Episode description: In this field episode, Michelle takes viewers inside the Georgia State Capitol for a press conference marking the one-year commemoration of the Apalachee school shooting. Filmed on the Capitol steps, the episode captures the press conference, behind-the-scenes preparation, and conversations with students and families directly impacted by the tragedy. Through these voices, the episode centers the human cost of gun violence and the urgent need for prevention-focused policy. The day concludes with a media interview addressing school safety, gun-violence prevention, and the legislative path forward in Georgia.

Notes:

• Coverage of the Apalachee school shooting:
  • Everytown: What to Know About The Mass Shooting At Apalachee High School in Winder, GA
  • CNN: ‘Hard lockdown’: A timeline of the Apalachee High School shooting
  • Fox 5: One year since Apalachee High School shooting
• Gun safety prevention advocacy:
  • HB 1 Advocacy Toolkit
  • Georgia Majority for Gun Safety
  • Solutions | Everytown
  • Resources | Moms Demand Action
• Team Au’s gun safety legislative slate:
  • HB 1: Pediatric Health Safe Storage Act
  • HB 2: Safe Storage Tax Credit Act
  • HB 3: Brady Law Regulations; require universal background checks in all manner of firearm transfers
  • HB 4: Brady Law Regulations; three-day waiting period for purchase or transfer of certain firearms

Episode Description: Georgia’s Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities are growing — and so is their political influence. Michelle speaks with AAPI advocates, elected officials, and journalists about representation, civic engagement, and the power of storytelling in shaping Georgia’s political landscape.

Notes: Learn more about the advocates, officials, and journalists interviewed below:

Segment 1: Activism Old and New

• Lani Wong – Chair & Founding Member, National Association of Chinese Americans

Bio: https://www.naca-atlanta.org/team/lani-wong/

Lani Wong has been a tireless advocate for Georgia’s growing AAPI community for well over 40 years. She is regarded around the US as one of the foremost AAPI advocates in the entire country. Her work has been an integral part of the AAPI community’s increased political participation in Georgia that we see today. Lani was appointed to the Asian-American Commission for a New Georgia and the Georgia Human Relations Commission by Governor Roy Barnes, was made chair of the first Georgia Commission on Asian-American Affairs by Governor Sunny Purdue, and served under Atlanta Mayors Kasim Reed and Shirley Franklin.

Segment 2: AAPI Voices Under the Gold Dome

• Rep. Sam Park – Representative, Georgia State House of Representatives, HD 107

Bio: https://www.legis.ga.gov/api/document/docs/default-source/bios/park-sam-4901.pdf

Representative Sam Park has served in the Georgia State Legislature since 2017. He currently serves as the House of Representatives Minority Whip. In his time under the Gold Dome, Whip Park has introduced comprehensive civil rights legislation, co-sponsored legislation to expand Medicaid in Georgia and defeated discriminatory legislation targeted at minority communities. He also serves on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Judicial, Ethics, Higher Education, Industry and Labor, Intragovernmental Coordination and Technology & Infrastructure Innovation committees, as well as an Ex-Officio member of the Rules Committee.

• Rep. Long Tran – Representative, Georgia State House of Representatives, HD 80

Bio: Representative Long Tran has served in the Georgia State Legislature since 2023. Long is the son of Vietnamese refugees and is a small business owner of the beloved Peachy Corners Cafe. He is one of the most outspoken voices at the Capitol for the AAPI community against discriminatory legislation, and a champion for small businesses. He serves on the Creative Arts & Entertainment Natural Resources & Environment Technology and Infrastructure Innovation.

Segment 3 - Representation Through Reporting

• Li Wong – Founder, CEO & Publisher, Georgia Asian Times

Bio: Li Wong is the founder of Georgia Asian Times and a pioneer of Georgia’s AAPI Community. Georgia Asian Times is the largest digital news media outlet that covers Georgia’s diverse AAPI community. Beyond their extensive coverage of the AAPI community, Georgia Asian Times covers finance, health, lifestyles, food, arts, entertainment, and events. In addition, they consistently host enlightening conversations with local and state officials, electeds, and community leaders to provide Georgians with more insight into the goings-on of their state.

This field episode gives a behind-the-scenes look at how Michelle creates space for constituents to share concerns and priorities. Filmed on location at one of Johns Creek’s favorite local restaurants, Arepita Cafe, this field episode highlights how listening to community voices directly shapes policy decisions at the Georgia State Capitol.

Notes:

This town hall episode was originally recorded on October 28th, 2025. At the time, the US federal government was in the midst of its longest shutdown in history. Much of the discussion on the day surrounded the fallout from the government shutdown including the cutting of SNAP benefits and other crucial services that hurt hundreds of thousands of Georgians. Then, we discussed state level policy related to smoking and vaping, specifically the prevalence in schools. This episode was filmed just a week before municipal elections, so we also discussed local elections and ballot referendums including a vote on a performing arts center in the district.