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Big News! Read All About It
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A message from our new Executive Director, Yasmin Padamsee Forbes!
"I am incredibly privileged to have joined the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Asian American Commission as the Executive Director on April 1, 2021. In 2021, the AAC will continue supporting and advocating for policies that advance racial equity, host listening sessions to hear directly from community members, and create civic engagement and advocacy programming. It is an honor to work beside many brilliant Commissioners, community leaders, and elected officials who share the common purpose of building a more equitable and inclusive Commonwealth."
To read more about Yasmin, click here.
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AAC Annual Report 2020
Please take a look at our Annual Report for 2020! In this report you will find a summary of programs, projects, events, etc. that occurred over the course of 2020. We deeply appreciate your support and look forward to continuing our work in 2021 & beyond!
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AAC Small Grant Fund
After deliberation with the Grants Committee, we were able to award $15,250 in funding to 19 organizations that help the AAPI community in MA!
COMING SOON: COVID-19 Translation Project
Stay tuned on our social media and website for the release of the COVID-19 Translation Project on Tuesday, June 15, 2021! By debunking common myths of the vaccine, we hope to encourage individuals to get the vaccine if they have not done so already.
These translations will be made available in: Chinese Simplified, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Khmer, Arabic, Gujarati, Hindi, Urdu, and Nepali.
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COVID-19 FAQ | Official Updates in MA | Get Tested
Vaccination Locations | Multilingual COVID-19 Resources
Latest Update: Governor Charlie Baker on June 2, 2021 | Watch here
As of May 29, 2021, all remaining COVID-19 restrictions have been lifted.
Mask requirements remain in place for all individuals on public and private transportation systems, in healthcare facilities, and in other settings hosting vulnerable populations. The State of Emergency is ending June 15th.
The vaccine is safe and effective.
You don't need an ID or insurance to get it. People ages 12-17 can receive the Pfizer vaccine. People age 18 and older can receive any vaccine.
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- Statement on the COVID-19 Crisis in India & Nepal with resources attached
- Article: Data points to disparities among Asian Americans, a demographic that often is portrayed as monolithic
- Article: Asian Americans who experienced COVID-related racism report increased levels of anxiety, depression, and PTSD
- Article: Asian Americans, many for the first time, are giving children and elderly parents ‘The Talk’ on how to protect themselves from hate
- Article: Protesters rally on behalf of Cambodian immigrants in fear of deportation
- Article: Viewpoint: We must combat anti-Asian racism and hate by Commissioner Danielle Kim
- Article: The AAPI History I carry with me: Sam Hyun
- Article: The AAPI History I carry with me: Cinda Danh
- Video: New England's Last Chinatown - Cantonese
- Video: New England's Last Chinatown - Mandarin
- Video: Springfield teacher speaking out against Asian hate crimes featuring Western MA Coordinator, Kamalani Yuen.
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Asian Education Equity Re-Imagined (for high school students)
This one-day event aspires to engage Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) students in discourse about how we can make the education system reflect the diversity of AAPI communities and address the broad range of issues affecting these communities. In these discussions, Greater Boston AAPI Youths plans to build strength and community among youth organizers and advocates, as well as collectively understand how the conversations that will take place will inform future organizing, policy, and campaigns.
This event will be led by high school students from Asian Community Development Corporation, Chinese Progressive Association - CPA Boston, Castle Square Tenants Organization, Inc., Greater Malden Asian American Community Coalition, and VietAID!
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SAVE THE DATES! This year for Pride Month, we are collaborating with the Massachusetts Commission of LGBTQ+ Youth for two events!
API LGBTQ+ Activist Panel:
Thursday, June 17, 2021 @6:30PM ET | Register here
In celebration of Pride Month, join us for a discussion with our panelists about the multifaceted experiences and identities of queer AAPIs. We hope to create a safe space for education and conversation.
API LGBTQ+ Film Festival:
Thursday, June 24, 2021 @6:00PM ET | Register here
We will be celebrating queer API creatives through a virtual short film festival. We will be showing PFLAG's A Place to Call Home. This short film will be followed by a Q&A with Director Stephanie Tran. A Place to Call Home features four PFLAG mothers of AAPI descent, sharing their journeys with their LGBTQ children.
We will also be showing, AFTEREARTH, this short film is about four queer and trans Asian diasporic, indigenous, and Pacific Islander femmes who imagine a decolonized and sustainable earth for future generations. This short film will also be followed by a Q&A with Director Jess X. Snow and Producer Kit Yan.
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April - June Programming Recap
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- 1-Day Session 1 w/ Commonwealth Seminar: The Legislative Process and Advocacy Best Practices with Joel Barrera and Beth Huang
- 1-Day Session 2 w/ Commonwealth Seminar: Press & Media and Fundraising for Nonprofits with Alethea Harney and Leverett Wing
- 1-Day Session 3 w/ Commonwealth Seminar
- Coming soon in July! | Details TBA
- Indigenous Cultures in the AAPI Community: Igorot Youth in New England
- Cultivating & Sustaining A Social Justice Practice with Ngoc-Tran Vu
- Stories in Diaspora: Centering the Biracial Asian American Women Experience
- Community Organization of the Month for April: Cambodian Mutual Assistance Association (CMAA) | See graphic
- Community Organization of the Month for May: Greater Malden Asian American Community Coalition (GMAACC) | See graphic
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Commissioner & Staff Involvement
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Briefing on AAPI Hate Crimes by Massachusetts Advisory Committee to the United States Commission on Civil Rights featuring Commissioner Bora Chiemroum
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The History of Anti-Asian Racism panel discussion with the Asian Caucus featuring Commissioner Megha Prasad
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My American Story panel discussion with Chinese Americans of Lexington featuring Commissioner Betty King
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Fall River Flag Rising Ceremony Acknowledging Asian American Pacific Islander Month featuring Program Director Jay Wong
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Hate Crimes in Massachusetts: A Legislative Discussion with Attorney General Maura Healey featuring Commissioner Sam Hyun
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Restore the Rightful Place of AAPI History in K-12 Education: Significance of Legislation panel discussion with Chinese Americans Association of Lexington featuring Commission Sam Hyun
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Discussion on the skills, talents, and cultural heritage of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in the Commonwealth at Ocean Spray Cranberries, Inc featuring Commissioner Haniya Syeda and Executive Director Yasmin Padamsee Forbes.
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The Silent Minority No More panel discussion at the YWCA of Southeastern Massachusetts featuring Commissioner Betty King
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Panel discussion at US Environmental Agency for 2021 Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Celebration featuring Commissioner Sam Hyun and Executive Director Yasmin Padamsee Forbes
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Video interview of Executive Director Yasmin Padamsee Forbes with the Office of the State Treasurer
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For Community Events, Opportunities, and Job Openings, CLICK HERE.
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