Listen to Jan Michael Looking Wolf's "We Rise"

The COVID-19 pandemic led to a shocking—though not surprising—rise in anti-Asian hate, fueled by the then-President's racist rhetoric. On March 16, 2021, during a meeting about Lan Su Chinese Garden, news broke that a white man had murdered 8 people in Atlanta, including 6 Asian American women. The meeting’s attendees—Anne Naito-Campbell, Elizabeth Nye, and Raymond Cheng—knew immediate action was needed. Within a week, they convened dozens of community leaders, and in less than 2 months, the first event was born. Despite the challenges of the pandemic, including shifting locations and fluctuating attendance, the event pressed forward. The event showed the strength and solidarity of the AANHPI community and the need for opportunities to come together. Since 2021, the event has grown into into a powerful annual gathering of resilience and unity. Each year, we come together to share information, highlight community events, raise awareness and celebrate the rich diversity of our community.