SAN
FRANCISCO, July 17, 2024 /PRNewswire/ --
Stand with Asian Americans (SwAA), the nation's
first legal civil rights organization focused primarily on fighting
anti-Asian workplace discrimination, today announced a significant
leadership transition and the launch of its Workplace Justice
Fund.
This unprecedented fund aims to provide comprehensive legal
support and resources for Asians in America facing workplace
discrimination, marking a significant escalation in SwAA's fight
for equality in American workplaces.
New President, COO and Board
SwAA welcomes a dynamic new leadership team and board to drive
its mission forward:
- Michelle Lee, President,
General Counsel and Board Chair
- Brian Pang, COO and Head
of Partnerships
- Justin Zhu, Co-founder
and Board Member
- April Moh, Board
Member
"I'm honored to lead SwAA into this new chapter. By harnessing
the power of law, we aim to create lasting change and ensure equal
opportunities for our community. With our dedicated team, board and
supporters, I'm confident that we can make a real difference in the
lives of Asians across the country," said Michelle Lee, President, GC and Board Chair of
SwAA.
Launch of Workplace Justice Fund
The Workplace Justice Fund, a cornerstone of SwAA's expanded
mission, is a first-of-its-kind initiative designed to provide
comprehensive legal support and education for Asians in America
facing workplace discrimination.
With a goal to raise $1 million by
year-end, the fund has already secured $100,000 from anonymous donors over the last
month, with growing interest from independent contributors.
The launch of the fund comes at a critical juncture. Recent
studies1 show that AAPI (Asian American
and Pacific Islander) employees consider lawsuits at higher rates
than other employees of color. Nearly one-third report having
contemplated or discussed filing a lawsuit against current or
former employers due to identity-based mistreatment.
SwAA's 2023 joint survey with Blind uncovered
that fear of retaliation and skepticism about effecting change are
the primary deterrents for Asian employees reporting
discrimination.
The Workplace Justice Fund aims to address these challenges
head-on.
"Our Workplace Justice Fund will be a game-changer for our
community. It represents our commitment to not just raising
awareness, but also actively and directly fighting for the rights
of Asians in the American workplace," commented Brian Pang, COO and Head of Partnerships of
SwAA.
Key features of the fund include:
- Direct Legal Action and Advocacy: Building an in-house
team of legal experts to offer direct pro bono and affordable
representation, focusing on cases with potential to create social
justice impact or set important precedents in workplace
discrimination law for Asian Americans.
- Education, Research and Training: Developing
comprehensive resources and programs to educate both employers and
employees about workplace rights and issues affecting Asians in
America. Funding in-depth studies on systemic workplace
discrimination against Asians in America to inform policy
recommendations and corporate best practices.
- Community Services and Support: Establishing a robust
support platform for plaintiffs and the wider community,
facilitating incident reporting, community building, therapy,
healing, and ongoing learning.
- Partnerships: Collaborating with nationwide law firms,
corporations, and civil rights organizations to amplify the fund's
impact and extend its reach.
Looking Ahead
With its new leadership and the launch of the Workplace Justice
Fund, SwAA is poised to significantly expand its impact.
Amongst a series of ambitious targets, the organization aims to
counsel at least 25 potential plaintiffs in 2025, with the goal of
supporting them through their legal actions.
"This is just the beginning," said Justin Zhu, co-founder, board member and
out-going executive director. "With the Workplace Justice Fund and
our new leadership team, we're building a consequential movement
that will empower the Asian community to stand up against
discrimination and reshape the American workplace. None of this
would have been possible without the dedication of my co-founders
Dave Lu and Wendy Nguyen, who also served on the board. As
they pass the baton to our new leadership team, SwAA is poised to
catalyze unprecedented change for Asians across the nation."
To support the Workplace Justice Fund and get involved in SwAA's
mission, interested individuals and organizations can donate by
contacting donate@standwithasianamericans.com.
About Stand with Asian Americans
Stand with Asian Americans (SwAA) is America's first legal civil
rights organization focused primarily on fighting anti-Asian
workplace discrimination. Through the power of law, education and
community, the organization aims to protect and advance the rights
of Asians in America.
Anyone can get involved in creating a world where Asians in
America are empowered to exercise their civil rights and
constitutional liberties.
Join the fight, visit
https://standwithasianamericans.com/ to learn more.
You can also engage with SwAA on the following platforms:
LinkedIn:
https://www.linkedin.com/company/stand-with-asian-americans/
Instagram, Threads, Facebook: @standwithasianamericans
X: @StandwithAAs
Press contact: pr@standwithasianamericans.com
1 Inclusion@Work 2023/2024 Executive Leadership
Risk Report
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SOURCE Stand with Asian Americans