From there PR:
CAAM is partnering with Detroit PBS to launch a two-year initiative to tell Asian American stories throughout the Midwest with public media stations in the region and their local Asian American communities. Detroit PBS along with PBS Wisconsin and Nine PBS in St. Louis— will produce shorts in collaboration with local community content advisory committees, culminating in a series for national PBS distribution.
The last decade has seen exponential growth for Asian American populations in the United States. In the wake of continued violence and hatred towards Asians and Asian Americans and an increasingly polarized political climate, the need for providing more nuanced and accurate portrayals of this growing, diverse community is more vital than ever. These stations represent areas with growing Asian demographics, whose experiences may not be as well-known as those on the East and West Coasts.
"We’re thankful for the opportunity to join the Midwest Public Media Initiative to expand our work fostering deep connections within communities, build lasting relationships rooted in trust and share authentic stories of AAPI life in Wisconsin."
- Kelly Saran, Series Producer, PBS Wisconsin
Being part of the Midwest Public Media Initiative strengthens our commitment to amplifying diverse community voices and deepening understanding across our region. Through collaboration with trusted partners, we expand our ability to create meaningful content and ensure our communities are seen, heard, and supported.
- Meaghan Anselm, Director of Content Partnerships, Nine PBS
"The Midwest Public Media Initiative presents an incredible opportunity for us to continue our work of storytelling in connection with the diverse communities we serve, including our Asian American and Pacific Islander communities in Southeast Michigan."
- Zosette Guir, Manager of Content Ops and Production for Journalism, Detroit PBS
In this spirit, CAAM is deeply committed to shifting the misconception that regions in the US have no significant Asian American experience, and to explore the implications of what these communities mean to the redefinition of American identity. Asian Americans have been in the Midwest since before the U.S. was founded, and the region is home to key sub-communities, such as Korean American adoptees and the Hmong American community in Minneapolis, Michigan’s Muslim American communities, Nebraska’s Vietnamese American communities, refugees, and mixed-race individuals, among many others.
This program follows CAAM’s ongoing initiatives to shine light on regional Asian American stories, such as our work with programs such as the Sauce Fellowship, the Hindsight series in collaboration with Reel South and Firelight Media and the Homegrown in collaboration with Reel Midwest and Firelight Media.
This program is made possible with funding from the Wyncote Foundation.
Stay tuned for more details about talent development programs for filmmakers telling stories about Asian Americans in the Midwest and other updates.
I do wonder how they are missing out on the Twin Cities, and while I like hearing some of that inclusion overall in their statement, I would also just push our own community groups to acknowledge even more of the diversity--i.e. not just Hmong and Korean Adoptees in Minneapolis (and if you look at our demographics people really need to start referencing Saint Paul).
Again, great start, but let's keep continuing to expand even our own senses of our communities.
