Since a rise in anti-Asian hate during the COVID-19 pandemic, about a dozen states have moved to require Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AAPI) history in schools. In Connecticut, West Hartford schools are implementing year-round AAPI history beyond heritage months, which educators say is long overdue.The effort has sparked debate, with some advocates concerned bipartisan […]

Shohei Ohtani was named AP Male Athlete of the Year for the fourth time, tying a record held by Tiger Woods and LeBron James. At 31, he continues to set high goals after a standout 2025 season with 55 home runs and a 2.87 ERA. He already holds four MVP awards and shows no signs of slowing […]

Constance Wu made history by becoming the first Asian American woman nominated for Best Lead Actress at the Golden Globes in 44 years for her role as Rachel Chu in Crazy Rich Asians. The film also received a nomination for Best Motion Picture – Musical or Comedy. Wu expressed shock and excitement following the announcement, while director Jon M. […]

Joshua Van made history by becoming the first Asian-born male UFC champion after winning the flyweight title at UFC 323 in Las Vegas. At 24, he became the second-youngest champion in UFC history and improved his record to 16–2. Born in Hakha, Myanmar, Van rose quickly through the ranks thanks to his timing, footwork, and […]

The Smithsonian’s National Museum of Asian Art is presenting “Korean Treasures: Collected, Cherished, Shared,” the first U.S. exhibition of masterpieces from the Lee Kun-Hee Collection. On view through Feb. 1, 2026, it features over 200 works spanning 1,500 years, including a dozen National Treasures. The exhibition highlights Korean art across ten galleries, from traditions of collecting […]

Rabbi Angela Buchdahl, the first Asian American cantor and rabbi, spoke in San Francisco about her new memoir, Heart of a Stranger, reflecting on her multicultural upbringing, journey into Jewish leadership, and the challenges faced by Jews of color. She urged redefining Jewish identity through belonging and covenant rather than race. Buchdahl  closed the event with “Over the […]

A successful year for KPop Demon Hunters, and everything continues to turn up golden for the animated pop-culture sensation. The film earned three Golden Globe nominations: Best Animated Film, Cinematic and Box Office Achievement, and Best Original Song for “Golden.” The track—performed by Huntr/x featuring EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and Rei Ami—also makes history, as EJAE becomes the first Korean American […]

Nathan Chen, Olympic champion and pioneer of modern quadruple jumping, will be inducted into the U.S. Figure Skating Hall of Fame in 2026 alongside coach Rafael Arutyunyan and judging-system architect Joseph Inman. Chen, one of the most decorated U.S. skaters, set records and achieved major technical firsts across the Olympic, World, and Grand Prix stages. […]

The Monkey King, Sun Wukong — a superpowered hero from the 16th-century novel Journey to the West — is finally gaining major traction in the U.S. After centuries of popularity across Asia, he’s now appearing in a Netflix film, a hit video game, and a sold-out San Francisco Opera production. Once considered “too Asian” for American audiences, cultural shifts and creators […]

Boston’s Greater Chinatown Golden Age Center uses music therapy to help older Chinese immigrants cope with trauma, loneliness, dementia, and cultural stigma around mental health. Music therapist Ming Yuan Low from Berklee College leads sing-alongs using familiar songs to lower emotional barriers, spark memories, and encourage conversation. Participants report feeling happier, more connected, and less […]

Three-time Grammy winner Ne-Yo, Indian music icon Sonu Nigam, and Chinese American rap pioneer MC Jin have teamed up with former Warner Music Asia co-president Jonathan Serbin to launch Pacific Music Group, a Hong Kong–based entertainment company. The new venture aims to develop and promote Pan-Asian musical talent on the global stage while also helping […]

Tamara Vaifanua, Utah’s first Samoan news anchor, recently won an Emmy for her coverage of the 2023 Maui wildfires, and the experience transformed her as she witnessed residents helping others despite losing so much themselves. With roots in both American Samoa and Samoa, embracing her Samoan heritage transformed her work and confidence after years of trying to fit a […]