Interested in joining us? We’re looking to expand our collective of journalists, activists, and DJs to help with the production of a weekly show. We have a lift-as-we-climb model of mentorship and could also use help in web posting, social media, and event coordination. Asian American musicians, we’re looking for music to mix into the show. If you are interested in contributing in this way, please contact us at [email protected] or 510-848-6767×464
Our contributors include:
Jalena Keane-Lee is a director, dp, and producer dedicated
to decolonizing storytelling through uplifting underrepresented voices behind the scenes and in front of the camera. Jalena is the co-founder of Breaktide Productions, an all women of color video production company that makes films that increase understanding and ignite collective action, spanning social issues from indigenous resistance in Hawaii to environmental racism in Oakland to political organizing in Kashmir. Their writing, directing, and cinematography have earned awards and recognition from Sundance, the Aspen Institute, the Washington Post, SXSW, ITVS, Cannes Lions, and TEDx.
Miko Lee is the Lead Producer for APEX Express on KPFA Radio. She is Director of Programs for Asian Americans for Civil Rights and Equality (AACRE), and is on the National Advisory Committee of Teaching Artist Guild. Miko is formerly the Artistic & Managing Director of Theatre of Yugen. She has worked as an actor, director, writer and arts education leader. As Executive Director of Youth in Arts, Miko helped to create and implement the Marin Arts Education Plan, which includes ongoing training of a STEAM Leadership team. She has trained teachers and artists in integrated curriculum throughout the US. Contact her at [email protected]
Swati Rayasam is a public health professional and community organizer. She cut her organizing teeth as a 12-year-old audio documentarian; producing long-form narrative audio pieces, DJing a radio show, and presenting on youth radio as a part of a youth program called Youth Noise Network, run out of the Duke Center for Documentary Studies in Durham, North Carolina. She currently co-coordinates the Alliance of South Asians Taking Action, a leftist South Asian organization founded in 1999 in Berkeley, CA and works at UCSF.
Preeti Mangala Shekar is a feminist researcher, journalist and a communications expert. Preeti has previously worked with the Global Fund for Women as part of their communications team. She has served on the board of Media Alliance, and has been an advisory member of Women, Action and Media, a Cambridge-based group committed to increase women’s positive representation in U.S. media. Preeti’s radio work prioritizes the voices and perspectives of marginalized voices, in the Bay Area and those in the global south.
Cheryl Trương is a writer, community organizer, and daughter of refugees. She was raised by immigrant garment workers and Vietnamese nail women who indulged her in stories and cured her of boredom. She was born and raised in Cambodia Town in Long Beach, CA, land of the Tongva/Gabrieleño and the Acjachemen/Juaneño Nations, and now calls Ohlone Land (Oakland, CA) home. They spent the last few years deeply immersed in the oral histories of Asian American activism at Eastwind Books of Berkeley, and now carries its spirit with her everywhere she goes. For her, stories are a means of imagining liberatory futures and grants us permission to redefine what is possible – so kind! In their free time, Cheryl enjoys reading and spending time with their dog companion Charlie. She is always reading three books at once.
Contributors also include: Hien Nguyen, Estella Owoimaha-Church, Nate Tan, Gabriel Tanglao, Aisa Villarosa
Thank you to our past hosts and producers: Geraldine Ah-Sue, DJ Baagi, Kenni Camota, Jane Chang, Lawton Chan, Pratap Chatterjee, Marie Choi, Ellen Choy, Paige Chung, Tara Dorabji, April Elkjer, Salima Hamirani, Phatrick Huang, Roseli Ilano, Karl Jagbandhansing, Ivan Jaigardar, Ayame Keane-Lee, Eloise Lee, Kyung Jin Lee, Jason Jong, Kayumanggí Kaloy, Kiwi, Nishat Kurwa, Eunice Kwon, Curtis Loo, RJ Lozada, Wayie Ly, Adriel Luis, Tracy Nguyen, Lindsay Oda, Klay Ordona, Eric Park, Amit Pendyal, Weyland Southon, Yun Suh, Robynn Takayama, Yvonne Tran, Sam Mende-Wong, and Renee Yang Geesler.
Apex Express is a proud collective member of AACRE, Asian Americans for Civil Rights and Equality. AACRE focuses on long-term movement building, capacity infrastructure, and leadership support for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders committed to social justice.