Investing in Next-Gen Learning and Storytelling
Dear Friends,
This month, I’ve been thinking about how education, access, and storytelling are interconnected. At the end of July, our TAAF staff gathered for a retreat in Detroit, a city with deep AANHPI roots and a prominent historical role in the Asian American civil rights movement. We had the opportunity to visit the Boggs Center, and learn more about the life and legacy of Grace Lee Boggs, a Chinese American activist and scholar who organized across racial lines to advocate for social justice. Boggs’ emphasis on youth leadership resonated, because at TAAF we’re also investing in the next generation of thinkers and storytellers.
As part of that commitment to building for the future, we released a new research report, Horizon of Opportunities: Asian American Studies Programs at Research Universities and Liberal Arts Colleges. This report examines the current state of Asian American Studies in the U.S., identifying gaps and opportunities for access for current and future college students. We’re also piloting our new TALA initiative, which supports under-resourced AANHPI college students. And because we need to ensure that not only our histories, but our current narratives are accurately represented, we were proud to support our friends at the Asian American Journalists Association (AAJA) at their annual convention.
Together, we can ensure that our voices are heard and our stories are visible for generations to come.
In solidarity,
Norman Chen
CEO, The Asian American Foundation
BELONGING
Where Do Asian American Studies Programs Stand Today?
This month, TAAF was proud to release Horizon of Opportunities: Asian American Studies Programs at Research Universities and Liberal Arts Colleges, a report which offers a snapshot of where Asian American Studies (AAS) stands in higher education today. The teaching of Asian American history in schools and colleges around the country is critical to our community’s sense of belonging, and an invaluable part of American history. Since it had been nearly 50 years since the last inventory of AAS programs in higher education institutions, we felt it was important to commission an updated picture of the AAS landscape. Among our findings was a gap in availability of these programs, with fewer than 10% of top colleges and universities offering AAS, despite student interest as well as sizable AANHPI student enrollment.
We hope students, parents, alumni, donors, and scholars can leverage this report to help establish new Asian American Studies programs and expand existing ones. As for TAAF, we are excited to focus on expanding opportunities for college students through TALA (Thriving AANHPI Leadership Accelerator), a new career and leadership development program that supports economic mobility and holistic wellbeing for AANHPI college students from under-resourced backgrounds. The initial cohort of this two-year program runs from Fall 2025 through Spring 2027 in New York City and San Francisco with the support of local community-based partners, Asian American Dream and Asian Pacific American Leadership Institute. In addition to mentorship and leadership opportunities, TALA participants will have access to mental wellbeing workshops and resources, as well as culturally relevant career support intentionally designed to incorporate AANHPI history and culture. Stay tuned for updates on this exciting new program.
Explore the Report
What is your Asian+American story?
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This summer, TAAF launched the Asian+American campaign, an initiative to remind our community that we don’t have to choose between being Asian and being American. We are both. And should celebrate being both–fully, proudly, powerfully.
Our community has shared their Asian+American stories, what is yours? Tag us on @TAAForg and use the hashtag #AsianPlusAmerican for a chance to be featured on our socials and in our newsletter!
GRANTEE SPOTLIGHT
TAAF is honored to build toward safety, belonging, and prosperity with our community partners.
Each month, we feature partners who are making an impact in their communities. This month, we invite you to get to know our TAAF Safety National Network grantee SEWA-AIFW. Click the image below to learn how SEWA-AIFW is meeting the needs of vulnerable and underserved members of the South Asian community in Minnesota.
CONVENINGS
TAAF in Community
- TAAF visited the Boggs Center in Detroit during our staff retreat, and learned about the enduring legacy of Grace Lee Boggs’ work.
- TAAF was in Seattle at the start of this month for the Asian American Journalists Association’s annual convention. We joined the Very Asian Foundation and United Talent Agency to co-host the third year of "Celebrating AAJA," honoring legendary AANHPI journalists and storytellers Janice Gin, Curtiss Kim, and Lloyd Lacuesta. We hosted a lunchtime conversation with a spotlight on Seattle and our TAAF Cities initiative, as well as addressing the critical role of local newsrooms in covering AANHPI stories and elevating community voices. Over 150 attendees also joined us for a special screening of Lucy Liu’s powerful new film, Rosemead.
- On August 2nd, Masum Momaya, TAAF’s Director of Narrative Change, hosted a fireside chat with Taiwanese American therapist Kimmy Wu about Navigating Mental Health in Creative Fields at the Asian American International Film Festival in New York City.
ON THE BLOG
Asian American Studies Programs Transform Lives and Build Leaders
This month on The Takeaway, TAAF’s Education Program Manager, Terry Park, shares why Asian American Studies and leadership development are so important for AANHPI students, highlighting our Horizon of Opportunities report and TALA initiative.
And in case you missed it, we’ve been featuring personal stories of navigating and celebrating our identities as part of our Asian+American campaign. Check back often as we’ll be adding more!