During the month of May, we celebrate Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month and AAPI contributions to New York State. The AAPI community is the fastest-growing racial or ethnic group in the United States.

Known as the “Gateway to the Nation,” New York State is a welcoming beacon for immigrants, representing the largest AAPI population after California and providing a significant number of resources for these communities.

This exhibition celebrates the generational voices of the AAPI community who have made New York their home. Their words describing resilience, sacrifice, and community building contribute to the New York Story.

Exhibition on View
New York State Capitol, 2nd Floor
May 1 - May 31, 2023

While the stories shared in this exhibition are positive examples of successful immigration stories, it can not be forgotten that members of the AAPI community have been targets of racially-motivated attacks and discrimination in America since the first major waves of Asian immigration began in the 19th century. Events such as the September 11, 2001 terrorist attacks and the COVID-19 pandemic have increased the numbers of hate crimes against the AAPI community.

The voices shared in this exhibit and the voices of all AAPI communities add to the proud, diverse strength of this state. Hate, racism, and xenophobia have no place in New York State.

In recent years, Governor Kathy Hochul has signed numerous bills to increase funding for AAPI businesses, create new forces to combat the rise of hate crimes in New York, and invest in AAPI communities.

This exhibit was developed and produced by the Office of General Services, in collaboration with the New York State Executive Chamber. The New York State Office of General Services would like to thank the following organizations and individuals for participating in this exhibition:

Abdul Rahim Rahim
Angie Y. Chung, Ph.D
Anna T. Lee
APAPA - Albany, New York
Ashok Adikoppula - Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association
Asian American Federation
Bangladeshi American Social & Cultural Organization
Bijaya Khadka - New American Council, Rochester
Burmese Community Services, Inc.
The Center, Utica, NY
The Chinese Community Center of the Capital District
Coalition for Asian American Children+Families
Doreen M.
Ellen Smith, Keeping Our Promise, Inc.
Filipino American Association of Rochester
Filipino American National Historical Society/Metro NY
Dr. Hnin Wai Lwin - Myanmar Multiethnic Sociocultural Association in the Capital Region
International Center of the Capital Region
United States Committee for Refugees and Immigrants, Albany
Japanese American Oral History Project
Jinah Ahn, Sunhee’s Farm and Kitchen
Jianzhong Tang
Julie Azuma
Julie Kahng
Maryam M.
Karen Society of Buffalo
Karen Society of Utica
Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York
New York State Bureau of Refugee Services/ODTA
Preyal Krishna-Kennedy
Stacy Chen
Refugees Helping Refugees
Tai Ngo Shaw - Blessing Box
Yono and Donna J. Purnomo