Interested in joining us? We’re looking to expand our volunteer collective of activists, artists, creatives, journalists 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. APA 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 current contributors include:
Isabel Li 睿颐 (she/her)
is a second generation Chinese American writer, filmmaker, artist, and scholar from Los Angeles. Her work merges her liberal arts background in musicology, Asian American studies, and media research with her creative practice in narrative filmmaking, screenwriting, performance, video art, games, and poetry. She interviews AAPI filmmakers, artists, scholars, and classical musicians and composers (“Obbligato”) for APEX Express and has hosted classical music live on Interlochen Public Radio for thousands of listeners in northern Michigan. Isabel earned her BA in media studies (film/video) and music (history/theory) from Scripps College, Claremont, and completed a filmmaking program at the Film and TV School of the Academy of Performing Arts in Prague (FAMU). She’s currently training to become a musicologist, but when she isn’t listening for the mixolydian mode, she’s probably learning Hungarian, writing a script, or slowly using HTML/CSS to code her website, isabelrli.com.
Jalena Keane-Lee (she/her)
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.
Miata Tan (she/her) joined APEX Express in 2025 with a deep belief in the power of community storytelling. A Japanese hāfu journalist, she centers her work around the organizers, activists, and movements at the heart of AAPI power-building.
Miko Lee (she/her) 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 sat 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 create and implement the Marin Arts Education Plan. She has trained teachers and artists in integrated curriculum throughout the US. Contact her at [email protected]
Preeti Mangala Shekar (She/her) 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.
Swati Rayasam (she/they) 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 South Asian organization founded in 1999 in Berkeley, CA and works at UCSF.
Thank you to our past hosts and producers: Adriel Luis, Amit Pendyal, Anuj Vaidya, April Elkjer, Cheryl Truong, Continental Drifts, Curtis Loo, Densho, Dragonfruit Project, DJ Baagi, Ellen Choy, Eloise Lee, Eric Park, Estella Owoimaha-Church, Eunice Kwon, Gabriel Anthony Tanglao, Geraldine Ah-Sue, Hien Nguyen, Ivan Jaigardar, Jane Chang, Jason Jong, Jessica Antonio, Karl Jagbandhansing, Kayumanggí Kaloy, Kenni Camota, Kiwi, Klay Ordona, Kyung Jin Lee, Lawton Chan, Lindsay Oda, Marie Choi, Nat Tan, Nishat Kurwa, Paige Chung, Phatrick Huang, Pratap Chatterjee, RJ Lozada, Renee Yang Geesler, Robynn Takayama, Roseli Ilano, Salima Hamirani, Sam Mende-Wong, Tara Dorabji, Tracy Nguyen, Wayie Ly, Weyland Southon, Yun Suh, and Yvonne Tran.
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.