Help AsAmNews be a force for change: An open letter

Dear Readers,

When I launched AsAmNews 11 years ago, never did I imagine it would grow into a community force for change. With your support, we’ve proven the improbable is indeed possible.

This year we officially incorporated as Asian American Media Inc, the non-profit arm which publishes AsAmNews 365 days a year. The IRS officially recognized Asian American Media Inc as a 501c3 earlier this year, meaning your donations to us are now tax deductible.

Since 2012, we have evolved into a training ground for up-and-coming journalists and a place where Asian American reporters can write about issues closest to their hearts.

“The original stories I have done have opened my eyes to the kind of reporting I want to do in the future,” said former intern and current staff writer Lia Reichman. “There are topics I have covered and issues I have gotten to report on that I was previously unaware of, whether from DACA recipients to AAPI Adoptees to organizations fighting anti-Asian hate. All of this has made me a better journalist and person.”

As a non-profit, we are both obligated and committed to serving the Asian American and Pacific Islander communities. Our mission is to drive the narrative of how Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are portrayed in the mass media.

• As the country’s only daily digital news site exclusively covering the AAPI community, we were the first news organization to devote extensive attention and resources to stopping anti-Asian hate.

• We focused on a wide variety of solutions to stopping the hate ranging from stronger prosecution of hate crime laws to increased policing to both legislative and educational reform .

• We’ve also documented how Asian American and Pacific Islander mustered their political power at the polls and rallied in support of immigration reform, improved education and increasing access to health care.

• We feature Bad Ass Asians– AAPIs breaking stereotypes and making a difference ranging from actors and athletes to activists and politicians.

• We’ve awarded scholarships to deserving students who would otherwise not be able to accept an unpaid internship.

“Earning a scholarship lessened my family’s burden and furthered my Georgetown education,” said Rachel Tao. “I am forever grateful to AsAmNews for enriching me as both an intern and scholarship winner!”

We’ve reached more than 5 million unique readers so far this year.

Our work has been recognized with awards from the California Asian Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus, the National Association of Asian Pacifics in Politics and Public Affairs and the small business support group, the Asian Hustle Network.  

I am a veteran mainstream journalist, and strive to improve news media coverage of the Asian American community. That’s why I’ve volunteered to run AsAmNews for 11 years. With your help, we will be able to hire a full-time executive editor and increase our coverage and original reporting.

As we work to draw closer attention to the issues important to our community, our costs and needs have risen dramatically. We need your support. To emphasize the importance of our year-end fundraising drive, every board member of Asian American Media Inc has joined together to pledge a combined $21,000 in matching grant funds. That means the board will match every dollar donated up to a total of $21,000.

Our goal is to raise $50,000 by the end of the year. This is ten times more than we’ve ever raised in a single year in the past. That’s how pressing our needs are. We’re reaching out to you because you’ve shown your support by reading, liking and sharing our posts. We’re asking you to increase your support by making a generous donation through this PayPal link or if you prefer, making a check out to Asian American Media Inc and sending it to 440 N. Barranca, #8117 in Covina, CA 91723.

So far, including the matching grant, we’ve raised $7077.70 towards our goal of $50,000.

Former intern, now associate editor Akemi Tamanaha says “Working in Asian media has allowed me to embrace my Asian American identity and connect with older generations in my family. I’m very grateful for all of the hard work Randall has put into this project.”

With your help, we will reach more readers and provide the untold stories that really matter and impact all Asian American and Pacific Islander communities.

Warmly and with Much appreciation,

Randall Yip

Founder & Editor

AsAmNews