SEPTEMBER NEWSLETTER

Current Actions:

CALL FOR ART — United Against Hate: Art Week

As part of United Against Hate Week (October 19–25, 2025), AAPI Youth Rising is hosting a Virtual Art Week! We invite everyone to submit artwork—whether it’s digital, poetry, or physical creations. Artwork can reflect themes or identity, culture, unity, inclusion, and/or standing against hate. Check out the Instagram post! To submit, email [email protected] with:

1. A photo of the artist/AYR Chapter member (YOU!)

2. Your name

3. Title of artwork + short artist statement of what the art represents and why it's important to stand united against hate. 

DEADLINE: Monday, October 13, 2025

Fill out THIS SURVEY from Evelynn Leung

Evelynn from Florham Park, NJ, is conducting a survey to learn about people’s awareness of AAPI history, how it is taught in schools, and how it may affect identity and cultural understanding. From Evelynn: I’m currently an 11th-grade student at the Academy of Saint Elizabeth in Morristown, NJ. This survey is for my independent research as I want to raise awareness about how the lack of AAPI history in classrooms can affect students’ sense of identity and belonging, leaving them feeling unseen, underrepresented, or facing bias.

Op-Ed Project

AAPI Youth Rising is launching an op-ed project to amplify the voices of young people on current events. Participants will write 500–800-word op-eds on topics of their choice to get them published through our connections. We will meet every two weeks for editing sessions to review drafts and provide feedback. IF YOU ARE INTERESTED, FILL OUT THIS GOOGLE FORM!

AAPI Youth Rising Stickers

We are looking for YOUR designs to be featured on upcoming AYR stickers! Please take a look at the guidelines and submission form here. Email [email protected] for questions.

AYR Action Corner

Check out our Action Corner to keep track of our latest actions and ways to engage. If you have any actions you would like to highlight, email [email protected]

AYR Blog

If you have art, blogs, or op-eds you’d like to share, email [email protected] or [email protected]. Check out our latest blogs here!

ONE DAY OF AAPI HISTORY

Bring our ONE DAY OF AAPI HISTORY lesson to your school or share the video! The presentation is fully scripted, so you can do it yourself, or board members can join you. This is your chance to practice your public speaking skills. See the TOOLKIT HERE for information!

Upcoming events

AAPI Youth Rising September Monthly All Member Meeting

Thursday, September 25 | 6 pm-7 pm PDT | Zoom Link

Lee Moriarty at Night Gallery curated by Adam Abdalla

Saturday, September 27 | 4 pm-6 pm PDT | Night Gallery, Los Angeles

You are invited to Balance, the debut gallery exhibition of wrestler and artist Lee Moriarty. Curated by Adam Abdalla, founder of Orange Crush: The Journal of Art & Wrestling, the show explores identity, masculinity, and storytelling through intimate portraits of masked luchadors—revealing the world of wrestling beyond the ring. Moriarty, the current Ring of Honor Pure Champion and a top-ranked wrestler, brings his unique perspective as both athlete and artist, with works already collected by PAMM alongside legends like Judy Chicago.

Creating Space Event

Saturday, November 8, 2025 | more details soon! | Asian Art Museum, San Francisco

Creating Space will host an event at The Asian Art Museum featuring candid conversations on how childhood experiences shape our mental health and how to heal. This community event will be open to all generations, bringing together youth, parents, and elders. Follow @creatingspacecommunity on Instagram for event updates and reach out to [email protected] to RSVP.

This event is held in conjunction with the TAAF AAPI Youth Mental Health Summit, an invite-only event where a select group of AYR Board leaders will participate. 

Check these out:

Kudos:

Press about AYR:

• UnitedWeStand.gov

• White House Fact Sheet re United We Stand Summit

• AANHPI Council on Health Equity

• Please see our website for more

Bulletins:

1. Spread the word about AYR with your friends! AYR Chapter Leaders can sign up here using this FORM. 

2. Continue raising awareness by speaking out. Email [email protected]  if you are interested in anything you see in the newsletter. 

3. Please ensure you’re on our Slack and Google Calendar. Email [email protected] if you have any problems.

Do you have anything to share for next month? Email [email protected]