AAPI Power Players

Amy Hau began her career at The Noguchi Museum in 1986, as an assistant to Isamu Noguchi. Hau emigrated from Hong Kong to Queens when she was nine. She studied painting and printmaking at Hunter College, later earning her MBA from Baruch College. At the museum, Hau rose to become director of administration and external affairs. Hau will now focus on a $19 million capital project to restore the sculptor’s studio.

If you could give your younger-self advice, what would it be?
Be open to learning new things always.

Do you have any event/movie/music suggestions for our readers to check out in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month?
A new documentary film called “Photographic Justice: The Corky Lee Story”. Corky Lee was not just a photo-journalist but a community organizer whose pictures chronicled the lives of Asian Americans and New York’s Chinatown community. Through his work, he shared our struggles and experiences out to the world.

What can New York policymakers do to support the AAPI-community in the short-term? In the long-term?
Make space at the decision-making table for AAPI leaders and voices.

Wayne Ho is the president and CEO of the Chinese-American Planning Council (CPC), the nation’s largest Asian American social services agency. Wayne serves on numerous nonprofit boards, including Human Services Council and Partnership for After School Education, and is appointed to several advisory boards, including NYC Independent Budget Office and NYS Not-for-Profit Contracting Advisory Council. Wayne received his bachelor’s from U.C. Berkeley and his master’s in public policy from Harvard University’s Kennedy School of Government.

If you could give your younger-self advice, what would it be?
I would tell my younger self to learn Chinese, document the histories of your elders, and spend more time with family and friends.

Do you have any event/movie/music suggestions for our readers to check out in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month?
Check out “Photographic Justice: The Corky Lee Story”. This documentary is being released during AAPI Heritage Month and is a 20-year labor of love by filmmaker Jennifer Takaki and executive producer George Hirose. Corky Lee was the “undisputed, unofficial Asian American Photographer Laureate” and unfortunately passed away during the pandemic.

How has your heritage shaped the person you are today?
As a Chinese immigrant, I often recall the experiences — positive and negative — that my family had navigating different systems. From attending public schools and finding housing to looking for jobs and applying for citizenship, we experienced institutions that embraced us and that marginalized us. I have spent over 25 years in the nonprofit sector because I want to advocate for policies and practices that treat people of all backgrounds with respect and dignity.

What can New York policymakers do to support the AAPI-community in the short-term? In the long-term?
Asian Americans are the fastest growing racial group in New York City. While AAPIs make up 18% of the city’s population, AAPIs receive less than 1.5% of the city’s social service contract dollars. In the short-term, policymakers can increase funding for AAPI organizations, support AAPI curriculum in K-12 schools, and expand culturally and linguistically competent services. In the long-term, policymakers must keep AAPIs top of mind when budgets, policies, and services are being determined.

Kathleen Tso and Vicki Ho are the co-founders of Banana Magazine. Banana is a print publication and form of advocacy for Asian arts, culture and storytelling. Birthed in Chinatown, NYC, Banana strives to navigate through the blurred Eastern and Western boundaries and create a voice for contemporary Asian culture. The magazine serves as a platform to feature, celebrate, and join the conversation with Asian creatives in a journey to define our collective identity.

Edith Hsu-Chen is the executive director of the Department of City Planning. After starting at the agency as an intern, today she’s responsible for implementing the City’s planning and development agenda, and promoting inclusive, equitable growth. This work includes “City of Yes” – Mayor Adams’ vision to update zoning rules to create a greener, more prosperous, more affordable city. Like so many New Yorkers, Edith is an immigrant, having moved from Taiwan as a child.

Do you have any event/movie/music suggestions for our readers to check out in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month?
I love an everyday spectacular. Enjoy a sunny afternoon in Columbus Park in Manhattan’s Chinatown – a multi-generational recreation hotspot! Or eat your way through Asia at the Queens Night Market! There are so many great places to celebrate AAPI heritage in New York City.

What can New York policymakers do to support the AAPI-community in the short-term? In the long-term?
Make room, don’t assume. Every interaction is an opportunity to hear new ideas, see different perspectives, and think differently about the challenges we’re facing. Bringing in those voices in the short-term leads to a more inclusive long-term. Elevate different voices and engage. That’s how we achieve the best results.

Carl Hum grew up in Sunset Park, Brooklyn and graduated from the New York public school system. His parents immigrated from China and worked in factory jobs. His mother worked in Chinatown’s garment industry, and his father worked in restaurants and laundries. Prior to REBNY, Carl advocated for voting rights and immigration reform with Asian Americans Advancing Justice in Washington, DC. Carl’s legal career began as an assistant district attorney with the Manhattan District Attorney’s office.

If you could give your younger-self advice, what would it be?
Be kinder to yourself. Take risks and don’t be afraid to fail. Failure is part of the learning process, and we should never stop learning.

Do you have any event/movie/music suggestions for our readers to check out in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month?
I have been listening to Chinese rock bands such as Snapline, Carsick Cars and Duo Wei. And for nostalgia, I listen to the father of Canto-pop, Sam Hui.

How has your heritage shaped the person you are today?
My sense of fairness and justice – which led me to become a lawyer – is deeply rooted in my experience as the child of immigrants. I’ve seen how my parents were treated differently because of their halting English or their appearance.

What can New York policymakers do to support the AAPI-community in the short-term? In the long-term?
Casting the AAPI community as a model minority is still prevalent. Among certain sectors of the community, education attainment lag far behind white counterparts, poverty rates are strikingly high, and mental health remains taboo. Policymakers must understand that the AAPI community is diverse with different needs. Longer-term work includes guarding against wedge issues such as admissions to specialized high schools and elite colleges that fractures the community and the larger civil rights agenda.

Iliana Inocencio is a multi-hyphenate creative: comedy director, actor, writer, and producer. She’s showcased her comedic talent at Upright Citizens Brigade where she currently serves as New York Artistic Director. Her musical comedy group, AzN PoP! was named one of NBC Asian America’s Voices to Watch. Noteworthy credits include: CBS, Netflix, NBC, Max, MTV, Joe’s Pub, Kennedy Center, etc. She is driven by her passion for championing diverse perspectives and including all at the decision-making table.

If you could give your younger-self advice, what would it be?

• Your insecurities will become your superpowers.
• Be a fountain, not a drain. (But also, remember to fill your own cup first so you can help fill others’.)
• Growing older is phenomenal. Have fun!
• Everyone’s doing the best they can.
• The answer will always be love and community.

Do you have any event/movie/music suggestions for our readers to check out in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month?
Support comedy shows with Asian comedians like Asian Comedy Festival, Asian AF, Banana Ketchup, and my group, AzN PoP! Eat delicious meals at Asian-owned gems such as Urban Hawker for everything, but especially, Hainanese chicken rice, Kopitiam, Saigon Social, FOB Brooklyn for Filipino BBQ, King’s Kitchen for roast duck, and East Harbor Seafood Palace for dim sum. Shop small at any Asian-owned stores. (Remember, you can enjoy these experiences anytime, not just during AAPI month!)

How has your heritage shaped the person you are today?
When I reflect on my heritage, I think of my parents. They immigrated to the United States from the Philippines and Singapore with nothing but sheer determination. Overcoming obstacle after obstacle, they were able to build an amazing life here. Their example instilled in me a profound sense of resilience. I know I got that strength from them, my ancestors, and my heritage. I’m incredibly proud of them and being Filipina-Singaporean fills me with pride.

What can New York policymakers do to support the AAPI-community in the short-term? In the long-term?
As a creative, it’s disheartening to witness recent cuts in arts funding in a city full of artists. The arts profoundly impact ALL historically marginalized communities, including AAPIs, providing career opportunities, platforms for our voices, and solace. I urge policymakers to advocate for the arts and redistribute funds to libraries, cultural institutions, grant programs, and vital arts education initiatives like CUNY’s Cultural Corps. Artists and their creations are catalysts for cultural change. We need it!

Hajin ‘Marcus’ Jeong, vice president for financial planning and analysis manager at Ponce Bank, oversees financial reporting and analysis, liaising with senior management and the board. With a bachelor’s degree in accounting from SUNY Binghamton and an MBA in finance from Fordham University, his career spans 20 years at institutions both large (Chase, Deutsche) and small (Carver, Ponce). He says he most enjoys working with the people at Ponce Bank and they agree.  

Do you have any event/movie/music suggestions for our readers to check  out in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month? 
I’m proud to see so many Korean movies and TV shows gaining the recognition they deserve over the past few years, and I appreciate that so much of my home country’s output is now readily available to stream here in the states. Our culture is way more diverse and powerful than just K-Pop! (Although as a financial analyst I’d be remiss to ignore the worldwide revenues that the K-Pop juggernaut brings in.) 

How has your heritage shaped the person you are today?
I grew up with the strong work ethic and loyalty that is woven deeply into the  fabric of Korean society. I always give my best to the team and to the  community. 

What can New York policymakers do to support the AAPI-community in the  short-term? In the long-term?
Our policymakers can celebrate that the Asian diaspora delivers so much in terms of culture, commerce, strong values, and entrepreneurial spirit to our city and to the country at large while emphasizing that we Asians and Pacific Islanders are a pluralism of unique cultures each with our own rich history of customs, cuisines, motivations, and aspirations.

Ruoyi Jiang, born in Beijing and educated in New York, is the visionary founder of CHOP SUEY CLUB (CSC). With a rich background spanning fashion to publishing, she launched CSC in 2015 to champion Chinese-diaspora culture globally. Her passion lies in fostering cross-cultural connections and combating xenophobia by making culture accessible. Through CHOP SUEY CLUB, Ruoyi aims to broaden the reach of Asian culture and build inclusive communities through shared experiences.

If you could give your younger-self advice, what would it be?
Think of the lifestyle you want to have first, and then think of a career that can support it. Not the other way round.

Do you have any event/movie/music suggestions for our readers to check out in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month?
We just launched a Mahjong Room in our store in the Lower East Side, we offer tables and instructors for booking. For those who would like to learn this quintessential game but never had the chance, this is a great opportunity. Starting in May, we will start offering Chinese family name tattoos to celebrate our heritage.

How has your heritage shaped the person you are today?
My Chinese heritage is a huge part of me and my work. I started CHOP SUEY CLUB as a way to keep in touch and keep learning about my heritage. After living in NY for 15+ years, I have now become a Chinese-American. This new identity gives me a new perspective on the Chinese-diaspora culture, what diversity means and how cultures evolve.

What can New York policymakers do to support the AAPI-community in the short-term? In the long-term?
More fundings to support AAPI-community events and organizations, more cultural teaching and learning opportunities for our youth, strong mentorship programs, creating more third spaces for our community that’s beyond parks. It is critical for New York to retain strong cultural diversity by helping families to continue their cultural heritage – young people need more access.

Meera Joshi oversees New York City’s infrastructure, public realm, and climate portfolio. She is expanding open space, reducing emissions, and protecting New Yorkers from climate change, while ensuring that the city’s foundational services like trash collection and drinking water are reliable. Most recently, Joshi was formerly President Biden’s nominee for administrator of USDOT’s Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and chair and CEO of the Taxi and Limousine Commission. She holds a bachelor’s degree and J.D. from University of Pennsylvania.

If you could give your younger-self advice, what would it be?
Two pieces of advice have provided the tent poles which have supported my career: First, keep an open mind, do the investigation and then (most important step) stand by your decision. If you’re armed with the facts and the conviction, the rest will fall into place. Second, being decent to people is not a sign of weakness; it’s actually the purest form of strength.

Do you have any event/movie/music suggestions for our readers to check out in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month?
First, a few must-dos for New Yorkers this month: Check out Anu Seghal’s latest children’s book “I am a Lotus”; she will be reading it at the Asia Society on May 11th. Then, head to the third annual AAPI Parade on May 19. Lastly, and this one doesn’t have a deadline: scrounge up the old copies of Amar Chitra Katha Mahabharata comics…

How has your heritage shaped the person you are today?
My mother is English, but we ate almost exclusively Indian food. Her Indian cooking rivals my Indian Aunts’. It’s not just the flavors that have nurtured our family, but the preparation – sitting together chopping (and chopping) and talking. Though he left cooking to mom, my father helped with the prep while he told stories of his childhood meals. My family and I now do the same – chop and talk and enjoy our heritage through food.

What can New York policymakers do to support the AAPI-community in the short-term? In the long-term?
As policymakers it is our responsibility to ensure AAPI culture is reflected, celebrated and shared in NYC. I am proud that the Adams administration is the first to declare Diwali a school holiday and is investing $56M to revitalize a five-point intersection at the mouth of Manhattan’s Chinatown, Kimlau Square. This work is a natural consequence of representation in leadership, which the Adams Administration excels at – with dozens of AAPI executives and two deputy mayors.

Aminta Kilawan-Narine is a lawyer, organizer and activist. A survivor of teen dating abuse whose activism is informed by her lived experience, Aminta founded South Queens Women’s March in 2020 to amplify gender equity hyper-locally. She is also a co-founder of Sadhana: Coalition of Progressive Hindus, a non-profit merging social justice values with the values at the heart of Hinduism. Professionally, Aminta works as a senior legislative counsel at the NYC Council.

If you could give your younger-self advice, what would it be?
As a child, I was bullied for my cultural and religious identity. I didn’t think I ever had the right vocabulary. Words didn’t seem to flow as freely from me as they did from my classmates, whose families were in America for generations before my family migrated. I struggled with building confidence and shunned my identity as an Indo-Caribbean. I would tell my younger self to believe in who I am and know my worth.

Do you have any event/movie/music suggestions for our readers to check out in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month?
I recently saw the film “Doubles” by Ian Harnarine and was incredibly moved. “Doubles” presented a rare treat: a raw inside-look into Indo-Caribbean culture paired with a universal immigrant story. The film chronicles a working class Trinidadian street vendor named Dhani. Dhani travels to Toronto to visit his estranged dying father with the hope that he will sign over the deed to their land back home. Hilarious, humbling and harrowing – a must watch!

How has your heritage shaped the person you are today?
My heritage has had an indelible impact on how and where I organize. My first entrée to community was in temple settings, as a bhajan (Hindu hymn) singer. It was through cultural and faith-based institutions that I found my personal footing as an advocate and organizer. These are the spaces that function as community centers in the absence of such resources. This is where my people are. It’s where I choose to mobilize and activate.

What can New York policymakers do to support the AAPI-community in the short-term? In the long-term?
New York policymakers can support the AAPI-community by equitably redrawing lines that have gerrymandered our communities for too long including in Richmond Hill and South Ozone Park. They can go beyond acknowledging we exist, and pull out a meaningful seat at their table for us, including those most historically marginalized: NYC’s working class AAPI community. They can also ensure our histories are taught in public schools through an intersectional educational curriculum.