The Blue Dumpling Podcast was thrilled to have Dr. Janelle Wong, Senior Researcher of AAPI Data. Dr. Wong delves into the major data trends shaping policy issues and voting behavior within the Asian American community. She shares the intensive survey process to collect data that is inclusive of the diverse, multilingual Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) community across the nation. This episode also features a special news round up segment, which uncover pivotal AAPI data that influences the future political landscape in the 2024 elections. Join us as we explore the intersection of data, policy, politics, and the Asian American experience. Janelle Wong is a Professor in Government & Politics and American Studies at University of Maryland (UMD), College Park. She is also the Director of the Asian American Studies Program at UMD. Wong is the author of Immigrants, Evangelicals and Politics in an Era of Demographic Change (2018, Russell Sage Foundation), Democracy’s Promise: Immigrants and American Civic Institutions (2006, University of Michigan Press) and co-author of two books on Asian American politics, including Asian American Political Participation. Wong has collected data on Asian American political views through surveys for more than two decades and currently is a Senior Researcher with AAPI Data - a nationally recognized publisher of demographic data and policy research on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. Wong received her PhD from the Department of Political Science at Yale University.

This episode features Maryland Delegate Lily Qi, who hails from District 15. Delegate Qi, walks us through her journey of how building an AAPI cultural community niche can successfully inform legislation,  increase the democratic participation of Asian Americans, and build a winning strategy for a down-ballot race. Additionally, she shares how her immigrant background influenced her work as a legislator and community leader. Join us as we dive into these important topics as the 2024 MD General Assembly legislative session begins!

Our inaugural podcast features Devang Shah, Chair of the Maryland Democratic Party AAPI Diversity Leadership Council. During our conversation, we covered several important issues relating to AAPI civic and political life, from increasing political engagement and participation of AAPI communities in swing states to fighting against the Monolithic Myth.