“Foundations and Futures” is a new multimedia textbook that places Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) experiences at the heart of the American story. Developed by the UCLA Asian American Studies Center, it is the most comprehensive collection of its kind published online and is freely accessible to not only high school and college students, but the general public.
On Saturday, May 9, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m., the center will host the public launch of the project at the UCLA Luskin Conference Center, 425 Westwood Plaza, Los Angeles, unveiling 50 chapters written by leading scholars, journalists and community historians.
Released during Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, the textbook highlights over 20 AAPI communities across the U.S., its territories and the Pacific.
From Japanese American incarceration during World War II to Pacific Islander diasporas, from South Asian community organizing to the cultural contributions of Southeast Asian refugees, “Foundations and Futures” reveals how AAPI communities have shaped the U.S. — and why their stories are essential to a more just, inclusive democracy.
In October 2021, the Legislature passed, and Gov. Gavin Newsom signed into law, Assembly Bill 101 — a historic bill that makes California the first state to require ethnic studies as a high school graduation requirement.
“Foundations and Futures” gives schools, districts and communities in California and across the country that are adopting ethnic studies and AAPI curriculum requirements a free, online, ready-to-use resource that is scholar-informed and classroom-tested.
With 1,500+ media assets and over 250 ready-to-use lesson plans for grades 9 to14, it will be a critical resource for teaching AAPI history. Built on an innovative, ADA-compliant digital platform, the project also offers translation tools, reading supports and customizable display features to ensure access for learners of all abilities.
The public launch event “Reclaiming Our Narrative: Presenting Foundations and Futures” will be a celebratory gathering to acknowledge the collective contributions to this monumental educational resource. A selection of completed chapters will be unveiled at the event, with additional chapters published online as they are completed throughout the summer.
The program will include a keynote address by Dr. Maya Soetoro (director of the Matsunaga Institute for Peace and Conflict Resolution, University of Hawaiʻi, Mānoa and adviser to the Obama Foundation), who will speak about the power of peace education in these divided times.
Other speakers include:
Assemblymember Mike Fong, chair of the AAPI Legislative Caucus
Assemblymember Al Muratsuchi
Karen Umemoto, director and professor, UCLA Asian American Studies Center
Akemi Kochiyama, activist and granddaughter of civil rights leader Yuri Kochiyama
Helen Zia, author, activist, journalist
For more information, visit: www.foundationsandfutures.org
Get tickets for the event at: www.eventbrite.com/e/reclaiming-our-narrative-presenting-foundations-and-futures-tickets-1981898374389?aff=oddtdtcreator