Recent Census Data & the Impacts on the API Communities
Last week, the Census Bureau released new data that crystalizes an image of the United States that has changed tremendously over the last decade. Since 2010, our nation’s demographics has continued to rapidly evolve, causing Americans to grapple with deep growing pains and face challenging reflections on racial and social justice, democracy, and identity. Over 24 million members of the Asian and Pacific Islander (API) communities responded to the Census, reaffirming what we already knew - Asian Americans, with Pacific Islander communities not far behind, are the fastest-growing ethnic groups in the country and we need leaders and leadership pipelines that not only represent us, but empower us. The Asian American population has grown by 36.8% since 2010 and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders by 29.5%. Every state saw a growth in their Asian American population. It is clear that the U.S. population is being driven primarily by communities of color and immigrant communities, making it even more important that unique voices are represented in all decision making spaces.
Despite entrenched and popular stereotypes of Asian Americans as the model minority, Asian Americans and especially Pacific Islander communities are underrepresented in positions of leadership and influence across sectors and society. As a leadership development organization, we believe it is imperative to uplift the transformative impact of culturally focused leadership development programs to blend and amplify the styles and nuances of API and other diverse leaders. This time of uncertainty and change calls for leaders who understand the past and simultaneously advocate for new ways of leading that benefit current and future generations.
Rapid population growth does not directly correlate to a thriving and diverse leadership pipeline. It requires intentionality and investment by the private, public and nonprofit sectors to cultivate leadership pathways that reflect, encourage and include multicultural leaders from fast growing populations such as Asians, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders, Latinos and multiracial Americans. LEAP remains a dedicated partner to cultivating leadership pipelines via community building and professional development programs that are inclusive of all our communities across all sectors.
Warm regards,
Linda Akutagawa
LEAP President & CEO