Lunch & Learn #2_Executive Director Helen Ho's Presentation on Advancing Justice Atlanta

         

On June 11th, Executive Director Helen Ho presented a brief history of Advancing Justice Atlanta branch, formerly known as the Asian American Legal Advocacy Center.

She began with a quick breakdown of the organization, its first five years of logistical struggle, and its mission. In a broader sense, Advancing Justice Atlanta, as Helen put it, "it is a grassroots human rights organization that aims to empower the community through civic engagement. (she emphasized that civic engagement included many facets including but not limited to community organizing, legal education, leadership development, public policy work, etc.)." 

Helen stressed the importance of the organization’s setting, explaining that, with the fastest rate of Asian American/Pacific Islander population growth, the quickly diversifying South not only presents an opportunity to fight for the Asian American and immigrant communities’ rights. It gives us the opportunity to work against the regressive policies Southern states are known to pass, and toward positive movement building, cultural shifts, multiracial alliances, and more. "When we say we are building power for good in the south, we mean the common good," she continued. Given the current environment, then, AAAJ ATL, as the first non-profit law center dedicated to serving Asian American immigrants and refugees in the Southeast, is doing essential work. 

From GOTV campaigns aimed to increase Asian American voters, direct legal services and education, AAAJ ATL’s work encourages a more diverse, just, and democratic legal and social environment, yielding proven, measurable results. Since the organization has begun its GOTV campaigning, for example, Asian American voter turnout in Georgia has increased by over 25% in 2014 compared to the 2010 Midterm elections. With perceptions regarding Asian Americans shifting accordingly, AAAJ ATL has quickly become a foundational community leader, building a brighter future for not only Asian Americans, but groups of all colors, as it works towards equality, solidarity, and a voice for all.