Putting an End to Bullying: This Organization is Leading Efforts to Support AAPI Youth

Tell us a little bit about your background, and how you got involved with Act To Change.‍

I grew up in Louisiana and was one of only a handful of Asian kids (and the only Filipino kid) from kindergarten through eighth grade. That meant countless moments of feeling "othered," made fun of, and picked on simply for my identity. Those moments were especially stinging as a kid who was also introverted and closeted. As an adult, I now intentionally choose to work with organizations dedicated to improving the trajectory and opportunities for historically marginalized communities, especially our youth. My involvement with Act To Change is deeply personal; I see so much of my own journey, both the struggles and the triumphs, reflected in the first-hand experiences I learn about from the youth we serve.

What are some unique challenges that AAPI youth face? How does Act To Change address these issues?‍

AAPI youth face the specific challenge of race- and ethnicity-based bullying, targeting identity markers that are highly visible. Act To Change counters this with public awareness campaigns and targeted programming.

Our Youth Ambassador Program, for example, equips AAPI youth with the tools and knowledge to help them recognize when bullying is happening to themselves or their peers. Most importantly, the program equips youth with the knowledge of how and why bullying based on their racial or ethnic background exists, and what shields of protection they have in the form of peers, resources, and the adults around them.

We’ve recognized through our work that when youth feel a sense of belonging and connection to their peers and the adults around them, it greatly reduces the harmful impacts bullying has on their mental and physical health. The bullying of AAPI youth is still astonishingly normalized, and at the same time, we know through anecdotal evidence that they are less likely than their peers to report incidents to adults due to cultural barriers and lack of trust. Our programs and initiatives provide the skills, sponsorship, and education for AAPI youth to find their voice and be heard. Our work unlocks their agency to confidently stand up against hate in all its forms and advocate for healthier communities grounded in kindness and belonging.

What is "ACTober"?

ACTober Against Bullying is Act To Change’s first digital campaign, coinciding with National Bullying Prevention Month this October. Throughout this month, we’re calling on companies, creators, and everyday community members to act by taking a bold action against bullying and to promote a sense of belonging and inclusion for our youth to see. Supporters of this movement so far have taken our ACTober Against Bullying pledge, made donations to support our work, shared anti-bullying resources with others on how to identify bullying when it happens and how you can be an upstander in the face of it, and have used their platforms and influence to promote this campaign’s message of taking action to end bullying for AAPI youth and beyond.

What would you say to individuals who are not sure that one person can make a difference?

I’m a firm believer in and have experienced firsthand how the actions of one individual can be a catalyst for exponential change and enhance the interconnectedness of our humanity. Just one action by one individual to promote kindness and call out instances of bullying and hate can be the inspiration and motivation for others to take bold stances and actions themselves. 

You can learn more about Act To Change here. Stay tuned for more partner spotlights!