NEW YORK — The The Asian American Foundation officially opened its 2026 AAPI Heritage Month Summit on May 14 at the Jacob K. Javits Convention Center in Manhattan, launching a two-day gathering centered on this year’s theme: “Together, We Are the Asian American Dream.”
The summit brought together more than 1,000 leaders from across business, sports, media, philanthropy, public service, and community organizations to discuss the evolving role of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in shaping the future of the United States.
Opening-day discussions focused on key issues affecting AAPI communities, including public safety, economic development, sports and culture, and representation in media. The event also commemorated the fifth anniversary of TAAF, the 35th anniversary of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, and the upcoming 250th anniversary of the founding of the United States.
Former NBA star Jeremy Lin participated in a featured panel titled “AAPI Leadership in Sports and Culture,” where he spoke candidly about identity, belonging, and the challenges facing Asian American youth.
Lin shared that his foundation currently focuses on supporting underserved AAPI youth in New York City, Los Angeles, and the San Francisco Bay Area. Just days before the summit, the organization hosted a youth event in Queens.
During conversations with young participants, Lin said many expressed feelings associated with “impostor syndrome,” believing they are “never good enough.”
“These are very real struggles,” Lin said. “What our foundation wants to promote is listening, unity, and the spirit of working together.”
Lin also reflected on his lifelong experience navigating cultural identity.
“In America, I was always ‘the Asian basketball player.’ When I played in Asia, I became ‘the American basketball player,’” he said. “For a long time, I never truly felt like I belonged anywhere. But eventually, I realized that the ‘plus sign’ itself is a bridge. It’s an advantage, not a burden.”
Joining the panel was Clara Wu Tsai, owner of the New York Liberty, who spoke about the importance of representation in women’s sports. Referencing the team’s 2024 championship season, Wu Tsai recalled receiving messages from parents whose daughters found inspiration through the team.
“One father told me his daughter used to casually watch NBA games, but after discovering the Liberty, she started collecting jerseys and staying up late to watch live broadcasts,” Wu Tsai said. “She saw herself in the game instead of standing on the sidelines, and that changed everything sports meant to her.”
Joe Tsai, chairman of the Brooklyn Nets, also discussed identity and leadership. He noted that while playing football and lacrosse in his youth made him feel “very American,” becoming one of the few Asian controlling owners in the NBA brought new awareness of his ethnic identity.
“When I walk into NBA board meetings now, I actually feel more Asian and feel the need to prove my American identity,” Tsai said.
The summit concluded its opening evening with an annual awards gala honoring influential AAPI pioneers and leaders. Honorees included Jeremy Lin, Neal Mohan, and Academy Award-winning actor Ke Huy Quan.
Founded in 2021 amid a nationwide rise in anti-Asian hate incidents, The Asian American Foundation positions itself as a platform for investment, innovation, and collaboration within AAPI communities. Through research initiatives, grant programs, and cross-sector partnerships, the organization aims to address longstanding disparities in resources and representation.
Organizers described this year’s summit as the largest in TAAF history. In addition to panel discussions and keynote sessions, the two-day event also features culinary experiences curated by renowned AAPI chefs and a marketplace showcasing Asian American small businesses.
