Mission Statement 
Our mission is to honor the histories, cultures, and contributions of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) communities in the United States while fostering leadership, civic participation, and community resilience. We work to ensure our communities are seen, heard, and respected, and that our voices help shape the future we share. 

 
Our Values 
 

  • Belonging & Dignity: We affirm that AAPI communities belong fully in American civic life. We reject the false choice between identities and recognize that we can honor our heritage while participating fully in the society we call home. 
  • Community & Family: We are grounded in service, resilience, and dedication to family and community. These values guide our sense of duty and our pursuit of excellence. 
  • Diversity & Inclusion: Our communities represent many countries, cultures, generations, languages, faiths, and histories. We embrace this diversity as a strength and commit to creating space for all voices. 
  • Leadership Development: We invest in emerging leaders and welcome fresh ideas. By mentoring and supporting new voices, we help build a pipeline of leadership that reflects our communities. 
  • Economic Vitality: We support entrepreneurs, small business owners, workers, and innovators by connecting them to community resources and amplifying their needs and contributions. 
  • Representation & Voice: We work to ensure that local and national decision-makers understand and respond to the needs of immigrant and refugee communities, long‑standing families, and future generations alike. 
  • Nuance & Collaboration: Our challenges and opportunities are complex. We seek practical, thoughtful solutions that rise above rigid categories and reflect the lived experiences of our communities. 
  • Future‑Focused Action: What matters most is where we are going together. Using our diverse skills and close‑knit networks, we aim to help our communities thrive in a rapidly changing technological, social, and cultural landscape. 

 
Our Commitment 
We are real people navigating everyday life and shaping the future of this country. Our commitment is to connect community experiences to meaningful civic engagement, to guide and uplift one another, and to ensure that AAPI communities are not relegated to the margins but recognized as essential contributors and leaders. 

Forward Alignment

Our work reflects Forward’s culture and core principles: practical problem‑solving, fact‑based thinking, human‑centered outcomes, effective and modern government, and grace and tolerance. 

We measure success by trust built, participation expanded, and real improvements delivered — not by partisan wins.