Mayor Pro Tem Mai Vang, in partnership with various community organizations, is thrilled to host the Hmong American Day Celebration, a festive event that celebrates the rich cultural heritage and contributions of the Hmong community to the greater Sacramento region. The event will feature live performances, traditional Hmong food, arts and crafts, over twenty-five vendors, and a cultural fashion show.
What is Hmong American Day?
On Tuesday, May 9, 2023, Mayor Pro Tem Vang proudly presented the City Resolution recognizing May 14th as Hmong American Day. May 14th marks the anniversary of the fall of Long Cheng, a United States-Hmong airbase in Laos during the Laotian Civil War, where the Hmong fought alongside the United States against communist forces of North Vietnam, also known as the Secret War from 1961-1975. The United States aided Hmong refugees, welcoming over 100,000 to our shores. Today, there are over 300,000 Hmong Americans, with California hosting the largest population. Sacramento is home to over 27,000+ Hmong Americans, contributing to our city's diverse fabric.
Speakers
Mai Vang, Mayor Pro Tem, City of Sacramento
Angelique Ashby, California State Senator
Lisa Kaplan, Councilmember, City of Sacramento
Karina Talamantes, Councilmember, City of Sacramento
Chinua Rhodes, President, Sacramento City Unified School District
Fue Xiong, Councilmember, City of Merced
Sean Yang, Trustee, Elk Grove Unified School District
Bao Moua, Principal, Susan B. Anthony Elementary School
Cher Vang, Vice President, Sacramento Hmong New Year Inc.
VJ Chue, Office of Congresswoman Doris Matsui
Ryan Brown, Chief of Staff, Office of Councilmember Caity Maple, City of Sacramento
Greg Garcia, Office of Community Engagement, City of Sacramento
Jessica Davalos-Prieto, Office of Community Engagement, City of Sacramento
Performers
Nkauj Laim Txuj
Christina Xyooj
Huaj Teev Ntuj
Autumn Vang
M. Swan Dance Institute
Hill Tribe Fashion Show
Mayor Pro Tem Vang
Mayor Pro Tem Mai Vang is the daughter of Hmong refugees from Laos, a proud Sacramento native, and the eldest of 16 children. Before her election in November 2020 to represent Sacramento’s Eighth City Council District, Vang served as the Executive Director of the Buck Scholars Association, an organization that provides mentorship and scholarships to talented high school students who lack the resources and support to achieve their educational goals. She previously taught in the Department of Ethnic Studies at California State University, Sacramento and in the Department of Asian American Studies at the University of California, Davis.
Mai co-founded Hmong Innovating Politics (HIP) whose mission is to strengthen the power of disenfranchised communities through innovative civic engagement and strategic grassroots mobilization. Vang has worked on education, labor and racial/ethnic health disparities with local and national policy and government organizations. Prior to being elected, Vang worked tirelessly as a community organizer to improve health and educational outcomes for children and families in south Sacramento.
In her first two years in office, Mai lead one of the most linguistically diverse community-led vaccination clinic in the nation during the COVID-19 pandemic; secured 102 acres in South Sacramento for a multi-use youth sports complex, civic amenities, and affordable housing; championed the passage of a city-wide ballot initiative – Measure L, the Sacramento Children’s Fund; and fought to ensure a youth advisory seat on the City Council, the first-ever in the nation. In 2022, Mai was named Sacramento’s Bee TOP AAPI Change Maker and has received several awards for her unwavering dedication to equity and racial justice. Mai currently serves on several Sacramento regional Boards, Commissions, Committees, and Authorities.
Today, Mai lives in the Meadowview neighborhood of South Sacramento. Vang holds Bachelors’ Degrees in Biology and Sociology from the University of San Francisco and dual Master's Degrees in Public Health and Asian American Studies from UCLA. During her free time, she enjoys hiking with her dog Coffee and spending time with her siblings.
Partner Organizations
Health and Life Organization Inc.
Health And Life Organization (HALO), Inc., is a 501(c)(3) Non-profit Public Benefit Corporation founded in 2003 and designated as an FQHC-LA in 2008 to provide quality comprehensive primary healthcare to low income and ethnically diverse and underserved populations residing within the City of Sacramento. Currently, HALO operates 9 Sacramento Community Clinics (SCC) serving as medical home to nearly 30,000 individuals and over 10,000 monthly encounters. We partner with organizations to provide professional and compassionate health.
Hmong Innovating Politics
Hmong Innovating Politics envisions a California of empowered communities that thrive in a socially and economically just democracy because when all communities are empowered, society changes for the better. HIP is a grassroots nonprofit organization that focuses on building power among historically disenfranchised communities. Members work towards creating a more just democracy by elevating the voices of young people, tearing down barriers for elders, and fighting inequity.
Hmong Youth and Parents United
Since its beginning, HYPU has worked and continues to work in establishing and facilitating programs in the areas of English and Hmong language acquisition and proficiency, literacy, parent accountability and involvement, self-discovery and development, and academic excellence. In addition, HYPU coordinates National Night Out annually for communities to engage and address public safety with local law enforcement officers, firefighters, and community leaders and organizations. In 2018, HYPU based its office location at the HOPE Center in North Sacramento and has extended its services to encompass a healthy living program to address the needs of community members such as the senior population.
HYPU's current programs focus on culture and language preservation, education, youth empowerment, health and mental well-being.
Sacramento Job Corps
Job Corps is a no-cost education and vocational training program administered by the U.S. Department of Labor that helps young people ages 16 through 24 get a better job, make more money, and take control of their lives. Job Corps provides free career training and education for 16- through 24-year-olds. We have over 120 campuses across the U.S. where students gain the experience needed to begin a career or apprenticeship, advance to higher education, or join the military.
La Familia Counseling Center
La Familia Counseling Center, Inc. (La Familia) provides multicultural counseling, outreach and support services to low income, at-risk youth and families in Sacramento County. For more than 40 years, La Familia has successfully operated programs that have been recognized on the local, state and national levels. All of La Familia’s services are free and bilingual staff members are available to meet the needs of our diverse community.