Victoria's Platform
Why am I running?
I'm running because I believe change happens through representation.
I want to hear the voices of all, not just the loudest. Advocating for the underserved and most at risk in the community has given me the "ah-ha" moment that elected officials have a responsibility to actively get to know their constituents. When we take the time to say seek out our neighbors to say hello and ask questions, we can get a better understanding of what is and isn't working.
I want to get people excited about local politics because we need more individuals like myself in leadership: a progressive woman and person of color. Let's be honest; local politics doesn't have a reputation for being sexy. But local politics is influential and affects our daily lives even more so than federal politics. To get people excited about politics, we need to do more outreach to diverse voices and at younger ages.
I want to hold fellow elected officials accountable to serving in the best interest of the people they represent. Seems like this should be a no brainer. Elected officials are elected because their communities believe in them to act in the best interest of the people that got them there. Can I confidently say this is happening? No. And that's why I want the responsibility of holding my fellow elected officials accountable.
What are my goals?
I want to know who you are. If I'm not talking to you, I don't know what's going on. I will be present within the community to seek out the problems, work with you on solutions, and represent your voice.
Increase voter turnout for communities of color. Our community needs new faces with fresh ideas. I want to get you involved, whether organizing an event for new voters on why local politics matter, showing up a community board meeting, or being a poll worker for the first time. If we can have more diverse voices, we can shift the landscape to more progressive policies and ideas that benefit all.
Empower small businesses to thrive. Small businesses are a lifeline for community residents and the fabric of New York City's culture. COVID exasperated the already worsening situation for our beloved small businesses by exposing bureaucratic red tape, the volatile nature of the city's small business landscape, and the inability to effectively provide solutions. I want to look at how we provide equitable access to funding and resources, including increasing language access and pushing for more collaboration with community based groups.
NO to the mega jail. More jails is not the answer. The proposed $8 billion mega jail in the midst of a budget crisis not only diverts funding to more crucial programs, but will negatively impact Chinatown's future. Chinatown is a historical and cultural enclave that deserves community preservation, not a jail that will further harm marginalized communities.
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I’m a born & raised New Yorker with the tenacious spirit needed to make an impact for the city I love. I grew up in Brooklyn, New York and made weekly Sunday visits to Chinatown for dinners in my late grandmother’s apartment. Those weekly visits led me to fall in love with Chinatown because the neighborhood helped shape me to become the strong and proud Asian American woman I am today.
Over the decades, I've seen Chinatown and Lower East Side evolve. Gentrification will displace residents and small businesses that are integral to the fabric of the community. I want a world where future generations can experience the authentic grit of Chinatown and LES that I have grown to love.
In March 2020, I co-founded Welcome to Chinatown, a grassroots nonprofit with the mission of community preservation through empowering small business owners and amplifying the voices of those most at risk. By creating an outlet for social good that bridges cultural and generational gaps, Welcome to Chinatown has championed for change. My organization has secured over $1 million for Chinatown, launched a grant program to address the lack of funding access to POC and non-English speaking business owners, facilitated COVID-19 vaccine appointments for the senior population, provided hot meals to community pantries, and led awareness campaigns to divert more investments into the community.
I am an industry recognized corporate travel & meetings professional at a Fortune 500 company and the Co-Chair of their Asian Affinity Group. My forward thinking, innovative approach has led me to previously serve as the Professional Convention Management Association’s Director of Programming and National Student University Chair, and alpha Kappa Delta Phi Sorority’s Officer of Internal Affairs. All of these roles have allowed me to push for equity and inclusion in representation. I will carry that same passion to local politics to ensure I am an elected official for all voices.
Meet Victoria
Photo credit: Alan Chin