AASF Annual Meeting 2023

Asian American American Scholar Forum (AASF)’s 2023 Annual Meeting at MIT in Cambridge, Massachusetts  (November 12, 2023)

We cordially invite you to join us at Asian American Scholar Forum’s 2023 annual meeting on November 12, 2023 to join us in our efforts to represent a community of Asian Americans and scholars united in promoting academic belonging, openness, freedom, and equality for all. We have come a long way from registering as a nonprofit organization in 2022 and hiring our first Executive Director, Gisela P. Kusakawa to effectively find a seat at the table in the White House, the halls of Congress, and federal agencies. Through our effective strategic planning and sheer effort, AASF has grown as an organization, built up credibility, and fostered relationships of trust. 

Earlier this year, AASF was voted in as one of the members of the National Council of Asian Pacific Americans (NCAPA), which is a coalition of the oldest and most influential Asian American civil rights groups in the country. We were invited to and joined the Task Force for the Friends of the Asian American Smithsonian Museum in support of the first national museum, where we will work to lend expertise and assist in the curation of museum archives and featured history. We have spearheaded high level meetings with the Biden administration, including most recently meeting with the Under Secretary Jose W. Fernandez of the White House. Working as a bridge builder, we have successfully convened dialogue between high level officials in the administration and university leadership, and have acted as an expert and resource for Congress. 

AASF has shown that within a short period of time, we can make effective lasting change and ensure that the door is open for Asian American scholars to have a powerful voice in Washington, DC. Learn how to be involved in our efforts and meet with fellow scholars in camaraderie to further develop the organization and strategize on enacting change. Now that we have a seat at the table, we must work towards ensuring that we not only keep this seat, but ensure we speak up in the room and be an integral part of decisions that impact our communities. 

AASF is committed to continuing to build this infrastructure that empowers Asian Americans and scholars, and be a convenor and bridge builder that can help foster consensus, data driven policies, and lift up our communities. During this 2023 annual meeting, we will:

• Build on AASF’s vision and mission to address the immediate and long-term issues impacting our communities and America’s academic and research enterprise.
• Review the milestones of AASF’s first year transitioning as a 501(c)(3) non-profit
• Discuss AASF’s Pioneer Project and contributions towards Asian American history with existing partners, such as the National Science Foundation (NSF), Friends of the National Asian Pacific American Smithsonian Museum, NY Law’s US-Asia Law Institute, and Seton Hall Law School.
• Undergo strategic planning on sustainable fundraising and support of the non-profit
• Mobilize membership for expansion and growth
• Learn about pathways to leadership within AASF including participation in committees working on key areas such as research & data, curriculum building, promotions and education, etc. 
• Brainstorm for our first formal 2024 convention to bring in full programing as well as notable speakers from the White House, Congress, National Academies, etc. 

We continue to move forward the vision of our founders that there be a seat at the table for the Asian American and scholar community, and to ensure that this space is to the benefit not only for our communities, but our country as a whole. It is only with your support and thought partnership that we are able to continue to promote open science, pursue justice for our community, and advance the leadership and history of Asian American and scholars – and for that we are extremely grateful. We hope that we can celebrate and dream together in Cambridge, Massachusetts for a better future together.

Sincerely,

Yasheng Huang    Founding President

Kai Li    Founding Vice President                                    

Gisela P. Kusakawa    Executive Director