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October 2, 2024 | Contact: Gia Vang | gia@veryasianfoundation.org

Two national non-profits led by Asian American women journalists partner with community groups and local journalists to bridge gaps in a first-of-its-kind event. It launches in Madison, Wisconsin, a Midwest city with a thriving, fast-growing AANHPI community.

What: Bridging News Media and AANHPI Communities

When: Sunday, Oct. 6 at 10 a.m.

Where: Madison College, Truax Gateway Atrium, 1701 Wright Street, Madison, WI 53704

MADISON, Wis. - The Very Asian Foundation (VAF) and the Vincent Chin Institute (VCI), two organizations that are journalists-led, are partnering with various local organizations and companies to bridge the gap between the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities and the media.

While AANHPIs can be found in every corner of America, most live in major urban centers on the East and West coasts and a few other pockets. Many communities with growing or no advocacy infrastructure had to reinvent a rapid response to reported anti-Asian hate incidents without the benefit of lessons learned from previous tragedies and community crises.

This is why the event Bridging News Media and AANHPI Communities is critical. It will bring local journalists together with community partners and the public to foster better understanding between newsrooms and people working on the ground.

Participants will have an opportunity to connect with Andie Behling, editor of Madison Magazine; Kyle Jones, WISC digital producer and reporter; Chai Moua, the co-executive director of Freedom, Inc.; and Jade Iseri-Ramos, WORT-FM reporter and producer. Other journalists will be on hand to facilitate interactive breakouts.

VCI will put into practice its free guidance on Crisis Communications and Crisis Funding & Emergency Donations. “We prepared these FAQ booklets with the AAPI community in mind, but everyone can use the important information,” said Helen Zia, founder of the Vincent Chin Institute and founding organizer for justice after the killing of Vincent Chin in Detroit in 1982.

“Journalists work so hard to tell impact stories, and it’s critical in these times to connect local newsrooms and media to the people they’re meant to serve,” said Michelle Li, co-founder of the Very Asian Foundation and former WISC-TV anchor & Madison Magazine contributor. “We hope to assist with actionable ways people can work together to build a stronger community.”

The organizations are honored to work with local partners Morgan Murphy Media, Freedom, Inc., AAPI Coalition of WI, Madison College, and more community leaders and volunteers to bring these big visions of VAF, VCI, and the Madison community to life. Wisconsin state representative Francesca Hong will also give opening remarks.

The Very Asian Foundation was founded in 2022 after a racist voicemail to broadcaster Michelle Li went viral and sparked a global moment of unity. Journalists Gia Vang and Li launched VAF with the mission to shine a light on Asian experiences through advocacy and celebration. Visit our website to learn more about the foundation and the May Book Project.