The Asian American Foundation

Launched in 2021 in response to the rise in anti-Asian hate and violence, TAAF is dedicated to building a safer, more inclusive future for AAPIs everywhere. Now in our third year, TAAF has accelerated the pace of progress to build safety and belonging for AAPIs. But we didn't do it alone; we worked closely with our partners to pursue immediate and long-term solutions to protect and support our communities to fight anti-AAPI hate, advocate for AAPI history as part of inclusive education, uplift creatives and storytellers in front of and behind the camera, and create spaces where our voices didn’t originally exist. And we're just getting started. To take a look at our full impact, visit share.taaf.org/EOY23.

Vincent Chin was murdered over four decades ago, spurring a watershed moment for Asian American activism. And yet, the FBI has only recently released a 602-page file on Chin’s death. These documents reveal previously unseen witness interviews with descriptions of his final moments and the anti-Asian slurs his attackers used, among other details.

Signed into law in 1870, the Naturalization Act extended naturalization rights and promoted equality for African Americans, but maintained racial distinctions that denied the protection of citizenship to other non-white immigrants, especially Asians.

We are alarmed and distressed by the surge of heinous crimes perpetrated against our elders within just the last few weeks in the San Francisco Bay Area. Our deepest sympathies and support go out to survivors and families of the victims. All members of our community—especially our most vulnerable—have a right to feel safe. We are actively working with our partners, Asian Health Services Oakland and Community Youth Center of San Francisco (CYC), on the ground as they contribute to local safety efforts, but these recent attacks indicate a clear necessity for more attention by leaders to the safety needs of AANHPIs, especially the most at-risk members of our community. Our elders deserve better.

According to AAPI Data and the UCLA Center for Health Policy Research's most recent study, AANHPIs are less likely to see mental health support despite the significant rates and instances of mental health challenges. In fact, our 2024 STAATUS Index revealed that because of discrimination and lack of representation, only 38% of Asian Americans completely agree they belong, and even fewer (18%) feel they are fully accepted in the U.S. for their racial identity. Visibility and representation aren’t just buzzwords; they’re incredibly important to the safety and belonging of the AANHPI community. In fact, they're also important to learning more about our community's mental health—and how to better support each other. Which is why later this year, along with a distinguished group of scholars and experts, TAAF will be launching the first-of-its-kind national study on mental health in AANHPI youth. Through this study, we hope to understand factors that impact the mental health of AANHPI youth and identify effective solutions.

TAAF is disturbed and disheartened by the recent attack on Columbia University’s spokesperson and Vice President for Communications, Ben Chang. On June 17, Chang was the victim of an unprovoked attack by an unknown assailant, who told Chang to “go back to your [expletive] country,” assaulted him with a metal water bottle, and followed him as he tried to escape on a passing bus. According to a recent TAAF survey, 1 in 5 AAPI New Yorkers said that they had been physically assaulted within the last 12 months. The widespread nature of these unprompted, racially motivated incidents is alarming and unacceptable. Mr. Chang’s brave willingness to publicly address his experience stands as a reminder of the importance of reporting these incidents, to both raise awareness of the issue with elected officials and help inform long-term solutions. If you or someone you know have experienced a hate or bias incident in the New York City area, we urge you to report and receive support from one of TAAF’s NYC Anti Hate Collaborative network partners at aapihatetracker.org. Together, we can ensure a safer community.

TAAF is excited to announce the expansion of its Board, with the addition of Shamina Singh (Founder and President, Mastercard Center for Inclusive Growth and EVP, Sustainability at Mastercard) and Dr. Rushika Fernandopulle (Practicing Physician and Co-Founder of Iora Health). “We are honored that Shamina and Rushika are joining the TAAF Board to better serve the AANHPI population in their pursuit of belonging and prosperity that is free from discrimination, slander, and violence,” said Li Lu, Chair of the Board. “They each bring unique, valuable experience and perspective to the Board, which our community will benefit from greatly.” Read more about this announcement at share.taaf.org/BOARD.

On July 9, 1868, the Fourteenth Amendment was ratified, thus granting citizenship to everyone including formerly enslaved people, and equal protection of the laws. The Amendment became the basis for many landmark Supreme Court decisions to come.