By Quintay Knight
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month—a time to recognize and celebrate the rich cultures, stories, and contributions of AAPI communities. This month, we’re excited to spotlight three inspiring organizations that are doing incredible work to uplift AAPI voices. Whether through art, advocacy, or community building, these groups are making waves and reminding us why representation and storytelling matter. Let’s dive in and get to know them!
The Visibility Project
The Visibility Project—a powerful initiative dedicated to elevating the stories and images of queer Asian Pacific American women and transgender individuals across the nation.
The Visibility Project challenges mainstream narratives by reclaiming space for queer AAPI identities, past and present. Through the use of visual storytelling and candid documentary interviews, the project creates a dynamic and accessible platform where these lived experiences are seen, heard, and honored.
This work not only archives personal and collective histories but also shifts how our communities are represented and remembered. In amplifying these voices, The Visibility Project affirms that our diverse identities are not only valid but vital to the broader AAPI story.
To learn more or explore their work, visit here!
Asian Pride Project
The Asian Pride Project is an online space dedicated to the family and friends of lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) Asian and Pacific Islander people. It offers a space of love, reflection, and visibility—where community members can share experiences in the languages of Asian and Pacific Islander communities, through video, sound, pictures, and written word.
By creating room for these deeply personal and powerful stories, the Asian Pride Project fosters a culture of understanding and acceptance within AAPI families. It reminds us that queerness and Asian identity are not separate, but beautifully intertwined.
To learn more visit their website here!
Victory Institute
The Victory Institute is an organization dedicated to advancing LGBTQ leaders in public office, takes this opportunity to spotlight the powerful intersection of AAPI and LGBTQ identities in American politics.
While the Victory Institute honors the groundbreaking contributions of AAPI leaders all year long, AAPI Heritage Month provides a special platform to elevate those who have broken barriers and paved the way for inclusive representation in government. These trailblazers are not only “firsts” in their roles, but continue to shape national conversations around equity, visibility, and leadership.
From local school boards to state legislatures, these leaders embody what it means to bring lived experience to public service—especially as LGBTQ people of color in political spaces that have long lacked diverse voices. Their courage and dedication inspire a new generation to pursue public leadership and demand systems that reflect the communities they serve.
By celebrating these powerful voices, the Victory Institute affirms its commitment to ensuring that government at every level is truly representative of all people. This AAPI Heritage Month, we are reminded that visibility matters—and that the path forward is being shaped by those bold enough to walk it first. Check them out more on their website here!
The Asian American Foundation (TAAF)
The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community through advocacy, education, and resources. Founded in 2021, TAAF aims to advance equity, justice, and belonging for AAPI communities across the United States.
TAAF focuses on three core pillars: combating anti-AAPI hate, expanding AAPI education, and increasing AAPI representation across all sectors of society. The foundation invests in community organizations, research, and policy initiatives while also working with businesses, media, and government to uplift AAPI voices and experiences.
By mobilizing philanthropic support and fostering cross-sector partnerships, TAAF is building sustainable infrastructure and amplifying the visibility, history, and contributions of AAPI communities. Check out their website here.
Each May, Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month serves as a vibrant reminder of the diverse cultures, histories, and contributions of AAPI communities across the United States. Beyond celebration, it’s also a time for reflection, education, and advocacy—an opportunity to uplift voices that have often been overlooked. Across the country, organizations are stepping up to recognize, support, and shine a powerful light on AAPI experiences through storytelling, art, community engagement, and policy work.
