TAAF Affirms Strategic Relationship with ADL

July 26, 2024, NEW YORK – The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) today announced the upcoming addition of Geraldine Acuña-Sunshine, President of the Sunshine Care Foundation for Neurological Care and Research, to its board of directors, succeeding Jonathan A. Greenblatt, CEO of the Anti-Defamation League (ADL), following the conclusion of his three-year board term.

Geraldine serves on the boards of ADL and Harvard Hillel, and is a member of Congregation Kehillath Israel in Brookline, MA. Sunshine Care, which she founded in 2014, is an international non-profit organization dedicated to finding innovative ways of delivering free clinical and neurological care to indigent patients in rural parts of Asia.

Her addition to the TAAF board reflects the historic nature of ADL’s role in TAAF’s founding and a continuation of the strategic partnership and joint programmatic initiatives between the organizations. Through Geraldine, TAAF and ADL will continue to learn from each other as they work to support their communities in the shared battle against all forms of hate.

The announced changes to TAAF’s board will take effect at the next annual meeting of members of TAAF in September.

Today’s announcement follows the recent additions of Shamina Singh and Dr. Rushika Fernandopulle to the TAAF board. Their addition introduced two leaders who have been vocal advocates of the AANHPI community and advanced representation of the AANHPI community at the Board level.

“ADL tracked anti-Asian hate before the founding of TAAF and has been at our side as an ally to the AANHPI community since day one. The two organizations share a common mission to combat hate in all its forms,” said Norman Chen, CEO of TAAF. “The addition of Geraldine Acuña-Sunshine to the TAAF board will help us continue our important relationship with ADL, which includes initiatives in anti-hate work, one of the key pillars of TAAF’s program. As hate of all kinds continues to escalate in the U.S., it is more important than ever that different communities seek common ground, and ways to combat hate together.”

These initiatives include Bedrock, a national coalition of civic organizations focused on addressing hate-fueled violence, that was established by ADL alumni. Both ADL and TAAF
serve on its leadership council. Both organizations are also involved in the Community Solidarity and Safety Coalition, a network of nonprofit groups committed to working together to fight hate.

“I am thrilled that Geraldine, a remarkable leader on so many levels, will represent ADL on the TAAF board," said Jonathan A. Greenblatt, ADL CEO and National Director. "As a founding board member of TAAF, I am deeply proud of what TAAF and ADL have already accomplished together and am excited for our continued partnership in the fight against hate.”

“The board is grateful to Jonathan for his many contributions to TAAF, including the countless hours he spent as part of our small group that originally conceived of this organization, sketchedout a strategy and drafted the mission statement that we still use today. We could not have done it without him. Moreover, we recognize ADL’s long-standing commitment to secure justice and fair treatment for all, and our announcement today re-affirms the allyship between the Asian American and Jewish communities,” said Li Lu, Chair of the TAAF board. “Geraldine Acuña-Sunshine brings a wealth of professional and philanthropic experience to TAAF and will enable TAAF and ADL to continue learning from each other. We are thrilled to welcome her.”

‍

About TAAF

TAAF serves the Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) community in their pursuit of belonging and prosperity that is free from discrimination, slander, and violence. Launched in 2021 in response to the rise in anti-Asian hate and to address the long-standing underinvestment in AANHPI communities, TAAF mobilizes the community to fight against hate and violence, reclaim our narratives and celebrate our stories through our core pillars of Anti-Hate, Education, Narrative Change, and Resources & Representation. Through our high-impact initiatives, events, and investments in national and local nonprofits, we’re creating a permanent and irrevocable sense of belonging for millions of AANHPIs in the United States. For additional information about TAAF, please visit www.taaf.org.