NIBRAAS KHAN

CANVASSER [she/her/hers]

As a second generation Bengali American, Nibraas engages with the local Twin Cities community to help address concerns including, but not limited to: youth liberation, queer support, immigration work, and voter engagement. She’s currently wrapping up her Global Studies degree at the University of Minnesota Twin Cities. In the future, Nibraas would love to work in health policy or law work that focuses on refugee and immigration rights. 

Nibraas also has a pet bunny that she really loves whose name is Bao. She loves spending her free time watching soccer (unfortunately a Manchester United fan), anime, movies, shows, reading, and consuming pop culture in general. Nibraas also daydreams about moving out and/or away and traveling the world. Also, please talk to her about literally anything.

KANLAYA THAO

CANVASSER [she/her/hers]

Kanlaya is a first-generation Hmong daughter. She is a badminton player, a college student, and a sister to 3 siblings. She is the second oldest but takes the role of a big sister. She is patient and helpfu. Kanlaya is an open-minded person, ready to learn new things about the world and about herself. She dream to become someone that will inspire others to do great things and reach their dreams and goals.

KHAI HOANG

CANVASSER [he/any]

Khai is a 1.5 generation Southeast Asian American. Immigrated from Vietnam to Minnesota as a young adolescent, they have been on a journey to learn what it means to navigate their identities as a diaspora with cultural roots in the Vietnamese Tày and Cantonese ethnicities. They find empowerment, strength, and resilience through their work in community building in the Twin Cities.

Khai majors in Family Social Science and is aspiring to become a Family and Marriage Therapist. Outside of work, he likes to sing, swim, binge watch movies/shows, go watch local theater productions, write, or dance at clubs.

SIUHO GONG

CANVASSER [she/her/hers]

Siuho is a transracial, intercountry Chinese adoptee. She is passionate about adoptee, racial, and queer issues. She also loves being involved in the Deaf community and can’t wait to graduate and become a sign language interpreter. Siuho grew up in California, and despite the fact she’s been here for years, she still has yet to adapt to the Minnesota winters. You can find her at events out in the community or watching YouTube videos and eating snacks in her apartment.

SUNNY XIONG

CANVASSER [she/her/hers]

This is Sunny Xiong and she is thrilled to join AAOP as their phone canvasser for this year’s election! Three things about her are that she loves cats, going cafe hopping, and in her downtime, she likes to watch a lot of movies. 

XANYEJ (sanh-yay) YANG

CANVASSER [he/him/his]

Xanyej, a Queer Hmong man, lives his life listening to Laufey, Faye Webster, and Tyler the Creator. He loves the warm weather and you’ll usually find him getting lost in the city or the forest. When he’s not outside you can find him playing Overwatch, Pokemon, and League (EW). When he’s not gaming and exploring, he is making keychains for himself. 

Xanyej also has a core Pokemon team consisting of: Turtwig, Lopunny, Altaria, Meowstic, Audino, and Goodra.  

JESSICA NAN

CANVASSER [she/her/hers]

Jessica is a first-generation Cambodian/Chinese American who aims to become a Clinical Therapist and help other minorities overcome mental health challenges, and bring a face to represent. She loves working with other people and helping them out with any struggles they are facing and how to navigate it through, whether it is through volunteering or own personal relationships. On top of not just people, she also loves volunteering and  working with animals too and also gives them a show of love and being cared for so they can also feel better.

She loves exploring outside, taking walks, jogging, playing musical instruments, hanging out with friends, drawing, playing video games, and likes bothering her cat.

KUE XIONG

CANVASSER [he/him/his]

Kue is an adventurer and avid lover of music and film. If he could do it all over again, journalism and sports writing would be it but in this lifetime, you can catch him DJing at your favorite show or biking across the city!

MARIA ODESSA HERNANDO

CANVASSER [she/her/hers]

Maria Odessa is currently finishing up her last two semesters of nursing school! Healthcare is all that she’s known, but knowing how important the upcoming election is, she is excited to be part of an amazing milestone to ensure that politicians are not taking away our rights to make our own healthcare decisions.

SULIN VANG

ORGANIZING INTERN [she/her/hers]

Sulin, a first-generation Hmong American, channels her passion into shedding light on the nuances of mental health and dismantling intergenerational trauma. She envisions a more equitable future for youths, providing them the opportunities to become successful leaders through AAOP. Beyond her advocacy, Sulin wears many hats: she’s a lover, a soulful poet, and an auntie to seven. In her free time, she enjoys experimenting with new recipes in the kitchen, grooving to her favorite tunes, and strolling with her dogs!