In recognition of AAPI Heritage Month, the Asian American Foundation will host their annual Heritage Month Summit in New York City on May 2nd and 3rd. The summit will feature a diverse gathering of notable Asian American and Pacific Islander figures, among them Emmy-winning actor Steven Yeun, Boston Mayor Michelle Wu, and actor Maulik Pancholy, who recently faced the cancellation of a school appearance due to his sexual orientation.
The summit will host discussions on pressing issues such as civil rights, extremism, and the significance of representation. Additionally, the event will provide a platform for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander entrepreneurs to showcase their ventures in sectors including nonprofits, food, and philanthropy.
The Asian American Foundation was established in May 2021 by prominent Asian American business leaders, raising over $1 billion at its inception. The foundation’s mission is to address the historical underinvestment in Asian American and Pacific Islander communities and provide necessary support to combat the rise in anti-Asian hate incidents since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
Stop AAPI Hate, a reporting center, has documented over 9,000 incidents of anti-Asian hate, primarily self-reported by victims, between March 2020 and June 2021. The foundation aims to address these issues and foster a more equitable and inclusive society.
