Make Us Visible PA

05/30/2026

📚 For years, MUVPA Director Kenneth Hong’s family knew that his great-grandfather, Hong Yin Ming, had to go to federal court in the 1880s to prove his U.S. citizenship. What once felt like a small family story is now being recognized as part of the legal pathway that helped secure birthright citizenship for millions of Americans.

⚖️ After the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882, Chinese Americans fought back through the courts. Cases like Look Tin Sing’s 1884 challenge and the 1898 Supreme Court decision in United States v. Wong Kim Ark affirmed that the 14th Amendment protects citizenship for nearly everyone born on U.S. soil. In all, Chinese Americans filed more than 10,000 lawsuits resisting discriminatory laws in the late 1800s and early 1900s.

🧾 These are stories about Asian Americans shaping the meaning of citizenship, rights, and belonging in the United States. Our students deserve to learn them.

Support Pennsylvania's AAPI History Inclusion Act. 📚

[Learn more about Hong Yin Ming and Look Tin Sing in the KPFA APEX Express episode on Wong Kim Ark and Chinese American legal history (March 20, 2025).]

05/27/2026

🌟 Next generation of advocates is ready!

MUVPA co-founder Denise Kim Hellenbrand and her daughter Siri—a recent Lower Moreland High School graduate—visited the LMHS Asian Culture Club to share how students can advocate for AAPI history, literature, and contributions in Pennsylvania’s K-12 classrooms. 📚💪

Over after-school snacks, these incredible students put their passion into action by writing postcards directly to their state legislators—making their voices heard in the most direct way possible. From the classroom to the Capitol, change starts here! ✉️🏛️

A huge thank you to the Lower Moreland Asian Culture Club for your enthusiasm, energy, and commitment to making AAPI history visible in your school and beyond. Siri’s journey from LMHS student to MUVPA advocate is a powerful reminder that our movement is growing—one school, one student at a time. 🌱

Want to bring MUVPA to your school or club? Send us a DM! 📩

05/18/2026

MUVPA had an amazing time at the 𝐀𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐂𝐮𝐥𝐭𝐮𝐫𝐞 𝐅𝐚𝐢𝐫 𝐚𝐭 𝐖𝐢𝐬𝐬𝐚𝐡𝐢𝐜𝐤𝐨𝐧 𝐇𝐢𝐠𝐡 𝐒𝐜𝐡𝐨𝐨𝐥 yesterday! 🎉🌏

We loved meeting students, families, and community members as we celebrated the richness and diversity of Asian cultures—from food and performances to student-led displays and activities. Our conversations at our table focused on how AAPI history, stories, and literature can be better represented in Pennsylvania classrooms so every student can see themselves in what they learn.

Huge thanks to the 𝗪𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗮𝗵𝗶𝗰𝗸𝗼𝗻 𝗔𝗦𝗔 & 𝗔𝗖𝗖 for hosting such a welcoming, joyful event and for inviting us to be part of it. Events like this remind us how vibrant and diverse our local communities are, and how important it is to create spaces where Asian American cultures can be celebrated and shared. 💪

Swipe through to see some highlights from the day! 👉📸

05/17/2026

An important piece of the story of Asian and Pacific Islanders in America…

Asian Americans are the fastest-growing demographic group in the U.S., but across American history, their stories and the discrimination they faced have often been overlooked. For her series, America at a Crossroads, Judy Woodruff looks at how that past...

05/14/2026

🎉 Just a reminder — the Asian Culture Fair is this Saturday, May 16, from 1–4 PM at Wissahickon High School in Ambler!

Come enjoy free entry, cultural food, performances, games, and a celebration of Asian cultures in our community. 🌏✨

Bring your friends and family and spend the afternoon learning, connecting, and having fun together. See you there!

05/06/2026

🏮 Philadelphia’s Chinatown has survived decades of division. Now, the community is fighting to stitch it back together.
Since the Vine Street Expressway split Chinatown in two in 1991, the neighborhood has faced relentless traffic, air pollution, and noise—a wound decades in the making.
The Chinatown Stitch Project is a bold, community-driven plan to build 2½ blocks of greenspace over the expressway, reconnecting the northern and southern halves of Chinatown and restoring what was lost. This is more than infrastructure—it’s about healing, resilience, and preserving a community’s cultural identity. 🌿
But the road ahead isn’t easy. In 2025, the project lost over $150 million in federal funding. While $12.5 million from the Delaware Valley Regional Planning Commission keeps the dream alive, major questions and delays remain.
This is AAPI history unfolding in real time—and our community’s voice matters now more than ever.
📣 Swipe through to learn more, then submit your comment using the QR code in our slides. Let Philadelphia know this community deserves to be whole again. 👉

05/03/2026

🌸 𝐀𝐀𝐏𝐈 𝐇𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐭𝐚𝐠𝐞 𝐌𝐨𝐧𝐭𝐡 is here—and we're taking our mission straight to the community!🌸

What an incredible afternoon at the 𝐔𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐋𝐢𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲'𝐬 𝐀𝐀𝐏𝐈 𝐒𝐭𝐨𝐫𝐢𝐞𝐬 𝐄𝐱𝐡𝐢𝐛𝐢𝐭 Opening Reception! From students to school district officials to community members, the conversations were inspiring, meaningful, and full of possibility. 💫

We connected with educators and administrators about how MUVPA can help bring more AAPI contributions, history, and literature into Upper Dublin's classrooms, library, and community programs. The energy in the room reminded us exactly why this work matters—and how much more is possible when communities come together.

A huge thank you to the 𝐔𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐧 𝐏𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐜 𝐋𝐢𝐛𝐫𝐚𝐫𝐲, 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐔𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐧 𝐂𝐡𝐢𝐧𝐞𝐬𝐞 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐬𝐬𝐨𝐜𝐢𝐚𝐭𝐢𝐨𝐧, 𝐔𝐩𝐩𝐞𝐫 𝐃𝐮𝐛𝐥𝐢𝐧 𝐀𝐬𝐢𝐚𝐧 𝐀𝐦𝐞𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚𝐧𝐬, and the 𝐔𝐃𝐇𝐒 𝐀𝐒𝐀 for creating such a beautiful and welcoming space to celebrate our stories. 🙏

AAPI history belongs in every classroom, every library, and every community. Let's keep building together. 💪

Swipe through for highlights from the evening! 👉📸

04/29/2026

🌸 AAPI Stories Exhibit Reception 🌸
Join us this Saturday, May 2nd from 2–3 PM at the Upper Dublin Public Library to kick off AAPI Heritage Month! Explore the AAPI Stories Exhibit, celebrate UDHS ASA Student Leadership Award winners, enjoy live music, snacks, free books, and great conversations. 🎶📚
Free and open to all!
📍 Upper Dublin Public Library — Lobby
520 Virginia Dr
Fort Washington, PA 19034

04/28/2026

🌸✨ What an incredible day at the 37th International Spring Festival! ✨🌸
MUVPA was proud to be part of this vibrant celebration of cultures, community, and connection on April 18th at North Penn high school! From dazzling performances to amazing food and conversations, the energy was electric. 🎶🌏
Events like this remind us why AAPI history and culture belong in every Pennsylvania classroom. When students see their stories celebrated, they feel seen, valued, and inspired. 💪
A huge thank you to all the students, families, and community members who made festival so special!
📞 Want to help us bring that same energy to Pennsylvania’s K-12 classrooms? Call your PA State Senator and Representative and urge them to reintroduce the AAPI History Inclusion Act!
Swipe through for highlights! 👉📸

04/27/2026

🎉 Join us at the Asian Culture Fair this Saturday, May 16, from 1–4 PM at Wissahickon High School in Ambler! Come enjoy cultural food, performances, games, and more as we celebrate the rich diversity of Asian cultures in our community. 🌏✨

Free entry for all—bring your friends and family and stop by to learn, connect, and have fun!

📍 Wissahickon High School
521 Houston Rd, Ambler, PA 19002