UC Berkeley’s Ethnic Studies Department recently celebrated its 40th anniversary, highlighting its strong support for graduate students. Assistant Professor Long Le-Khac created a database of Asian American literature from 1971–2023, compiling 984 works by 783 authors. His team avoided imposing a single definition of “Asian American literature,” instead capturing its competing interpretations. Le-Khac stressed that […]

Korean American novelist Susan Choi has been shortlisted for the Booker Prize. Her nominated work is Flashlight, her sixth novel. The story begins with a seaside tragedy where a daughter survives, but her father vanishes. It unfolds into a sweeping family saga across Japan, the U.S., and North Korea. Themes of memory, identity, language, and […]

Arthur Sze, a UC Berkeley graduate and acclaimed poet, has been named the first Asian American U.S. poet laureate. Known for his translations of ancient Chinese poetry and 12 published collections, Sze plans to use his term to promote the translation of world poetry and inspire new writers. Throughout his career, he has taught in […]

Jessica Sanchez, 30, became the first Filipino American to win America’s Got Talent after performing Lady Gaga and Bruno Mars’ “Die With a Smile” in the Season 20 finale. She earned a standing ovation, the most public votes, and the $1 million prize. Two decades after first auditioning at age 10, Sanchez returned to the […]

The FANSS study found a 1.3% lung cancer detection rate among 1000 Asian women nonsmokers aged 40–74. Most cancers were early-stage adenocarcinomas with EGFR or HER2 mutations. The rate is comparable to or higher than detection in smoker-based trials, raising questions about expanding U.S. screening guidelines to include high-risk nonsmoking groups, particularly Asian women. 

Natalie Nakase was named Associated Press Coach of the Year after leading the Golden State Valkyries to the playoffs in their inaugural WNBA season with a league-best debut record of 23–21. Known for their defensive strength and balanced play, the Valkyries ranked among the top five in several key categories. Nakase, who previously coached in […]

Asian Improv aRts Midwest (AIRMW), led by Tatsu Aoki, presents the 30th Annual Chicago Asian American Jazz Festival Nov. 7–10 at Elastic Arts, highlights the vital role of Asian American artists in shaping Chicago’s cultural landscape. Featuring artists such as Francis Wong, Jeff Chan, Ester Hana, and the MIYUMI Project. For three decades, the festival […]

Lee So-young, the new director and CEO of San Francisco’s Asian Art Museum, aims to position the institution as a leader in exploring Asian culture through the lens of diaspora and global influence. With San Francisco’s strong Asian American presence, she sees the museum as a community hub that tells evolving stories of identity. Formerly […]

The Rams star wide receiver Puka Nacua of Polynesian descent has quickly emerged as a key player. In his rookie season, he broke several NFL rookie records. In the Rams’ Week 1 win against the Houston Texans, Nacua caught 10 of 11 passes for 130 yards, even playing through a head injury that required a […]

The Trump administration’s Education Department will cut $350 million in federal funding for Minority-Serving Institutions, including programs supporting Asian American, Black, and Hispanic students. Colleges such as CUNY, City College of San Francisco and Bunker Hill Community College stand to lose crucial funds used for tutoring, advising, and student support. Advocates warn the move will […]

KCCI weekend morning anchor Nicole Tam, the station’s first Asian-American anchor, will bid farewell on September 14, 2025, after joining in March 2022. Born in Hong Kong and raised in Hawaii, Tam graduated from the University of Hawaii Mānoa with degrees in journalism and Chinese, later working at KITV in Honolulu before becoming KCCI’s first […]

Greta Lee has become a powerful force in Hollywood, breaking stereotypes and paving the way for authentic Asian-American representation. Beyond acting, she advocates for authentic storytelling, collaborating with influential creators to amplify underrepresented voices and bring fresh perspectives to mainstream media. Her commitment to inclusivity and accuracy not only strengthens her own career but also […]