Our Mission
The Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) Employee Resource Group (ERG) is committed to fostering a dialogue to enhance awareness and understanding of AAPI identities while celebrating the complexities within this diaspora. It seeks to support and develop employees across NYCPS and create a network to build capacity for advocacy and outreach for the AAPI community within NYCPS and beyond.
Goals
- Support the advancement and professional growth of NYCPS employees.
- Create safe spaces that empower AAPI employees to connect and share their experiences with others to build a support network.
- Facilitate dialogue around AAPI identities to educate and increase understanding across non-AAPI employees.
- Celebrate our heritage and ancestry in media, dialogue, and events.
Core Values
- Curiosity – be open to learning about others and other cultures
- Courage – embrace vulnerability, share your truth
- Respect – welcome multiple perspectives and diverse identities
- Education – share experiences to help others understand what AAPI identity entails
- Advocacy – champion AAPI communities within the DOE
- Equity – commit to broader movements around equity, justice, and anti-racism
- Joy – enjoy the people and the work; have fun!
What We Do
The AAPI ERG offers professional learning workshops, events, and communications to support employees across NYCPS.
PROFESSIONAL LEARNING WORKSHOPS
The AAPI ERG offers professional learning opportunities for employees across NYCPS to develop their skill sets, create opportunities to network, and encourage dialogue about race and identity. Past professional learning events covered xenophobia and its impact on AAPI communities, navigating difficult conversations, and an introduction to structural racism with an AAPI lens.
COMMUNICATIONS
Through its quarterly newsletter, the AAPI ERG shares AAPI stories, resources, and opportunities. They include an in-depth interview with an AAPI leader, highlights from the ERG’s events, and stories about different AAPI communities.
EVENTS
The AAPI ERG creates opportunities for NYCPS employees to connect and build their professional network. It also creates spaces to unpack and explore AAPI identities and current events that impact AAPI communities. Past events have included outings to the Queens Night Market and opportunities to connect with the community in the aftermath of anti-Asian incidents.
Contact
To stay in the know on AAPI events and activities, join the AAPI mailing list or contact AAPI@schools.nyc.gov with any questions.