The first New York State AAPI Summit, organized by the New York State Assembly Asian Pacific American Task Force, successfully concluded on May 9 at the State Capitol building in Albany. Co-chairs Grace Lee and Zohran Mamdani, along with state assembly members, community organization representatives, gathered to address key issues facing the AAPI community in New York, including political participation, gender violence, and housing.
The Asian Pacific American Task Force co-chair and state assemblywoman Grace Lee stated in a press release, “This summit is a dream come true – something we have been striving for decades and now finally have the power to achieve. It marks an unprecedented level of representation for us (AAPI) in Albany and crowns the many historic legislative accomplishments we have brought for the New York AAPI community in recent years.”
Lee expressed gratitude in her statement to State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie, State Senate Majority Leader Andrea Stewart-Cousins, the organizers of the AAPI Summit, and attendees, and mentioned her anticipation for hosting more events in the coming years.
Co-chair Zohran Mamdani said, “The inaugural AAPI Summit is a powerful moment where everyone comes together to reflect and innovate on how New York can best serve AAPI New Yorkers, the fastest-growing demographic in our state.”
The Asian Pacific American Task Force, co-founded in 2017 by New York State Assembly members Ron Kim and Yuh-Line Niou, is the first legislative body in New York dedicated to advancing agendas for Asian Americans across the state.
The 2024 inaugural AAPI Summit featured 16 thematic workshops, addressing topics such as the necessity of mental health and healing spaces for youth, psychological well-being in the Pan-Asian community, new solutions for immigrant communities affected by gender violence, health issues affecting AAPI individuals, legislative representation for AAPIs, and providing supportive stable housing for the AAPI community.
Grace Lee led the workshop on AAPI pathways to running for office, with Council Members Susan Zhuang and Julie Won participating in the discussion.
State Assembly Speaker Carl Heastie congratulated the summit and praised the efforts of Lee and Mamdani, stating, “The more diverse voices and backgrounds governance can encompass, the better society becomes.” State Senator John Liu remarked, “The first New York State AAPI Summit is an opportunity to explore the experiences of Asian Americans, covering various social, economic, and political dimensions.”
Assemblyman Ron Kim hosted the workshop on factors influencing the health of the AAPI community during the summit, expressing his happiness in witnessing the growth and strength of the task force; Senator Iwen Chu stated that through the summit, the issues and concerns of the AAPI community have finally been elevated to a place of importance.
State Senator Jeremy Cooney emphasized, “The continuously growing New York AAPI community deserves attention and praise,” noting that “New York is great because of its diversity.” Cooney expressed pride in supporting the AAPI community and being a part of it.