On April 3-5, Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education (APAHE) held their annual national conference in Oakland with the theme of "RADICAL HOPE LEADING WITH LOVE, COURAGE, & ACTION". The event saw over 1300 attendees, including Peralta employees such as Board Trustee Nicky González Yuen and Chancellor Tammeil Gilkerson. Chancellor Gilkerson was especially pleased with the event, calling it an "outstanding programming and a reflection on radical hope which is the antithesis to trauma caused by oppressive social conditions. The theme encouraged us to adopt a reflective practice to achieve transformation through the act of radical hope and inspired us to embody what is necessary for our healing. In the space of radical hope lies a new vision for a future, without the limitations of the past."

At both convenings, college and university CEOs and advocates discussed the ongoing advocacy strategy for addressing the conflict with current federal regulations related to Minority Serving Institutions and multiple designations (e.g., HSI and AANAPISI). Special thanks to Berkeley City College President Dr. Denise Richarson for joining in the conversation at the conference.

Another special thanks to Susan Yee, Sharon Quach, and David Lee from Laney College, along with Phoumy Sayavong from Berkeley City College. who provided a panel session titled, “Finding the Sweet Spot with Community Support Groups – A Collaborative Approach to Increasing Mental Health Access for AANHPI Students”. They shared their experience forming a mental health support group in response to the rise in anti-Asian violence two years ago and the recent Centers for Disease Control findings on the disparity in the utilization of mental health services by Asians in the US. Well done!