AAPI Heritage Month: Honoring Heritage and Advancing Equity Through the Lens of Community Health
5/8/2025
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Posted by Jasmine Chen, Asian American Cultural Alliance, Inc. Founder
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In The Community
The Asian American Cultural Alliance, Inc. (AACA) is a not-for-profit organization dedicated to promoting cultural exchange, uplifting immigrant voices, and building bridges through community engagement. I launched AACA alongside two co-founders: Yang Qu, who leads our efforts in mental health awareness, and Yi Li, a dance studio owner who brought creative energy to the organization’s early vision. Together, we created a space where cultural heritage and community well-being are inextricably linked.
May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, a time to honor the deep history, rich traditions, and countless contributions of AAPI individuals and families across the U.S. It is also a time for reflection on the challenges our communities continue to face and the importance of ensuring that everyone has the opportunity to thrive, especially when it comes to health.
The AAPI community is incredibly diverse, representing dozens of countries and hundreds of languages. Yet many in our community, particularly recent immigrants and refugees, often face barriers to accessing care. These include language differences, cultural stigma surrounding mental health, and unfamiliarity with the U.S. healthcare system. Unfortunately, this often leads to preventable health disparities and unmet needs.
At AACA, we believe health equity is not just about access—it’s about understanding. Our programs go beyond education and workforce training to support the whole person. We provide culturally informed guidance, advocate for mental health awareness, and create safe spaces where community members can ask questions and receive support without fear or stigma.
We are grateful for Fidelis Care’s support as a sponsor of our annual Asian American Heritage Festival since 2023. Their sponsorship has helped us celebrate and showcase the strength, resilience, and creativity of our community through this vibrant cultural event. We truly appreciate their commitment to uplifting AAPI voices and visibility.
Looking ahead, we are planning a new initiative: Wellness Through Culture—a Mental Health & Wellness Workshop tailored for the Asian community. This event will focus on reducing stigma, increasing access to culturally sensitive resources, and promoting healing through shared cultural practices. We’re excited about the potential to collaborate with Fidelis Care and other community partners as we expand our focus on health and well-being.
As we celebrate AAPI Heritage Month, we also renew our commitment to equity—not only in healthcare, but in opportunity, dignity, and representation. Our stories and struggles are not one-size-fits-all, and our solutions shouldn’t be either.
Together, with community, compassion, and strong partnerships, we move forward.
Jasmine Chen, Asian American Cultural Alliance, Inc. Founder