Karen K. Narasaki, president and executive director of the Asian American Justice

Karen K. Narasaki, president and executive director of the Asian American Justice Center, announced her plans to leave the organization in the first quarter of 2012.
AAJC is preparing to celebrate its 20th anniversary. With a strong board, staff and senior management team in place, Narasaki believes this is the best time to pursue interests she has developed on broader race and globalization issues during her time leading the nation’s most powerful Asian American civil rights organization.

“I’m very proud of the organization that AAJC has become. It plays an incredibly important role in Washington, D.C. and around the nation,” Narasaki said. “I’m confident that AAJC has a strong foundation and is well positioned to not only continue, but to expand its work in advancing the civil and human rights of Asian Americans and in being a leading national voice for justice and equality in America.”

Narasaki has built AAJC, a member of the Asian American Center for Advancing Justice, into a formidable advocate for civil rights, immigrant rights and other human rights issues, as well as broken down many barriers to ensure that Asian Americans have a seat at the table on myriad issues impacting the community.

Narasaki led AAJC in successfully defeating legislation designed to erode the family immigration system; helping to pass stronger hate crimes and voting rights laws; ensuring a more accurate census count for AAPIs; preserving Asian American participation in affirmative action programs; and pushing for diversity programs in media and other corporations to ensure Asian Americans are not left behind. Under her leadership, AAJC also played a vital role in advocating for and shaping the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders and the presidential executive order that mandates greater access in federally funded programs for limited English proficient immigrants.
“While I am stepping down from the leadership of AAJC, I intend to continue cheering AAJC on and pushing for fairness and equality wherever life takes me,” Narasaki continued. “I am honored to be associated with the incredible staff and board at AAJC and our affiliate partners in the Asian American Center for Advancing Justice.”

In her role as vice-chair at the Leadership Conference on Civil and Human Rights, Narasaki has increasingly led efforts to break down the narrow factions that have hampered the progressive movement and to use a broader human rights approach to civil rights work. Over the years she helped to found the National APA Women’s Forum, Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies and coalitions including the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans and the Asian Pacific American Media Coalition. Narasaki has also played a major role in establishing the Broadband Opportunity Coalition, Reform Immigration for America and the Rights Working Group, a coalition of advocacy groups that work to protect civil liberties and human rights for all people in the U.S.

AAJC’s Board of Directors, working with an experienced consultant, will conduct a national search to find Narasaki’s successor. The search is expected to begin in July and be completed by the end of the year. To ensure a smooth transition, Narasaki will work with the board, staff and new executive director in an advisory role.

“We’re sad to see Karen leave AAJC,” said Paul W. Lee, AAJC’s board chair. “She leaves behind a great legacy, and while it’s going to be tough filling her shoes we’re confident we’ll find a candidate that will help AAJC continue to make progress toward its vision for the AAPI community and build on 20 years of excellent work.”

AAJC will establish a legacy fund in Narasaki’s honor to support work that is most aligned with her human and civil rights interests. Visit the website, www.advancingequality.org, to learn more and stay up-to-date.