The Asian American Foundation

"Just having this narrow frame makes for a very rich story, makes for a very intimate story, and that's what I was trying to do from the first day," says director Bao Nguyen of BTS: THE RETURN, a new documentary offering an intimate look at BTS as they reunite and begin work on their latest album, Arirang. Now streaming on Netflix, the film follows the group from Los Angeles to Korea as they reconnect, record, and navigate the complexities of being both Korean icons and global superstars. At the heart of the project is a deeper question of identity: how to honor their roots while continuing to evolve on a world stage. Through candid footage and personal storytelling, Nguyen captures a moment of transition that reflects a broader experience of cultural duality, resonating far beyond music. Read the full interview and go behind the scenes of BTS: THE RETURN.https://https://lnkd.in/gU5mEyC5

“It’s important that we share our Filipino American culture, but more importantly, have that sense of belonging,” says Chera Amlag of Hood Famous Bakeshop. To wrap up Women’s History Month, we’re spotlighting Hood Famous, a woman-owned business in Seattle's Chinatown-International District (CID) that focuses far beyond what’s on the menu, creating spaces for communities to connect and feel at home. As part of our TAAF Cities initiative, TAAF has partnered with the University of Washington Foster School of Business to launch the Chinatown-International District Business Accelerator (CBA), helping support restaurants like Hood Famous in the CID and Little Saigon neighborhoods as they prepare for the 2026 FIFA World Cup. To learn how we're supporting safety and prosperity in Seattle, read more at our blog, THE TAKEAWAY: https://lnkd.in/gtFSTG_Q

Five years ago, TAAF was founded in response to the alarming rise in anti-Asian hate. During the pandemic, we saw our communities impacted across the country and knew that addressing this crisis would require more than individual efforts—it would require a national network of organizations working together. Since then, TAAF's Safety National Network has grown to reach over 14 cities and more than 50% of the AAPI population, providing critical resources to those on the frontlines, reaching nearly 100,000 community members, and helping communities respond to hate and violence with greater confidence and safety. Vsit https://lnkd.in/gXv92iiy to learn more about the organizations driving change on the ground and see how National Network members are building a safer future, one neighborhood at a time.

A reflection of culture, community, and continuity, mahjong traces its roots to 19th-century China and has been carried across generations and diasporas. More than a game, it creates space for traditions and shared experience, with each tile holding layers of history and meaning. Swipe to learn more.

"One of the things I very much believe is that leadership does not look like one thing...I really do believe that in order to lead, in order to really fulfill your potential, you have to be you," says Barbara Peng, CEO of Business Insider. In celebration of Women’s History Month, we’re highlighting Barbara Peng, who believes that that there’s no single mold for leadership. When asked about the best advice she never took, she offered a simple reminder: sometimes, the most powerful path forward is the one that stays true to who you are. What's the best advice you've never taken? Let us know in the comments below.

The Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 was a U.S. law that banned Chinese labor immigration, marking the first major restriction on immigration based on nationality. A representation of years of anti-Chinese hostility and anti-Chinese immigrant agitation, it was only in 1943 that the Chinese Exclusion Act was repealed with the Magnuson Act. Visit the AAPI History Hub at aapihistoryhub.org to learn more.

A huge congratulations to all the Oscars winners! This year, Asian and Asian American creatives brought excellence to one of the biggest stages in film and television, with KPop Demon Hunters winning Best Animated Feature and Best Original Song, Autumn Durald Arkapaw winning Best Cinematography for Sinners, and Two People Exchanging Saliva winning Best Live Action Short Film. These wins reinforce what our report, "Reframing Representation" makes clear: audiences today are hungry for authenticity and specificity. Now more than ever, we need to carve out spaces of stories that challenge stereotypes and expand what representation can look like. Dive into the full report at https://lnkd.in/gy6Unb78.

Five years ago today, a gunman targeted multiple Asian-owned spas in Atlanta, Georgia, taking the lives of eight people—including six women of Asian descent. As we continue to mourn, we remember them as daughters, sisters, mothers, friends, and community members whose lives and stories deeply matter. Our hearts remain with their loved ones, and we share in the grief that continues to impact Atlanta—and the nation. The Atlanta spa shootings forced the nation to confront the alarming rise of anti-Asian hate and violence during the pandemic, galvanizing a national movement to stand up for and protect AAPI communities. The tragedy helped catalyze the launch of TAAF, and sharpened our focus on combatting hate and advancing safety, prosperity, and belonging. Over the past five years, we have turned that mission into action—developing meaningful initiatives to support victims of hate and violence, building safety in our cities, investing in our Safety National Network to support 50% of the AAPI population in the U.S., advocating for AAPI history in classrooms, and advancing representation and economic opportunity for AAPI communities. With each passing anniversary, we recommit ourselves to building towards a future where our communities are safe, represented, and empowered to pursue our dreams.

Last fall, TAAF launched TALA—a two-year program that supports the leadership, career development, and holistic wellbeing of underrepresented AAPI college students, rooted in culture, community, and care. To celebrate the program’s midpoint, we asked fellows from our New York City and San Francisco cohorts to reflect on their journey so far. Here’s what they shared.

Today, the Social Justice Fund, The Asian American Foundation, Renaissance Economic Development Corporation, and the State of New York are proud to launch the NYC Elevating Business Loan Program—a groundbreaking $5.5 million initiative designed to strengthen small businesses across all five boroughs. “Small, local businesses are the backbone of a thriving community,” said Clara Wu Tsai, founder of the Social Justice Fund and Governor of the New York Liberty. “Investing in their success creates a ripple effect of economic opportunity across New York City." These small businesses are the heart of their neighborhoods—the spaces where people gather, stories are shared, and cultural traditions are passed down through generations. Yet many entrepreneurs face barriers to accessing the capital they need to sustain or grow their businesses, from complex application processes and high borrowing costs to language challenges and limited awareness of funding options. The NYC Elevating Business Loan Program addresses these challenges by offering loans of up to $100,000, helping small business owners manage cash flow, purchase equipment, enhance storefronts, and more. This critical effort also launches the "TAAF Cities: NYC" initiative—made possible through the generous commitment of TAAF's partners at Cummins Inc. and Morgan Stanley—aimed at spurring cross-sector investments and developing innovative solutions that promote economic opportunity, safety, and cultural pride in neighborhoods where the city’s vibrant AAPI communities reside. To learn more about TAAF Cities or apply for the NYC Elevating Business Loan Program, visit https://lnkd.in/du8r_UxG.