In Community: Sept 2023 Newsletter
TAAF fights hate through advocacy and community support, expanding AAPI studies in education, hosting anti-hate roundtables, and unlocking federal resources for AANHPI organizations.
Dear Friends,
On August 26, TAAF joined thousands of people for the 60th anniversary of the March on Washington, where Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. delivered his historic “I Have a Dream” speech. We were honored to join people from all generations, backgrounds, beliefs and experiences to continue the fight against hate to secure justice and equality for all. We are thankful to the King Family and Jonathan Greenblatt, CEO of ADL, and a founding TAAF Board Member, for inviting us to speak on this momentous day.
Just hours later, we came together again—not to continue the momentum of the march, but because tragedy struck the Black community. We learned about the racially-motivated shooting at the Dollar General in Jacksonville, FL where three people, all Black, were senselessly murdered. It was a painful and heartbreaking reminder that hate-fueled violence continues in America.
Our work in anti-hate is urgent and critical. And we won’t stop until everyone feels safe leaving their homes, until our histories and stories are told in the classroom and on the screen, and until our children are truly judged by the ‘content of their character’ rather than the color of their skin. Our resolve is stronger than ever.
In solidarity,
Norman Chen
CEO, The Asian American Foundation
EDUCATION
Expanding AA & PI Studies in Higher Education
Our virtual TAAF Talk brought together academic scholars, business leaders, and policymakers to grow AA/PI studies across higher education
Over 100 individuals joined the conversation discussing the critical need for resources, research, and representation on campuses across the country.
Our panel of experts included:
- Joe Bae (Co-CEO of KKR and TAAF Board Member)
- Dr. Pawan Dhingra (President of The Association for Asian American Studies (AAAS) and Associate Provost & Associate Dean of the Faculty at Amherst College)
- Dr. Rowena Tomaneng (President of Asian Pacific Americans in Higher Education (APAHE) and President of San Jose City College)
They provided critical takeaways:
Takeaway #1: To successfully expand AA & PI studies in higher ed, we need to position it as an important part of the core curriculum in academia. Learning AA & PI studies is essential to developing critical thinkers and historical scholars.
- As Dr. Pawan Dhingra noted, “Asian American studies matters in [all] spheres, because Asian American studies is more than just knowing about the issues of a single racial group. Asian American studies is a lens into our nation's history and priorities into how cultures connect and collide into how to organize people for social change.”
Takeaway #2: Investing in the next generation of academics and advocates ensures students will have access to instructors and mentors with shared lived experiences.
- We should focus on the pipeline of emerging AA & PI administrators, faculty, and scholars in order to bring quality AA & PI studies to higher education.
Takeaway #3: Whether you are a donor, passionate alum, or student, you have the power to start or re-energize efforts to create change on your campus.
- Create a holistic strategy and enlist intersectional allies within faculty and administration to build long-term success.
If you would like to get involved with our higher education strategy and expand AA & PI studies at your alma mater, please reach out to us at partnerships@taaf.org.
Watch the TAAF Talk on Higher Education here!
ANTI-HATE
Fighting Hate through Collaboration: Convening Community Leaders and Law Enforcement to Find Solutions
In continued partnership with U.S. Attorney Ismail J. Ramsey for the Northern District of CA, TAAF hosted the third United Against Hate Roundtable to discuss how federal law enforcement may support local communities to address hate crimes and incidents.
- To date, TAAF has convened this group three times, most recently on August 17, to strengthen relationships between government partners and community-based organizations. Our goal was to create a space for honest and open dialogue for law enforcement and community advocates.
- Participants recounted stories of anti-AAPI hate and explained why many victims do not report incidents to law enforcement. They discussed the need for accountability and stronger prevention measures to help the community feel safer.
- The District Attorney’s Civil Division also shared civil remedies that the community can access to address incidents of anti-AAPI bias and discrimination.
RESOURCES AND REPRESENTATION
Unlocking Resources for the AANHPI Community
The White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) launched “Demystifying Federal Grants” and was supported by TAAF and the National Science Foundation (NSF).
- The new webinar series shares insights and tips to help community based organizations access federal grants and resources.
- Over 400+ individuals attended the first webinar on August 24, which provided an introduction to the grants process.
The Unlocking Federal Resources website will serve as a one-stop-shop for the project, providing the latest details on prescreened grant opportunities, resources for accessing grants, and a calendar of upcoming webinars and events.
- Future Webinars: Keep an eye out for topic-specific seminars that will be hosted by government agencies.
- Education (U.S. Department of Education)
- Health (U.S. Department of Health and Human Services)
- Arts & Culture (National Endowment for the Humanities and National Endowment for the Arts)
- Climate (U.S. Environmental Protection Agency)
- In addition to The AAPI Giving Challenge and The AAPI Nonprofit Database, we are proud to introduce this program as part of our commitment to unlocking resources for the AA and NHPI community.
Watch the Demystifying Federal Grants webinar HERE
PARTNERSHIPS
Bringing ideas and solutions to the (dinner) table to create a better future for AANHPIs everywhere
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On August 23, TAAF partnered with Genesis House NYC to hold an intimate dinner in the Hamptons.
AAPI leaders and esteemed guests gathered around a shared desire to support and advance the AAPI community. Through rich discussion about opportunities to collaborate and support solutions in anti-hate, education, and narrative change, we look forward to creating future initiatives and programming that foster safety and prosperity for our community.
Our Partners
Partner Spotlight: Asian American Federation (AAF) Prepares AAPI New Yorkers with Necessary Tools to Combat Anti-Hate
Asian American Federation (AAF) serves the New York community by advocating for better policies, services, and funding that lead to more justice and opportunities for Asian immigrants. With Asian Health Services (AHS) and Chinese American Service League (CASL), AAF was integral to the launch of TAAF’s Action Center Network, now called City Partners.
- Founded in 1989, AAF focuses on raising the influence and well-being of the pan-Asian American community through research, policy advocacy, public awareness, and nonprofit support. They offer programs focused on community safety, mental health, economic empowerment, immigrant integration, and civic engagement to help connect AAPI New Yorkers with the resources they need.
- With over 2,627 Asian New Yorkers attacked, harassed, or shunned since January 2020, AAF launched its landmark Hope Against Hate Campaign to bring immediate safety to the AAPI communities.
- This campaign offers upstander, de-escalation, and self-defense trainings; protective accompaniment through its Community Companion services; and victim support services in partnership with community-based organizations across the city. Through the Hope Against Hate Campaign, AAF provided safety trainings to over 3,000 participants in 8+ Asian languages.
AAPI Giving Challenge Partner Spotlight: Walmart & The Walmart Foundation
As a founding AAPI Giving Challenge funder, Walmart remains committed to serving AAPI communities by cultivating diverse leadership and advancing equity for AAPIs across the country.
- As part of the AAPI Giving Challenge, Walmart granted $1.5M to TAAF to support initiatives such as the AAPI Nonprofit Database, the Sunrise Collective, and the Jeremy Lin Foundation. Additionally, the Walmart Foundation provided grants to the Center for Asian Pacific American Women and the Center for Pan Asian Community Services, Inc.
- The AAPI Nonprofit Database: With support from Walmart, TAAF launched the interactive tool for anyone looking to donate or get more involved with AAPI nonprofit organizations across the country.