Microsoft, AAJC launch digital Asian Resource Hub to connect AAPI to community resources, data
February 29, 2024
Microsoft and Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC), a nonprofit, civil rights organization, has launched a first-ever digital platform to support the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community.
About the platform: Developed in collaboration with Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL), the Asian Resource Hub emerged in response to a community survey in California revealing that over 50% of Asian Americans felt a lack of support against the surge of discrimination during the COVID-19 pandemic.
The digital platform seeks to counteract discrimination by presenting data from diverse sources on hate incidents against AAPI communities and offering a directory of resources and services. The website is currently accessible in Chinese (Traditional and Simplified), Korean and Vietnamese, and it is set to include additional languages such as Tagalog and Thai in the near future.
“The Asian Resource Hub is a direct response to the ongoing discrimination against our community during, and because of, the COVID-19 pandemic,” AJSOCAL CEO Connie Chung Joe stated. “There is a crucial need for AAPIs to find vetted, language accessible and culturally competent resources when and where help is needed. The impact of hatred and discrimination is too often devastating and complex.”
By the numbers: The Asian Resource Hub employs public data to highlight the prevalent anti-Asian hate in the U.S. It utilizes storytelling narratives and Microsoft-powered PowerBI data visualizations, drawing information from sources such as StopAAPIHate.org, the U.S. Census Bureau, FBI reports and local law enforcement. The aim is to raise awareness and enhance understanding of the challenges faced by the AAPI community, covering periods before, during and after the COVID-19 era through visually compelling presentations.
AAPI resource directory: Although the site’s mission is similar to Stop AAPI Hate‘s Reporting Center, the Asian Resource Hub distinguishes itself by prioritizing a community-based approach through incorporating essential geographic data and resources. It introduces a searchable resource directory featuring vetted AAPI organizations that provide low to no-cost and culturally competent services with assistance in Asian languages. The directory includes over 60 listed organizations across 21 states, offering easy access for individuals and communities to essential resources tailored to their specific languages and needs. The services offered encompass legal assistance, social services and civic engagement opportunities.
“By understanding and analyzing data we can provide insights for community members to better understand what is happening in the neighborhoods where they live, work and play,” said Merisa Heu-Weller, general manager of Technology for Fundamental Rights at Microsoft. “[We] are providing communities with that clarity through a data-dashboard, supportive collateral and a national directory to help fight against Asian incidents.”
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