TKC EXCLUSIVE!!! TKC TALKS WITH MISSOURI SECRETARY OF STATE CANDIDATE MD ALAM AND EXECUTIVE MEMBERS OF THE MDPAAC!!!

Recently, I had an opportunity to talk with the executive members of the Missouri Democrat Party Asian American Caucus (MDPAAC). They're a growing political concern in Kansas City and Missouri State politics and one of the few local groups actively dedicated to developing new and diverse leadership in the Missouri Democratic Party.

From left to right, the photo featured above includes Shere Alam - Candidate for Missouri House Rep. District 30, Sherbaz Khan - Candidate for Missouri House Rep. District 32 and MD Alam - Currently running for Missouri Secretary Of State.

Most of the conversation focused on MD Alam and his enthusiasm to attain the MO Secretary Of State Job. In fact, Mr. Alam started the talk with an intense overview of his academic (he had multiple advanced degrees) and political qualifications. MD Alam is also a veteran of the war in Iraq.

Still, what interested me most was the enthusiasm of Mr. Alam and the MDPAAC for participation in the local political process at a time when Kansas City voter turnout is notoriously low. The mission of this new political group seems to be aimed at breaking down stereotypes that would prevent political engagement among immigrants and addressing the interests of this growing political concern.

"A lot of what I'm doing is aimed at teaching people about the 'new immigrant'" Mr. Alam said. "There are immigrants coming to this nation who possess a lot of skills, education and training. That is often overlooked. I want to encourage all people to become involved in politics and maybe break down a few stereotypes in the process."

Interesting fact I learned during the interview, Shere Alam (MD's bro) is quite accomplished in his native Bangladesh and might have easily won a political career in that country. However, it's politics in their new homeland that has really inspired the brothers.

Before the meeting I was talking with a veteran Kansas City political consultant and asked him about the group. He noted the quick progress of the MDPAAC, "They're already a group that you really HAVE to talk to when you're campaigning in South Kansas City. It's impressive to see the array of support that they've been able to galvanize in these smaller elections."

Media watchers might recognize MD Alam from his work on The Tony Singh Bill. MD was friends and neighbors with Singh and became a media liaison for Singh's family after the convenience store clerk was brutally gunned down. Since that time, Alam has worked tirelessly to promote the bill that would require more protection and security for clerks working late night shifts. The tragic death of Singh seems to have inspired even greater political involvement from MD.

"I'm inspired to become involved in politics because I want to help and teach people, that's what I do," Mr. Alam said. "My election to the Missouri Secretary Of State office would send a positive message that opportunity in this nation is limitless for anyone with the qualifications and willingness to work to achieve their goal.

MD Alam seems undaunted by the fact that his Democratic Primary opponent Jason Kander leads the race and has been described as the "cash king" in media outlets throughout the state. Instead, Alam seems to be thinking about his career in politics from a long term perspective.

Missouri House Candidate Sherbaz Khan shares Alam's enthusiasm, "I think was MD has done is help people to realize that we need to become involved in the political process if we want to have a voice. There's a tendency to let others go out and do the work for us. Instead, MD has encouraged me and a lot of other people become involved on a personal level to try and made the changes that we want to see."