South Asian Impact Foundation Celebrates AANHPI Heritage Month

Washington, D.C. — Chintan Patel, Executive Director of the South Asian Impact Foundation, issued the following statement at the start of Asian American Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month: 

“With over 6 million South Asians in the United States, we are proud to be one of the fastest-growing communities in the country—woven deeply into the fabric of American life. This month, we honor our collective journey: stories of migration, resilience, and a legacy marked by heroism, trailblazing, and selfless sacrifice. For generations, South Asians have helped shape this country for the better, contributing meaningfully across every sector of society.

We also celebrate as part of the broader Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander community whose contributions to civil rights, innovation, arts, and public service have profoundly enriched the nation. Our shared histories and futures are deeply connected.

Yet we celebrate at a time when some seek to divide us, reverse progress, and normalize hate. The fight for equity and belonging is far from over. Now more than ever, we must not only recognize how far we’ve come—but recommit to the work that lies ahead.

At South Asian Impact Foundation, we’re marking AANHPI Heritage Month by launching Desi Dialogues—a new initiative convening our community through virtual gatherings and town halls with leaders who reflect and represent us across the nation. We’re also continuing our Immigrants Who Impact campaign to uplift the stories that drive our communities forward. And we remain steadfast in our work alongside Asian American and other communities of color to dismantle systemic racism and build a multiracial democracy that truly works for all of us.”

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About South Asian Impact Foundation

A national nonprofit organization, the South Asian Impact Foundation is the 501(c)(3) arm of Indian American Impact that fosters a culture of civic engagement among South Asian Americans, uniting the diaspora as a force of change to create a more inclusive democracy and to champion policies that will uplift all historically marginalized communities in the United States.

For Immediate Release:
May 1, 2025

Contact: Sarah Shah
sarah@iaimpact.org