Community Engagement
In honor of #AANHPI Heritage Month, APIAVote-MI hosted a Community Town Hall with support from Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission, the Philippine American Comm Center, and Aynaa Events & Decor.
We were honored to bring together over 50 advocates, leaders, and members of the AAPI community during the AANHPI Heritage Month. Special guests included USTR Ambassador Katherine Tai, and Canadian Minister Mary Ng, of Small Business, Export Promotion, and International Trade. We were also joined by actor and 2024 Michigan State Senate Candidate, Hill Harper!
The evening was filled with unity and community spirit, hosted by the incredible Priya Mann, an esteemed reporter and anchor at WDIV-Local 4. We were privileged to have one of the few Asian Canadian-American anchors in the state guide us through the event.
Important discussions revolved around the significance of AANHPI Heritage Month and Asian Heritage Month in Canada. Ambassador Tai and Minister Ng shared their personal reflections as historic firsts in their trade minister roles.
We also addressed the tragic murder of Vincent Chin, shedding light on the connection between perceptions of disloyalty and current dynamics with China, which have unfortunately fueled anti-Asian sentiment. Together, we explored ways for the United States and Canada to compete with China while promoting unity.
Additionally, as part of the Asian Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meeting hosted by the United States, we discussed efforts to ensure trade benefits reach underrepresented communities in both countries.
A heartfelt thanks to the Philippine American Comm Center for hosting us and Aynaa Events and Decor, an Asian American women-led small business, for their beautiful decorations. We extend our gratitude to the dedicated MAPAAC commissioners, APIAVote-MI team, and the elected officials who attended.
This town hall was an incredible opportunity to engage in meaningful conversations, celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month, and pave the way for inclusive trade practices benefiting diverse communities in the United States and Canada. Together, we're making a difference!
#CommunityTownHall #AAPIHeritageMonth #Unity #AAPI
APA Day at the Capitol!
APA Day was an incredible day filled with engaging opportunities and a strong sense of community togetherness. Your presence helped make this event a success, and we couldn't be more thrilled to have had so many of you join us.
We celebrate and honor Asian Pacific Islander American Heritage Month, and we look forward to continuing to work together to create a better future for AAPIs in Michigan!
Each individual demonstrated a commitment to advocating for policies that positively impact our community, and we are proud of your dedication to civic engagement.
APIAVote-MI wishes everyone a Happy Ramadan!
For our friends who aren’t familiar, Ramadan is a month-long period of fasting, prayer, reflection and community observed by Muslims worldwide. It’s a time for spiritual growth, increased charitable giving, and strengthening of community bonds.
In the light of the month of community and giving, APIAVote-MI hosted a food drive in partnership with MAPAAC to show appreciation and love for our community. Thanks to our partners, volunteers, and staff, we were able to pass out 400 packages of food.
Asian Americans Rise Against Hate
+ A Discussion on Gun Legislation
In solidarity with Asian American organizations across the nation, APIAVote-MI gathered to commemorate the 8 victims of the 2021 Atlanta spa shootings and facilitate a community discussion with Sen. Chang on gun legislation in Michigan.
On March 16, 2023, we gathered to honor the eight victims of the 2021 Atlanta spa shooting.
In conjunction with several Asian American organizations across the nation, we came together in at the Buddhist Meditation Center in Sterling Heights to commemorate the victims of the 2021 Atlanta spa shooting. We gather to stand in solidarity with the Asian American community against hate and hate-motivated acts of violence. With anti-Asian hate crimes on the rise since 2020, our community has been deeply wounded countless times. The need for community care increases with each turn of a corner, and we find ways within ourselves to give that care to each other— an invaluable aspect of our growing community. Today, our hearts are with the eight victims of the 2021 Atlanta spa shooting. We also honor their families, their communities, their friends, and all of us who feel that stinging pain of loss and defeat. To rid our communities of these tragedies, the government and law must respond with action. Our voices must be heard among the chatter of conversation around gun legislation in our country to bring about change and allow us all a path for healing.
