Alton Wang – Public Counsel, Director of Government Affairs

Alton Wang is the Legal Counsel, Director of Government Affairs at AAPI Equity Alliance. Throughout his career as an attorney, advocate, and organizer, Alton has fought to protect voting rights and fair representation, expand access and pathways to higher education, and address needs facing underrepresented communities at home and across the nation. 

In 2022, Alton was elected as a Trustee to the Board of Pasadena City College representing his hometowns of Arcadia and Temple City, where he has worked to increase college affordability, deepen community and regional partnerships, and strengthen the College’s commitments to students of all backgrounds. During his tenure as Board President, Alton held the distinction of being the youngest then-serving community college Board President in the state of California. He is also the first openly queer person ever elected to the Pasadena City College Board.

Prior to joining AAPI Equity Alliance, Alton served in roles including as Policy Counsel at Common Cause and Policy Advisor at the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus. He has also served on the boards of various community organizations, including the Arcadia Parks Foundation, the Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership, the LA County LGBTQ+ Elected Officials Association, amongst others. His work has been featured in publications and outlets including NBC News and The Washington Post.

Alton earned his Bachelor of Arts degree in Government and Sociology from Wesleyan University and his Juris Doctor (J.D.) degree from the University of California, Los Angeles School of Law with a focus on public interest law.