Over the last few weeks, I have been incredibly overwhelmed in the best possible way. I woke up to texts, phone calls and direct messages (DMs) from current and former colleagues, classmates and acquaintances, inquiring how I have been handling the recent events targeting Asian Americans.  I also found in the following conversations offerings of support and encouragement as I continue to find my voice growing stronger as I share my experience.

As you may know, I work in communications, and I love the work that I do, sharing the stories of the wonderful things Oklahoma nonprofits do and how we make change for the better in our communities. However, the more I find my voice, the more I am called to serve the Black Indigenous persons of color (BIPOC), especially the Asian American Pacific Islander (AAPI) community. I hope that my work will continue to lift up these marginalized voices.

I do not, and perhaps never will, claim to be an expert on the Asian American experience, as I believe each individual is the expert in their own experince. I outwardly present as a Vietnamese-American. Even though my biological father is white, it does not show in my physical features. What I do know is my own experience and the experiences I have had the honor of hearing from my fellow AAPI community members. I know that we have often been silenced, been called a model minority, and told our experiences are not as bad as others, when violence is never acceptable.

It was violent acts against Black community members that led me to start listening even harder a year ago. I was seeking reasons and answers. What I learned was, at that time, many AAPI-identifying individuals did not speak out, vote or even care to be counted in the census, because their family members who were raised in their home countries did not have a voice, when it came to voting, at their jobs or even in their homes. Asians are often raised to comply.

Much has changed in the past year. Today, I am proud to see the strength of the Asian-American voice growing stronger each day. I am proud to see many individuals, organizations and nonprofits speak out in support against the violence on Asian-Americans in the last few weeks. I am also proud of those who send DMs or those who support the Asian community silently.

As an Asian-American, I am thankful to the Black community and the work Black Lives Matters has done to bring rights and justice for not only the Black community, but all persons of color.

We are in this together; together we are able to BE BOLD, strong and brave.

Linh M. Sasser
Communications Coordinator, OKCNP

Below, we have compiled and will continue to compile resources that celebrate and strengthen our diversity, so we may be more inclusive for an equitable future.

Oklahoma Resources:
https://www.asiandistrictok.com/
https://www.blmokc.com/
https://www.cairoklahoma.com/
https://okc.naaap.org/cpages/home

Nationwide Resources:
https://aahiinfo.org/
https://aapaonline.org/
https://stopaapihate.org/

by Linh M. Sasser, marketing coordinator, OKCNP

Oklahoma Center for Nonprofits Members’ Meeting 2020 focuses on nonprofits being bold in their efforts to make inclusion a priority in those they serve. Nonprofits need to understand what works and what doesn’t as they incorporate anti-racism and equality in the workplace.

The featured speaker at Members’ Meeting will be Kuma Roberts, vice president of diversity, equity and inclusion, Tulsa Regional Chamber. Kuma will share how together we can take steps toward action and strengthen the future of nonprofits by building a diverse, equitable and inclusive community.

Kuma is a Tulsa native, who graduated from Booker T. Washington prior to attending the University of Tulsa, Tulsa Community College and earning her bachelor’s degree in organizational management and communications at Drury University. She has often been a featured speaker at Tulsa events.

Previously, Kuma at a DisruptHR Talks event, called attendees to be bold when she asked, “When do we do that internal gut check when we realize real allyship requires courageous action and might require courageous sacrifice in order to ensure equity for all?”

Kuma, over the course of her nine-year career with Tulsa Regional Chamber, has answered this question as she worked with Tulsa-area businesses by overseeing development and implantation of  strategic infrastructure and initiatives that build a sense of belonging across the organization and demonstrate alignment with the Chamber’s commitment to diversity, equity and inclusion.

In addition to her work at Tulsa Regional Chamber, Kuma has served on several Tulsa area boards and committees, including The Black Wall Street Times, 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre Centennial Commission, Workforce Tulsa, #RacismStinks, Tulsa Area United Way Women’s Leadership Council, Tulsa Urban Debate League, Leadership Tulsa, YMCA of Greater Tulsa, Girl Scouts of Eastern Oklahoma, Dress for Success Tulsa, and LEAD North Program Committee.

“From her work with marginalized communities across the spectrum to her contributions to Tulsa’s recent development as a city focused on diversity, equity and inclusion, Kuma Roberts has done amazing work throughout the state,” said, Johnny Buschardt, senior manager of program delivery, OKCNP, and Members’ Meeting 2020 emcee. “We’re proud to team with her to help bring a message of diversity, equity and inclusion to all of our members and to the nonprofit sector at large.”

Join Kuma, featured speaker, and OKCNP on Tuesday, September 29, 2020, for OKCNP’s Members’ Meeting 2020. Members’ Meeting 2020 is a FREE virtual event. All are invited to attend, registration is required.

For more information and to register visit: https://www.oklahomacenterfornonprofits.org/membersmeeting/