OCTOBER 9, 2020
Sandra Oh, SuChin Pak, Maulik Pancholy, And More AAPI Creatives Join #HATEISAVIRUS In Fundraising for BIPOC Arts and Culture Organizations & Standing Against Hate
Los Angeles, CA, October 9, 2020: Hate Is A Virus started as a grassroots movement to address racism and xenophobia against Asian Americans (AAPI) fueled by COVID-19. Since launching in April 2020, the organization has expanded to mobilize the AAPI community in standing for various social justice issues and communities through awareness, education and action-oriented programs. At the first Raise A Million fundraising event in May, Hate Is A Virus raised $17,500 in two hours for Asian American restaurants and businesses, including Olympian Mirai Nagasu’s family restaurant, Sons of Thunder in NYC, and Little Tokyo Community Center.
On October 17th at 8pm EDT/5pm PDT, Hate Is A Virus will be hosting their second Raise A Million event - this time to highlight how AAPI creatives are using their platforms to advance social justice and to raise money for BIPOC arts and culture organizations, including Kollaboration, Act to Change and Laos In The House. The livestream will feature Sandra Oh, SuChin Pak, AJ Rafael, among other notable advocates, actors, performers, and community organizers.
“Artists have the most incredible ability and power to affect change through their art, music, and voice. They are always the first to give in times of crisis and healing whether through visual murals or in sharing their songs at protests and rallies, so we wanted to dedicate Raise A Million Chapter II to raise money for incredible music and arts nonprofits.”
-- Nicki Sun, Producer at Hate Is A Virus, Owner of Nicki Sun Media, Tech Host & Executive Producer at TechNicki Speaking
“Art that raises awareness of the state of our planet is especially important as we confront the devastating force of coronavirus. Raise A Million Chapter II was created to amplify these voices. It’s an honor to align with artists and nonprofits as we navigate through the journey of receiving, healing and inspiring through the arts. Creating such a space as our Director of Events has shown me the true strength and internal power each organization and creatives endure as we’re able to support and collaborate under the umbrella of our AAPI community.”
-- Jessica Stafford, Director of Events at Hate Is A Virus, Founder of JSLA Events, Founder of MENTALVITAMINZ Series
Hate Is A Virus first organized its fundraising rallies in response to an increase in hate crimes against Asian Americans due to the pandemic, with over 2,100 incidents reported between March and June. Asian-led small businesses also saw the effects of xenophobia with up to an 80 percent drop in business months before the government even mandated shelter-in-place. It has since evolved to address other industries that have been impacted as well.
In addition to raising money for BIPOC community arts organizations and creatives, Hate Is A Virus has also joined forces with creatives around the nation to advocate for AAPI individuals to vote this election season. At 11 million eligible voters, Asian Americans make up nearly 5% of the nation’s eligible voters. During the virtual fundraiser, Hate Is A Virus will launch their #ExpressYourVote campaign aimed at rallying AAPI community members to get out the vote.
“Hate Is A Virus has evolved into an organization meant to educate, serve and mobilize our AAPI community to stand up for social justice issues. Our vote has the power to make a difference more than ever. We are here to join forces with our community and get out the vote.”
-- Tammy Cho, Co-Founder & CEO of Hate Is A Virus
Though organized and launched fully online, the movement has still made over 16 million impressions to date with the support of community leaders and advocates including Amanda Nguyen, Baron Davis, Leonard Wu, Megan Lee, Tim Chiou, Elle Korea, and more.
Click here for more details and to register for “Raise A Million Chapter II”.
The list of notable participants for the event:
Sandra Oh, Golden Globe winning actress best known for her roles on @greysabc and @killingeve.
Maulik Pancholy, author and actor known for his roles in 30 Rock, Phineas and Ferb, Whitney, and Weeds and Sanjay and Craig.
Suchin Pak, a veteran journalist most known for her career as an anchor on MTV News and as the host for the MTV documentary series, My Life Translated.
Vanness Wu, international actor / director / singer / producer well known for his part in the series “Boys Over Flowers”.
Judith Hill, singer and songwriter praised by Rolling Stone for her “stellar powerhouse vocals.”
Yu Tsai, a director and photographer who has appeared on America’s Next Top Model, Asia’s Next Top Model, and as the host of the Oscar Red Carpet on ABC.
MILCK, singer / songwriter and creator of the #icantkeepquiet movement.
AJ Rafael, singer / songwriter from Moreno Valley, CA. With over 970,000 subscribers on YouTube, and 900,000 listeners on Spotify
Kulap Vilaysack, Director of Origin Story on Amazon Prime and Apple and creator and showrunner of BAJILLION DOLLAR PROPERTIE$
Ruby Ibarra, rapper, music producer, and spoken word artist from San Lorenzo, California.
Kathy Masaoka, co-chair of the Nikkei for Civil Rights & Redress and helps to educate the American public about the Japanese internment camps.
Sam Hyun, host of Hate Is A Virus’s Real Talk Tuesdays, Commissioner on the Asian American Commission, and Executive Director to Korean American Citizens League.
Joining Hate Is A Virus will be various community partners and sponsors, including Panda Express, the largest Asian dining concept in the US, and Admerasia, a full-service Asian American advertising agency.
“A long-time advocate for cultural inclusivity, American Chinese trailblazer Panda Express is proud to partner with Hate Is A Virus in supporting and highlighting the impact of AAPI creative trailblazers and art organizations who have helped shape mainstream entertainment.”
--Panda Express
“As an advertising agency dedicated to connecting brands to Asian American communities across the country through representation and visibility, we have been extremely proud to work with #HATEISAVIRUS from the very beginning. Whether this be through collaborative projects, like Racism Is Contagious and [R]Evolution, or direct and indirect involvement in their grassroots work, we believe that we have fostered an amazing partnership. Raise A Million Part 2, is the culmination of the efforts of an inspired network of creative and passionate minds, and we are thrilled that we could play a small part in making it happen. We look forward to continuing to participate in their uplifting work.”
-- ADMERASIA
If interested in connecting, please contact hello@hateisavirus.world.
About #HATEISAVIRUS
#HATEISAVIRUS is a grassroots movement to combat racism and xenophobia fueled by COVID-19. The movement aims to raise awareness of these hate crimes and rally communities to stand against them, educate and equip communities with tactical strategies on how to respond to the hate and racism, and raise $1 million for our AAPI & BIPOC communities in need.
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Tammy Cho