Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month: Centering the Voices of AAPI Communities in Florida

Florida is home to hundreds of thousands of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI). The AAPI community consists of many distinct cultures, approximately 50 ethnic groups speaking over 100 languages, with connections to Chinese, Filipino, Hawaiian, Indian, Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, and other Asian and Pacific Islander ancestries. For decades, they have formed part of our communities and built bridges for rich cultural exchanges in Florida. Despite the decades-long commemoration of this month in the United States, the AAPI community has historically faced anti-Asian sentiment within the institutions and history of this country. Throughout American history and in light of the Covid-19 pandemic, incidents of hate and discrimination against Asians in America have only increased.

This month and all year-long, we wish to honor, celebrate, and advance the fight for AAPI rights in our state. Below, learn more about how you can celebrate – and support – AAPI communities year-round in Florida.

• Original blog: "Being the 'Model Minority' Doesn’t Protect Us From Harm"
• Original blog: "Florida’s Diversity Includes the AAPI Community Too"
• Podcast: "The May Lee Show"
• Podcast: "Long Distance"
• Podcast: "Model Minorities"
• Book: "The Curious Thing"
• Book: "The Magical Language of Others"
• Book: "How to Not Be Afraid of Everything"
• Movie: "Turning Red"
• Movie: "Raya and the Last Dragon"
• Movie: "Everywhere Everywhere All at Once"

There are many AAPI organizations that celebrate AAPI culture and serve various AAPI communities’ needs in Florida. Here are a few to check out:

• Make Us Visible
• The Asian American Federation of Florida
• Asian American Heritage Council of Central Florida
• The Council on American-Islamic Relations

Additionally, here are AAPI-led organizations doing work across the nation that you can donate to today.

• Stop AAPI Hate
• The Asian American Legal Defense Fund

Check out the commemorative graphics created by young AAPI artists here:

• Featured in this graphic are paper flowers by designer Abbigail Magadia (she/her) from her project “100 Days of Paper Flowers.” Abbygail Magadia is a Filipino-American artist based in the greater New York City area. She is currently a third-year undergraduate student at the School of Visual Arts pursuing a Bachelor’s in Fine Arts in Design. Find her work on @byabbygailmarie and @abbyspetals.
• Enjoy these images by photographer Momo Takahashi (she/her) from her series “Where We Call Home,” which features portraits of AAPI individuals. Momo Takahashi is a freelance photographer born and raised in New York City and will soon graduate from NYU’s Tisch Department of Photography and Imaging. Find her work @momotakahashi.