Industry leaders discuss how Black and Asian solidarity can be a powerful force

Black and Asian solidarity dates back to Frederick Douglass' 1869 speech on a composite nation, in which he advocated for Chinese and Japanese immigration.

Even the election of Vice President Kamala Harris, who is proudly mixed South Asian and black, has highlighted how, despite their cultural differences, both communities are dealing with despair in very similar ways.

A surge in anti-Asian violence over the past year has spurred a range of programs aimed at promoting racial harmony as communities of color are pitted against one another.

Representation is important, but despite the success of many Asian American artists on the Billboard charts, including Bruno Mars, Tyga, Anderson .Paak, H.E.R., and Saweetie, their acceptance and influence is often underestimated.

To ensure the world recognizes the Asian American community as a valuable cultural asset, Austin Thach, CEO and Founder of The Forefront Group, stepped up as a community leader and partnered with Ethica to host a dinner at Tao Los Angeles, bringing together prominent leaders from the Asian American community and other BIPOC individuals to foster a sense of solidarity and support for each other.

Born in Baltimore, Thach is no stranger to diversity. As a Vietnamese American, Thach spent most of his childhood surrounded by black people. Building relationships within the black community came naturally to him, especially after he joined Alpha Phi Alpha, the oldest intercollegiate African-American fraternity. It wasn't until Thach moved to the West Coast that he realized how alienated he had been from people who looked like him, especially those in his industry, and how far apart the black and Asian communities were.

“I'm using my voice to support other AAPI members of the music industry to create change. I've been fortunate to work with some of the top artists and business professionals, but there's still so much work to be done to ensure Asians are adequately represented in all areas, including music, TV and film,” says Sutch.

Sutch is on a mission to ensure the Asian American community gets the respect and representation they deserve, and to do the same when it comes to bridging the gap between the Black and Brown communities. This thought leader has worked with many artists to help them gain the visibility they need to succeed. As a publicist with his own PR company, his goal is to use his platform, skills, and knowledge to share more stories of people from these communities and bring about change.

“I believe social media plays an important role in this. It is essential to recognize that Asian and Black communities have more in common than they do differences. We must focus on breaking patterns of harm that stem from slavery, discrimination and immigration policies, which date back to the 19th century when Asian Americans worked as migrant laborers in the U.S. They were victims of racist brutality, something the Black community can empathize with.”

Black and brown people have historically been disproportionately attacked by society. While there are differing opinions on the best course of action, now seems like a critical time to strengthen safety for both communities. Most agree that the issue of representation remains a key issue.

“The music industry needs more representation from both communities. We deserve to be there. Asian Americans in particular are underrepresented and we're often perceived as hard-working but not good leaders,” Thatch added.

When it comes to having difficult conversations about racial injustice, especially violence, Thatch believes it's important for Asian and Black solidarity to serve as a support system that can not only help navigate these uncomfortable and difficult conversations, but also serve as a stepping stone to bringing the two communities closer together.

“My goal as a storyteller is to continue these uncomfortable discussions. I don't think enough people talk about this. My goal is to make it normal, not taboo,” suggests Thatch.