8 AAPI People & Organizations You Should Know

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, honoring the incredible cultures of people with ties to South, Southeast, and East Asia, Melanesia, Polynesia, and Micronesia. According to the Federal Asian Pacific American Council, this year’s theme is “A Legacy of Leadership and Resilience.”

We’re here to celebrate some wonderful people and organizations in the AAPI community. Here are eight to get to know.

1. Outdoor Asian (@outdoorasian) 

Outdoor Asian aims to bring together AAPI individuals with a common goal of getting outdoors to be in nature, share stories, and build community. They note, “We are hikers, but we also forage for mushrooms, rockhound, climb, surf, fish, hunt and build sand castles. And sometimes we just stay home.” With chapters across the country, this awesome group brings people together to increase access to outdoor recreation, advocating for connection among minority communities, and respecting and nurturing the planet.

Visit the Outdoor Asian website or follow them on Instagram to learn about events through their current chapters in Chicago, Colorado, Los Angeles, Pennsylvania, Vermont, and Washington. 

2. Brown Folks Fishing (@brownfolksfishing)

Tracy Nguyen-Chung founded Brown Folks Fishing in 2017 to facilitate community and improve visibility of people of color in the outdoors. When Nguyen-Chung, a Vietnamese-American, moved to LA as a young adult, she noted the prevalence of whiteness in fishing, a story that didn’t match her experience of the importance of fishing and waterways in Vietnamese culture. People of color are disproportionately affected by climate change, systemic inequalities, and industrial impacts, and Nguyen-Chung and Brown Folks Fishing are fighting back. They’re connecting representation in angling, equity, and environmentalism while improving fishing access.

Follow Brown Folks Fishing on Instagram to see exciting stories of stoking joy on and off the water. 

3. Asian Climbing Collective (@asianclimbingcollective)

This well-resourced organization brings together Asian American and Pacific Islanders around climbing. Leaders regularly host gym and outdoor meet-ups at places like the Boston Bouldering Project, First Ascent (Chicago), Sender One LAX. Gatherings may include bouldering, top roping, skills workshops, film screenings, and more. Asian Climbing Collective connects climbers of all skill levels, so don’t hesitate to attend an event because you’re a newer climber or seasoned pro!

Follow Asian Climbing Collective on Instagram to see upcoming events and marvel at their gorgeous event artwork!

4. Here Montana (@here_mt)

While urban locations may have access to community due to more diverse populations, that makes rural groups organizing around DEI even more important. Alex Kim founded Here Montana to do just that after moving from a close Korean-American community to Montana to increase their access to the outdoors. The group serves People of Color of all ages through mentorship, outdoor gear access, confidence-building activities, community connection and more. Participants vary on experience level across activities like rafting, climbing, backpacking, and snowboarding. 

Follow Here Montana on Instagram or check out their website to donate and learn about upcoming events. 

5. Asian Trail Mix (@asiantrailmix)

Asian Trail Mix is a community-based trail running group based in New York City. Their mission is to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion while celebrating the joy of trail running. Samantha Dong founded the organization in 2022 to inspire and empower AAPI individuals to strive for new heights outdoors and in their daily lives. The group hosts monthly trail runs helping people get familiar with places outside their neighborhoods while running together in a safe community space.

Follow Asian Trail Mix on Instagram or visit the website to join their membership and see upcoming trail runs and walks available for people of varying ability levels.

6. Matt Moy (@ninjatengu)

Matt Moy is a queer Chicago-based adventurer and advocate in the AAPI community. They use their never-ending energy to cruise from work in the healthcare field to organizing climbing gatherings and driving out to Red River Gorge to photograph crag dogs and belay new and long-term pals. Their enthusiasm for getting people together and being active is always clear with the giant smile on their face and willingness to hit the road at any time. 

You can catch Matt playing with fire on a Chicago beach under a full moon, making amazing food with camping gear, and bringing people together to practice yoga, climb, relax in the park, or any number of other activities. Follow their beautiful photography and joy on Instagram.

7. Stephanie Harper (@smharped)

Steph Harper is the Board Secretary of @colormyoutdoors, a Southeast-based group “celebrating People of Color in the outdoors.” She’s a superstar at getting her wonderful family outdoors and and celebrating their adventures with #raisingwildkids where she shares her experiences in a blended family of six with members of varying ages and personalities. As her kids have grown, Stephanie has turned more of her attention to attending school, advocacy for DEI (and especially Filipinx voices), community gardening, and running with a local crew.

Follow Stephanie’s family, advocacy, running, and other outdoor adventures on Instagram.

8. Erin McGrady (@e.mcgrady)

Erin McGrady is a queer Korean-American storyteller based in North Carolina. You may recognize her scruffy rescue pup Maggie and tricked out camper van ready for adventure! Erin and her partner Caroline are known for advocating for diversity for all with extra focus on celebrating queer, POC, and neurodiverse people. The duo make up Authentic Story Co, a filmmaking and photography company that recently created a film called, “Full Spectrum,” a “queer outdoorsy film about autism.” This amazing work was featured in No Man’s Land Film Festival and will be shown throughout the country at various additional festivals. 

Follow Erin’s amazing outdoor photography and films on Instagram and the web.

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The people and organizations above celebrate AAPI heritage year-round. They’re increasing diversity and access in the outdoors from metropolises to rural regions, and we’re excited to spread the word about the incredible communities they’re building!

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Resources

Federal Asian Pacific American Council Resources
Adventure Journal
Feature image credit: @asianclimbingcollective