An Asian & Pacific Islander-serving 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization working towards racial justice by building API community, lifting API voices, and celebrating API identities across the Volunteer State.
History
In 2018, I started having a set of intentional conversations with Asian and Pacific Islander community members in Nashville. These conversations eventually led to the formation of API Middle Tennessee at the end of 2019. Since then, the work of the organization has slowly evolved. The organization now spans the entire state with working chapters in Memphis, Knoxville, Clarksville, and Murfreesboro.
My work
API Tennessee is a small nonprofit organization with limited resources and is dependent on the work of a small team of contract workers and dedicated volunteers. Since the organization's founding in 2019, I have served as its executive director.
Arts and Cultural Events
I lead the planning of API Tennessee's events. These thirty events each year across the state help bring community members together and celebrate API identities. Each event is different, but can include securing venues, working with local artists, communications, and volunteer management.
Civic Engagement and Advocacy
Voter turnout in Tennessee is among the worst in the worst in the country. Our nonpartisan civic engagement focuses on voter education, registration, and turnout campaigns. We also partner with local, statewide, and national organizations to advocate to improve the lives Asian and Pacific Islanders across the Volunteer State.
Operations and Management
I manage operations across the state for the organization. This includes coordinating community stakeholders, board members, volunteers, and contract workers. Fundraising, both grant writing and individual donor appeals, is a major part of the work too. I also handle general administrative tasks like basic accounting and communications.
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