Our Mission

Since 1985, Asian Americans United exists so that people of Asian ancestry in Philadelphia exercise leadership to build their communities and unite to challenge oppression.

Youth Leadership

From our beginning, AAU has had a particular focus on youth so that young people in our communities are supported to become individually, socially, and politically aware; to exercise their voice; and to participate in active struggles for justice. Through this work, we create generations of leaders who sustain, fight for, and give back to our communities.

AAU Values

Throughout our programs, we teach six values that guide our understanding of and relationship with the communities we are serving. All AAU youth learn these values paired with historic examples from AAU’s organizing, and we invite you to share them with each other:

  • Value Each Other

  • Safety

  • Inclusion

  • Cooperation

  • Integrity

  • Courage

Culture and Community

AAU sees the right to culture as a human right. AAU’s arts and culture work creates social change through engaging community members in realizing community members’ inherent artistic and creative potential and building pride in cultural heritage.