State lawmakers announce major state funding to support AAPI community

New York celebrates Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month with investment in programs to help eliminate hate crimes against Asian Americans

New York State Sen. Sean Ryan, Assembly member Karen McMahon and Assembly member Monica Wallace visited the Asian American Heritage Festival in Amherst to announce $30 million of state funding in the fiscal year 2023-24 state budget to support Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) in New York. It is the largest investment in the Asian American community in state history.

Ryan’s team said, “Since the beginning of the COVID-19 pandemic, the United States has seen a sharp increase in hate crimes against the AAPI community. The state’s $30 million investment will support crisis intervention initiatives and community-based programs that combat bias and racially motivated violence against members of New York’s fastest-growing ethnic group.

“This funding will be distributed to more than 100 organizations across the state in coordination with the AAPI Equity Coalition, a collection of over 50 AAPI community leaders and organizations. It represents a $10 million increase over the amount allocated in last year’s state budget.”

Ryan said, “As we celebrate Asian American Heritage Month, we are making a historic investment in New York’s AAPI community. Our state’s cultural diversity is one of our great strengths, and it is important that our spending reflects that reality. This funding will support important community programs and help ensure the well-being of our AAPI neighbors in the wake of years of increased anti-Asian bigotry.”

McMahon said, “Amherst is home to a number of Asian American Pacific Islander cultural groups, each celebrating their unique traditions and enriching our community as a whole. I was honored to join my colleagues Sen. Ryan and Assembly member Wallace at the second annual Asian American Heritage Festival at Buffalo Niagara Heritage Village to announce a significant funding commitment from New York state to combat discrimination against the Asian American community. This funding will support groups and programs that intervene and assist the Asian American community to combat discriminatory and hateful incidents, thereby making New York state more welcoming to all.”

Wallace said, “Asian American and Pacific Islander communities have fueled growth and contributed to the cultural tapestry of Buffalo and beyond. I’m proud to represent a community with one of the fastest-growing AAPI populations in Western New York. We embrace the rich cultural traditions and diversity that you bring to our community.”