CAUSE

Featuring Koji Steven Sakai @ksakai1 (Writer/Producer) and his son Takao Sakai: Koji Steven Sakai is a prolific writer and producer behind numerous feature films and chart-topping podcasts. A versatile storyteller and educator, he also teaches screenwriting at UCLA Extension. Takao Sakai is an elite baseball catcher in the Class of 2031, recognized for his exceptional defensive skills and command of the game. This summer, he will take his talents to the national level as a member of the Team USA 14U roster. — This post is part of CAUSE’s #HollywoodVotes Together We Vote Series in partnership with filmmaker Milton Liu (@liumilton ) (@aamediaalliance ). Vote by June 2nd! #TogetherWeVote #CAUSEtheVote #HollywoodVotes AANHPIHeritageMonth

Minji Chang (@minjeezy ) Actor. Filmmaker, Podcast Host – CYBERPUNK 2077 PHANTOM LIBERTY, ASHIMA, JANE WHY I VOTE? I vote because I have the privilege, opportunity and responsibility to represent myself and my community. I’ve seen the impact policies and subsequent attitudes have on our rights, opportunities, and our safety. Over the years, I’ve learned to pay more attention to how resources are allocated, how power is perceived, distributed and abused, often without accountability or effective oversight. I learned that giving away our power and abstaining from participation sets a dangerous precedent; conversely, embracing our rights is more empowering than I’d previously imagined or understood. As a millennial Asian American woman, I’m humbled to realize how I’ve benefited from the extensive political advocacy of marginalized people who refused to settle for inequality, oppression, and exploitation. It’s inspiring to know that everyday people rallying together and standing up for what we want and need is a special kind of stewardship. It’s a demand for visibility and justice, and a counterbalance to unchecked or sometimes ignorant power. Even if it doesn’t feel like it, especially nowadays, I remind myself of that to hold the line and encourage those around me that we can’t give up. Loving a community and loving our neighbors is not just a sentiment, it’s an action. One of those actions is using our voice and our collective power to protect and build the world we live in - our jobs, schools, healthcare, safety, and more. - This post is part of CAUSE’s #HollywoodVotes Together We Vote Series in partnership with filmmaker Milton Liu (@liumilton ). #TogetherWeVote #CAUSEtheVote #HollywoodVotes #AANHPIHeritageMonth

Samantha Futerman (@samfuterman ), Actor & Filmmaker – THE MOTEL, TWINSTERS, JOHN HUGHES RUINED MY LIFE, FROM HERE, MEMOIRS OF A GEISHA, THE BIG C, KROLL SHOW WHY I VOTE? Because my voice matters. Because I deserve to be here. Because I want a future that my daughter will be safe in. – This post is part of CAUSE’s #HollywoodVotes Together We Vote Series in partnership with filmmaker Milton Liu (@liumilton ). #TogetherWeVote #CAUSEtheVote #HollywoodVotes #AANHPIHeritageMonth

Dave Jung (@davesjung ) Actor, US & World Air Guitar Champion, Poet & Actor (ERIN & AARON, AMERICAN DAD, DOOGIE KAMEALOHA, MD, PROM PACT, AWESOME ASIAN BAD GUYS) WHY I VOTE? I’m C-Diddy former US and World Air Guitar Champion and star of Air Guitar Nation. I want to talk about you and all Asian Americans in LA County who care about this country. Our constitution begins with: “We the people” Because it’s “Government of the people, by the people, for the people.” CAUSE did a recent voter survey that counted 700,000 Asian Americans were registered to vote in LA County. But we could only get a 27% turnout for that election. The top reason for not voting was that they didn’t have time to vote. But now we’re all running out of time. Because policy impacts everyday of our lives. We need to have a say now. That’s why I vote. Because we the people baby. We the people! So rock onward and vote! – This post is part of CAUSE’s #HollywoodVotes Together We Vote Series in partnership with filmmaker Milton Liu (@liumilton ). #TogetherWeVote #CAUSEtheVote #HollywoodVotes #AANHPIHeritageMonth

Dave Jung (@davesjung ), Actor, US & World Air Guitar Champion, Poet & Actor (ERIN & AARON, AMERICAN DAD, DOOGIE KAMEALOHA, MD, PROM PACT, AWESOME ASIAN BAD GUYS)  WHY I VOTE? I’m C-Diddy former US and World Air Guitar Champion and star of Air Guitar Nation. I want to talk about you and all Asian Americans in LA County who care about this country.  Our constitution begins with: “We the people” Because it’s “Government of the people, by the people, for the people.” CAUSE did a recent voter survey that counted 700,000 Asian Americans were registered to vote in LA County. But we could only get a 27% turnout for that election. The top reason for not voting was that they didn’t have time to vote.  But now we’re all running out of time. Because policy impacts everyday of our lives. We need to have a say now.  That’s why I vote. Because we the people baby. We the people! So rock onward and vote! – This post is part of CAUSE’s #HollywoodVotes Together We Vote Series in partnership with filmmaker Milton Liu (@liumilton ). #TogetherWeVote #CAUSEtheVote #HollywoodVotes #AANHPIHeritageMonth

Join us for our first-ever CAUSE the Vote Community Run/Walk at the Rose Bowl Loop on Monday, May 25 from 9AM–2PM. We’re kicking off Memorial Day and the first weekend of early in-person voting with a morning centered on wellness, community, and civic engagement. Come walk or run the Rose Bowl 3-mile loop with friends, family, and neighbors! In partnership with API Forward Movement (@forwardapi ), the City of Pasadena (@cityofpasadena ), and the Los Angeles County Registrar-Recorder/County Clerk (@lacountyrrcc ). We will have an official mobile vote center onsite so attendees can drop off their ballot or vote in-person right at the loop. This event is part of CAUSE's Together We Vote: API Get Out the Vote Fest taking place across Los Angeles County from May 23 - June 2. Through community events and neighborhood activations, Together We Vote is focused on bringing voting and civic engagement directly into the spaces where community already gathers. This run/walk is one of many events happening across LA County to build connection, participation, and community. Participation does not require voting, and this is not an official 5K race. Everyone is welcome. Please share with your friends, families, and local run/walk clubs! More information and sign up at: /causethevote-run-walk (link in our bio) #CAUSEtheVote #TogetherWeVote #APIVote #2026elections #CommunityRunWalk

Join us at Thunderbolt Bar (@thunderboltla ) in Historic Filipinotown / Echo Park on Sunday, May 31, from 2PM–7PM! As part of CAUSE’s Together We Vote: API Get Out the Vote Fest and our new #HollywoodVotes series, we are partnering with filmmaker Milton Liu @liumilton (ED of Asian American Media Alliance @aamediaalliance ) and Pilipino Workers Center (@pwcsc ) to turn civic action into a shared experience alongside fellow AANHPI creatives. Come hang out with us and celebrate the last day of AANHPI Heritage Month with community. Ride a jeepney to the polls and cast your ballot at our event!🗳️ RSVP here: /jeepney-to-the-polls See our full 2026 Together We Vote schedule from May 23 to June 2nd at: /togetherwevote. #TogetherWeVote #aanhpiheritagemonth #CAUSEtheVote #historicfilipinotown

Laur Allen (@itslaur_allen ), Actor (YOUNG & THE RESTLESS, LUMPIA WITH A VENGEANCE), Attorney, South Pasadena City Commissioner WHY I VOTE? I vote because it’s how I show up for others, for my community, for my family, and for myself. To me, voting is the opportunity to have a say in creating our collective story and advocating for how our narrative unfolds. Voting is a privilege and I believe each chance we get to cast our vote is a special occasion to represent causes that matter and the voices that get overlooked. Our community has always been incredible at showing up for each other and for others. What better (and simpler) way to do this than to exercise our individual and collective voices through voting! As an actor, a lawyer, and a local city commissioner, I vote because I care deeply about others and protecting the future of our home. Our system was intended to be participatory, to have checks and balances, and to work for (not against) us. Progress doesn’t happen by accident. I vote because every ballot is a small (but significant) act of resilience, hope, and belief. Belief that leadership can reflect the people they serve, that policies can support progress, and that our collective voices can empower advocacy within local communities and subsequently society at large. I vote because our story is being written in real time—let’s take ownership of it! — This post is part of CAUSE’s #HollywoodVotes Together We Vote Series in partnership with filmmaker Milton Liu (@liumilton ). 1st photo taken by Tom Phan (@phantomegg ), 3rd photo taken by Michael Roud (@michaelroud ). #TogetherWeVote #CAUSEtheVote #HollywoodVotes #AANHPIHeritageMonth

Milton Liu (@aamedialliance ), Executive Director of Asian American Media Alliance, Writer/Filmmaker — AWESOME ASIAN BAD GUYS, JOHN HUGHES RUINED MY LIFE, I HATE BIG PHONY, LUCKY GRANDMA WHY I VOTE? I’m honored to be joining CAUSE and other AANHPI creatives for #HollywoodVotes and to share why I vote. As a filmmaker, I’ve called Los Angeles home for almost two decades now. Long enough to remember when you could find easy parking for Cafe Bleu... To me, voting is personal, immediate, and woven into how I move through the world. As a Stage IV cancer survivor, I know firsthand that healthcare policy isn’t theoretical. It determines access, affordability, and whether people get the care they need when it matters most. Being a second-generation American raised in the Midwest (hence the terrible accent), immigration policy isn’t an abstract debate. It influences whether entire communities live with a sense of safety or constant uncertainty. And in my creative field, I’ve seen how studio and network consolidation has led to fewer productions, fewer jobs, and fewer opportunities to tell our stories. I’ve watched these forces play out in real time, not as headlines but as lived consequences that ripple into what paths are available, and who gets to take them. So I vote. Because the choices made today shape our health, our safety, our stories and our future. I’m also proud to be partnering with CAUSE on May 31 at Thunderbolt Bar in Historic Filipinotown / Echo Park (2PM–7PM). We’re bringing AANHPI creatives together to turn civic action into a shared experience. Come hangout with us. RSVP: /jeepney-to-the-polls — This post is part of CAUSE’s #HollywoodVotes Together We Vote Series in partnership with filmmaker Milton Liu (@liumilton ) #TogetherWeVote #CAUSEtheVote #AANHPIHeritageMonth

The full recording of the 2026 AANHPI California Gubernatorial Forum is now live! Held on April 18, the forum led by KADC and CAUSE brought together 40 partner organizations, community members, and gubernatorial candidates to discuss issues impacting AANHPI communities across California, including affordability, immigration, the environment, and civic representation. Watch the full conversation on YouTube. Link in our bio: https://bit.ly/aanhpi-gubernatorial-forum-vid To make the forum more accessible, translated captions were created and provided by our community partner organizations: Chinese (AJSOCAL); Korean (KADC); Thai (Thai Community Development Center); Tagalog (Pilipino Workers Center); Vietnamese (PIVOT). With additional languages coming soon: Bengali (SAN), Hindi (SAN), Punjabi (SAN), Samoan (Le Gafa), and Spanish (Shengxiao “Sole” Yu). To view these translations on YouTube click the CC button at the bottom of the video to turn captions on, then click the gear icon (Settings) → Subtitles/CC → and select your preferred language. The video also has timestamps so you can navigate between sections. We are also developing easy to share, in-language video clips, with bite-sized segments organized by question. Stay tuned! It will be available on our website soon. Videography and editing by Farrah Su #CAUSEtheVote #AANHPI #Gubernatorial #Governors #2026Elections

A historic moment for our community ✨ Thank you to the candidates who joined the AANHPI CA Gubernatorial Forum: Xavier Becerra, Tom Steyer, Tony Thurmond, Antonio Villaraigosa, and Betty Yee. We know it matters when candidates show up, listen, and engage directly with AANHPI communities in our own spaces. We especially acknowledge Hon. Betty Yee, who is no longer in the race, for sharing her perspectives on leadership and how a governor can serve AANHPI communities. We are grateful to our coalition of 40 AANHPI partner organizations across Southern California and the many volunteers who made this forum possible. Special thanks to KADC (@kademocrats ), World Mission University (@world_mission_university ), and Through Peace (@throughpeaceorg ) for inviting us to co-host this event. A recording of candidate responses will be available on CAUSE’s website with translations in multiple AANHPI languages. We’ll also be sharing short video clips. As the gubernatorial race continues, we encourage AANHPI communities to stay engaged, get informed, and make a plan to vote in the June 2 election. Vote-by-mail ballots begin arriving May 4. CAUSE is also hosting Get-Out-the-Vote events across LA County through Together We Vote Fest (TWV). Join us and our TWV partners from May 23 to June 2 to celebrate culture and civic engagement in historic API neighborhoods. Learn more: causeusa.org/togetherwevote #CAUSEtheVOTE #TogetherWeVote #AANHPI #2026Elections #California

The AANHPI California Gubernatorial Forum, led by and for community, is approaching. We know language access is essential to keeping our communities informed and engaged. Translated flyers are now available in Korean, Vietnamese, Simplified Chinese, Traditional Chinese, Thai, Tagalog, Punjabi, Hindi, and Bengali, with more to come. All flyers are available on our website. Thank you to our partners for providing translation support and expanding access. This forum will not be livestreamed. The conversation will be recorded and shared afterward through translated video content across multiple languages and platforms to ensure it reaches our communities in accessible ways. Event Details: Saturday, April 18, 2026 10AM – 12PM World Mission University, Los Angeles (Koreatown) RSVP is required for entry. http://bit.ly/aanhpi-ca-gubernatorial-2026 #AANHPI #CaliforniaGovernor #CAUSEtheVOTE #2026Elections #community