inspired by the women’s march in 2017
we work towards a more equitable nation for all
by empowering citizens and amplifying voices
Help us make a difference.
It all begins with an idea. That’s what we had when coming back from the women’s march- and we knew there was no time to waste.
Mala Patel, cofounder
Mala Patel is an activist and community organizer who serves to uphold equality and justice for all. She particularly focuses her efforts on the areas of domestic violence, health disparities, youth leadership, civic engagement and education. She works to improve the lives of Asian Americans. She is the co-founder of the Tri-State Chapter of the Asian American Action Fund. She’s served on the board of Asian Community Alliance, Inc, The Seven Hills School and has been on the advisory board Of Great Oaks Vocational School. Mala’s work with Asian Community Alliance involved working with Asian community leaders and local agencies to develop programs and offer services that address the specific social and economic needs Of Asian-Americans. Some key areas of accomplishment: Managed the development, distribution, collection, analysis and publication of an assessment of healthcare and other needs of the Asian American population in Greater Cincinnati; Developed and conducted domestic violence awareness programs specific to several Asian cultures, and hotline with the ability to have a language translator on the call if needed; Developed a youth leadership program and parenting workshops; Created a college scholarship program; and Planned bi-annual symposiums on topics including elder care, bullying, mental health, immigration, health disparities, language barriers. Mala has earned her MBA from Wright State University and her BS from University of California Davis.
Lisa Kuan, cofounder
Lisa Kuan is a Developmental Pediatrician at Cincinnati Children’s Hospital, who has been working her entire career for the most vulnerable people of her community: children. Growing up as the first person of color in her school, race and ethnicity were not things to be proud of or celebrated, but to hid and “overcome”, in order to fit in. Her Chinese heritage was often a focus of other’s bullying. But her parents’ determination that she could rise above others’ expectations and achieve whatever she wanted through hard work and honesty are still principles to live by.
As a Pediatric Resident in the South Side of Chicago, at the University of Chicago, the plight of poor children, especially black and brown children, was especially evident and dire. Her early career was spent mostly with the poorest children in Cincinnati, as an outreach pediatrician for the Health Alliance of University of Cincinnati. As the clinics in the city folded and dissolved, she re-trained to become a Developmental Pediatrician. Her patients are the often marginalized, overlooked, and among the neediest children in our society. With this as her career and calling, it is no surprise after the 2016 election, there was a sense of doom and urgency, that sitting on the sidelines was no longer an option. Voting was not enough. She attended the Women’s March in DC in January, 2017, with Mala Patel, and they decided to start the Tri-State AAAF.
Black and Brown people matter, they are the backbone of this nation. One’s heritage should be something to be proud of, our nation would not exist but for people of different ethnicities and races. Being a Chinese American is something to celebrate along with all peoples. For too long, people who felt unseen, have been silent and felt that their vote or voice did not matter. It is more obvious than ever before that this is not true and that we must embrace our importance as voters and politicians.
Jennifer Russel
Growing up on a farm in Iowa, but having lived in Cincinnati for 45 years, including receiving her bachelor’s and master’s degrees at the University of Cincinnati, Jennifer is a true Cincinnatian. Retiring from Children’s Hospital Medical Center as a pediatric nurse practitioner several years ago, she now assists with childcare for her 4 grandchildren, all under the age of 10 years. After the election of 2016, Jennifer became determined to do whatever she could to make a difference. She is committed to leaving her grandchildren an intact planet as well as an intact democracy. Jennifer knows that this requires dedication, as well as participation from all of us. We cannot afford to become complacent.