We are the ones we have been waiting for.

Dear LavNix Community,

I am sending my most heartfelt greetings to you. As many of you already know, my name is Tina, and I’m humbled to officially step into the Executive Director role of LavNix. 

First, I’d like to acknowledge what’s happening in Minnesota and extend solidarity to people on the ground resisting unchecked brutal actions of ICE. From the Bay to Minnesota, from Venezuela to Palestine, everyday people are showing what it looks like to defend and protect our communities and neighbors in the face of escalating imperialist state violence.

In my transition into becoming the Executive Director, I have felt the warmth and trust you have extended to me in my first six months of joining LavNix. Through this time, I have also felt fear and rage that has shaken my spirit, making me feel a nervousness deep in my belly about stepping fully into this role during this time of heightened state violence. There was a moment in my journey when I wondered if I really have what it takes to lead this organization. When I opened up to my team, they listened with kindness and compassion that reassured me that they have my back–that I am not alone. I am learning that sharing my doubts and fears, rather than hiding them, builds deeper connection, interdependence and strength.

This moment is asking us to reach into our deepest, most embodied sense of faith and courage in our collective power in order to change this world. As state violence and authoritarianism continue to intensify, more immigrant families are being violently torn apart and neighbors are being abducted. More neighbors in our cities find themselves homeless and hungry. Peoples’ organizations are being systematically attacked. The accumulation of sadness and grief from witnessing and experiencing unjust crises year after year can feel unbearable.

LavNix has given me hope in the midst of relentless attacks, as we continue to provide a steady political home for trans and queer APIs, a home where we practice the alternative systems of care and safety our people deserve. 

The last year has brought remarkable achievements that highlights our collective impact. Key highlights include: 

• We are growing our Care Not Cops Coalition! 15+ organizational partners have joined us to protect key services by demanding $160 million be redirected from San Francisco policing. 
• We keep us safe! LavNix Community Safety members hosted a national training, where 300+ participants learned de-escalation skills. 
• We practice community care! LavNix Healing Justice members organized 17 free counseling sessions to TGNCI API people from across the country.
• We are growing our fighting capacity! We engaged 40+ trans and queer APIs across our Leadership Development and membership programs.
• We practice cultural resistance! We engaged 70+ trans and queer APIs & allies to attend cultural organizing workshops and activities. 
• We Keep LavNix Rooted! Powered by our grassroots community, volunteers and donors successfully raised over $52K from 350 donors during our campaign. This is part of nearly $200K raised from individual donors to sustain and grow LavNix. Join our community of supporters and DONATE HERE!
• We are a part of a movement ecosystem! LavNix is continuing to grow its leadership in Grassroots Asians Rising and The Rising Majority. 
• We celebrated our dear friend Yuan and her brilliant leadership. Yuan has stewarded LavNix to grow and transform in member leadership, staff and scale up our fighting capacity in ways the organization only imagined just 5 years ago. 

These major accomplishments reflect the love and dedication of all of you: our members, leaders, staff team, comrades, and supporters who keep us going. In 2026, we will be updating our Theory of Change, growing people power through our campaign and programs, and investing in movement partnerships that keep working-class, immigrant, disabled, trans, and queer people at the center. 

June Jordan said “We are the ones we have been waiting for”. What excites me most is not just a sharper organizational plan, but the possibility of a deeper shared “we”, a we that sheds light on our darkest shadows and makes us feel more whole as humans and more connected as we live out our shared purpose. Together, we will build something even more transformative, loving, and powerful than what any of us could imagine alone. 

Makibaka! Huwag Matakot! (Continue the Fight! Don’t be Afraid!)

With heartfelt gratitude and care,

Tina (she/siya) | Executive Director

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