WHIAANHPI Innovator challenge award 2025
In September 2024, the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) launched a national prize competition to help raise greater awareness of hate crimes and address the health consequences, including mental health, of communities burdened by bullying, hate, and bias.
Over 100 innovative ideas were submitted to combat hate and foster healthy communities. The following three 501(c)3 community-based organizations were awarded approximately $100,000 each for their winning ideas:
The Hawai‘i Arts Alliance (Honolulu, Hawai‘i): To carry out the project, In Language There is Life: Cultivating Storytelling, Healing, and Poetry with Hawaii’s Youth, including poetry workshops, curriculum development for educators, and more to address hate speech affecting AA and NHPI students.
The National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association (Denver, Colorado): To convene a national community of practice to train, share best practices, and develop new resources to address trauma, bullying, hate incidents, and bias.
The Vietnamese American Community Center of The East Bay (San Leandro, California): To host public forums on anti-Asian hate crimes and campaigns to foster resilience and reduce isolation, among other activities.
