UCLA students Samantha Leong and Corina Penaia received the 2025–26 Don T. Nakanishi Award for Outstanding Engaged Scholarship in Asian American and Pacific Islander Studies. Penaia was recognized for research advancing health and data equity in Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities, while Leong was honored for civic engagement and advocacy aimed at increasing Asian American representation […]

Atlanta Chinese Dance Company’s new production, Chinese American Journeys, explores the history and experiences of Chinese Americans in the U.S., particularly in the South. Choreographed by co-artistic director Kerry Lee, the company’s first fully original show blends traditional Chinese dance and martial arts with Western forms such as ballet. The production addresses women’s suffrage, Chinese […]

The Head in the Clouds festival returned to the Rose Bowl in Pasadena, celebrating Asian music, culture and community with performances from artists including Katseye, XG, Rich Brian, Dabin.kr and Japanese group Be:First. The festival also partnered with Music Will and Toyota to give Los Angeles high school students a chance to perform, expanding access to music education. Be:First made its U.S. […]

Michelle Yeoh will receive the Asian Filmmaker of the Year Award at the Busan International Film Festival on October 6. The festival is honoring the Oscar-winning actress for her contributions to Asian cinema throughout her four-decade career. Yeoh will also present a curated selection of her work, including Sandiwara, a recent short film directed by Sean Baker. 

Southeast Asian American students are graduating high school and enrolling in college at higher rates, but disparities remain across gender and ethnic groups. A new SEARAC report credits progress to community-based programs, culturally relevant education and better data collection. The organization warns that federal cuts to education, bilingual learning, college access and AANAPISI programs could threaten these gains and is calling […]

President Donald Trump signed two executive orders on August 6 seeking to further restrict birthright citizenship after the Supreme Court upheld constitutional protections earlier this year. One order broadens the categories of children who could be considered non-citizens based on their parents’ status, while the second targets “birth tourism.” Asian American and immigrant-rights advocates criticized […]

Asian American and Pacific Islander representation in Hollywood has grown, but performers still face limited leading roles, stereotypes and unequal opportunities. Despite greater visibility from films like Crazy Rich Asians, Everything Everywhere All at Once and Turning Red, AAPI artists and organizations continue pushing for more authentic stories and broader opportunities. Many performers say expanding access to […]

Alexandra Eala made history by becoming the first Filipino to win a Women’s Tennis Association (WTA) singles title, defeating Jessica Pegula 4-6, 6-4, 6-0 at the rain-delayed DC Open. The victory also extended Eala’s winning streak against top-10 opponents to five matches. She credited strong support from Filipino fans in Washington, D.C. and around the world as she celebrated the milestone. […]

Breast cancer rates have increased sharply among Asian American women over the past two decades, rising by more than 3% annually in nearly every ethnic group studied. The steepest increases were found among women under 50, particularly Chinese and Vietnamese women, as well as in advanced-stage and aggressive cancers. Researchers emphasized the need to examine AANHPI populations […]

Monterey Park’s Bruggemeyer Library unveiled “Duty, Honor, Country, Courage,” a monthlong multimedia exhibit honoring Asian American military service. The exhibit features rare artifacts and stories of local veterans, including Chinese American soldiers, Filipina nurses and guerrilla fighters, and pioneering women such as World War II pilot Maggie Gee. There is hope to preserve these often-overlooked contributions and bring them to wider […]

Disney’s live-action “Moana” celebrates Polynesian culture through authentic language, music, dance, traditions and storytelling. Working closely with the film’s Cultural Trust, Polynesian consultants, artists and creatives helped ensure details, from traditional movements and Samoan pronunciation to interactions with elders, were portrayed respectfully.The filmmakers hope the movie inspires young Pacific Islanders to embrace their identities, languages and cultures. 

Gotham FC midfielder Jaedyn Shaw is preparing to make history at the Queens Classic on July 15, the first women’s professional soccer match held at Citi Field. As Gotham FC faces the Washington Spirit in a rematch of the 2025 NWSL Championship, Shaw is also embracing her influence as a role model. Proud of her African American […]