named Tameez one of 5 political players to watch in Texas. Tameez holds seats on Boards of Unity National Bank, the Transportation Advocacy Group, and the Texas Lyceum, and is a senior fellow with the American Leadership Forum. He is a news analyst and regular contributor for CNN, CBSN, FOX News, the Houston Chronicle, and the Texas Tribune. Tameez also co-hosts the popular RoundUp Sunday morning show on FOX26.

About the Moderator

Miya Shay is an Emmy award-winning journalist at KTRK-TV Channel 13, the ABC owned station in Houston. For the past decade, Miya has covered every major story in the city, and traveled extensively to report on a variety of issues. Currently, Miya's focus is covering Houston City Government as well as the breaking news story of the day. Born in China, Miya graduated from Syracuse University with a degree in Broadcast Journalism, and a minor in Asian History. She has worked as a television reporter in New York, Alabama, Kansas, and Michigan. Away from work, Miya is heavily involved in the Houston community. She has moderated a number of community panels and often serves as MC for a variety of events. In 2012, Miya married State Representative Gene Wu. They are the parents to two young boys, Winston and Lyndon. 

ConocoPhillips, ExxonMobil, United Airlines, and Vinson & Elkins LLP are presenting sponsors of Business & Policy programs, with lead support from BP America, and East West Bank. Generous funding also provided by the Friends of Business & Policy at Asia Society Texas Center, a premier group of individuals and organizations committed to bringing the best in public programming. This program is presented in collaboration with the Asian/Pacific American Heritage Association (APAHA) and OCA-Greater Houston.

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