Happy AANHPI Heritage Month!
My name is Aryan Deorah. I am the son of hardworking Indian American immigrants, and I have the honor of spearheading the DNC’s outreach to AANHPI communities across the country. I want to take a moment to share my family’s story with you and the amazing work the DNC is doing to support our community.
I remember as a child asking my parents the same question that millions of other AANHPI children ask their parents: Why did you choose to come to America and leave behind your home, your family, and the world you knew?
Their response was short and simple: “For you.”
My parents came to the United States with a baby in my mother’s arms, an H-1B visa in my father’s pocket, and not much else. While my dad worked long hours to provide for the family, my mom took night classes at the local community college, seeking the empowerment of a public education. Through good and bad times, they were driven by a relentless belief in the American Dream — that if they worked hard enough, their children could access previously unimaginable opportunities.
Because of their struggles, I had the privilege of receiving a quality public education, growing up with a strong sense of community, and pursuing my dreams. Throughout our country’s history, generations of Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders just like my parents have contributed their skills, values, and talents to make our nation great.
That’s why I am proud to say the DNC has made historic investments in the AANHPI community. As we honor the legacy of AANHPI trailblazers who came before, Democrats will continue to stand up for critical programs that care for the elderly, educate our children, ensure our safety, provide affordable healthcare and housing, and benefit small business owners and working families alike. Democrats have:
Conducted Know Your Rights trainings where we have educated hundreds of members of the community on their voting rights and provided them with tools to handle interactions with immigration enforcement.
Supported races across the country. From the Wisconsin State Supreme Court to the Virginia redistricting referendum, we organized phonebanks and canvass launches to center the AANHPI community in our outreach.
Most recently, we hosted our second annual AAPI Strategic Summit, where we convened elected officials, community leaders, and youth organizers from across the country to generate ideas that will shape the future of AANHPI politics.
But there is still so much work to be done, and we need your help.
Ready to join the fight? Here’s what you can do:
Share Your Story
Every generation of AANHPI individuals — from the small business owner to the healthcare worker to the local organizer — holds a unique story that has shaped our nation’s history. These personal narratives are the threads woven into the fabric of our democracy. Do you have a story to tell? We want to hear from you!
Make Listening-First Calls
Making “listening-first” calls means engaging directly with communities about the issues they care about the most. Through our Local Listeners phone banks, we’re committed to deeply understanding how voters across the country are truly feeling. These conversations are vital, and your outreach is the key to making a real impact!
We’ll start each phone bank with a clear overview of who we’re reaching out to, followed by a simple, step-by-step training on our calling platform for all new volunteers. Then, it’s time to dive into the calls and make those critical connections with voters. You can join us on Tuesdays, Thursdays, and Saturdays.
Make Sure You and Your Friends Are Registered To Vote
Did you know that people in the AANHPI community are less likely than the average American to be registered to vote? As we celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month, one of the most powerful ways to honor the community’s legacy is by ensuring every voice is heard. Take five minutes today to register to vote or make sure your registration is up to date. Voters can find educational materials and information to help them. We encourage you to reach out to the people in your life and make sure they are registered to vote at their current address.
Make sure you know your rights. Download our helpful one-pager and share with your community.
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Thanks for fighting with us! Together, we can make a difference.
In solidarity,
Aryan Deorah
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