July 18, 2024

Stand With Asian Americans Takes On Workplace Discrimination With New $1M Fund

Stand with Asian American

Stand with Asian Americans (SwAA), the nation’s premier civil rights organization dedicated to combating anti-Asian workplace discrimination, has introduced its Workplace Justice Fund. 

The fund aims to provide legal support and resources for Asians in America facing workplace discrimination.

The Workplace Justice Fund

The Workplace Justice Fund aims to raise $1 million by year-end, having already secured $100,000 from anonymous donors. 

This initiative arrives at a crucial moment, with recent studies indicating that Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) employees are considering lawsuits at higher rates than other employees of color, driven by identity-based mistreatment.

Michelle Lee has taken the lead as President, General Counsel, and Board Chair, joined by Brian Pang as COO and Head of Partnerships, along with Justin Zhu and April Moh as board members. 

“I’m honored to lead SwAA into this new chapter,” said Lee in a press release.

“By harnessing the power of law, we aim to create lasting change and ensure equal opportunities for our community.”

Key Features of the Fund

The Workplace Justice Fund offers several components: an in-house team of legal experts will provide pro bono and affordable representation, focusing on cases with the potential to create significant social justice impacts or set important precedents in workplace discrimination law for Asian Americans. 

Comprehensive resources and programs will be developed to educate both employers and employees about workplace rights and issues affecting Asians in America. 

The fund will also support in-depth studies on systemic workplace discrimination.

A support platform for plaintiffs and the broader community will be established, facilitating incident reporting, community building, therapy, and ongoing learning. 

Collaborations with nationwide law firms, corporations, and civil rights organizations will amplify the fund’s impact and extend its reach.

A Vision for the Future

With its new leadership and the launch of the Workplace Justice Fund, SwAA is poised to significantly expand its impact. 

Among its targets, the organization aims to counsel at least 25 potential plaintiffs in 2025, supporting them through their legal actions.

“This is just the beginning,” said Zhu. “With the Workplace Justice Fund and our new leadership team, we’re building a movement that will empower the Asian community to stand up against discrimination and reshape the American workplace.”


Image Credit: Stand with Asian Americans

Sara Keenan

Tech Reporter at POCIT. Following her master's degree in journalism, Sara cultivated a deep passion for writing and driving positive change for Black and Brown individuals across all areas of life. This passion expanded to include the experiences of Black and Brown people in tech thanks to her internship experience as an editorial assistant at a tech startup.