2025 CALIFORNIA EDUCATIONAL GUBERNATORIAL FORUM
Join us for the 2025 California Educational Gubernatorial Forum on September 8, 2025. This statewide forum is an inclusive, nonpartisan event advancing civic engagement, uplifting the next generation of leaders, and strengthening our state’s democratic process. Major California gubernatorial candidates from all parties are invited.
Held at California State University, Sacramento, this unique forum will bring together California’s gubernatorial candidates, community leaders, student advocates, and elected officials in one dynamic space.
Join us for this historic event led by a steering committee of local APAPA interns, high school and undergraduate students, to brainstorm, inspire, and spearhead the overarching objectives and goals of the forum, down to the granular details of questions to be asked of the candidates, communications with co-hosts, media plans and more! APAPA’s interns, having had local, state, and federal legislative and grassroots training and field experience, are excited and prepared for the statewide stage as aspiring changemakers. We encourage our youth to take an active leadership role at their campus, in their neighboorhood, within the state capitol, and now a steering committee as the final decisionmakers on the program of this statewide event. Inspiring, Engaging, and Empowering our next generation!
This is a high-visibility event to join community leaders and supporters from 100+ diverse organizations, including representatives from the CA AANHPI Advocacy Coalition, African-American, Hispanic, and LGBTQ+ communities.
Forum Schedule
1:15pm - 1:45pm: Media Room Open
1:30pm - 2:00pm: Check-In
2:00pm - 4:30pm: Forum General Session
4:30pm - 6:30pm: Receptions
Emcees
Julie Watts, CBS 13 News, Forum Emcee
Dylan Morgan, CSUS Student and APAPA Intern, Forum Emcee
Wenda Fong, Member, CSU Board of Trustees, VIP Reception Emcee
Honorary Co-Hosting Committee
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Assemblymember Cecilia Aguiar-Curry
CALIFORNIA WOMEN’S LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS - CHAIR AND ASSEMBLY MAJORITY LEADER
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Assemblymember Isaac Bryan
CALIFORNIA LEGISLATIVE BLACK CAUCUS - VICE-CHAIR
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Julian Canete
CA HISPANIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - PRESIDENT/CEO
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Jason Chan
CA API LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS INSTITUTE - CHAIR
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Assemblymember Phillip Chen
CALIFORNIA BUSINESS & FINANCE COMMITTEE - VICE-CHAIR
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Malia Cohen
CA STATE CONTROLLER
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Assemblymember Mike Fong
CALIFORNIA AAPI LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS - CHAIR
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Wenda Fong
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY - MEMBER, BOARD OF TRUSTEES
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Dr. Rita Gallardo Good
CALIFORNIA COMMISSION ON THE STATUS OF WOMEN AND GIRLS - CHAIR
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Joe Johal
ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN PUBLIC AFFAIRS (APAPA) - CHAIR
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Brent Kaneyuki
ASIAN PEACE OFFICERS ASSOCIATION - PRESIDENT
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Pat Fong Kushida
CA ASIAN PACIFIC CHAMBER OF COMMERCE - PRESIDENT/CEO
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Manūfou Liaiga-Anoa’i
CA AANHPI ADVOCACY COALITON - HONORARY CHAIR
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Mayor Kevin McCarty
MAYOR OF THE CITY OF SACRAMENTO
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Sonny Mehrtash
ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN PUBLIC AFFAIRS (APAPA) - PRESIDENT
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Assemblymember Stephanie Nguyen
CALIFORNIA AAPI LEGISLATIVE CAUCUS - VICE-CHAIR
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Senator Dr. Akilah Weber Pierson
SELECT COMMITTEE ON SOCIAL DETERMINANTS OF HEALTH - CHAIR
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Dr. Tecoy Porter
NATIONAL ACTION NETWORK - SACRAMENTO CHAPTER PRESIDENT
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Reverend Al Sharpton
NATIONAL ACTION NETWORK - FOUNDER/NATIONAL PRESIDENT
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Assemblymember Tri Ta
LOCAL GOVERNMENT & REVENUE AND TAXATION COMMITTEES - VICE-CHAIR
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Greg Totten
CA DISTRICT ATTORNEYS ASSOCIATION - CEO
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Assemblymember Lori Wilson
CALIFORNIA TRANSPORTATION COMMITTEE - CHAIR
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Dr. Luke Wood
CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, SACRAMENTO - PRESIDENT
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Steve Hansen
LIGHTHOUSE PUBLIC AFFAIRS - MANAGING PARTNER
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CC Yin
ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN PUBLIC AFFAIRS (APAPA) - FOUNDER