Category: Podcast

Hear from Prerna Bhat, a member of the TX AAPI Redistricting Coalition, who testified six times in front of the Texas Legislature to advocate for voting maps that will keep the growing Asian community together and not dilute the power of the APA constituency.  During a special legislative session, Texas lawmakers created and passed new voting maps for Texas House Districts, Texas Senate Districts, and US Congressional Districts.  This only happens once every ten years,...

October was Domestic Violence Awareness Month, but organizations like Daya (Houston) provide resources to domestic violence survivors in the South Asian community year-round.  Pam Otal is a WiseUp TX board member and the Outreach & Volunteer coordinator for Daya (Houston). On this episode, Pam joins host, Punam Kaji, and shares how domestic violence impacts the South Asian community, and what orgs like Daya are doing to educate the community to help solve the issue and...

This summer, Texas lawmakers passed new voting laws.  In this episode, WiseUp TX podcast host Punam Kaji interviews Louis Bedford, a voting rights attorney. He explains the impact of the changes in voting laws. Also learn about redistricting (the drawing of maps), a process that only happens every 10 years. Hear about how these changes to the voting process in Texas could impact communities of color like the South Asian community. WiseUp TX is a...

Hear Fawaz Bham talk about his work with the Dallas Volunteer Attorney Program assisting people in need during the Covid-19 Crisis and DFWROS mentoring a refugee family from Afghanistan. Fawaz is a real-estate and capital finance attorney focusing on commercial real-estate transactions at Hunton Andrews Kurth. Fawaz serves on the firm’s pro-bono committee and devotes time to several pro-bono efforts such as launching and leading the Dallas Attorney Volunteer Program’s virtual legal clinic platform, leading...

Alexander Cornwallis is running to be on the school board of Prosper Independent School Board.  Prosper is a suburb in North Dallas, and Alexander decided to run to represent the South Asian community on the board and also bring attention to the need for a greater focus on technology in education and STEM for all students.  Prosper ISD and other municipal elections take place on May 1. You can learn more about him here. WiseUp TX...

Cydnei Drake is running for school board in Carrolton Farmers Branch Independent School District.  This School District covers a number of DFW suburbs, including Carrolton, Farmers Branch and some of Addison, Coppell, Dallas, and Irving.  In this episode, Cydnei talks about the need for equity and and cultural competency in school leadership and her decision to run to address that issue.  CFBISD elections are on May 1, 2021, along with the other municipal elections.  Do...

Diana Saleh wants to bring a fresh perspective to Arlington City Council as a young professional, a Palestinian American, and a Muslim woman. Diana discusses the rich diversity of the populous city of Arlington, TX. She shares her desire to make the city more equitable, starting with creating an accessible campaign through language translation. Arlington City Council elections are on May 1, 2021. Early voting has already begun and runs through April 27. You can...

Rafat Jilani has worked with children for 30 years in schools as a special education teacher and a school psychologist.  Now she is running for Fort Bend Independent School District, Trustee Position 6. Fort Bend’s population is widely diverse, including a significant South Asian population. Jilani believes the board should reflect the diversity of the District. She talks about how she is suited for the challenges posed by the Covid-19 pandemic because of her background...