WNC AAPI Memory Book
The History of WNC AAPI
WNC AAPI was founded in 2021, following the Atlanta spa shootings in which six Asian women were murdered. The first meeting, a mental health pop-up by local AAPI therapists, centered around finding solidarity in grieving not only this horrific event but the tremendous upsurge in hate crimes against Asians since the beginning of the COVID-19 global pandemic. In the years that followed, membership grew steadily year by year, and events were designed to acknowledge not just our trials but also our joys.
WNC AAPI Today
Today, WNC AAPI has over 100 members. A team of seven volunteer organizers work together to plan and host events, develop and maintain a website, and run a new mutual aid program to support community members in need.
WNC AAPI Community
WNC AAPI events focus on shared community. The percentage of AAPI people in Asheville and the WNC region is quite low; together, we celebrate our diverse AAPI cultures and connect in solidarity and shared experience.
We have laid strong roots and built a lasting community in this area. Following the devastation of Tropical Storm Helene in the fall of 2024, many WNC AAPI community members joined relief efforts, cooking meals as much of the region survived without power or potable water and packing food boxes for weekly distribution.
WNC AAPI Mutual Aid
We partner with local organizations, such as Caravan Art Bazaar (CAB) to support mutual aid efforts. Our new mutual aid program aims to support community members experiencing emergency needs.
The Memory Book
As we approach five years of WNC AAPI, we want to celebrate and remember together. This joint venture with Caravan Art Bazaar focuses on the creation of a memory book, documenting many of our shared events together and providing an avenue for our community members to share their artwork, poetry, and experiences.
Documenting Events
Included in the memory book will be: Celebrations of Loy Krathong at Dalaya Thai; community potlucks celebrating Lunar New Year and AAPI month; the 2024 Asian Culture Festival; our BIPOC hikes; “Mahjong in the Park” meetups; and more!
Call for Submissions!
Our community members are invited to submit: artworks, poetry, and other creative projects. We will accept multimedia entries. We also invite community members to share stories about their experiences with the WNC AAPI community and the impact of being part of our events.
Call for Editing Team!
Are you interested in joining the memory book editing team? Please reach out to Mike Talyad to share your interest!
Memory Book Sales
Copies of the memory book will be available to our community members! A portion of the proceeds of each sale will be donated to the WNC AAPI mutual aid program.
This memory book centers AAPI identity and our shared experiences while acknowledging the diversity of experiences across our diaspora.
This is our home, and we belong here.
All attendees at events created by, or in collaboration with WNC AAPI are asked to act in accordance of our Community Values & Participation Agreements.
Our Community Values
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We're all in this together to create a welcoming environment. Let's treat everyone with respect. Healthy debates are natural, but kindness is required.
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Bullying of any kind isn't allowed, and degrading comments about things like race, religion, culture, sexual orientation, gender or identity will not be tolerated.
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Being part of this community requires mutual trust. Authentic, expressive discussions make communities great, but may also be sensitive and private. What's shared in the community should stay in the community.
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While we all identify as AAPI, there are as many perspectives as there are people in this group. We are here to not only witness each other, but to learn, which can be uncomfortable.
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WNC AAPI is a community run group. The more members who join to support the group, the more diverse, lively, and resilient this group will be.
