Rep. Chu Urges Los Angeles Community College District to Support

AAPI Representation on the Board of Trustees

On Monday March 14, 2022, Congresswoman Judy Chu (CA-27) sent a letter to the Los Angeles Community College District (LACCD) Board of Trustees urging them to appoint Kelsey Iino to the board so that the AAPI community had representation at the largest community college district in the country. A seat on the Board of Trustees became vacant when Mike Fong, the only AAPI member on the board, was elected to the CA State Assembly. In her letter, Congresswoman Chu stated:

“In line with the diversity of LACCD’s student body, there has been an AAPI member of the Board of Trustees for many years. With Mike Fong leaving, there is a void, but that void can be filled with Kelsey. AAPIs are 16% of Los Angeles County. AAPIs have also experienced 2 years of horrendous anti-Asian hate crimes and incidents, which now total 11,000 nationally. Anti-Asian hate was stoked by President Trump, who used terms such as China Virus and Kung Flu to direct blame against Asians. He took advantage of the invisibility of AAPIs to some in this society, who think that the representation of AAPIs doesn’t matter. Please do not let AAPIs become invisible on the LA Community College Board”

The letter to the LACCD Board of Trustees is:

March 14, 2022
To: Members of the LACCD Board of Trustees
Dear Trustee,
As the only former full-time faculty member of the LA Community College District who serves in Congress, I care deeply about the students in this district. I served LACCD for 20 years, with 8 years at Los Angeles City College and 12 years at East Los Angeles College. I taught hundreds and hundreds of students, and came to know their hopes, their dreams and their obstacles.

They need somebody on the Board of Trustees who will guide them to a better future, and Kelsey Iino is clearly that person. She is a graduate herself of a community college who went on to Cam a doctorate in education. She has devoted herself as a community college counselor for 15 years, having advised them in everything from basic skills to STEM to health science. She has also been a leader in her community college, as president of EI Camino College’s Federation of Teachers and board member of the college foundation.

But there is another reason that I believe you should appoint Kelsey Iino. In line with the diversity of LACCD’s student body, there has been an AAPI member of the Board of Trustees for many years. With Mike Fong leaving, there is a void, but that void can be filled with Kelsey.

AAPIs are 16% of Los Angeles County. AApls have also experienced 2 years of horrendous anti-Asian hate crimes and incidents, which now total 11,000 nationally. Anti-Asian hate was stoked byPresident Trump, who used terms such as China Virus and Kung Flu to direct blame against Asians.He took advantage of the invisibility of AAPIs to some in this society, who think that the representation of AAPIs doesn’t matter.

Please do not let AAPIs become invisible on the LA Community College Board. With someone as highly qualified as Kelsey, with someone of Kelsey’s expertise, this district and all its students will benefit immensely.

I urge you to appoint Kelsey Iino to the LA Community Board of Trustees.

Sincerely,

Congressmember Judy Chu