On December 6, the Jeremy Lin Foundation, founded by the former Chinese American NBA star, announced that it would launch the Stronger Together Collaborative in collaboration with The Asian American Foundation (TAAF). The joint initiative aims to support community-rooted Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) youth organizations and to help form coalitions with other communities of color in solidarity.
“I really want to hone in on the word ‘collaborative,’” said Lin in the announcement video [watch below]. “But [if] there’s anything I’ve learned, it’s that I can’t do it alone. I need other people around me. I need community.”
The first batch of nine community organizations will be awarded 1.5 million USD over the next three years. All nine awardees are based in New York City, which sees a high rate of AAPI poverty and racial tension between members of the AAPI community and other minority groups. According to TAAF, the latter can be blamed on the ‘model minority’ myth and other cultural and historical complexities.
“Ten years ago, Jeremy Lin started a movement that crossed racial and team lines, uniting fans and communities around the country. The Stronger Together Collaborative continues that unifying spirit of Linsanity, aiming to further bring together AAPI and communities of color,” said Norman Chen, CEO of TAAF.
The nine grantees are Adhikaar, Apex for Youth, CAAAV, CACF ASAP, CYI, DRUM, Mekong NYC, MinKwon Center for Community Action, and SAYA. Together, the collaborative has determined that it will be able to reach more than 4,000 youths in the city.
Cover image via VCG
