The National Education Association (NEA) is promoting the inclusion of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) history in everyday classroom instruction to improve student engagement and belonging. Educators say representation helps students feel seen and supports a more complete understanding of U.S. history. Momentum has grown nationwide, with states like Illinois, New Jersey, […]

The Nai-Ni Chen Dance Company will present a special performance series in celebration of Asian American Heritage Month at The CitiGroup Theatre in New York City on May 15–16, 2026. The program highlights the company’s signature cross-cultural style by blending traditional Chinese influences with contemporary dance. It honors the legacy of founder Nai-Ni Chen through the revival of Du, showcases current […]

The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Asian Art will host the fourth annual IlluminAsia Festival in May 2026 to celebrate Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month, coinciding with America’s 250th anniversary. The festival emphasizes Asian American storytelling through film, literature, and live performances spanning early cinema to contemporary works. The festival, part of […]

Billboard features EJAE, Audrey Nuna, and REI AMI as Women of the Year 2026, highlighting their historic impact as Asian-American women in music. The trio reflects on their success with “Golden,” which surpassed 1 billion streams and contributed to a record-breaking Netflix project. They discuss their journey through the music industry, the ups and downs of their careers, and the transformative […]

A new U.S. Census Bureau report shows that while the most common U.S. surnames, Smith, Johnson, Williams, Brown, and Jones, remained unchanged from 2010 to 2020, Asian surnames grew the fastest. The report also notes there are now 7.8 million unique last names, and for the first time since 1990, the census included first-name data. This […]

Sheng Wang discusses his Netflix special Purple, which reflects his growth as a comedian and uses subtle, “purple” themes to convey creativity and evolution from Sweet and Juicy. His comedy draws on small, everyday moments, emphasizing the importance of being present and attentive to life’s details. Wang also highlights his long friendship with Ali Wong, who […]

Jalen Green, a Filipino American NBA player, delivered a standout performance to help the Phoenix Suns secure a playoff spot. In a decisive play-in game on April 17, the Suns defeated the Golden State Warriors 111–96. Green played 40 minutes and led the team with 36 points, along with 6 rebounds and 4 assists. He credited his strong […]

Several prominent Asian Americans were recognized on the 2026 TIME 100 Most Influential People list. Olympic gold medalists Alysa Liu and Chloe Kim were honored in the “Icons” category, with fellow Olympian Suni Lee praising Kim’s work ethic and authenticity. Actor and comedian Bowen Yang highlighted Liu’s talent, personality, and activism. Zohran Mamdani was recognized […]

The Smithsonian Institution’s National Museum of Asian Art is marking the United States’ 250th anniversary in 2026 with exhibitions, public programs, and digital initiatives highlighting cultural exchange between Asia and America. Founded through the 1906 gift of Charles Lang Freer and supported by Theodore Roosevelt, the museum reflects a legacy of philanthropy and cross-cultural engagement. […]

Grammy-winning artist Laufey released the music video for her single “Madwoman” on April 13, featuring a high-profile cast including Alysa Liu, Lola Tung, Hudson Williams, and Megan Skiendiel. The retro poolside visual shifts into a surreal story of a strained relationship with a dark psychological twist. Laufey intentionally cast exclusively Asian and Asian American talent to […]

Beef, created by Lee Sung Jin, turns a simple road rage incident into a sharp exploration of anger, identity, and class. Through the escalating feud between Danny and Amy, played by Steven Yeun and Ali Wong, the series reveals how deeply buried shame and dissatisfaction shape human behavior. By portraying flawed Asian American characters without […]

Coachella 2026 marked a major milestone with its largest-ever presence of Asian artists, reflecting the growing global influence of Asian music. The festival featured a mix of legendary acts and rising stars who delivered standout performances across multiple stages. BIGBANG made a highly anticipated return with a hit-filled set celebrating their long career, KATSEYE energized the crowd with […]