First Afghan American sworn in for US Congress

US CONGRESS

Representative Aisha Wahab is the first Afghan American to serve in the US Congress.

History was made on Capitol Hill Wednesday as progressive trailblazer Aisha Wahab was officially sworn into the US House of Representatives. Administered by House Speaker Mike Johnson, the Sept. 1 ceremony marks a monumental milestone for representation: Wahab is the first Afghan American to serve in Congress.

For the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community, it is another powerful step forward in seeing our diverse narratives reflected at the highest levels of government. 

Rep. Wahab will represent California’s 14th Congressional District, a vibrant, diverse slice of the East Bay that includes southern Alameda County and the Tri-Valley area—hubs like Fremont, Hayward, Livermore, Dublin, and Pleasanton, communities that host large communities of Chinese, Vietnamese and South Asians.

A historic victory 

Wahab’s path to Washington came via an emergency special election runoff on August 18, 2026. She was elected to fill the vacancy left by former Representative Eric Swalwell, who stepped down in April amid allegations of sexual misconduct.

The 39-year-old Democrat is no stranger to breaking barriers. Before heading to D.C., she served on the Hayward City Council and later made history as the first Muslim and Afghan American elected to the California State Senate.

In her deeply moving maiden speech on the House floor, Wahab didn’t shy away from her roots. She spoke directly from her lived experience as a daughter of Afghan refugees and a child raised in the foster care system.

“I walked into Congress carrying the beating heart of a former foster care kid,” Wahab said.

'Little Kabul'

For anyone who knows the East Bay, it is no surprise that Wahab’s historic journey to Capitol Hill began in Fremont and Hayward. These two cities aren't just parts of California's 14th Congressional District; they are the literal beating heart of the Afghan diaspora and the broader South Asian community in America.

Wahab’s personal story is deeply woven into this local landscape. While she currently calls Hayward home—the city where she first broke barriers on the city council in 2018 — she was raised in neighboring Fremont, where she was adopted out of the foster care system by an Afghan American family.

For the AANHPI community, these cities represent a powerful hub of culture, resilience, and growing political representation home of the largest concentration of Afghans in the United States and at its heart is "Little Kabul."

The roots of this community date back to the late 1970s and 1980s, when refugees fled the Soviet-Afghan War. They found a welcoming home in the East Bay, establishing a sanctuary that has embraced subsequent generations of arrivals.

Fremont and the surrounding Tri-Valley area aren't just a hub for the Afghan diaspora; they also house one of the most vibrant Indian American and broader South Asian communities in the country.

From the historic gurudwaras and mandirs to bustling commercial districts, South Asian heritage is visible on nearly every corner.

This massive demographic shift has turned the local electorate into a sophisticated political force. Wahab's rise to federal office is part of a broader, historic wave of South Asian and AANHPI leaders claiming their seats at the table.

View from the edge

While Wahab's historic win secures her seat for the remainder of the current term, the work is far from over. This is a short-term sprint with a long-term goal: Wahab will face her opponent in the special election, fellow Democrat Melissa Hernandez  in the upcoming November 3, Midterms to fight for a full, two-year term.

When Wahab speaks on the House floor about the struggles of working-class families and immigrants, she is speaking directly from the lived experience of the communities that raised her.

Rather than focusing on partisanship, she used her national platform to demand action on the systemic crises hitting working-class families daily—centering her message on affordable housing, healthcare equity, and the skyrocketing cost of living.

With Wahab taking her seat, the House now stands at 433 active members. Her presence brings the Democratic caucus to 214 seats, tightening the margins and ensuring that a progressive, underrepresented voice will be right in the thick of the legislative battles ahead.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. If you find this perspective interesting, please repost.

Wave of Asian players and fans wash over the US Open; Eala, Pegula, Fernandez, Osaka advance

Alexandra Eala brought her game and Eala Mania to the US Open.

As the first week of the US Open Tennis Championships heats up, players of Asian heritage are making serious noise in Flushing Meadows, literally and figuratively.

From rising phenoms to battle-tested veterans, along with Eala's enthusiastic fan base, the Asian American community's presence is dominating the courts.

Philippine flags fluttered all around Armstrong Court Monday evening in support of the Phiippine sensation who has captured the hearts and hopes of the Filipino diaspora and the Big Apple's media always on the lookout for the next big thing.

Eala’s revenge

Filipina sensation Alexandra Eala is leaving no doubt that she belongs on the grand stage. After dismantling American qualifier Mary Stoiana 6-1, 6-2 in her opening match, the 17th seed is moving directly into a high-stakes rematch.

On Thursday, September 3, Eala will face Ukraine's Oleksandra Oliynykova in a second-round blockbuster. There is history here: Oliynykova holds a 1-0 head-to-head advantage, having bounced Eala in a grueling three-set battle (3-6, 7-5, 6-3) on the Strasbourg clay back in May. But New York's fast hard courts are Eala's backyard. 

Coming off her maiden WTA 500 title in Washington — where she systematically took down top-tier talent — the 21-year-old trailblazer has the momentum and a fiercely vocal fan base ready to blow the roof off the stadium.

Pegula vs. Fernandez

Fans won't have to wait long for the tournament's first true popcorn match between two former US Open finalists. On Friday, September 4, 3rd seed Jessica Pegula (who is of Korean descent) will clash with 31st seed. Filipino Canadian Leylah Fernandez, in the Round of 32.

Both stars breezed through their second-round matchups. Pegula cruised past Sofia Kenin 6-3, 6-1, while Fernandez handled Thailand's Mananchaya Sawangkaew 6-4, 6-1. This upcoming Friday showdown marks the fifth professional meeting between the two, with Pegula leading their head-to-head rivalry 3-1.

While Pegula dominated their last meeting under the Miami sun, Fernandez has proven she can disrupt the American's rhythm on fast hard courts. With a spot in the second week on the line, expect absolute fireworks.

Osaka makes a fashion & on-court statement

If you’re talking about cultural impact and tennis royalty at Flushing Meadows, you cannot leave Naomi Osaka out of the conversation. The two-time champion did what she does best: grabbed the spotlight and refused to let go. [

The 13th-seeded Japanese star stepped onto the Arthur Ashe Stadium court looking less like a tennis player and more like a Hall of Fame point guard. Rocking a dramatic Nike black-on-black kit complete with a signature headband and arm sleeve, Osaka explicitly stated her look was a tribute to NBA legend Allen Iverson. "He's a trailblazer, and I love expressing myself through style," Osaka told the stadium crowd.

But she brought the game to back up the gear. In a high-tension opening-round match against Russia's energetic Anastasia Zakharova, Osaka shook off some initial post-Toronto rust to secure a tight 7-6(6), 7-6(3) straight-sets victory that wrapped up past midnight. Showing off her lethal serve, she fired 11 aces to shut down any thoughts of a first-round upset.

Osaka will bring her heavyweight game back to the court on Thursday, September 3, for a second-round clash against Czech veteran Kateřina Siniaková. Osaka holds a narrow 2-1 head-to-head advantage over Siniaková, and with her sights set on a third American Grand Slam title, this match promises to be another must-watch chapter of her New York campaign. 

View from the edge

As the US Open rolls into its second week, one thing is abundantly clear: Asian and Asian American players aren’t just participating in tennis’s biggest celebration in Flushing Meadows—they are defining it. 

Whether it's the deafening cheers of "Eala Mania" echoing from Armstrong Court, the high-octane showdowns between established stars, or Osaka redefining court fashion and swagger, this tournament is proving that the future of tennis is vibrant, diverse, and unapologetically bold. 

Don't look away now; the noise is only going to get louder.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. If you find this perspective interesting, please repost.

Olivia Rodrigo's music festival raises $20M for nonprofits helping women

Sarah McLaughlin and Olivia Rodrigo at Daisy Chain Fields.

Pop phenom Olivia Rodrigo proves she is more than just a soundtrack for heartbreak. Transforming a single hot California afternoon into a $20 million powerhouse for women’s rights, the Filipino American singer-songwriter’s inaugural Daisy Chain Fields Music Festival used star power to raise $20-million for marginalized communities.

The day was hot -- in the 90s -- but the music was hotter.

Addressing the crowd from the stage, Rodrigo articulated her core vision:

"I really believe that giving women the tools to decide their own futures and live healthy lives free of violence and discrimination is the most effective tool we have at changing the world for the better.

"Daisy Chain Fields is about what can happen when we come together and use our collective power to support one another," she added.

The single-day, sold-out festival gathered 45,000 attendees in Irvine, California. Through ticket proceeds, corporate sponsors, private donors, and artist fee waivers, the festival initially raised $10 million. .

The total doubled during Rodrigo’s evening performance when philanthropist Melinda French Gates made a surprise appearance onstage through Pivotal Ventures to match the entire sum, pushing the grand total to $20 million.

In announcing her $10 million supplement, Gates said, "When women and girls come together to dream and to lead, we change the world."

Rodrigo said the festival's artists and activists give her hope despite the "regression of women's rights" today.

"That's actually why I fell in love with the name 'Daisy Chain,'" Rodrigo said. "It served as a reminder of how individual parts can come together to create something strong and unbreakable."

Besides Rodrigo, the all-women, all-star lineup of performers included Bikini Kill, the Breeders, Chappell Roan, Devon Again, Die Spitz, Doechii, Eli, Garbage, Mitski, Not for Radio, Quiet Light, Rachel Chinouriri, and Santigold. They all performed for free.

The festival also featured special guest appearances during Olivia Rodrigo's headlining set from Alanis Morissette, Sarah McLachlan, and Stevie Nicks

Manila Concert Proceeds & GUTS Tour

It's not the first time that Rodrigo has rused her platform as a performer to rbenfit social causes. 

Rodrigo pledged 100% of all net ticket proceeds from her sold-out Philippine Arena concert in Manila during the GUTS World Tour. By selling all 55,000 tickets at a flat "Silver Star" price of ₱1,500 (approx. $27 USD), the show generated 100% of its net proceeds directly for Jhpiego—a global health organization focused on providing healthcare, family planning, and reproductive services to women and girls in the Philippines.

Rodrigo has directed over $2 million in global ticket proceeds from the GUTS World Tour to various local and international women's charities through her Fund 4 Good initiative.

45,000 festival goers came from all over the US.

For women and girls

The 10 nonprofits benefitting from the festival are:

• Planned Parenthood – Reproductive and sexual healthcare and education.
• Center for Reproductive Rights – Global legal advocacy for reproductive freedom.
• Black Mamas Matter Alliance – Black maternal health, justice, and mortality advancement.
• Baby2Baby – Diapers, clothing, and basic necessities for children in poverty.
• National Women's Law Center – Gender justice, workplace equality, and anti-discrimination protections.
• National Domestic Workers Alliance – Rights and economic security for nannies, house cleaners, and home-care workers.
• FreeFrom – Financial security and support for survivors of gender-based violence.
• Johns Hopkins Center for Indigenous Health – Health equity for Indigenous women, children, and families.
• National Institute for Reproductive Health – State and local policy advocacy for equitable healthcare access.
• Jhpiego – International maternal and reproductive healthcare improvements to prevent childbirth death.

During her time on stage, Rodrigo gave a hint of the future when she shouted out to the audience, "Let's do it again next year!"

But as the spotlight dimmed, Stevie Nicks had one last message to deliver. “I’m somewhat awestruck that (Olivia])could do all this, because it’s so hard… and she’s done it with grace and this crazy, crazy energy that she has. I told her, ‘Don’t ever give that up.’ So support her, she’s very special. Take her to your heart — I have.”

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. If you find this perspective interesting, please repost.

Eala Maania descends on the Big Apple's US Open, Barangay New York shows up

Alexandra Eala made the digital covers of Sports Illustrated, left, and Forbes.

UPDATED: 9/31/2026 to correct time element and supplement Barangay NY.

The week before the US Open officially launched, Alexandra Eala was everywhere you looked, on buses, Times Square billboards, visiting US fashion icons, meeting celebrities and on the cover of prestigious publications.

For Asian Americans and the global Filipino diaspora, "Eala-Mania" hitting New York City feels less like a typical tennis marketing push and more like a cultural coronation.

The 21-year-old Filipina phenom is making her highly anticipated US Open main draw debut as the No. 17 seed, but her presence has already taken over the city well before her first official serve. Here is how Eala is dominating the media landscape ahead of her first match Tuesday.

After learning about the massive, enthusiastic crowds Eala attracted at the Washington DC Open which she won, making history with her first WTA win and the Toronto Open, US Open tournament director Eric Butora made sure that Eala’s first-round match was inside one of the event’s two largest stadiums.

“We knew it had to be on a major stadium,” Butorac said in an interview shared by Tennis Channel. “We thought that’s a great place to start.”

Butorac said the crowd for Eala’s Fan Week exhibition against Jovic reinforced the organizers' expectations.

“I don’t know if you guys caught any of that match, but it was electric in there,” Butorac said. “Just a wonderful atmosphere. I mean, unbelievable.”

As expected, resale ticket prices for Eala's Tuesday night’s session at Louis Armstrong Stadium nearly doubled after organizers announced that Eala would face American qualifier Mary Stoiana in primetime.

According to TicketData’s price tracker, the session’s lowest available resale price had remained below $200 before Saturday’s schedule announcement. In  just 12 hours, the price was approaching $400.

Redefining representation in the Big Apple

Eala made history by simultaneously gracing the digital covers of Sports Illustrated and Forbes, putting Filipino athletic excellence and business savvy on the world's most prestigious publications.

New York's Filipino community has turned Flushing Meadows into a raucous home court for Alex Eala, packing her practice sessions and exhibition matches with massive, flag-waving crowds that organizers admit have completely transformed the tournament's typical atmosphere.

Stepping into the fashion spotlight, Nike placed Eala at the center of its New York tennis campaign, debuting her custom royal-blue NikeCourt Slam dress and arranged a digital display featuring the Filipino star. It has already sold out.

Global brands are scrambling for a piece of her star power, with Marriott Bonvoy locking her down as the new face of their international travel campaigns.

The 21-year old Filipino has been meeting with Condé Nast leadership—the publisher behind both Vanity Fair and Vogue—primarily due to her exploding global profile at the intersections of professional sports and high fashion leading to speculation of a major feature in the influential publications.

First match is today

While the hype machine is operating at maximum capacity, the real test begins today under the bright lights of Flushing Meadows.

With her performances in D.C. and Toronto Eala enters the tournament with her highest WTA ranking, 18, and highest tourney seeding, 17. Awaiting Eala in the first round is American Mary Stoiana, currently ranked No. 122 in the world and set to make her US Open main draw debut.

How to watch: Tuesday, Sept. 1, at approximately 8:40 p.m. ET (Wednesday morning, Sept. 2, at 8:40 a.m. Manila time) Broadcast: Live nationwide on ESPN and streaming on the ESPN App

Eala’s meteoric rise is a thrilling moment for Asian representation in a sport that has long looked for its next global icon.

"Barangay New York" is making its presence felt

Dubbed "Barangay New York," local Pinoy tennis supporters have shown up in unprecedented numbers. The United States Tennis Association (USTA) even added extra security protocols around Eala to manage the heavy foot traffic from enthusiastic fans tracking her move across the grounds.

USTA

Filipino fans, a Tagalog lesson and Little Manila were featured in the US Open's newsletter.

The community's passionate, high-decibel cheering style has created massive buzz on social media platforms like Reddit's r/Philippines Community, where local tennis purists are humorously debating spectator etiquette after fans frantically waved flags and roared following opponents' double-faults.

Local kababayans flocked to her pre-tournament meet-and-greet at the Nike Store on Fifth Avenue, instantly buying out the limited-edition Alex Eala apparel.

The hype has drawn prominent global Filipino icons to Flushing Meadows, including reigning NBA champion Ny Knicks' Jordan Clarkson, who stopped by her practice block to personally share messages of support.

New York City has about 94,000 Filipino residents, 54% of them live in Queens, NY, a few subway stops from Flushing Meadows where the US Open is located. In the NYC metro area, there are over 230,000 to 260,000 Filipinos.

Day 1's mixed results for other Asian players

As Day 1 action wrapped up at Flushing Meadows, several other prominent regional stars and next-generation phenoms either stamped their authority on the hard courts or bowed out after valiant battles.

While the media and crowds have focused on Eala, other competitors of Asian heritage have took part in the first day of real competition. Led by Jesssica Pegula nad Leylah Fernandez there were mixed results.

The half-Korean Pegula, world No. 3, kickstarted her tournament on Arthur Ashe Stadium with clinical efficiency. Pegula brushed aside Romania’s Elena-Gabriela Ruse in a swift 6-3, 6-2 victory, looking every bit the title contender.

Fernandez,  a half-Filipino Canadian star and 2021 US Open finalist, put on an offensive clinic on Court 17. Fernandez fired 22 winners to eliminate China's veteran Shuai Zhang in straight sets, 6-3, 6-2.

Zheng Qinwen (China), the Olympic champion, successfully navigated the qualifying rounds with a dominant 6-4, 3-6, 6-0 win over Elena Pridankina to reach the main draw.

China's Wu Yibing and Wang Xinyu both opened their 2026 US Open campaigns with straight-sets victories!

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. If you find this perspective interesting, please share.