Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month
Honoring the contributions of our AAPI Community
Honoring the Contributions of Our AAPI optiMize Community
At optiMize, we are dedicated to fostering an inclusive community where everyone is inspired to drive positive change. This environment thrives on the diverse backgrounds and identities of many of our members, which include the rich cultural heritage of our Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) peers. We believe that recognizing and celebrating these unique identities not only enhances personal growth but also strengthens the collective impact we can achieve together.
The creativity and passion that emerge from embracing one’s heritage are essential to the innovation and collaboration that define optiMize. By encouraging self-expression and cultural pride, we support our members in developing impactful projects that resonate deeply with their values and experiences. This, in turn, amplifies the synergy and solidarity within our community, enriching the shared journey toward social impact.
The impact of our AAPI members on this community is profound and invaluable. We deeply appreciate their creativity, insight, and empathy, which have greatly strengthened optiMize’s mission to drive social change. Their contributions have fostered an inclusive environment where participants and staff from all backgrounds feel a sense of belonging and are encouraged to champion social justice.
In honor of AAPI Heritage Month, we want to highlight some of the projects from the current and past cohorts that celebrate and support the AAPI community. The dedication and innovation of these teams have not only impressed us but have also played a crucial role in promoting diversity and acceptance. Explore the outstanding work they are doing:
Arab Women’s United
A non-profit organization providing a safe and nurturing environment for women to access essential resources and opportunities.
Cohort 12 : Zahraa Alrafish & Duaa Alhalemi
Arab Women United is an initiative established by Arab-American immigrant women, dedicated to uplifting and supporting women in underprivileged and underserved communities. By creating a safe space for women to share their stories and experiences, AWU aims to foster solidarity and resilience within these communities. Recognizing the urgent need for tangible support structures, founder Zahraa Alrafish sought to establish avenues for women to cultivate self-reliance and forge meaningful connections with female peers worldwide. This summer, AWU is excited to refine and expand its offerings by introducing new programs such as financial literacy workshops, resume-building sessions, and marketing courses. Their long-term vision is to scale and extend their reach into diverse global communities, making a tangible impact by creating and increasing safe spaces for women everywhere.
Anees
A volunteer-run hospital visitation program promoting the spiritual well-being of hospitalized Muslim patients.
Cohort 12 : Zaki Khera
Anees is a chaplain-led hospital visitation program dedicated to combating the stigma surrounding mental and spiritual healthcare in the Muslim community. The founders of Anees aim to address the disparities between Muslims and other faith groups within spiritual care services at the hospitals they collaborate with. As a Muslim passionate about addressing the psychosocial needs of underrepresented and minority groups, Zaki Khera is committed to supporting his community after witnessing their struggles due to a lack of access to holistic healthcare. This summer, Khera will work towards getting Anees verified by the spiritual care department at Michigan Medicine, enabling them to start recruiting and training volunteers. His vision is for Anees to become a fully functioning and self-sustainable project in most, if not all, hospitals across the United States with a Muslim patient population.
A Colorful Connection
A project looking to add to Filipinx representation in the media, empower Asian identities and educate others on diverse cultures.
Cohort 12 : Nicole Vergara, Hillary Tran, Nina Blanco & Janelle Bernardino
A Colorful Collection is crafting a children's book that celebrates Filipinx culture and identity, alongside a blog dedicated to underrepresented identities. This book, designed for 6-7 year olds, delves into themes like family, hospitality, and food, all integral to the Filipino community's values and traditions. The blog will offer a platform for individuals to share their personal stories in various formats, such as photo essays, columns, or videos. As members of the AAPI community, the co-founders of A Colorful Collection aims to help Filipinx-identifying children connect with their heritage and allow other children to explore these unique traditions. The team is currently in the drafting and revising stages. In the future, they envision expanding into bookstores and bookshops and hosting interactive community events to further their mission.
CikguHub
An artificial intelligence driven learning and development platform to aid Malaysian teachers
Cohort 11 : Christopher Kok
CikguHub is designed to offer a web application that automatically generates teachers' progress reports, highlighting their growth, learning gaps, and recommended next steps. Additionally, the platform provides personalized, curated content for more efficient learning and an open forum for teachers to connect and collaborate on shared challenges. The platform was built to help Malaysian teachers. They are assisted by Edvolution.
Gone With The Wind
A book raising awareness about the vulnerability and resilience of people during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Cohort 12 : Homayra Adiba
Using a unique multimedia format, Gone With The Wind showcases the vital role of essential grocery store workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Amid increasing uncertainty, this project highlights the tireless efforts and personal stories of these workers, who dedicated countless hours and risked their lives to maintain a semblance of normalcy. Utilizing both photographs from the time and grocery store receipts overlaid through a cyanotype method, founder Homayra Adiba captures the stark contrast between corporate greed and communal strength. This project brings to light the often-overlooked narratives of community, struggle, and vulnerability during the pandemic. This summer, Adiba plans to connect with publishers to share these powerful stories and foster a deeper connection with a wider audience.
MA:E magazine
An outlet for the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American community on campus to explore their interests, express themselves, and empower one another.
Cohort 8 : Kathrine Yang, Christine Park, Anabel Nam, Audrey Ling
MA:E Magazine is a creative collective dedicated to uniting the Asian Pacific Islander Desi American (APIDA) community by amplifying their voices. The publication's mission is to engage and empower APIDA individuals by nurturing their passions, fostering creativity, and providing a dynamic platform for expression. As students of the APIDA community themselves, founders Audrey, Christine, Katherine, and Anabel are committed to inspiring others to embrace creative expression as a means of stress relief and connection. This summer, the founders will focus on strengthening the organization and boosting engagement across the magazine's platforms. The MA:E team envisions MA:E Magazine becoming a central hub for celebrating and sharing cultural diversity, exemplifying the power of community-driven representation.
Paani
A nonprofit that aims to improve health and sanitation in Pakistan.
Cohort 7: Arhum Ashrad, Sikander ‘Sonny’ Khan, Nauman Khan
Paani is an organization dedicated to spreading awareness, constructing water filters, and building wells in Pakistan to address the critical issues of poverty and starvation. The Paani team is deeply committed to this initiative, drawing inspiration from the hardships their families have endured in impoverished regions of Pakistan. Their mission is to transform these conditions for their loved ones and promote healthier living nationwide. This summer, Paani aims to disseminate educational resources in Pakistan and strengthen their collaborations with nonprofit partners on the ground, amplifying their impact and reach.
Refugee Garden: Cultivating Food & Connections
A community-engaged garden for refugees to plant and cultivate food native to their communities.
Cohort 10 : Phimmasone Kym Owens
Refugee Garden is dedicated to creating a safe space where individuals can cultivate culturally appropriate foods, fostering empowerment and community reconnection with their heritage. This garden provides an avenue for passing down generational knowledge and celebrating diverse cultures. Beyond combating food insecurity, Refugee Garden offers financial opportunities to enrich the lives of refugees. As a refugee herself, the founder, Phimmasone, is deeply committed to highlighting the struggles faced by refugees and creating more opportunities and resources for their future.
Seithur Sanitation Initiative/Project RISHI
Building awareness campaign emphasizing sanitation and hygiene and building latrines for people disadvantaged by the caste system
Cohort 9 & Cohort 11 : Omar Yousev, Moon Joy, Kavya Chandra, Namit Padgaonkar, Prajna Polamarasetti, Srishti Senthil, Lakshmi Meyyappan, Sanjana Kannikerswaran, Binta Patel, Sreya Gutta, & Rasmi Davu
Project RISHI: Seithur Sanitation Initiative collaborates closely with the Seithur community to provide essential sanitation facilities for low-income and lower-caste communities, aiming to protect vulnerable women from disease, sexual violence, and indignity. The team, driven by their personal experiences with resource inequity in similar communities, is dedicated to addressing these urgent issues. Their goal involves conducting thorough field research and engaging with village members to ensure their solution is both beneficial and viable for the people of Seithur. The team aspires to build a lasting partnership with the community, working alongside its leaders to improve the health and safety of women and children. Following the successful construction of women'swomen and children's restroom facilities last year, the Seithur Sanitation Initiative team continues their commitment to the village in India, now focusing on broader efforts. Motivated by a desire to give back to a country that has given them so much, they recognize their privilege and strive to combat the harmful effects of open defecation, which predominantly affects low-income men, women, and children in India
