Murphy makes appointments to AAPI Commission

Gov. Phil Murphy announced 27 appointments May 18 to the New Jersey Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Commission.

The Commission, housed within the Department of State, was established after Murphy signed legislation in November. Under the law, the AAPI is charged with developing policies to address the social and economic needs of the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in New Jersey, and is required to submit an annual report to the governor and the Legislature.

“In New Jersey, we wear our diversity as a badge of honor,” said Murphy. “As our state is home to the third-largest percentage of APPI residents in the nation, our AAPI community is a key part of the great diversity in our state. I am proud to appoint these outstanding members to the New Jersey Asian American and Pacific Islander Commission and look forward to working with them to address the social and economic needs of the AAPI community.”

“This commission will give greater voice to an Asian American and Pacific Islander community that is making increasingly important contributions to New Jersey’s social and economic vitality,” said Senate President Nick Scutari, D-22nd District. “They also face adverse challenges that we all have a responsibility to overcome. The active engagement of the AAPI community reinforces our shared recognition that New Jersey’s diversity is a source of strength.”

“New Jersey’s greatest asset is our diversity and with the formation of the Asian American Pacific Islander Commission we’re taking a crucial step to elevate their important social and economic contributions,” said Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, D-19th District. “With meaningful experience in grassroots engagement of members of the AAPI community, I am proud to make Saketa Chadalavada my appointment to the Commission and confident in his capacity to deepen the strong cross-cultural relationships that fortify our state’s unique and inclusive identity.”

“I would like to express my profound thanks to Governor Murphy and our state legislators for making this crucial long-term commitment to the social and economic welfare of New Jersey’s 1+ million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders,” said Amber Reed, co-founder and president of AAPI Montclair. “I am honored to bring professional experience advancing equity in public education through research, policy, and data analysis to the commission’s work, and am grateful to the Governor for ensuring grassroots voices such as AAPI Montclair will be centered and heard as we seek to advance policies that plant the seeds of generational change for all of New Jersey’s wonderfully diverse AAPI communities.”