In the lead-up to the November 7 election, CUS-ChineseinUS organized a bilingual “Meet the Candidates” forum to engage Asian American communities—particularly Chinese-speaking residents—in Philadelphia. The event created a direct platform for civic dialogue between candidates and community members ahead of a critical election.
At stake in this election were several key positions across Pennsylvania and the City of Philadelphia, including seats on the Pennsylvania Superior Court, City Council, and City Controller. These roles play a significant part in shaping policies related to public safety, education, economic opportunity, and government accountability.
As one of the first bilingual civic engagement initiatives of its kind within the community, the forum aimed to expand access to candidate information and encourage informed participation in the democratic process.
Community Engagement and Access
The forum brought together candidates and residents for in-depth, face-to-face engagement. The program included candidate introductions, moderated Q&A sessions, and open networking opportunities, allowing attendees to directly raise concerns and better understand candidates’ positions.
By providing a culturally and linguistically accessible space, the event addressed key barriers to civic participation among Asian American communities, particularly those who rely on Chinese-language information and may have limited access to mainstream civic resources.
The event drew strong attendance and engagement, extending beyond its scheduled time, reflecting growing interest in civic participation within the community.
Participating Candidates
The forum featured several prominent candidates, including:
- Jill Beck, candidate for Pennsylvania Superior Court, recognized for her legal expertise and commitment to justice
- Timika Lane, candidate for Pennsylvania Superior Court, who highlighted her experience handling domestic violence and human trafficking cases
- Nina Ahmad, candidate for Philadelphia City Council At-Large and the only Asian American candidate in the race, who emphasized public safety, small business support, and language access
- Rania M. Major, leading Republican candidate for Philadelphia Municipal Court, who addressed legal support for small landlords and post-pandemic recovery challenges
Although some candidates were unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts, several expressed strong interest in engaging with Asian American communities in future events.
Expanding Civic Participation
The forum represents a significant step in strengthening civic participation among Asian American communities in Philadelphia.
“Providing access to reliable, accessible information is essential to ensuring that community members can make informed decisions,” said Hong Yuebing, founder of ChineseinUS/CUP. “This forum helps create opportunities for meaningful engagement and ensures that our community’s voices are part of the broader civic conversation.”
The Role of Community Media
As a Chinese-language civic information platform serving Asian American audiences, ChineseinUS plays an important role in bridging gaps between public institutions and communities that are often underserved by English-language outreach.
Through bilingual reporting, community forums, and ongoing coverage of public affairs, CUS helps expand access to civic information and supports more inclusive participation in democratic processes.
A Step Toward Representation
This forum not only connected candidates with community members, but also highlighted the importance of engaging underrepresented populations in local civic life.
As Philadelphia continues to grow more diverse, efforts like this contribute to ensuring that Asian American communities—particularly Chinese-speaking residents—have the information, access, and opportunities needed to participate meaningfully in elections and public decision-making.
This initiative aligns with broader efforts across the city to strengthen civic participation and ensure that community voices are reflected in public priorities and policy decisions.
