
AMASIAN, a cultural association that aims to empower Madison’s Asian community that has recently transitioned into a nonprofit organization, will host a community potluck to celebrate that milestone and to raise funds for the organization on Sunday, Aug. 18 at the Vilas Zoo.
Laura Lahti, co-founder of AMASIAN, started the group two years ago to create a community that she looked for when she first moved to Madison in 2001. Now with increased impact in the community, Lahti moved AMASIAN into a nonprofit to increase its efforts to foster belonging in Madison’s Asian community.
“I feel like it’s a way for our community members to come together because I know with some different nationalities, we’re kind of spread out,” Lahti said. “I’ve heard from other Asian Americans, ‘This is awesome. I didn’t have a community that I can talk to of Asian descent.’”
Lahti was adopted by a white couple from South Korea at five months old. She grew up in St. Paul, Minn., where she found it difficult to connect with her culture because of the lack of Asian Americans that grew up around her. In Madison she felt the same disconnect after she found a group for Asian students — but it was not geared towards people who struggled to capture their identity.
During the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020, she took a class that pushed her to find her purpose. Lahti realized that hers was to create a community to support and inspire others — much like the one she lacked in her youth. She went on to start AMASIAN with the now-out-of-business World of Beer owner James Munsayac and his daughter, Aryll.
The organization became a nonprofit just last month after two years working towards Lahti’s purpose. With the new status, it looks to bolster programing and outreach with more events and, the first big projects AMASIAN has its eyes on, career related scholarships and educational workshops.
The fundraiser and celebration will have a raffle, potluck, family-friendly games and a chance to mingle and find community. Prizes range from gift cards, baskets and massages.
The event will take place on Sunday, Aug. 18 at a shelter in Vilas Park, 702 S. Randall Ave., from noon-3 p.m.