AAPI artists nominated for Emmys

CREATED BY GEMINI

The 2026 Emmy nominations are out, and once again, it is a mixed bag for our community. While we are seeing historic representation on one side of the ledger, the TV Academy still manages to leave some of our finest talent out in the cold.

Let’s break down the wins, the behind-the-scenes power players, and the glaring omissions that have us scratching our heads.

Actors' noted

Our community showed up in major acting categories this year. Leading the pack is Riz Ahmed, who secured a Lead Actor nod for his powerful role in Bait. 

Meanwhile, the second season of Netflix's smash hit Beef brought in major acting love: Oscar-winner Youn Yuh-jung and Charles Melton both scored Supporting Actress and Actor nominations for their respective turns in the anthological dramedy.

Over on the drama side, Sepideh Moafi clinched a Supporting Actress nod for her stellar performance in Max’s medical juggernaut The Pitt. playing Dr. Baran Al-Hashimi, a doctor taking over the ER as Noah Wiley's character prepares for a sabbatical. She is the first Iranian woman and woman from the Middle East to be nominated in the support actress in a drama series category, according to The Hollywood Reporter.

"I can’t imagine a more ideal world, show, character to have this sort of recognition with," Moafi said after she heard about her nomination. 

"Playing this woman who carries so many worlds, so many of which I can identify with in my own way, and that I’ve heard over the last several months, so many people identify with, whether it’s with her chronic disease, her chronic illness, people with disability, people who are mixed race, people who are from the Middle East or Africa, women in medicine who are in similar positions and have to deal with certain male counterparts."

FYI: The 78th Primetime Emmy Awards will air live on NBC on Monday, September 14, 2026 at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT

Steven Yeun, who won an Emmy two years ago in the first season of Beef, landed a voice-over nomination for keeping things animated in Invincible.

True representation means having a seat at the table where decisions are made, and our behind-the-scenes creatives are dominating this year's Emmy ballot.

The Beef mastermind Lee Sung Jin, continues his historic streak, earning individual nominations for Outstanding Writing and Outstanding Directing for a Limited or Anthology Series, alongside a nod for Outstanding Limited or Anthology Series as executive producer. He's joined in the executive producers' circle by Steven Yeun, Ali Wong, Kitao Sakurai and Anna Ouyang Moench.

Destin Daniel Cretton, the Japanese American director-producer, is nominated as the driving executive producer behind Marvel’s buzzy Wonder Man.

Hiro Murai & Claudia Shin: The powerhouse duo earned Executive Producer nods for Apple TV+'s freshman comedy hit Widow's Bay.

FYI: For a complete list of the 2026 Emmy nominees, click here.

Chris Nguyen-Gia & Marian Wang: Nguyen-Gia scored a Best Drama Series nomination as a producer for the freshman drama Paradise, while Wang is back in the mix as a producer for the late-night champion Last Week Tonight with John Oliver.

Yulin Kuang: Celebrated writer-director Kuang scored an Outstanding Television Movie screenplay nomination for adapting Netflix's People We Meet on Vacation.

You can't talk about the Emmys without talking about who got left behind, and the Academy dropped the ball on several standout AAPI performances.

Should have been nominated

Isa Briones (The Pitt): In what is arguably the most heartbreaking snub of the morning, Briones was completely shut out for her role as the sharp, headstrong Dr. Trinity Santos. What makes this a bitter pill to swallow is that The Pitt actually led the entire pack with 25 total nominations—including 13 acting nods for her co-stars. How voters completely bypassed Briones's polarizing, fiercely layered performance is beyond us.

Bowen Yang (Saturday Night Live): Despite delivering a highly celebrated final run on the sketch show before his mid-season departure, Yang missed out on a Supporting Actor in a Comedy nod. The Academy chose to shut out the entire regular SNL cast this year.

Industry Cast & Crew: HBO's financial thriller was entirely shut out by the Television Academy. This means no love for Ken Leung, who has consistently turned in a masterclass performance as the complex and shrewd management executive Eric Tao.

Young Mazino & Tati Gabrielle: Both actors missed out on highly predicted guest and supporting drama nominations for their impactful roles in The Last of Us.

View from the edge

We've come a long way from the days of absolute invisibility, but as these snubs show, the fight for the Academy to fully recognize the depth of our talent continues.

What is especially noteworthy, is none of the characters played by AAPI actors, are the stereotypes that pigeonholed generations of Asian actors in Hollywood.

But there is so much more room for improvement. That's why overlooking Briones' role as Dr. Trinity Santos in The Pitt is so disappointing. There were so many moments where we saw glimpses of the life of Santos beyond the ER -- such as a white-passing Filipino American -- makes us crave  for more of her storyline to explore.

In fact, you can say that about all the acting AAPI nominees and the AAPI community as a whole. As two seasons of Beef have shown us, there's more complexity in us than Hollywood has been able to capture so far.  Hollywood's creators and artists are only starting to scratch the surface of the multiple worlds we live in and start delving into those stories.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news, views and chismis from an AANHPI perspective, follow me on Threads, on X, BlueSky or at the blog Views From the Edge. If you find this perspective interesting, please repost.

For AANHPI audiences seeking representation, this summer gives a ride you'll relish

'Joy Ride' breaks all the stereotypes of Asian women.

We are in an unprecedented era of AANHPI visibility in Hollywood thanks to the critical and box office success of movies like Crazy Rich Asians and the long-running success of Fresh Off the Boat TV series, both of which opened doors for more entertainment featuring AANHPI actors and themes.

Kung Fu may be ending its run after three seasons and after four years, the students in Never Have I Ever are ending their high school careers, but they will still be available for streaming. 

To help make up the gap with their departure, there are still a lot of movies and series  on the big and little screens and at least one major Broadway production for AANHPi audiences looking for entertainment they can relate to this summer.

I've added a few more to the recommendations from Gold House:

JOY RIDE, Opening weekend at a theater near you.

Created by Adele Lim, Cherry Chevapravatdumrong, and Teresa Hsiao, and starring Ashley Park, Sherry Cola, Stephanie Hsu, and Sabrina Wu, Joy Ride is smashing boundaries in a genre historically dominated by white, cisgender men. The hilarious and unapologetically explicit story of identity and self-discovery centers on four unlikely friends who embark on a once-in-a-lifetime international adventure. Their no-holds-barred, epic experience becomes a journey of bonding, friendship, belonging, and wild debauchery that reveals the universal truth of what it means to know and love who you are. It earns its "R" rating. Find a showing near you here!

WARRIOR, Season 3 - streaming now on Max [trailer]

In Season 3, the action-packed martial arts drama series continues its thrilling saga set in the gritty streets of San Francisco's Chinatown during the late 19th century. As the city teeters on the brink of chaos, the resilient protagonist, Ah Sahm, finds himself embroiled in a dangerous battle for justice, honor, and survival. With stunning fight sequences, complex character dynamics, and a richly layered narrative, Season 3 promises to deliver an adrenaline-fueled journey filled with intrigue, betrayal, and the pursuit of ultimate victory


PAST LIVES - now in theaters [trailer]

With a 97% Rotten Tomatoes critics’ score, Celine Song’s writing and directorial debut Past Lives “uses the bonds between its sensitively sketched central characters to support trenchant observations on the human condition.” Past Lives follows Nora (Greta Lee), who immigrated to Canada from South Korea as a child. Two decades later, Nora reunites with her childhood sweetheart Hae Sung (Teo Yoo), who brings up long-buried feelings about their relationship and her Korean American identity.

ELEMENTAL - now in theaters [trailer]

Based on director Peter Sohn’s experience with his first-generation immigrant parents, Elemental is a new Pixar film that transports moviegoers to an extraordinary place called Element City, where different elements live and work. Ember, a quick-witted and fiery woman who’s always stayed close to home in Firetown, finally ventures out of her comfort zone to explore the world beyond and meets Wade, a watery and sensitive man who challenges her beliefs about the possibilities for her life.

NIMONA - streaming on Netflix [trailer]

This animated film, based on the graphic novel of the same name by Noelle Stevenson, follows the adventures of Nimona (Chloë Grace Moretz), a young shapeshifter with a knack for mischief. She teams up with the supervillain Lord Ballister Boldheart (Riz Ahmed) to wreak havoc on the Institution of Law Enforcement and Heroics. As Nimona and Boldheart's plans unfold, they uncover a conspiracy that threatens the kingdom and forces them to question their loyalties.

POLITE SOCIETY - streaming on Peacock and available on VOD [trailer]

A merry mash up of sisterly affection, parental disappointment and bold action, Polite Society follows martial artist-in-training Ria Khan (Priya Kansara) who believes she must save her older sister Lena (Ritu Arya) from her impending marriage. After enlisting the help of her friends, Ria attempts to pull off the most ambitious of all wedding heists in the name of independence and sisterhood.

 AMERICAN BORN CHINESE, streaming on Disney+

A coming-of-age story of a Chinese American teen struggling between two worlds of becoming a "normal" American kid and his rich Chinese heritage. The TV series flits between present day US suburban high school and the world of the legend of the Monkey King. It features a host of familiar Asian American actors including Oscar winners Michelle Yeo and Ke Huy Quan.

 LOVE IN TAIPEI,  streaming on Paramount+ beginning August 10

Love those romcoms! Based on the best-selling book “Loveboat, Taipei” by Abigail Hing Wen, Love in Taipei tells the story of the young American Ever Wong, whose summer takes an unexpected turn when her parents surprise her with a trip to Taipei for a cultural immersion program. Ever is surprised to discover that she hasn’t signed up for homework and history lessons, but instead for a summer-long free-for-all the locals and other students call “Loveboat.” And it quickly lives up to its name. The feature film directed by Arvin Chen (Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow?), and stars Ashley Liao, Ross Butler, Nico Hiraga and Chelsea Zhang, premieres later this summer exclusively on Paramount+ in the U.S. and Canada on Thursday, August 10, also coming to the service in the UK, Australia, Latin America, Brazil, Italy, France, Germany, Switzerland, Austria and South Korea.

' XO, KITTY', currently streaming on Netflix

The fifth installment of the franchise established by To All The Boys I Loved Before e books by author Jenny Han, XO Kitty follows Lara Jean's kid sister as she travels to South Korea hoping to reconect with a long-distance boyfriend and learn more about her mother's past. She finds, however, that a relationship is much more complex when it is your own feelings of love at risk. Ahh, young love!

And, lastly, if you're in the New York City area, besure to catch Here Lies Love ...

'Here Lies Love' with its all-Filipino cast will be coming to Broadway July 20.

HERE LIES LOVE, opening night on Broadway at the Broadway Theatre, New York City on July 20

And for you who love Broadway, Here Lies Love  will debut July 20 on Broadway with advance performances beginning on July 17. The musical featuring an all-Filipino cast, including Lea Salonga and Conrad Ricamora, traces the rise ... and the fall ... of the conjugal dictatorship of Ferdinand and Imelda Marcos. The groundbreaking immersive production allows the audience to become of the show, transforming from disco-goers, to adoring Marcos supporters and finally becoming the protestors in the People Power revolution toppling the dictatorship. Music by Grammy®, Oscar®, and Tony Award® winner David Byrne and Grammy Award® winner Fatboy Slim.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow me at Threads.net/eduardodiok, @DioknoEd on Twitter or at the  blog Views From the Edge.

AANHPI turning to streaming networks to find content and characters they can relate to

AANHPI audiences are flocking to the streaming networks like Netflix, Hulu and Amazon in search of stories reflecting their concerns and characters that look like them.

Compared to the general population, AANHPI audiences watch about 27% more streaming content – the platform with the highest AANHPI representation at more than 10% share of screen, according to a new report from Nielsen.

The AANHPI audience has made it clear – through their voices and dollar spend – that they desire for their stories to be seen and heard. Studios and advertisers can tap into the growing value of authentic stories and inclusive representation to engage an audience that is eager to see itself represented on screen.

"Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) are a driving force in the US, both as cultural influencers and powerful consumers," says the report.

In addition, the Nielsen report, 2023 Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Diverse Intelligence Series , shows high bingeability scores of Asian-led content across top streaming platforms and opportunities for advertisers to better engage AANHPI audiences.

Despite a slight dip in representation from 2021 to 2022, streaming programs are still significantly more inclusive of AANHPI people than other platforms. Streaming had more than twice the representation on broadcast and three times the representation on cable. In addition, Asian-inclusive content is highly bingeable and attracts all audiences beyond AANHPI viewers.

"Asians are the fastest growing segment of the U.S. population, both in numbers and buying power. Studios and advertisers can tap into the growing value of authentic stories and inclusive representation to engage an audience that is eager to see itself represented on screen," said Patricia Ratulangi, Vice President of Global Communications - DE&I at Nielsen.

"Asian-led content continues to successfully attract and retain audiences, celebrating high bingeability scores across all major streaming platforms."

For the upcoming Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in May, Nielsen is  collaborating with Gold House, the leading platform that unites, promotes, and invests in Asian Pacific creators and companies, to further spotlight AANHPI driven television content.

"We're excited to partner with Nielsen and spotlight content that continues to captivate audiences and advance representation of our diverse communities," said Jeremy Tran, Executive Director of Gold House. "Through our collaboration, we were excited to see Asian-led shows amass more than one million new viewers, whether in its third season like Never Have I Ever or in its first season like The Company You Keep."*

In this report, Nielsen explores the media platforms and content that’s drawing Asian Americans. For marketers, content creators and media publishers, we hope you’ll see there is value – and audiences – to be gained when you embrace our community.

Other key highlights in the 2023 Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Diverse Intelligence Series include:

• AANHPI audiences watch about 27% more streaming content – the platform with the highest AANHPI representation at more than 10% share of screen.

• Despite a slight dip in representation from 2021 to 2022, streaming programs are still significantly more inclusive of AANHPI people than other platforms. Streaming had more than twice the representation on broadcast and three times the representation on cable. In addition, Asian-inclusive content is highly bingeable and attracts all audiences beyond AANHPI viewers.

• Good content appeals to all audiences

1. 91% of AANHPI audiences and 
2. 87% of general audiences are open to content featuring people outside of their identity group.

• In addition, the report shows high bingeability scores of Asian-led content across top streaming platforms and opportunities for advertisers to better engage AANHPI audiences.

1. Advertising in Asian-led content delivers value AANHPI audiences are 46% more likely than the total - population to buy from brands that advertise in inclusive content. 
2. In 2022 brands in the fashion, pet care, electronics and travel categories allocated a significant portion of their advertising budget toward content that features and appeals to the AANHPI community. These are also the categories where Asian Americans are spending more than the general population.

FYI: Download the 2023 Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Diverse Intelligence Series for more details and insights. Please visit www.nielsen.com/asian-american to learn more. Join the discussion on LinkedIn (https://www.linkedin.com/showcase/nielsen-diversity-equity-and-inclusion/) and Facebook (Nielsen DiversityEquityAndInclusion).

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow @DioknoEd on Twitter.

Civic Action Week launch encouraging AANHPI voters

Early voting for the Midterm election has begun in many states.

With less than a month before the Midterm elections, AANHPI agencies are gearing up to encourage taking part in democracy by voting.

From Oct. 11-14, over a dozen Asian and Pacific Islander (API) nonprofits across the country are launching Civic Action Week, organized by Gold House, to encourage voting, philanthropy, and vaccines. 

"The pandemic has been particularly hard on many Asians and Pacific Islanders facing increasing socioeconomic challenges. We must mobilize to protect our rights and our health," says Jeremy Tran, COO of Gold House, one of the nonprofits leading Civic Action Week.

The week highlights national and local resources heading into midterm elections and flu season, from the Filipino Voter Empowerment Project's PSA starring Timothy Granaderos (See below.( to the US Department of Health and Human Services' COVID-19 education campaign We Can Do This.

FYI: Click here for a full list of resources and events. of Civic Action Week.

Indeed, the collective power of APIs should not be overlooked. Asian American voter turnout surged by 47% nationally and across all presidential battleground states in 2020, becoming the margin of victory in key states like Georgia. Asian Americans also assumed some of the highest national and local offices for the first time — from U.S. Vice President Kamala Harris to Mayors Michelle Wu (Boston), Aftab Pureval (Cincinnati), and Bruce Harrell (Seattle).

These victories did not come easily, however.

Barriers to voting access continue to exist in critical states like Texas, where a recent poll by Asian Texans for Justice showed that 64% of the API electorate are eager to vote.

"South Asians in Texas are up against major obstacles at the ballot box," warns Krisan Swaminathan, Chair of SAAVETX. "Voter suppression laws ensnare our people in antiquated voter registration regulations, complicated ballot access, and stringent voter identification requirements. This directly impacts immigrant communities."

Many API communities have also been facing limited healthcare and financial resources, despite increasing challenges in recent years.

"With the prevalence of chronic illnesses among Pacific Islanders and likeliness of our communities living in multi-family and multi-generational households, prioritizing health in our community today is key to ensuring we aren't one of the hardest hit communities in the next health crisis," Karla Thomas, Deputy Director of EPIC, explains.

But with less than 1% of philanthropic dollars going to AANHPI nonprofits, these organizations are working together to empower their communities through creative ways like Civic Action Week.

Civic Action Week is a grassroots effort to empower Asian and Pacific Islanders nationwide with accessible resources on voting, philanthropy, and vaccines. Participating organizations include AALEAD, APIAVote, Asia Services in Action, Asian Texans for Justice, CAUSE, Chinese-American Planning Council, EPIC, HAVEN, SAAVE TX, The SEAD Project, and VAYLA New Orleans.

"Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have faced many challenges over the past few years. But as a community, we did not stay silent," says Kevin Hirano, Director of Operations and Development of APIAVote. "The change we want and need can only happen when we vote and take others with us to the polls."

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow @DioknoEd on Twitter.

Asian American Hollywood executive elected president of Oscars' academy

ACADEMY OF MOTION PICTURE ARTS AND SCIENCES

Janet Yang takes over helm of Oscars' sponsor.

Hollywood producer Janet Yang, who has been described as “the godmother of Asian Americans in the industry” was elected president of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences by the organization’s Board of Governors.

“Janet is a tremendously dedicated and strategic leader who has an incredible record of service at the Academy. She has been instrumental in launching and elevating several Academy initiatives on membership recruitment, governance, and equity, diversity, and inclusion,” noted Academy CEO Bill Kramer.

“I am thrilled that she is taking on the esteemed role of Academy President and look forward to working closely with her on our shared vision to serve our membership, celebrate the collaborative arts and sciences of motion pictures, and inspire the next generation of filmmakers.”

Yang, 66, is beginning her first term as president and her second term as a Governor-at-Large, a position for which she was nominated by the sitting Academy President and elected by the Board of Governors. Gigliotti, Karaszewski, Linde, Mussenden and Thomas were re-elected as officers. It will be the first officer stint for Dorman, Howell Taylor and Taylor-Coleman.

Yang’s extensive film producing credits include “The Joy Luck Club,” “The People vs. Larry Flynt,” “Zero Effect,” “High Crimes,” “Dark Matter,” “Shanghai Calling” and the Oscar®-nominated animated feature “Over the Moon.” She won an Emmy® for the HBO film “Indictment: The McMartin Trial.”

Following Cheryl Boone Isaacs, Yang is the second person of color to hold the academy's top job.

The New York City-born daughter of Chinese immigrants has long been a significant figure in Hollywood's Asian American community. She co-chairs the academy's Asian Affinity Group and has served on the academy's board of governors since 2019 as one of three governors-at-large who were added following the 2016 #OscarsSoWhite movement to help boost diversity and inclusion.

After Oscar host Chris Rock used Asian children as props for a not-so-funny racist  joke, Yang was a part of the creatives that included some of the biggest Asian American names in the film industry, who wrote a letter to the Academy expressing their displeasure asking that the Academy initiate more efforts to be more inclusive to include more women and members of color.

The hashtag #OscarsSoWhite, brought attention to long-standing racism and bias in awards recognition in Hollywood. Since the 2019 Oscars, the Academy has increased the diversity of its membership by doubling the number of women and minority members, increasing its overall membership from 6,000 to around 10,000.

A member of the Academy’s Producers Branch since 2002, Yang most recently served on the Board as vice president and chair of the Membership Committee and prior to that, the Membership and Governance Committee. She is also co-chair of the Academy’s Asian Affinity Group.

Yang also co-founded Gold House, the collective that aims to lift the voices of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) in Hollywood. She has been named one of the “50 Most Powerful Women in Hollywood” by the Hollywood Reporter.

Last June, she was feted at the Academy Museum of Motion Pictures with a pillar named in her honor. She became the first Asian American woman to have a pillar at the museum.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow @DioknoEd on Twitter.

Over 40 AANHPI community groups staging an historic Unity March, June 25

The AANHPI communities have been staging ad hoc marches for the last two years. 

Some of the United State's best known nonprofit organizations serving the diverse Asian American, South Asian, Southeast Asian, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities are putting aside cultural, linguistic and geographic differences in a demonstration of unity. 

The first-ever Unity March will take place on June 25, 2022, at the National Mall in Washington, D.C., in the shadow of the Washington Monument and in view of the White House  

“The goal is to galvanize Asian Americans and allies across multiple issues, and educate folks about the issues that our communities face — not only as Asian Americans but as people of color, as LGBTQ folks, as folks with disabilities,” Tiffany Chang, a Unity March spokesperson. told NBC.

“Asian American communities have been disproportionately plagued by widespread violence, racism and xenophobia that runs rampant across American society,” she said.  “It’s time for our nation’s leaders to stop offering band-aid solutions to longstanding systemic issues by advancing adequate, sustainable policies that drive long-term positive impact for our communities.” 

R&B/Pop artist Thuy, award-winning producer and trans rights advocate Geena Rocero, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist Jose Antonio Vargas, civil rights activist Rev. Al Sharpton, and NYC-based hate crime survivor Esther Lee are among the speakers who will join more than 40 nonprofits—including Asian American Advancing Justice – AAJC, Gold House, Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote, Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund—in urging AAPI communities and their allies to advance the Unity March Equity Platform. 

“It’s an honor for me to be able to be a part of this momentous event. Thank you to the organizers for bringing together our community. I’m so proud to be Vietnamese American and to come from immigrant parents who have taught me to be resilient and to use my voice to advocate for what’s right and what I’m passionate about,” said Thuy, R&B/Pop artist.

“I am a very proud transgender Filipina," added said Geena Rocero, award-winning producer, trans rights activist and model. "I find my power rooted in the resilience of my ancestors and my lived experience. It is a huge honor to be in community – to be with family – for this historic Unity March.” 

The Unity March is the first call to action to fight against systemic oppression and the systems that stand in the way of full participation by all, states a press release. 

"We march because we believe every single person in the country must have a voice in our local, state, and federal governments. And, that a fair society and economy values and protects workers, asserting all workers’ rights to dignity and security regardless of industry, citizenship, and/or employment status. We exist to tell our own diverse and authentic stories and disrupt harmful narratives," the statement continued.

The Equity Platform put forth by March organizers serves as a critical stepping stone to ensuring equitable representation and rights for all. 

Unity March, and multicultural partners representing the intersection of Asian American,  LGBTQ+, Muslim, disability communities, Black, Indigenous, Pacific Islander, Latinx, and Arab communities, will be uniting to demand progress toward achieving its Equity Platform, which calls for:

• Full Participation in Democracy, meaning a pathway to citizenship for undocumented members and long-term visa holders, access to voting and civic power for traditionally disenfranchised citizens, especially people of color and historically under-resourced communities.
• ‍Racial and Economic Justice, including holding the public and private sectors accountable for investing in workers’ rights and providing equal access to financial empowerment for small businesses, entrepreneurs of color, and women.
• ‍Cultural Equity and Media Representation, that promotes more diverse, authentic narratives and fights harmful stereotypes so we can create culturally dynamic, equitable and inclusive schools, workplaces, and neighborhoods. 

The United March Host Committee Members are:

• Asian American Advancing Justice – AAJC (Advancing Justice – AAJC)
• Asian and Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote)
• Gold House
• Indian American Impact Project
• National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA)
• OCA – Asian Pacific American Advocates
• Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF)

For more information:

WHO: For a full list of Unity March Organization Partners, visit www.UnityMarch.com.

WHAT: The Unity March will be held on June 25, 2022, 

WHEN: The March will start at 12 p.m. ET 

WHERE: The National Mall in Washington, D.C. between 4th Street and 7th Street.

Acknowledging that the event iss being held in unprecedented times, Unity March organizations have implemented Covid-19 guidelines.

“The truth is, when we are not safe, we cannot advance towards the promise of a more perfect union, where racial and economic justice, cultural equity, and full participation in democracy is possible,” said Christine Chen, Executive Director at APIAVote, “The Unity March will push for change that allows all people equitable access to these opportunities to thrive.”

EDITOR'S NOTE: In keeping with Edge guidelines of calling people what they call themselves, in this article, we use the genderless "x" in place of the gender-specific "o" or "a" in naming some communities. For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow @DioknoEd on Twitter.

A $30 million fund launched to bolster start-ups led by founders of Asian descent

Having impacted Hollywood since it was founded four years ago, Gold House is turning its attention to Silicon Valley.

Gold House, the premier collective of Asian and Pacific Islander leaders, launched  its $30 million fund — Gold House Ventures — to deliver market-first social impact in corner offices. 

"Gold House was forged to rewrite a history that's been handed to us. It's time to ensure that what we believe is who we can become — not just for the API community but for all communities through equitable hiring, multicultural consumer engagement, and collective economic success," said Bing Chen, President of Gold House and General Partner of Gold House Ventures.

The fund invests in founders of API descent; corrals capital through its preeminent investor network; delivers industry-focused accelerators; provides extensive marketing and talent recruitment support; and contributes 100% of management fees and profits back to Gold House to further the nonprofit's history-making work.

Asians are among the least likely demographic to be promoted to management. In technology, Asians account for ~30% of the total workforce but are less than 14% of executive ranks and single digits in the C-Suite and boards. However, an estimated 16% of the top companies founded in the last decade have at least one API founder (despite being 7% of the nation's population) while nearly 42% of last year's Forbes Midas list was API — underscoring an opportunity to remove the ceiling by founding companies.

RELATED: 

• AAPI hit a bamboo ceiling in Silicon Valley
• AAPI women challenge culture of Silicon Valley
• Asian immigrants transforming Silicon valley

Gold House Ventures invests across industries and stages — always in lockstep with world-class investors. Investing partners include Accel, Alley Corp, Bain Capital, Basis Set, Bling Capital, CircleUp, Coatue, Decibel, Eniac, Floodgate, General Catalyst, GGV, Goodwater, Graph Ventures, Imaginary Ventures, Juxtapose, Lightspeed, Maveron, Mayfield, NEA, Northzone, Tribe, Trinity, Upfront, Wing VC, and Xfund.

"Many iconic companies are founded and run by API entrepreneurs. We want to back the next generation of great API founders and shine a spotlight on their success to inspire more to pursue their entrepreneurial dreams," said Eric Feng, GP of Gold House Ventures and former GP at Kleiner Perkins.

Gold House Ventures' investors include C-suite executives of major corporations; successful API founders (Binance Labs, YouTube, Twitch, DoorDash, Credit Karma, Zuora, Zola, FiscalNote, Honey, GOAT, and more); and cultural leaders with business success such as lifestyle icons Eva Chen, Michelle Phan, Padma Lakshmi, and Prabal Gurung; Grammy-winning musicians Anderson .Paak, Agnez Mo, Dumbfoundead, and Transparent Arts; artists Bowen Yang, Daniel Dae Kim, Gemma Chan, and Ronny Chieng.

Gold House has a long history of supporting diverse entrepreneurs through the leading API founder network, marketing benefits via extensive media and entertainment partnerships, and accelerators like Gold Rush (the preeminent API founder accelerator), — whose new, biannual class also debuts today.

"Since Gold Rush launched three years ago, alums have raised over $370 million in follow-on funding, with women representing over half of our participants and the ethnic diversity of each cohort reflecting API representation in the U.S.," said Megan Ruan, GP of Gold House Ventures.

EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AAPI perspective, follow @DioknoEd on Twitter.

Asian American superhero: Marvel Studios’ 'Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings at theaters today

Simi Liu stars as Shang-Chi, a Marvel superhero.

The excitement surrounding the motion picture Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings  is palpable, especially among AAPI moviegoers.

Shang-Chi, one of the most highly anticipated movies of the year, hits theaters today (Friday, Aug. 3). Featuring a host of Asian American and Asian actors, the buzz surrounding the film has been compared to Crazy Rich Asians, even though the action-packed Marvel product is as different from the romantic comedy as a movie can be.

The two movies representing different genres,  are similar in one important way: the lead characters and the supporting cast are all of Asian descent.

Before Shang-Chi's debut, Marvel Studios released a featurette titled "Ready To Rise," interviewing the cast alongside director Asian American director Destin Daniel Cretton and Asian American screenwriter Dave Callaham and Simu Liu in the titular role and cast members Awkwafina and Michelle Yeoh exploring the importance of the movie's Asian representation.

"The story of Shang-Chi was actually very personal.," said Cretton, who is Japanese American. "I wanted to look at what a superhero could be. What it would mean to me. To be able to add not only one character, Shang-Chi, but to add a whole cornucopia of Asian faces that are representing something I've never really seen before."

The experience of writing for an Asian American character struck a chord with screenwriter Callahan, whose 20-year career includes writing credits for Godzilla and Wonder Woman.

I’ve never had an experience like this," said the Chinese American writer. "The moment I realized that was day three or four of writing the script ... I got very emotional and I couldn’t figure out why," he told Nerds of Color. 

"I sat back from my chair and I really checked in with myself and I audited what was happening. I realized, holy shit. I’ve never in my 19 years of writing actually been asked to write anything even resembling my experience.”

That sentiment was echoed by the movie's star Liu. "For many of us who grew up in the west, whose parents immigrated, we never really saw ourselves on screen meaningfully," says Chinese Canadian Liu, who starred in the Asian Canadian sitcoms,  Netflix's Kim's Convenience, which finished the production of its fifth and final season this year.

To help the film impress Disney and other Hollywood studios, the Coalition of Asian Pacific Americans in Entertainment (CAPE) and Gold House are encouraging Asian Americans to host viewing events by buying out a theater to increase the box office draw of the movie.

The Marvel's movies staring their Pantheon of comic book superheroes  is the biggest film franchise on the planet right now, according to Gold House president Bing Chen, who said there's a lot on the line this weekend for members of the AAPI community who want to see more Hollywood films and TV shows starring Asian Americans.

"If we can show that we can actually hold our own ground opening weekend through the biggest film franchise in the world, that is going to unlock other opportunities in other major franchises, as well as independent films, for AAPIs to lead," Chen told CNN Business. "We're two-thirds of the world and there are still people who don't believe we can open films ... A single movie does not change the world forever, but it does start to stoke it."

APA Heritage Month: Gold House names 100 most impactful AAPIs

Musicians, business executives, tech entrepreneurs, athletes, actors, authors, filmmakers. The annual list of the AAPI movers and shakers produced by Gold House kicks off Asian Pacific American Heritage Month was unveiled Friday, May 1.

The full A100 list can be viewed on Gold House's website.

Perhaps the biggest surprise to people who have only a casual connection to the AAPI communities, is that Gold House was able to find so many in so many fields, a testament to the influence and power of AAPI individuals because most of them don't grab the headlines or spotlight of America's media.

“The AAPI community is facing a pivotal juncture in our history,” said a Gold House spokesperson in a statement. “Unprecedented hope and progress – seen in IPOs and other major company exits to the Democratic Presidential Primaries to the Oscars and Golden Globes – quickly turned into hateful harassment and violence.

"The A100 spotlights significant contributions made by the Asian diaspora that transcend ethnicities, generations, industries, and continents – a powerful reminder that we have always been and will continue to be an integral part of the fabric of American society,” continued the statement.

Born three years ago specifically to assure the box office success of the landmark film, Crazy Rich Asians, Gold House's list leans heavily to show business personalities, including Awkwafina, Chrissy Teigen, Lilly Singh, Dwayne Johnson and the K-pop sensations BTS and Black Pink, joined by former presidential candidates Kamala Harris and Andrew Yang, but there are also less known but just as impactful standouts in the business and tech worlds.

For the first time, judges and voters also selected the single, most impactful Asians per category, as well as the Legend Lifetime Achievement Award:

• Business: Betty Liu (executive vice chairman, New York Stock Exchange)
• Fashion and Lifestyle: Prabal Gurung (designer)
• Media & Entertainment: Awkwafina (actress, producer, musician)
• Social Activism: Andrew Yang (founder, Humanity Forward, and former United States presidential candidate)
• Technology: Satya Nadella (CEO, Microsoft)
• Legend Lifetime Achievement Award: Miky Lee (vice chairman, CJ Entertainment)

“It is as important as ever to highlight leaders in the Asian community and support one another,” Prabal Gurung told Adweek. “When we uplift each other, it is a show of solidarity to the world that we are here, we are united, and we aren’t going anywhere. 

"Also, unity within our own community allows us to be stronger allies to other minority groups. Right now, you can support the AAPI community by speaking out against racism using whatever platform you have (big or small) and supporting small businesses.”

These individuals, standout in their fields, are proof that AAPI are part of today's America, contributing to its ever-shifting culture, energizing its economy, adding to its knowledge and expanding its dreams.