The Asian American Foundation and Wong Fu Productions have launched a new AAPI series called ‘The United States of Asian+America.’
Courtesy of TAAF
In anticipation of America’s 250th anniversary, The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) has partnered with digital production house Wong Fu Productions to launch The United States of Asian+America. This new YouTube series shines a spotlight on the AAPI visionaries and pioneers whose contributions have fundamentally shaped the American landscape.
Despite their significant impact on sectors ranging from technology and medicine to music and culinary arts, many AAPI stories remain largely unrecognized. Public awareness of AAPI history continues to lag; a 2024 TAAF survey revealed that over half of Americans could not name a single prominent Asian American. Furthermore, the organization’s 2026 STAATUS Index indicates that 53% of U.S. adults cannot identify a major AAPI historical milestone, and only 7% believe the community exerts significant influence on American culture.
The series seeks to bridge this knowledge gap by profiling influential figures such as Yahoo! co-founder Jerry Yang, USB inventor Ajay Bhatt, NBA star Jeremy Lin, and chef Martin Yan. Through intimate, one-on-one conversations, viewers gain personal insights into the journeys of these trailblazers.
The series debuted on June 24th with a conversation between Wong Fu Productions co-founder Philip Wang and YouTube co-founder Steve Chen. Upcoming episodes, released throughout the year on TAAF and Wong Fu Productions’ YouTube, TikTok, and Instagram channels, will feature a diverse roster of guests including MC Jin, Sophia Chang, Dr. David Ho, and many others. Each interview is conducted by an AAPI professional, such as chef Jon Kung or filmmaker Shruti Ganguly, ensuring a deep and culturally resonant dialogue.
TAAF CEO Norman Chen emphasized the project’s mission, stating that AAPI history is inseparable from the broader American narrative. He noted that from the engineers who revolutionized connectivity to the healthcare workers who served during the pandemic, AAPI contributions are woven into the fabric of the nation. As the country approaches its semiquincentennial, the series aims to bring these essential stories to the forefront.
The United States of Asian+America follows TAAF’s successful “Asian+American” PSA campaign. To further its mission of reclaiming AAPI history, the organization is also launching the TAAF Asian+American Storytelling Initiative. Starting this summer, creators can submit pitches via asianplusamerican.org to document overlooked AAPI historical moments. Selected finalists will receive mentorship and awards of up to $10,000 to develop their concepts into short-form video content.
The United States of Asian+America is currently available on YouTube. Community members are encouraged to share their own stories using the hashtag #AsianPlusAmerican and tagging @TAAForg.
