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New digital series celebrates AAPI changemakers
The initiative launches ahead of America's 250th anniversary to highlight AAPI contributions to the nation.
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Malvika Choudhary - Wed, 24, Jun 2026
- 18:32 EDT
- 50
"The United States of Asian+America," a new series by TAAF and Wong Fu Productions, is now streaming on YouTube. / The Asian American Foundation
The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) launched The United States of Asian+America, a new digital series highlighting the contributions of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) pioneers who have helped shape the United States.
Produced in partnership with Wong Fu Productions, the series aims to spotlight often-overlooked AAPI figures whose innovations and achievements have influenced American technology, healthcare, entertainment, sports and food.
Also Read: TAAF honors YouTube CEO Neal Mohan for advancing representation
The launch comes ahead of the United States' 250th anniversary celebrations, which TAAF said provide an opportunity to bring greater attention to AAPI history and its role in shaping the nation.
The series features original interviews with trailblazers including YouTube co-founder Steve Chen, USB co-inventor Ajay Bhatt, Yahoo! co-founder Jerry Yang, NBA champion Jeremy Lin, chef Martin Yan, music executive Sophia Chang, hip-hop pioneer MC Jin, physician and HIV/AIDS researcher David Ho, Kamal Kalsi, winemaker Jessica Koga and former Philippine Nurses Association of America president Madelyn Yu, among others.
Each featured changemaker is paired with a host from a new generation of creators and storytellers, including Righteous Eats founder Jaeki Cho, Cho Wines founder Lois Cho, actress Piper Curda, filmmaker Shruti Ganguly, chef and content creator Jon Kung and Wong Fu Productions co-founder Philip Wang.
The series is significant as TAAF's 2026 STAATUS Index shows more than half of U.S. adults, or 53 percent, cannot name a major moment in Asian American history, while only 7 percent believe AAPI communities have "a great deal" of influence on U.S. culture.
"From the Indian American engineer who helped connect the world through USB, to the Filipino nurses who cared for America during the COVID-19 pandemic, to the Chinese American chef who transformed how Americans experience Chinese food, AAPIs have had an outsized impact on the U.S.," said Norman Chen, CEO of TAAF.
"As America approaches its 250th anniversary, The United States of Asian+America brings these stories to the forefront–told by the people who shaped them. AAPI history is American history," Chen added.
Philip Wang, co-founder of Wong Fu Productions, said the project builds on the company's long-standing efforts to increase Asian American representation in media.
"Wong Fu Productions has been a pillar in Asian American culture and media for over two decades. We made our own stories when there were no mainstream opportunities. We've been unapologetic and intentional in our mission to highlight our modern experiences and talent," Wang said.
"I'm honored to direct this series with my producer Benson Quach, and join TAAF in creating an empowering, and evolving, series that can preserve what previous generations have accomplished, while connecting with the next and hopefully inspiring them knowing that our community can, and has done, incredible things in this country," he added.
The project marks a major expansion of TAAF's Asian+American campaign, which launched in 2025 to encourage conversations about the complexity of being both Asian and American.
As part of the broader effort, TAAF also announced the Asian+American Storytelling Initiative, which will invite creators from across the country to submit pitches focused on significant AAPI figures, movements or moments in U.S. history.
Finalists selected by a committee of creators and filmmakers will receive mentorship and awards of up to $10,000 to develop their ideas into short-form videos.
Episodes of The United States of Asian+America will be released on a rolling basis through the end of 2026 across TAAF and Wong Fu Productions' YouTube, TikTok and Instagram channels. TAAF is also encouraging community members to share their own stories using the hashtag #AsianPlusAmerican.
Discover more at New India Abroad.
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