Biography
Grace Pai is the Executive Director of Asian Americans Advancing Justice | Chicago, where she leads strategy for issue-based campaigns and power-building work. As an experienced community organizer with a demonstrated history of working to advance racial, economic, and environmental justice, Grace’s commitment to community combines legislative advocacy, grassroots organizing, coalition building, and leadership development to advance social change. In 2021, she led the successful campaign to require Asian American history to be taught in all Illinois public schools through the TEAACH Act – making Illinois the first state in the country to do so. She serves as the founding Executive Director of Asian American Midwest Progressives, a political organization established in 2019 that supports progressive candidates for elected office, and a board member of KAN-WIN, a direct service organization dedicated to ending gender-based violence in the Asian American community and beyond. Grace is also a 2021 recipient of the Leaders for a New Chicago Award and a member of the 2024 class of Leadership Greater Chicago.
Articles, Publications, and Appearances
Asian American Advocates Call on Illinois Lawmakers to Address Immigration and Language Services | Chicago News | WTTW
Our Chicago: Changing the Narrative celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month – ABC7 Chicago
Legislation Would Help Non-English Speakers Access Government Services in Illinois | Latino Voices | Chicago News | WTTW
The movement to teach AAPI history in public schools is growing—here’s the impact (cnbc.com)
Illinois Becomes First State to Require Asian American History to be Taught in Public Schools | Chicago News | WTTW
Why Illinois’s new law requiring Asian American history in schools is so significant – Vox
Asian American History Law Aims ‘To Continue To Tell Those Stories And Keep Them Alive’ | NPR Illinois
Chicago Innovators: A Leader For A New Chicago | WBEZ Chicago
Best of: Asian American History required in IL schools | The 21st Show | Illinois Public Media
Chicago Tonight | Local Asian American Leaders Advocate for Political Causes | Season 2023 | PBS
Chicago mayor election: Asian American groups host forum with 8 candidates; Lori Lightfoot not attending – ABC7 Chicago
OpEd: Here’s Why We Need Asian American History Right Now (edpost.com)
Our Chicago: Advocates discuss growing Chinatown community, efforts to stop hate crimes for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month – ABC7 Chicago