AAPIC Grants Program is sponsored by Massachusetts Asian American and Pacific Islanders Commission. This program supports community-driven initiatives that address urgent needs, amplify cultural expression, and strengthen civic engagement within Massachusetts' diverse AAPI communities.

Programs & Advocacy AAPIC Grants AAPIC Grants: Small Grants Applications Now Open! The AAPI Commission Grants Program, introduced in 2021, was born from a profound commitment to uplift and empower Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities.

Recognizing the unique challenges community groups, artists, businesses, and youth organizations face in securing initial funding, the AAPI Commission launched this highly popular initiative to provide vital seed funding. Our grants program is more than just financial support; it’s a beacon of opportunity.

We believe in the transformative power of community-driven projects and their potential to foster cultural enrichment, economic growth, and social cohesion. By supporting diverse ventures, from grassroots community initiatives to innovative artistic endeavors, we aim to nurture the vibrant tapestry of AAPI contributions and ensure their enduring impact.

Spring 2026 Application Deadline : March 15, 2026 Grant : FY26 State-Funded Small Grants Program To Apply : Please click the application link ( here ) or paste https://docs. google. com/forms/d/1fvdohBU_natwj-uVIGoXP7Qzs8Wka5Zs1hbSJzaoRqc/viewform?

edit_requested=true Qualifications : Please view all details ( here ) or paste https://docs. google. com/document/d/17bSds0MYdnY-fEt4NTv_aWd9fNl7tESgxmqW8CI78C8/edit?

usp=sharing For more information, please contact [email protected] . The AAPIC is committed to transparency, fairness, and supporting impactful work across the Commonwealth. In addition to the Small Grants Fund, the AAPI Commission has funded numerous events and organizations through a number of measures, including the Health & Human Services Subcommittee, the Arts & Culture Subcommittee, and the Government Relations Subcommittee.

From grassroots mental health efforts to artist-led projects and statewide advocacy campaigns, our grants fuel impactful work led by and for AAPI communities. Guided by our Subcommittees and in partnership with trusted organizations, we prioritize sustainable programming, culturally responsive services, and initiatives that create lasting change.

Whether funding neighborhood support groups or spotlighting visionary creatives, the AAPIC Grants Program ensures our communities are seen, heard, and resourced. In 2024, the AAPI Commission advanced its mission through key investments in mental health, the arts, and advocacy efforts, each reflecting our commitment to holistic community well-being.

The Health & Human Services Subcommittee funded the following organizations to support mental health care and resources for AAPI communities: Boston Chinese Neighborhood Center , Asian Women for Health, and Circle of Vietnamese Parents.

The Arts & Culture inaugurated an Artists Grant in 2024, which awarded $1,000 to the following individuals and organizations: Lily Xie, Ananth Udupa, Jong Ougie Pak, Skooby Laposky, Hortense Gerardo, Miki Sawada, Ava Dudani, Chikako Mukai, Jennifer Chia-Ling Ho, and Garrett Kwan.

In the realm of civic engagement, the Government Relations Subcommittee strengthened advocacy by partnering with The Asian Community Fund at The Boston Foundation to host a public celebration honoring civil rights icon Fred Korematsu. This initiative also championed the establishment of Fred Korematsu Day in Massachusetts.

In addition, the Subcommittee collaborated with APIsCAN to support critical data disaggregation efforts, helping to make AAPI communities more visible in policy and research. Together, these initiatives reflect our commitment to supporting the mental, cultural, and civic health of AAPI communities across the Commonwealth.

The Fall 2023 round of the AAPI Commission Grants Program marked our most impactful cycle to date, both in the number of applications received and the total funds awarded. This year, we were thrilled to receive an overwhelming 78 applications, collectively requesting over $350,000 in funding. Our dedicated Small Grants Subcommittee meticulously reviewed each application, ultimately recommending 26 outstanding projects for funding.

A total of $89,100 was awarded, with a focus on supporting longer-term programming initiatives over one-time festivals. This strategic prioritization ensures sustainable growth and lasting impact within our communities. The full Commission unanimously approved the Subcommittee’s recommendations at the November Commission Meeting, reflecting our ongoing commitment to nurturing projects that enrich and empower the AAPI community.

Angkor Dance Troupe, Inc. Asian American Ballet Project Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence (ATASK) Greater Boston Chinese Golden Age Center, Inc. Harvard Graduate School of Education: Let’s Talk!

Lowell Southeast Asian Water Festival Massachusetts Asian and Pacific-Islander (MAP) for Health Massachusetts Baptist Multicultural Ministries, Inc. MBMM Muslim Americans in Public Service (MAP) National Asian Women’s Association New England Tongan Community (NETC) Philippine-American Mainstream Advocacy for Nonpartisan Associations, Inc. (PAMANA) Vietnamese American Volunteer Association of Boston, Inc. VAVA of Boston Volunteering for Seniors Inc. Wah Lum Kung Fu + Tai Chi Academy The AAPI Commission held a special Spring 2023 round of grants, aimed at extending our support to more deserving organizations.

This unique opportunity allowed us to revisit submissions from Fall 2022 that had not received full funding or were not funded at all. Additionally, we considered our listening session partners to ensure a diverse range of impactful projects. After a thorough review, the Subcommittee recommended additional grants for 31 remarkable organizations, totaling $32,500.

The full Commission approved these recommendations, reinforcing our commitment to empowering community-driven initiatives.

American Chinese United Association ARISE (Advocacy for Refugee & Immigrant Services for Empowerment Inc.) Asian American Service Association, Inc. Wollaston Senior Center Bayanihan Association of America Boston Chinatown Neighborhood Center Chinese Association of Western Mass Community City Covenant Church Friends of Indian Senior Citizens Organization Greater Malden Asian American Community Coalition, Inc (GMAACC) Hopkinton Cultural and Sports Club India Association of Greater Boston (IAGB) Khmer Exhibit Committee and the Amherst Historical Society Lowell International Church (Massachusetts Baptist Multicultural Ministries) Mountain River Taiko, Inc Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko Massachusetts (RMD MA) Sharon Chinese Association Springfield Vietnamese Culture Association (SVCA) The Network for Social Justice Wah Lum Kung Fu & Tai Chi Academy Western New England University APALSA The Fall 2022 round of the AAPI Commission Grants Program, conducted during November and December, saw a significant increase in support with a budget of $30,000, reflecting our commitment to maximizing impact.

We received 36 applications and, after careful consideration, awarded grants to 26 deserving organizations. Grant amounts ranged from $500 to $2,000, with an average grant of $1,152. 62.

This round nearly doubled the funding distributed compared to the first round of 2022, underscoring our dedication to supporting organizations and local businesses working with AAPI communities in Massachusetts.

Advocacy for Refugee and Immigrant Services for Empowerment (ARISE) Inc. American Chinese United Association MA Chapter Incorporated (ACUA) Asian Task Force Against Domestic Violence Inc. (ATASK) Boston Fujianese Association INC Chinese Association of Western Massachusetts Community City Covenant Church Greater Malden Asian American Community Coalition, Inc (GMAACC) India Association of Greater Boston (IAGB) Mountain River Taiko, Inc Ryukyukoku Matsuri Daiko Massachusetts (RMD MA) Sharon Chinese Association The Network for Social Justice VietAID (Vietnamese American Initiative for Development, Inc.) Volunteering for Seniors Inc Wah Lum Kung Fu & Tai Chi Academy Western New England University APALSA In Spring 2022, the AAPI Commission awarded a total of $16,000 in grants to 19 outstanding organizations and businesses dedicated to uplifting AAPI communities.

Each grant ranged from $250 to $1,000, with an average grant amount of $888. 89 per organization. Our grantees represent a diverse array of initiatives supporting women, refugees, university students, and various communities, including Chinese, Burmese, Indian, Filipino, among others.

This funding round underscores our commitment to empowering AAPI communities by providing crucial support to these diverse and impactful initiatives.

Boston Hurricanes Athletic Club Inc. Multidisciplinary Institute of Training and Learning (MITL) Massachusetts Baptist Multicultural Ministries Cadence Process Consulting CALex (Chinese Americans of Lexington) Springfield Vietnamese Cultural Community UMass Amherst Asian American Student Association In 2021, the Asian American and Pacific Islanders Commission launched a small grants fund to support community efforts aimed at assisting some of the most vulnerable populations.

This initiative was designed to bolster organizations striving to maintain or establish relationships within Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities across the Commonwealth. The AAPIC awarded $15,250 to 19 organizations.

Our grantees represent a diverse array of initiatives supporting women, refugees, university students, children, older adults, and various communities, including Chinese, Vietnamese, Indian, Filipino, and others. This funding round underscores our commitment to empowering AAPI communities by providing crucial support to these impactful initiatives.

Boston Chinese Family Support organization Chinese Friends of Needham, Inc. Greater Malden Asian American Community (GMAAC) Springfield Vietnamese Cultural Community India Society of Worcester Sharon Chinese Association Chinese Americans of Lexington (CALex) Chinese Americans of Massachusetts Chinese Cultural Connection Community Upliftment Program, Inc. Federation for Children with Special Needs Greater Boston Chinese Golden Age Center India Association of Greater Boston (IAGB) National Federation of Filipino American Associations Massachusetts Chapter View more information by clicking the images below.

Spring 2024 (FY23) Small Grants Fund Data Visuals Fall 2024 (FY25) AAPIC Grants Data Analysis 2022-2024 Small Grants Summary Asian American & Pacific Islanders Commission One Ashburton Place, 12th Fl MA Gov Resources and Info Fed Gov Resources and Info The AAPIC is the only Massachusetts permanent body dedicated to addressing the needs and challenges of the AAPI community.

George “Leo” Blandford is Director of Health Equity and Community Impact at Outer Cape Health Services, where he advances community-centered approaches to health and wellbeing across Cape Cod. A Taiwanese American, his work integrates health equity, narrative, and place- based meaning making.

He brings over 20 years of experience spanning international relief with the American Red Cross, including post-tsunami work in Sri Lanka, and diverse roles in Massachusetts across behavioral health, homelessness, and state systems. He also teaches in social services, with a focus on rural health and community resilience. Nature abhors uniformity and favors diversity – it is a consequence of the fundamental law on entropy.

Those who know how to leverage diversity have a competitive advantage – more innovative, more resilient, more fun. As I told my then 7-year-old daughter, “can you imagine a crayon with only one color? ”.

My name is Beth Piocos and my life has been about diversity, living it and above all, valuing it. I came from a small town in the Philippines and grew up in a family of seven siblings supported by a military sergeant and a housewife.

I know how it is to be poor, a woman, a person of color, a person well on her middle age, a middle-income American, a suburban and sports mom, a partner in a multi-cultural marriage, a corporate employee, an R&D manager, a scientist, an entrepreneur, an academician, a Lion, and now a high school chemistry teacher. These experiences have shaped me because I am naturally curious and always game to take on a challenge.

I hope to make an impact in the AAPI community of Massachusetts by bridging that divide between the immigrant generation and the natural-born among us. Vaishali Gade is a community leader, CPA, and finance professional with more than a decade of service to Asian American communities in Massachusetts.

She has held multiple leadership roles with the India Association of Greater Boston, serving as President, Vice President, Secretary, and now Trustee, and also serves as President of the New England Marathi Mandal.

Vaishali has led a wide range of cultural and civic initiatives, including organizing the landmark India Day celebration at Fenway Park with the Boston Red Sox—an event that significantly elevated South Asian visibility in the Commonwealth. She has also focused extensively on youth mentorship, senior support, and expanding community and health-access resources through culturally aligned outreach.

Her work includes senior medical assistance and health-education programming that extends beyond the COVID-19 period, as well as coordination of cross-community response efforts during the pandemic. Rajashree Ghosh has lived in Ashland, MA since 2006.

As immigrants going through naturalization process, she and her husband put down roots in Ashland because it had the best of what they needed – a small community that was accessible, find their voices and engage with the Town in meaningful ways. Rajashree’s perspective also comes from a commitment to elevate conversations around social justice.

In the professional space, she has had a career in international social developed having worked with United Nations, aid agencies, civic bodies, and academia. Her expertise lies in policy recommendations that present the broader connections between women’s struggles among underserved populations in urban areas. She also has a keen interest in organizational strategy and community engagement.

Currently she teaches undergraduates at Southern New Hampshire University. In Ashland she served two terms on the Ashland Cultural Council. Rajashree was also a member of the Racial Equity Steering Committee.

Most recently, she served as the co-Chair of a twenty-nine-member Comprehensive Plan Steering Committee. Rajashree is a core team member of Ashland is United that serves as a portal for conversations around identities, ethnicities, ideological differences, abilities and life experiences. Through acknowledging significant days such as Juneteenth, Pride and Black History, the group serves to create a culture of inclusivity and acceptance.

Working at the community level has equipped her with a framework for ideas and action while rallying around shared mission and purpose. Rajashree is keenly aware that as a woman of color, any leadership role she takes on, shifts paradigms. While this disrupts habits, it also builds connections.

She fosters cohesiveness and inspires change. David Guo is a student-athlete from Lexington, Massachusetts, dedicated to elevating AAPI youth voices in basketball and sports. He has competed in basketball, tennis, and track and field, and has seen firsthand that significant underrepresentation persists on the basketball court, often leaving many AAPI youth unheard and disengaged.

These challenges arise during critical years of growth and development, when sports can play a transformative role. Through his initiatives, David draws on his lived experiences to advance athletic equity, empowering AAPI youth to achieve their shining moments on the court. Beyond athletics, David values time with family and friends and enjoys cooking.

I am a rising senior from Norwood, Massachusetts and a second-generation Indian-American. Interested in pursuing political science and international economics, I am the president of my school’s Asian Cultural Club and the fundraising co-chair for our DECA chapter. Outside of school, I love to play tennis and binge watch House of Cards.

As a part of this year’s Youth Council cohort, I’m more than excited to make meaningful change within my community alongside other AAPI youth leaders across the state! Rachel Roblinski is a senior at Pathfinder Regional Vocational Technical High School, studying Health Assisting.

As a Vietnamese-American from a small community she is passionate about bridging cultural barriers and creating more inclusive spaces for all AAPI community members. She takes active roles in her school’s student government as well as leadership opportunities all around Western Massachusetts.

She is passionate about advocating for access to healthcare and healthcare information, environmental sustainability and access to technical learning. Rachel is also a licensed medical professional in the state of Massachusetts. In her free time she is a competitive dancer, continues her formal healthcare education, and volunteers at many local businesses and charities in Hampden County.

Emily Wu is a senior at Lexington High School interested in pursuing a pre-law track. Through her role as co-chair of the Chinese American Association of Lexington (CAAL), she is committed to fostering cross-cultural understanding and empowering Chinese American youth voices in her community. This past summer, she attended the United Chinese Americans (UCA) convention in Washington, D.

C. , where she connected with fellow youth leaders from all over the country and engaged in meaningful dialogue with AAPI congressional representatives. Outside of school, Emily enjoys figure skating, making music, writing, and hitting the gym.

Jason Yin is a senior at Weston High School and the founder of the LinguoBridge Initiative, a cross-cultural language exchange program connecting over 150 students across the U.S. and China. He is passionate about promoting cultural understanding and youth empowerment through community-driven projects.

Jason is a nationally rated varsity fencer, a certified alpine ski coach, and an emcee for cultural events including the Boston Asian Music Festival and Weston Spring Festival Gala. He also serves on the DEI Alliance and the Vision For Valor Initiative, where he helps lead outreach efforts and advocate for inclusive, youth-centered change.

David Guo is a student-athlete from Lexington, Massachusetts, dedicated to elevating AAPI youth voices in basketball and sports. He has competed in basketball, tennis, and track and field, and has seen firsthand that significant underrepresentation persists on the basketball court, often leaving many AAPI youth unheard and disengaged.

These challenges arise during critical years of growth and development, when sports can play a transformative role. Through his initiatives, David draws on his lived experiences to advance athletic equity, empowering AAPI youth to achieve their shining moments on the court. Beyond athletics, David values time with family and friends and enjoys cooking.

Hello! My name is Anthony Lu, and I am a first-gen Taiwanese American Senior at Natick High School. I lead Model UN and Mock Trial teams, Taiwanese Cultural Ambassadors Group, and Student Government.

In addition to that, I enjoy sports. Of course, I am an avid Red Sox and Patriots fan! I also run on the XC/TF team and play baseball and badminton.

Ultimately, I strive to make an impact. Whether in sports, a debate, or my AAPI community, I can’t wait to bring my relentless spirit to uplift our AAPI community. Hello!

My name is Bhavika, which means emotional in Hindi. I am a rising junior at Somerville High School and a passionate youth advocate who has been involved with climate change, prevention, and health equity work.

From organizing prevention-focused initiatives as a Youth Ambassador for Somerville Positive Forces to creating climate policy recommendations as part of Governor Healey’s Youth Climate Change Council, I have learned to approach activism from both a community-oriented and statewide perspective. I hope to use these different lenses to strengthen my work with the AAPIC Youth Council.

Dancing to connect with my cultural roots, specifically through Bharatanatyam, a form of Indian classical dance, and reading various genres of books are things I enjoy doing in my free time. Hi, my name is Ying Kay (he/him). This is my second year on the Youth Council.

I am 17 years old and a rising senior at the Northfield Mount Hermon School located in Gill, Massachusetts. I’ve lived in Western Massachusetts my whole life, and I’m Chinese American. I love to ski and cook food with my mom.

Grace is a high school senior from Natick, Massachusetts. As a second generation Chinese American, she is passionate about using her voice to create positive change in her community. At Natick High School, she serves as President of both the Math Team and Science Team, Treasurer of the Student Council, and a student representative on the School Council.

An avid tennis player, Grace is also co-captain of her high school tennis team and Treasurer of the U.S. Tennis Association New England Player Council. In her free time, she enjoys reading, coding, and singing karaoke. Skye Morishita is a sophomore at Milton Academy.

A second generation Taiwanese and Japanese American, she has a strong interest in furthering educational and leadership initiatives for Asian American youth and fostering a vibrant Asian American community. She has served as a teaching assistant for K-8th grade with Kwong Kow Chinese School in Boston’s Chinatown. In her free time Skye enjoys playing field hockey, squash, and volunteering at the local Red Cross Food Pantry.

Anika Nina Isabelle Mabano Hi, my name is Anika Mabano! I was born in the Philippines and grew up here in Massachusetts, where I am currently a senior at Norwood High School. Through my interest in pursuing Computational Biology (a wonderful blend of computer science, biology, and philosophy), I saw the ability for technology to be a force for equity in public health as well as education and community storytelling.

I’m excited to bring this perspective to the AAPI Youth Council and help create meaningful, tech-driven change. Beyond this, you’ll often find me immersed in my creative outlets of playing the violin, writing poetry, or working on my latest coding project. Vienna Dschung is a rising senior at Weston High School, interested in creating more space for Asian American voices.

As Miss China International Ambassador 2024, a CARE Leadership Next Gen Fellow, and summer intern for State Representative Tara Hong, Vienna is proud to serve Asian Americans throughout different topics such as immigration, education, and climate justice. A topic she particularly cares about is creating community for immigrant children, something she does through her organization, Empower Initiative.

Outside of school, Vienna can be found attending Zoom meetings (mostly working on her plant-based school food campaign), making YouTube videos, and reading. Juliet Dong is a senior at Acton Boxborough and is a community leader committed to advancing social justice through education, culture, and policy.

As a Chinese American and the founder of the Jasmine Cultural Arts Foundation, she empowers youth through accessible arts programming while amplifying underrepresented voices. Juliet also served as a community liaison for a state-funded climate resilience initiative and advocates for financial literacy and equity through nonprofit work.

She’s super excited to work on the Youth Council to promote storytelling, grassroots engagement, and youth leadership to create lasting change. My name is Ying Kay Leung, I’m 16 years old. I am a Western Massachusetts native residing in Belchertown.

I’m passionate about photography, writing, skiing, and diverse advocating for diverse AAPI communities. I’m excited to meet and talk to you all! William Nguyen (he/him) is a rising senior at North Quincy High School hoping to pursue a career in public health and medicine.

Inspired by his parents’ experiences as Vietnamese immigrants, he gained a strong appreciation of his background and support for his communities. As a resident of Quincy, he has became involved in the local communities to help support and empower youths to develop their leadership skills and apply these skills when serving and investing in their communities.

William hopes to advocate and uplift the voices of AAPI youth while working alongside a team of like-minded individuals on the Youth Council. During his free time, he enjoys listening to music, cooking, and spending time with loved ones. Aden Huang is a senior at Winchester High School and is excited to get involved through the AAPI Youth Council!

He helped found Winchester’s annual AAPI Festival and Multicultural Night to highlight the diversity of the community. Outside of school, Aden is involved in student council, Model UN, and track & field. He also enjoys watching movies and traveling!

Hello! My name is Chahat, and I’m a passionate advocate for AAPI rights, LGBTQIA+ equality, climate justice, and mental health awareness, especially when it comes to uplifting marginalized voices.

Over the past few years, I’ve worked at the intersection of education, policy, and community organizing: speaking at the Massachusetts State House, leading youth health campaigns, restarting programs like the Queer Activist College, and helping shape climate policy as part of the Governor’s Youth Climate Council.

I’ve organized cultural events to celebrate what it means to be AAPI and taught younger students about the harms of climate change! As a young person of Asian descent, I’ve navigated cultural and societal challenges that have shaped both my advocacy and my worldview. These experiences allow me to bring a unique lens to every space I’m in, grounded in resilience, intersectionality, and the belief that change is built through community.

Mirei Saneyoshi (she/her) is a senior at Lexington High School interested in pursuing political science and ethnic studies. Drawing on her experiences as a second generation Japanese and Chinese American, Mirei is passionate about racial equity and inclusion within the legal system.

Mirei currently works with the Systemic Justice Project, Coalition for Anti-Racism and Equity, and the Chinese American Association of Lexington on a variety of initiatives promoting social justice. In her free time, Mirei enjoys competing at debate tournaments, running, and spending time with friends. My name is Lindell Dre Bantayan Valsote, a Filipino American high school senior, born and raised in Salem Massachusetts.

I have a deep appreciation for my Filipino culture, which I explore through its food, music, media, and even through creating a Filipino Culture Club at my school. I have actively taken roles in my school’s student government, and cross country and track and field teams. In my free time I enjoy playing piano, reading comics, speed cubing, and playing Minecraft with my friends.

Looking ahead, I am hoping to blend my cultural experiences, and academic pursuits to contribute to positive change in our community. Julie (any pronouns) is a rising senior from Wellesley High School, Massachusetts. As a second-generation, non-binary Chinese American, they’re passionate about youth advocacy for the AAPI community in the area of public health and its intersection with development studies.

They’re a member of the UCA Youth Leadership Council and lead The BOBA Project Youth Advisory Board’s study design committee to best address the needs of Chinese American youth and amplify their perspectives for cultural change through discussion about identity. In their free time, they create art, bake, and draw inspiration from the haute couture world. Gina Yi (she/her) is a senior at Plymouth North High School.

As a first-generation Korean American, Gina is passionate about ensuring a diverse and inclusive environment while raising cultural awareness in her community. She strives to implement such initiatives through participation in several organizations, such as Dear Asian Youth, and cultural clubs within her school. She hopes to continue to do so during her time as a member of the Youth Council.

In her free time, Gina enjoys reading, learning new instruments, and traveling. I’m a rising senior from Westfield Massachusetts of Japanese and Hispanic descent. I am part of Maura’s Healey’s youth council where I represent Hampden county and continue my interests in Government and leadership.

I have interests in the sciences, writing and the outdoors. I play competitive soccer, alpine skiing as well as track. In my free time I work as a nurses aid, bake, as well as volunteer at my local nursing home and soup kitchen.

Hello! My name’s Chahat and I’m a passionate advocate for AAPI rights, LGBTQIA+ rights, climate justice, and mental health awareness, with a strong focus on supporting marginalized communities. I’m actively engaged in educational initiatives and campaigns to promote awareness and inclusivity, particularly within schools and local communities.

My dedication to these causes is reflected in my advocacy work within my state and city where I aim to create a more equitable and understanding society. I hope to bring a unique perspective to on going activism efforts from my unique experiences and perspectives as a young individual of Asian descent navigation navigating cultural and societal challenges. My name is Aidan Le and I am Vietnamese-American.

I am from Worcester, MA and I will be a senior in high school for the 24-25 school year. Some of my passions include gardening, sports, and reading. I am very grateful to have been put in a position where I may have an impact on our AAPI communities and intend to use my creativity and insight to create positive change and see AAPI culture celebrated and appreciated by society.

My name is Aidan Le and I am Vietnamese-American. I am from Worcester, MA and I will be a senior in high school for the 24-25 school year. Some of my passions include gardening, sports, and reading.

I am very grateful to have been put in a position where I may have an impact on our AAPI communities and intend to use my creativity and insight to create positive change and see AAPI culture celebrated and appreciated by society. Aden Huang is a senior at Winchester High School and is excited to get involved through the AAPI Youth Council!

He helped found Winchester’s annual AAPI Festival and Multicultural Night to highlight the diversity of the community. Outside of school, Aden is involved in student council, Model UN, and track & field. He also enjoys watching movies and traveling!

Communications Coordinator Emma Chen-Banas is a Fortune 100 Global Leader, NGO Leader, Entrepreneur, and TEDx Speaker. Currently, she serves as the United Nations Representative & Chief Administrative Officer at the Changier Education Foundation, an NGO with special consultative status with the UN Economic and Social Council.

Additionally, Emma holds the position of Honorary Chairwoman of the American Chinese United Association Massachusetts Chapter, is a member of the Board of Trustees for Bement School (K-9), serves as a Corporator for Greenfield Savings Bank, and as co-founder for small businesses.

With a career spanning over 30 years in regional and global leadership roles, Emma has an extensive international background, she has lived and worked in North America, Asia Pacific, and Europe with esteemed organizations across various sectors, including healthcare, NGOs, technology, financial services, and manufacturing.

Her international career is highlighted by key roles including Head of IT at GE Healthcare Southeast Asia in Singapore, Head of IT at Honeywell Europe, Middle East & Africa in London, and Assistant Vice President at MassMutual Financial Group.

Emma has demonstrated strong expertise in leadership, strategy formulation, innovation, technology integration, lean methodologies, program/project oversight, strategic procurement, vendor relations, and operations management. Since 2015, Emma has been dedicated to philanthropic endeavors, supporting various NGOs and advocating for the AAPI community while championing initiatives that foster cultural awareness and empowerment.

She’s deeply committed to social justice and driven to create a more equitable society for local and at global platform, like UN. Additionally, during the pandemic, she voluntarily undertook the translation of a best-selling mental health self-help book from English to Chinese, demonstrating her commitment to spreading valuable information across languages and cultures.

In recognition of her efforts, she was awarded the President’s Volunteer Service Lifetime Emma holds an MBA from the University of South Australia and a Master of Science from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute. As a sought-after speaker, she spoke at TEDx, global conferences like the American Society for Quality Global Innovation Conference and the Global Business Process Excellence Conference.

Rakashi follows in the footsteps of her grandfather, a community leader and advocate for the Indian community of Massachusetts. As a community leader, speaker and cultural advocate, Rakashi has organized numerous community focused and educational events to promote culture and advocate for Indians in America, create community connections, inspire our youth, and bring greater unity and strength to the Indian diaspora in New England.

Rakashi has served as the President of the United India Association of New England, is a Trustee of the Jackson