By Quintay Knight
This AAPI Heritage Month, we’re celebrating more than just tradition—we’re highlighting the incredible change makers who are turning culture into action. These leaders are boldly uplifting Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, using creativity, advocacy, and heart to drive real change. From grassroots organizers to cultural innovators, they’re not just honoring heritage—they’re shaping the future. Let’s meet the people making it happen.
Rep. Marvin Lim
We recognize openly LGBTQ Georgia State Representative Marvin Lim for his steadfast commitment to equity, representation, and public service.
Born in the Philippines and raised in Georgia, Rep. Lim has spent his career fighting for equal opportunity—supporting immigrants and refugees at Catholic Charities, advocating for civil rights with the ACLU of Georgia and Giffords Law Center, and protecting elections as a lawyer.
In the Georgia House, he’s introduced 145 bills, with several advancing despite being in the minority party—addressing issues like street racing, zoning reform, housing protections, and language access. Locally, he’s led efforts against harmful rezoning, improved neighborhood safety, restored indigent healthcare funding, and helped secure over $40 million for his district, including $22.5 million through his nonprofit, Lucky Shoals.
Rep. Lim’s work reflects the values of AAPI Heritage Month—service, advocacy, and community empowerment.
Rep. Allister Chang
We celebrate the trailblazing leadership of Representative Allister Chang—the first openly LGBTQ Asian American elected to the D.C. State Board of Education (DCSBOE). His service is a powerful reminder of how representation and policy leadership go hand in hand.
Rep. Chang’s work on the DCSBOE centers on one of the most foundational pillars of education: literacy. In 2019, only 30% of fourth-grade students in Washington, D.C., scored at or above proficient on the National Assessment of Educational Progress reading exam—ranking the District 47th nationally. Determined to change this, Rep. Chang has become a leading advocate for evidence-based literacy strategies across the city.
His literacy-focused initiatives include championing:High-dosage tutoring,Increased access to school librarians,and Structured literacy training for educators.
To coordinate and strengthen these efforts, he launched a Literacy Steering Committee in October 2021, bringing together educators, policymakers, and literacy advocates. This collaborative work builds on his global research experience with UNESCO’s Institute for Lifelong Learning and reflects his lifelong commitment to educational equity.
Rep. Chang also brings national and international literacy expertise to his role. He serves on the Advisory Board of the Library of Congress Literacy Awards and was recognized on the International Literacy Association’s 30 Under 30 list in 2019. He holds a Master’s in Public Policy from the Harvard Kennedy School.
Lt. Governor Joshua Tenorio
Joshua “Josh” Tenorio made history as the 10th elected Lieutenant Governor of Guam and the first openly LGBTQ lieutenant governor in U.S. history—a groundbreaking achievement for both the AAPI and LGBTQ communities.
A longtime advocate for equality, Lt. Governor Tenorio co-founded Equality Guam and has dedicated his career to advancing civil rights, visibility, and inclusion. His leadership is deeply rooted in his belief that young people—especially LGBTQ youth—deserve to see themselves reflected in positions of power.
In a Pacific Daily News interview, he shared:
“I knew that I’d be running as an out candidate. I also thought it was very important for LGBTQ individuals, especially young people, to have positive role models and see themselves represented in leadership in our government.”
Lt. Tenorio’s service is more than historic—it’s a powerful reminder that authenticity in leadership matters. His example continues to inspire a new generation of AAPI and LGBTQ leaders to step forward and shape a more inclusive future.
Ambassador Chantale Wong
In February, the Biden-Harris Administration made history with the confirmation of Ambassador Chantale Wong as the U.S. Director of the Asian Development Bank. Her appointment marked two significant firsts: she became the first out lesbian and the first LGBTQ person of color ever confirmed by the U.S. Senate to an ambassador-level position.
Ambassador Wong’s impact extends far beyond this historic milestone. She is a co-founder of the Conference on Asian Pacific American Leadership (CAPAL), an organization dedicated to empowering young AAPI leaders to pursue careers in public service. Her lifelong commitment to mentorship and public leadership has made her a guiding force for the next generation of changemakers.
As the White House noted, Ambassador Wong has long championed diversity and inclusion in both domestic policy and global development. Her work reflects the vital role AAPI voices play in shaping a more equitable, representative future—both in the U.S. and on the world stage.
Urvashi Vaid (1958–2022)
A visionary LGBTQ rights activist, attorney, and writer whose work continues to inspire generations.
For over four decades, Vaid was a driving force in the fight for LGBTQ equality. Her leadership at the National Gay and Lesbian Task Force helped shape national policy conversations around justice, equity, and inclusion. As a writer, she broke new ground, elevating the voices and experiences of LGBTQ people—especially those at the intersection of race, gender, and class.
Beyond her activism, Vaid was also a builder of movements. She founded and co-founded several transformative organizations, including the Donors of Color Network, the National LGBTQ Anti-Poverty Action Network, the Equality Federation, the National LGBT/HIV Criminal Justice Working Group, and the National Religious Leadership Roundtable. Through these initiatives, she worked to dismantle systems of oppression and protect the rights of LGBTQ individuals, people of color, and religious minorities.
Vaid’s unwavering commitment to justice extended into her role as president of her own social innovation firm, where she continued to push boundaries and challenge inequity at every level.
This AAPI Heritage Month, we remember and celebrate Urvashi Vaid—a fearless advocate, brilliant strategist, and powerful voice for liberation. Her legacy lives on in the movements she helped shape and the lives she touched.
As we celebrate AAPI Heritage Month, it’s impossible to overlook the bold, visionary Asian American and Pacific Islander leaders transforming the political landscape. From breaking barriers in public office to shaping policy with inclusivity and equity at the forefront, these changemakers are not just participating in history—they’re making it. Their voices, leadership, and courage are paving the way for a more representative future, reminding us all that progress thrives on diversity.
