Council of Korean Americans launches new affiliated organization,
Korean Americans in Action
The new 501(c)4 will take more direct action on policy and elevate Korean Americans running for office
Washington, D.C. --
The Council of Korean Americans (CKA) today announced that its executive director, Sam Yoon, will be leaving the organization to lead Korean Americans in Action (KAA), a new 501(c)4 affiliate organization of CKA. KAA will take more direct action on policy and elevate Korean Americans running for office. CKA's Director of Policy and Advocacy Jessica Lee has been named Interim Executive Director.
501(c)4 organizations, unlike 501(c)3 organizations like CKA, can spend unlimited resources on lobbying. They can also get directly involved with campaigns and elections, which CKA is prohibited from doing.
"I'm excited about the opportunity to apply my twenty-five years of experience in politics, government, and nonprofit organizations to this new venture," said Sam Yoon.
Before joining CKA, Yoon was a political appointee in the Department of Labor under President Barack Obama. He also served as executive director of NACEDA, a national association for non-profit community development. Yoon served for two terms, or four years, on the Boston City Council. He was the first Asian American to run for and win elected office in Boston.
Yoon joined the Council of Korean Americans (CKA) at its founding in 2011 as a member of the board of directors before being hired as the organization's first full-time executive director.
"Sam has been an incredible asset-he has always had a vision for CKA, and he has been thoroughly committed to seeing it realized," said Dr. June Lee, CKA's board chair. "During Sam's tenure as executive director, the membership of CKA grew from 16 to 190 members, its budget grew to nearly $2 million, and we have become the leading national voice of our community on major policy issues like North Korea. KAA is an opportunity for Sam to add a new tool to the advocacy toolbox that our community has long needed."
"It's also an opportunity for CKA," said Dr. Lee. "We intend to build upon our successes and accelerate our impact. The Council of Korean Americans will continue to tell the story of the Korean American experience, place young Korean Americans in positions of influence, and educate our country's leaders on issues of importance to Korean Americans everywhere."
Jessica Lee, CKA's director of policy and advocacy, has been named CKA's interim executive director. Jessica is a seasoned foreign policy professional with ten years of experience working in Washington, DC. Under Jessica's leadership, CKA significantly expanded its presence on Capitol Hill, White House and the State Department. CKA has also developed new partnerships with major think tanks, foundations, and community-based organizations. Jessica is a regular commentator in the media on Korean American issues and has organized public events featuring members of Congress and senior government officials throughout the country.
In 2016, Jessica successfully launched CKA's premier scholarship and leadership training program for college students called Public Service Internship Program, which tripled in size and expanded to two cities in two years.
"I was board chair when Jessica was hired in 2016 and have seen CKA grow under her leadership. Jessica will continue CKA's excellence in educational programs, leadership development, and policy initiatives, and she will provide continuity during this transition period," said John Lim, former CKA board chair and current board chair of KAA.
"Even as two legally separate organizations, CKA and KAA are working toward the same goals," added Mr. Lim. "Therefore we intend to work closely together."
Prior to its launch, KAA had already received $400,000 in funding, including a grant from a major foundation and three founding donors.
CKA will begin a national search for a new executive director in May.
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About the Council of Korean Americans
The Council of Korean Americans is a national, nonpartisan, nonprofit organization of successful Korean American leaders. Our mission is to increase the voice, visibility and influence of the Korean American community and to advance Korean American leadership everywhere. Please visit
www.councilka.org
for more information.
About Korean Americans in Action
KAA was created to take more direct action on the issues Korean Americans care about most. In 2018, KAA will tap unprecedented opportunities to elevate Korean Americans running for Congress and work for security and peace on the Korean peninsula. Please visit
kaaction.org
to register for updates.
