Meet Michelle Kang
“I Don’t Just talk. I get it DONE!”
Hi, I’m Michelle
I’m a proud first-generation Korean American immigrant who came to Georgia in 1992, after earning my degree in Seoul and beginning my career in intellectual property law. I immigrated to the United States with hope in my heart and a vision for a better future: one grounded in opportunity, equity, and community. Over the past 30 years, Georgia has become more than just home; it’s where I’ve raised my three daughters, built a life rooted in service, and stood shoulder to shoulder with my neighbors through moments of struggle and triumph. And through it all, one thing has become clear: Georgia’s promise must be real for everyone, not just the powerful few.
I’m running for State House to take on the challenges too many families face every day: unaffordable housing, the crushing cost of living (from childcare to healthcare), attacks on immigrant communities, and public schools that are asked to do more with less. I believe our district deserves a representative who sees all of us, listens to every voice, and leads with compassion and with courage. I’m running to create safer neighborhoods, open doors of opportunity for every child, and ensure that the diversity of District 99 isn’t just acknowledged, it’s celebrated. Because Georgia’s future should be written by all of us, together.
Rooted in Service, Powered by Purpose
For as long as I can remember, I have been driven to serve. In high school in South Korea, I organized visits to orphanages and nursing homes, where I saw how children, elders, and low-income individuals were limited not by potential, but by lack of access. That realization shaped my commitment to public service.
At 41, with three young daughters, I entered the Master of Public Administration program at the University of Georgia in Athens to better understand how public policies and programs impact immigrant and marginalized communities. After graduating, I became Center Manager at the Asian American Resource Center in Gwinnett County, supporting immigrants and managing HUD housing programs. Helping families remain housed and connected to resources, public service is not just my work—it is who I am.
Delivering for District 99
My work as a community advocate began in Gwinnett County, ensuring Asian Americans and immigrant communities were truly heard. I’ve served with the Korean American Association of Greater Atlanta, the Asian Pacific American Council of Georgia, and on local advisory boards focused on redevelopment, transit, and budgeting—always pushing for equity, inclusion and accountability.
I believe good policy is built with community at the center. That’s the leadership I’ll bring to the Gold Dome, making sure every voice in Georgia is heard and valued.
Championing Small Businesses
Before politics, I was a small business owner running retail stores across Georgia and a restaurant in Gwinnett, learning firsthand what it takes to survive and grow. Today, as founder and CEO of AAPI Outreach & Engagement, I work to connect small businesses with local governments.
I’ve served in leadership roles with the Korean American Chamber of Commerce of Georgia and the Gwinnett Chamber of Commerce, and in 2023, I organized small business roundtables with Gwinnett County leaders to address workforce, supply chain, and access-to-capital challenges.
In the State House, I’ll fight for stronger local economies, greater small business investment, and real opportunity in Georgia.
Photo by Boon Vong PhotoOrganizing for Visibility, Voice, & Belonging
In Gwinnett County, I have led with creativity and purpose, organizing events that reimagined civic and cultural engagement. From town halls to festivals, I brought people together to be seen, heard, and empowered.
I organized the first candidate forums for Korean Americans in Gwinnett, connecting voters directly with local, state, and Congressional candidates and mobilizing greater civic participation. I also launched the first AAPI Heritage Month Celebration at Suwanee Town Center Park—now the Suwanee Asian Festival—creating space for community members experiencing and deepening their understanding of Asian history and culture.
I believe culture has the power to break down barriers, build bridges, and unite us as one community.
Building Bridges, Standing for Justice
In June 2020, during the Black Lives Matter protests in Duluth, I organized a Korean supporters group to march in solidarity, deepening my understanding of systemic racism and the urgency of confronting it.
After the March 16, 2021 Atlanta spa shootings, I co-founded the Atlanta Korean American Committee Against Asian Hate, bringing together religious leaders, AAPI organizations, and Black and Latino leaders to stand united against hate. Through the Stop Asian Hate movement, I have worked to connect Asian communities with government leaders, advance racial equity, and build lasting bridges across communities.
I believe justice must be more than a promise—it must be our practice.
Making Georgia a better place
As a community advocate, I have worked with nonprofits and campaigns at every level, from local school boards to the U.S. Senate, supporting candidates committed to voting rights, healthcare access, and an economy that works for everyone.
In 2020 and 2021, I helped organize Asian American voters across Georgia to elect Senators Ossoff and Reverend Warnock, demonstrating the power of grassroots engagement. Along the way, I met families, young people, and seniors whose stories reinforced how vital it is to elect leaders who truly serve all Georgians.
Those conversations inspired me to step forward—not just as an advocate, but as a leader ready to bring community voices to the Capitol and fight for real solutions!