The American dream is alive and well within the AAPI community, and we've gathered so many of those dreams here throughout this inspiring list of individuals.
Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebrates the contributions of one of the fastest-growing groups of people living in the United States. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders contain multitudes. They are a global community with a homegrown and unique perspective on America.
Good Morning America and ABC News asked influential AAPI leaders, celebrities, intellectuals, entrepreneurs, athletes and more to nominate fellow members of the community for the list. It's important to note: the vastness of the AAPI community means it has deep ties in countries of origin, which includes the rich Asian global diaspora. To honor the global community, we've provided space for nominators who do not identify as American.
I feel this is such important work taking place literally on American soil that it should be recognized and addressed. Arianna de Lena of Kamayan Farms, Leslie Wiser of Radical Family Farms, Mai Nguyen of National Young Farmers Coalition, Kristyn Leach of Namu Farm and Scott Chang-Fleeman of Shao Shan Farms -- these are our quiet heroes plugging away, squeezing out a living beyond the celebrity and politics of our current society.
I have partnered with Tammy, Michelle and Sam to launch the commUNITY Action Fund for Hate Is A Virus to raise $1 million dollars for our AAPI community. The fund will bring funding and support to mental health, security, education and more on a local and national level. It’s been absolutely so inspiring seeing the work these three have put forth to uplift our AAPI community!Samantha Tan is breaking barriers in a male-dominated field and she’s having fun while doing it.
Ann Lee is no stranger to disaster relief, pairing to form the nonprofit CORE with Sean Penn after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti killed 250,000. They continued bringing relief in places like Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and various parts in the United States. Lee’s recent efforts included setting up mass COVID-19 testing sites at Dodger Stadium and many other sites around the country, which then turned into mass vaccination sites.
Nik Sharma, this talented Indian-American chef/writer, says it all in this line from his deeply personal cookbook, Season: “Mine is the story of a gay immigrant told through food.” There and on his blog “A Brown Table,” he eloquently writes of his journey from India to California, sharing innovative recipes along the way. Sharma fuses the flavors he grew up eating in Mumbai with a modern American twist.
Maria Ressa is a Filipino-American journalist and co-founder of Manila-based news site, Rappler. Ressa defines what it means to be a"Warrior of Truth": fearlessly fighting for accountability with a steadfast dedication to becoming the worst enemy to corruption and misinformation. Her efforts to, as she put it, “shine the light” and “hold the line,” have both leveled those who sought to abuse power while empowering others who might not have been afforded the opportunity.
An activist, a mentor and the founder of nonprofit Power Circle, Eugene Thomas started his work in the very same neighborhood of Frankford where he grew up. To his family and the kids he helps, his name is"Buddha." Mixed with Korean and African American, Eugene knows all too well the importance of Black and Asian solidarity, especially now.
Anne Aaron is a Filipino engineer and the director of video algorithms at Netflix since 2011. She was recognized as one of the 43 most powerful female engineers of 2017 by Business Insider and by Forbes one of “America’s Top 50 Women in Tech" in 2018. She is proud to be a role model to young girls and to prove to the world that women can “belong in tech.”Miya Shay nominates Tammy Tran Nguyen
Filipino-American music director Troy Laureta is making AAPI history by using the success he’s found in mainstream music to put Filipino music in the spotlight -- something most aren’t familiar with. I believe it’s important to get to know other cultures, and music is a great way to do that. Troy’s worked with a number of artists -- everyone from Ariana Grande to David Foster. Now, he’s helping Original Pilipino Music cross over into the spotlight for all to enjoy.
Also, I believe Filipino-American rapper Ruby Ibarra has found a way to incorporate real world issues into her work. I’ve followed her for a few years now and have always appreciated how she’s taken on topics like race, equity and social justice. She’s also been a champion for the AAPI community. Ibarra’s lyrics have the potential to influence so many more young people and she is using her platform to help jumpstart the dialogue for these much-needed conversations.
Rick Ramos is an AAPI everyday hero! The Filipino American and martial arts instructor has devoted himself to combatting the rising tide of attacks on the Bay Area's Asian American community. Ramos has spearheaded an effort marshalling fellow martial artists to teach self-defense classes for free. They hold workshops throughout the Bay Area, with a special emphasis on empowering the elderly.
I’m a Gen Z kid and when I was thinking of who to nominate, I wanted to spotlight someone from the AAPI community that my generation can relate to. Naturally, I turned to TikTok. I have chosen to nominate Nick “Your Korean Dad” Cho. Nick Cho is more than just a rising digital media star with more than 2.6 million followers on TikTok. He is one of the pioneers of the third-wave coffee movement, a leader, teacher and expert of the coffee industry, and co-founder of Wrecking Ball Coffee Roasters.
Christine Chen, the founding executive director from 2006-2008 returned to APIAVote in January 2011 to serve as its current Executive Director.Quincy City Council President Nina Liang has broken barriers again and again, creating opportunity and space for so many who have been traditionally marginalized in politics.
Ashlyn So is a 13-year-old fashion designer who's been sewing from the age of 6 and presenting her avant-garde, dramatic, sculptural and often fantastical clothes at New York Fashion Week since she was 9. Ashlyn has participated in charity work for homeless shelters and worked on anti-bullying campaigns, and sewed masks for health care workers when there was a shortage early in the pandemic.
AAPI identity’s no monolith. Nor is the intersectional, multifaceted work of these nominees, who shine a loving light on this identity through their bold, bridge-building vision and art-meets-heart-makes-activist work -- and are shaping, making and abundantly sharing it as they do.
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