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Very Asian Foundation, Vincent Chin Institute to host forum at Madison College to bridge the gap between AANHPI communities and the media

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(L-r) Gia Vang, Michelle Li, and Helen Zia

The Very Asian Foundation (VAF) and the Vincent Chin Institute (VCI), two journalist-led organizations, are partnering with various local organizations and companies to bridge the gap between the Asian American Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities and the media.

In a first-of-its-kind event, “Bridging News Media and AANHPI Communities” will be held Sunday, Oct. 6, 10 a.m. at the Truax Gateway Atrium of Madison College, 1701 Wright Street.

“Most AANHPIs in the U.S. live in major urban centers on the east and west coasts and a few other pockets. But AANHPIs can be found in every corner of the country, including the Midwest and upper Midwest. In areas with little or no advocacy infrastructure, communities had to reinvent a rapid response to reported anti-Asian hate incidents without the benefit of lessons learned from previous tragedies and community crises,” the Very Asian Foundation said in a press release announcing the event. “This is why the event ‘Bridging News Media and AANHPI Communities’ is so critical. It will not only bring local journalists from a multitude of platforms together, but it will also bring communities into the same space so they can have a dialogue, ask questions, and foster better understanding between the media industry and people working on the ground.”

Participants will have an opportunity to connect with Andie Behling, editor of Madison Magazine; Kyle Jones, WISC digital producer and reporter; Chai Moua, the co-executive director of Freedom, Inc.; and Jade Iseri-Ramos, WORT reporter and producer.

The Very Asian Foundation was founded in 2022 after a racist voicemail to broadcaster Michelle Li went viral and sparked a global moment of unity. VAF’s mission is to shine a light on Asian experiences through advocacy and celebration.  

“Journalists work so hard to tell impact stories, and it’s critical in these times to connect local newsrooms and media to the people they’re meant to serve – we hope people walk away with a better understanding of how we can work together to make our community stronger,” said Michelle Li, co-founder of the Very Asian Foundation, in a press release. Gia Vang is also a co-founder of the organization.

“VCI is focused on reaching AANHPIs in these communities, where their marginal status makes them more vulnerable and nearly invisible when it comes to media, services and advocacy,” said Helen Zia, who was a founding organizer for justice after the killing of Vincent Chin in Detroit in 1982 and started the VCI in 2023.