Our Mission

Our mission is to support the establishment, design, and construction of the National Museum of Asian Pacific American History and Culture by:

  • Mobilizing our vast network of Asian Pacific American communities and constituencies to promote public awareness and engagement; 
  • Raising the initial funds necessary for the official report to Congress and the President from the newly-authorized commission;
  • Researching, compiling, and disseminating the materials and tools needed to inform policymakers, partners, and the public of the urgency and importance of a permanent Smithsonian museum on the National Mall.
Timeline ➜
H.R. 3525
President Biden signs H.R. 3525
Commission Report
Commission appointments
Authorization
Anticipated in 2026
Appropriations
BUILD IT

Our Museum

Our vision is simple: A permanent Asian Pacific American museum, worthy of the Smithsonian name, on the National Mall.

Imagine: World-class exhibits. Immersive programming. Innovative, engaging digital experiences that reach every person, home, school, and community in the world. All housed in a place where families, friends, and allies can gather — in celebration, in solidarity, and in hope.

Let's build a museum that preserves and shares our stories. A home that our ancestors and our children — and all Americans — will be proud to call their own.

Our Movement

We are the American story, proud to hail from diverse backgrounds, across generations, nationalities, and the political spectrum.  We are leaders and workers, executives and scholars, scientists and veterans, all advocates for our communities.  Together, we make America great.

No matter your story or your title, make no mistake: In this historic movement for permanent representation, we all can and must do our part. Throughout this nation, we are rallying in record numbers — and our movement and momentum is only growing.
Tell friends and family. Write to your public officials. Share your story on social media.
Together, let’s write the next chapter of the Asian Pacific American story.
Staff
Handel Lee
Co-Founder and Co-Chair
Debbie Shon
Co-Founder and Co-Chair
William Reeder
Interim Executive Director
Ting Xu
Chief Operating Officer
Amna Bajwa
Project Manager
Richard Kamenitzer
Chief Financial Officer
Leadership Council
Andrew Chau
CEO & Co-founder, Boba Guys
Atif Qarni
Former Secretary of Education, Commonwealth of Virginia
Shekar Narasimhan
Chairman and Founder, AAPI Victory Fund
Juanita Hardy
Founder and Managing Principal, Tiger Management
Di Di Pei
Co-founder, PEI Architects
Y. Ping Sun
Counsel, Yetter Coleman LLP
Bright Solutions
Financial and Management Services
Akin Gump
Legal & Policy Counsel

© 2023 Friends of the National Asian Pacific American Museum

Friends of the National Asian Pacific American Museum is a 501 (c)(3) not-for-profit organization. We are not affiliated with the Smithsonian Institution or the Smithsonian Asian Pacific American Center.

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