PURPOSE

The purpose of the Asian Pacific Islander Employee Resource Group (API ERG) is to promote employee

engagement, networking, and a place of belonging for City of Sacramento API employees.

BACKGROUND

For 15 years, from 2004 through 2018, City employees from different departments came together and

formed a committee to plan, organize, and deliver an annual cultural food luncheon featuring Asian

and Pacific Islander food and entertainment for all City employees to enjoy. The annual Asian Pacific

American (APA) Cultural Luncheon hosted upwards of 400+ city employees annually, sharing teriyaki

chicken (barbecued on‐site) along with cuisine from local restaurants including chow mein, fried rice,

sushi, lotus root salad, roasted pork, samosas, chapchae, babingka, and more. Luncheon guests were

treated to the sights and sounds of taiko drums, hula dance, a fashion show, martial arts demonstrations,

and musical performances, among the featured entertainment over the years. The organizing committee,

along with many of the volunteers who helped provide these annual events, committed their time and

effort, year after year, working together for the common goal of sharing food, culture, and fun. What grew

out of this annual activity was essentially a community group of employees with common interests

and culture, employee engagement, increased cultural awareness, and networking.

In the years following the last APA luncheon, interest emerged to form a group to rekindle the sense

of community, resource, and support. With support from the City Manager’s Office, the Office

of Diversity and Equity, and the office of Councilmember Mai Vang, city staff formed the

Asian Pacific Islander Employee Resource Group (API ERG). The API ERG was formed in April 2021.