(PHILADELPHIA, PA) – Second Generation, the federal political action committee that seeks to empower immigrant communities in the political process, kicked off its engagement in the 2020 Democratic primary by announcing  endorsements for two South Asian Americans running for state office in Pennsylvania: Nina Ahmad and Nikil Saval, both of Philadelphia. Ahmad is running for Pennsylvania Auditor General. Saval is running to represent the First Senatorial District of Pennsylvania. 

“It’s truly historic to see not one, but two, South Asian Americans running competitive races for major political office,” said Siobhan Lyons, Chair of Second Generation. “We applaud Nina and Nikil for infusing the political landscape with new energy and pledging to use their platforms to fight for marginalized immigrant communities.”

Ahmad, who lives in Mt. Airy, came to the United States from Bangladesh at the age of 21. A scientist and staunch advocate of human rights, Ahmad has served as Deputy Mayor of Public Engagement under Mayor Jim Kenney; on the Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders under President Obama; and as President of the Philadelphia chapter of the National Organization of Women.

"I am thrilled and honored to receive this endorsement,” said Ahmad. “As an immigrant without an extensive support system, validation of my candidacy by Second Generation is critical and affirming. I am committed to working towards a ‘more perfect union’ so all communities can thrive, regardless of where they were born."

Saval, who resides in South Philadelphia, is the son of immigrants from Bangalore, India.  He is an acclaimed author and thought leader on issues ranging from architecture to labor and employment.  A longtime community organizer and co-founder of Reclaim Philadelphia, Saval has successfully built diverse coalitions to advance progressive candidates and issues across Philadelphia.

"As the child of immigrants from India, I am proud to have earned the support of Second Generation,” said Saval. “The First Senate District is increasingly diverse and comprised of immigrants from all over the world. As a child, I learned the importance of hospitality, refuge, and asylum, and the need to have solidarity among immigrants and people of color, regardless of documentation. I'm committed to fighting xenophobia, racism, and ignorance at a local level, and to expanding the public goods and services available to all people."

The candidacies of Ahmad and Saval launch from foundations that they each built in 2018.  That spring, Ahmad was the runner-up in the competitive five-way Democratic primary election for Lieutenant Governor, finishing ahead of the incumbent as well as all other candidates from Southeastern Pennsylvania. Then, as part of the historic reformation of Philadelphia’s 2nd ward, Saval became the first Asian American in city history to be elected as a Democratic ward leader. 

Through endorsements and financial resources, Second Generation promotes the political engagement of immigrant communities that have not been fully included in the political process where they live. Last year, SecGen’s inaugural slate propelled the historic victories of trailblazers like Philadelphia City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier and Chester County Prothonotary Debbie Bookman. 

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Executive Director Ryan Alsayegh (ryan@secgenpac.org)

(Pittsburgh, PA) – Second Generation began its second year of operations today by announcing the election of Allegheny County Democrat Bhavini Patel to its Board.

“Our diverse and dynamic Board made last year’s victories in Southeastern Pennsylvania possible,” said Joe Khan, Chair of Second Generation.  “As we kick off 2020, we’re delighted that Bhavini’s leadership and energy will help drive our mission to empower marginalized immigrant communities across Pennsylvania.”

Bhavini Patel is the CEO and co-founder of beamdata, a civic tech company that operates at the intersection of social issues and data. Last year, Bhavini finished second in a competitive three-way race for Allegheny County Council District 8.  She currently serves as the Vice Chair of the Edgewood Democratic Committee and will be joining the Emerge PA 2020 cohort. As a Pittsburgh native, Bhavini volunteers her time on the Boards of several nonprofits including the Bhutanese Community Association of Pittsburgh and Civically Inc, which is a Wilkinsburg-based nonprofit dedicated to community development. She graduated from the University of Oxford as a Rotary Global Grant Scholar and the University of Pittsburgh. Most recently, she was recognized as 30 Under 30 by the Pittsburgh Business Times and The Incline's Who's Next Politics 2018. 

Second Generation Board members Majid Alsayegh, Maryam Deloffre, Dr. Asif Hussain, Siobhán Lyons, Emily Rodriguez, Andy Toy, Shailah Yazdani and Kay Yu joined Khan in welcoming Patel. 

Through endorsements and financial resources, Second Generation promotes the political engagement of immigrant communities that have not been fully included in the political process where they live.  Last year, SecGen’s inaugural slate propelled the historic victories of several trailblazers in Southeastern Pennsylvania, including incoming Philadelphia City Councilmember Jamie Gauthier. 

(COATESVILLE, PA) – Second Generation, a federal political action committee that seeks to empower immigrant communities in the political process, announced today its endorsement of Debbie Bookman, Democrat for Chester County Prothonotary. 

“As a woman of color, a survivor of domestic violence, and a first generation American, Debbie understands the need for government services to be accessible, inclusive, and transparent,” said Joe Khan, Chair of Second Generation. “Having triumphed over great adversity, Debbie now leads the way for all of Chester County, especially those who need a champion in government.” 

Debbie is currently a member of the Coatesville City Council, where she was elected as a write-in candidate by the people of Coatesville. As a Councilwoman, she has been a persistent advocate for making government more transparent, inclusive, and responsive to the needs of marginalized communities. 

“My parents always considered themselves blessed to be able to come to America from the Caribbean to make a better life for themselves,” said Bookman. “I am so grateful to receive the endorsement of Second Generation. With their help I will be able to carry on my parent’s legacy of helping others.” 

Through endorsements and financial resources, Second Generation promotes the political engagement of immigrant communities that have not been fully included in the political process where they live.  SecGen’s inaugural slate is recently propelled the historic victories of several trailblazers, including Philadelphia City Council candidate Jamie Gauthier. 

For more on Debbie and how to support her campaign, visit here.

(HORSHAM, PA) – Second Generation, the federal political action committee that seeks to empower immigrant communities in the political process, announced today its first endorsement in the November general election. 

Joe Khan, Chair of Second Generation, announced that the PAC’s Board unanimously voted to endorse Natasha Bagchi for Horsham Township Council.

“We applaud Natasha’s courage in taking on corruption and fighting for a safe environment,” said Khan. “This daughter of South Asian immigrants has energized communities of color and other marginalized groups by giving them hope at a time it is sorely needed. We are proud to stand with Natasha as she fights for Horsham families like hers.” 

Bagchi is one of two Democrats seeking a seat on Horsham Township Council, which is currently controlled by Republicans.  This is her first campaign for public office. 

“America can be a fair and inclusive country, but there needs to be tremendous efforts from groups like Second Generation to pave the way and make it a reality,” said Bagchi. “I proudly accept this endorsement so that we can build on the vision of our founding fathers by working with all communities, immigrant or not, to drive out hate and fear and push in respect and love.” 

Bagchi is a marketing executive who focuses on programs to help cancer patients during treatment. She and her husband Indranil are long time Horsham residents whose children have played for Horsham Soccer, swam for HHAA, and played basketball for H-Hoops. Natasha also volunteers to help other children by fighting child trafficking and hunger in America. 

Through endorsements and financial resources, Second Generation promotes the political engagement of immigrant communities that have not been fully included in the political process where they live.  Second Generation’s inaugural slate recently propelled the historic victories of several trailblazers, including Philadelphia City Council candidate Jamie Gauthier. 

For more on Natasha and how to support her campaign, visit here.

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Executive Director Ryan Alsayegh (ryan@secgenpac.org)

(Philadelphia, PA) – Second Generation, the federal political action committee that empowers marginalized immigrant communities, announced today the appointment of Emily Rodriguez and Kay Yu to its Board.

“We owe so much of this year’s success – from the electoral victories of SecGen candidates Jamie Gauthier and Anthony Kyriakakis to our voter engagement in Philadelphia’s immigrant communities – to our diverse and dynamic Board,” said Joe Khan, Chair of Second Generation.  “Emily and Kay are amazing women who will help us build on the accomplishments of our inaugural election cycle and expand our reach as an organization.”

Emily Rodriguez is dedicated to building resilient democracy everywhere, a passion sparked in Venezuela where she lived as a teenager. Throughout her career, she has trained activists and election observers around the world, including in El Salvador, Turkey, Ghana, Liberia, Lebanon, Ecuador, Zimbabwe, and Nigeria. Before joining a DC-based think tank which focuses on how global challenges play out in Europe and the United States, Emily spent almost a decade in Philadelphia working in domestic politics, strategic communications, and organized labor. Fluent in Spanish, French, and Italian (and working on German and Turkish), the Pennsylvania native holds a master’s degree in international development from Sciences Po Paris and a bachelor’s degree from American University’s School of International Service. Emily has been a political partner with the Truman National Security Project since 2013.  “Emily is not only a superstar,” said Khan, “she is also an ideal person to help our federal PAC expand upon the important work we did in Philadelphia last May.”

Kay Yu is an award-winning attorney, arbitrator, and legal scholar. An immigrant who became out of status as a small child, Kay has dedicated her career to advocating for traditionally marginalized communities. She is a graduate of Columbia University and Georgetown University Law Center, and served as the Chairperson of the Philadelphia Commission on Human Relations.  In 2018, Kay was recognized by the Philadelphia Bar Association as a recipient of its acclaimed Justice Sonia Sotomayor Diversity Award and was named Attorney of the Year by the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Pennsylvania. The following year, Second Generation gave its first ever endorsement to Kay’s trailblazing campaign for judge in the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas.  “We were so proud to support Kay earlier this year, and even more grateful that she now continues to pave the way for others,” said Khan.

Board members Majid Alsayegh, Maryam Deloffre, Dr. Asif Hussain, Siobhán Lyons , Andy Toy, and Shailah Yazdani joined Khan in welcoming Rodriguez and Yu to the Board. Second Generation is a nonconnected federal political action committee whose mission is to promote the political engagement of immigrant communities that have not been fully included in the political process where they live.