CAPI

June is Immigrant Heritage Month! 🌎

At CAPI, immigrants and refugees are at the heart of everything we do. Their stories, cultures, talents, and experiences help shape stronger neighborhoods, vibrant communities, and a more connected Minnesota.

This month, we celebrate the many contributions immigrants and refugees make every day. From sharing traditions and building businesses to supporting families and enriching our communities, they make our region stronger, more resilient, and more welcoming for all.

Join us in celebrating the people, cultures, and journeys that continue to enrich our community and remind us that our diversity is one of our greatest strengths.

CAPI’s June Immigration Justice Community Meeting is focused on helping residents of Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Park understand their rights and stay informed.

Join us for a Know Your Rights training that will provide practical information on interacting with ICE, protecting yourself and your loved ones, and accessing community resources.

Thursday, June 11
6:30–8:30 pm
Brooklyn Center (location shared upon RSVP)
Dinner provided
RSVP: shorturl.at/56CDa

This free training is open to community members who want to learn more and be prepared.

Questions? [email protected]

Take control of your money on your own terms 👏

CAPI is hosting a series of FREE Financial Literacy Workshops where you’ll learn tips and tricks to save money, pay down debt, boost your credit score, and reach your financial goals.

Next session:
Friday, June 12th
9am-1pm
Brooklyn Park Small Business Center: 7970 Brooklyn Blvd, Brooklyn Park

Can't make it? Don't worry - we have more sessions coming in August and September - check out the calendar on our website for more details.

Registration is required: https://shorturl.at/tcQhz

Have questions? DM us anytime

Standing Together Against Hate
A statement from CAPI following a disruption at the AAPI Rising Summit

As Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month comes to a close, I want to acknowledge a hate incident that occurred during CAPI's Virtual AAPI Rising Summit last Friday.

During a portion of a breakout session focused on addressing anti-AANHPI hate, an individual intentionally disrupted the event by accessing multiple breakout rooms and streaming illicit content. While our team acted quickly to remove the individual and prevent further disruption, the incident understandably impacted attendees, speakers, and staff who had gathered to learn, connect, and build community.

This was a deliberate attempt to disrupt a space created to bring together the diversity of AANHPI communities. The AAPI Rising Summit: Movement Beyond the Moment convened leaders, advocates, professionals, organizers, and community members from across sectors to discuss how we move forward together and build stronger, more connected communities. While disappointing, this incident also serves as a reminder of why these conversations and gatherings remain so important.

Unfortunately, incidents targeting AANHPI communities are not isolated. Across the country, individuals continue to experience harassment, discrimination, and acts of hate because of who they are. These incidents affect not only those directly targeted, but entire communities.

I share this message not to create fear, but to raise awareness. Hate thrives in silence and isolation. Our response must be rooted in community, education, and action.

At CAPI, we remain committed to building safe, welcoming spaces for all people and to equipping our community with the tools to respond to bias and discrimination. Through our Anti-Asian Hate initiatives, we offer bystander and upstander intervention trainings that help individuals recognize, safely respond to, and interrupt acts of harassment and hate.

To learn more about CAPI's anti-hate trainings and resources, please contact [email protected].

What stood out most that day was not the disruption itself, but the resilience of our attendees, speakers, and staff. Despite the incident, participants remained committed to the conversations, connections, and shared vision that brought us together.

We are grateful to everyone who participated in the AAPI Rising Summit and to the staff, speakers, and attendees who responded with professionalism, care, and determination. The actions of one individual will not deter us from our mission. We will continue creating spaces where our communities are celebrated, supported, and empowered, and we will continue standing together against hate in all its forms.

Sincerely,
Mary Niedermeyer, CAPI CEO

On the eve of the 2026 AAPI Rising: Movement Beyond the Moment virtual summit, we are thrilled to announce our final Keynote Panelist: XP Lee!

"Xp Lee is a community advocate and public servant dedicated to advancing civic engagement, public health, and opportunities for underserved communities across Minnesota. Before serving in the legislature, he worked with the Minnesota Council on Foundations on community initiatives and public policy efforts, and later served at the Minnesota Department of Health during the COVID-19 pandemic, helping connect communities with critical health resources.

Deeply involved in grassroots organizing, Lee founded the Hmong American Census Network to increase Hmong-American participation in the 2020 Census and has volunteered with organizations including the Center for Hmong Arts and Talent. He currently serves in the Minnesota House of Representatives, representing District 34B since 2025."

XP will be sharing his insight and expertise during our keynote panel, and lucky for you, there is still time to join the movement and sign up for the AAPI Rising Summit!

With less than 24 hours left, now is the time to make your move and prepare to explore bold ideas, celebrate AAPI voices and stories, and build momentum for lasting impact in our communities.

This summit is designed for leaders, professionals, advocates, and community members across nonprofit, corporate, public, and philanthropic sectors who are committed to advancing equity and strengthening AANHPI communities. Don’t miss this energizing opportunity to learn, share, and grow alongside passionate changemakers.

Sign up now: shorturl.at/PKZPw

Another amazing volunteer packing event in the books!

This past Saturday, volunteers came together to help prepare AAPI food packs in honor of AAPI Heritage Month. Our incredible team of 17 packed 169 food boxes in under an hour, which were distributed through our food shelf during this last week of May.

Moments like these remind us just how powerful community can be. We could not do this work without the support of dedicated volunteers, and we are so grateful for everyone who shows up to make a difference.

Want to get in on the action? Visit capiusa.org/volunteer to explore upcoming opportunities, including food shelf shifts, fresh produce distributions, and weekend packing events!

CAPI, in partnership with the Immigrant Defense Network, will be hosting a Constitutional Observer Training on Monday, June 1st, from 5:00–6:30 PM.

This training is intended to strengthen the Brooklyn Center and Brooklyn Park community network by providing practical tools for:
- Observing and documenting potential rights violations
- Supporting families during moments of crisis
- Building long-term neighborhood preparedness
Light snacks and beverages will be provided.

Please sign up to receive additional information and location details.

Register at: shorturl.at/SOFDw

There is still time to sign up for the AAPI Rising: Movement Beyond the Moment Summit and join in for a day of connection, learning, and inspiration.

Together, we’ll explore bold ideas, celebrate AAPI voices and stories, and build momentum for lasting impact in our communities.

This summit is designed for leaders, professionals, advocates, and community members across nonprofit, corporate, public, and philanthropic sectors who are committed to advancing equity and strengthening AANHPI communities. Don’t miss this energizing opportunity to learn, share, and grow alongside passionate changemakers.

May 29, 2026
10:00 AM–4:00 PM CDT
Register now at the link in our bio!

Minnesota community: Join us after the summit for an in-person networking reception at Arbeiter Brewing from 5:00–8:00 PM. Connect with fellow leaders and movement-builders while enjoying complimentary appetizers.

DM us for a link to sign up for the reception!

CAPI is honored to announce that we have been selected by Little Free Library as a 2026 Todd H. Bol Award recipient for Outstanding Achievement!

This award recognizes extraordinary individuals and organizations that embody Little Free Library’s mission to build community, inspire readers, and expand book access for all.

“It is a privilege to recognize CAPI as one of this year’s winners of the Todd H. Bol Award for Outstanding Achievement,” said Daniel Gumnit, Executive Director of Little Free Library. “Their volunteer efforts exemplify the vision of the late founder of Little Free Library, Todd Bol, to engage communities and enrich lives through the power of shared books.”

In addition to this recognition, the award includes funding to help us purchase more books and expand CAPI’s Read in Color Little Free Libraries, bringing more diverse stories and greater access to books into our communities.

Read about all of the amazing stewards here: https://littlefreelibrary.org/stewards/todd-bol-awards/

Thank you, Little Free Library, for this incredible honor and for your continued dedication to advancing literacy, imagination, and equitable access to books for all.