About
A community-led oral history initiative preserving Asian American stories for generations to come.
Our Mission
AAPI Voice Archive is an independent, nonprofit initiative dedicated to preserving the lived experiences of Asian Americans across all backgrounds and generations.
We believe that every community deserves to tell its own stories, in its own words, on its own terms. Our work centers on three principles:
- 1Community-led preservation
Stories are collected by and for the communities they represent.
- 2Contributor control
Every person who shares their story retains control over how it's used, shared, and preserved.
- 3Long-term stewardship
We're building an archive meant to last — for families today and researchers generations from now.
Governance & Ethics
We're committed to transparent, ethical governance that puts contributors and communities first.
Advisory Structure
We're forming an advisory board of community leaders, archivists, and ethicists to guide our work. (Currently forming)
Ethics Review
All research access requests are reviewed for ethical alignment and community benefit. (Process in development)
Our Commitments
- • Transparency in how we operate and make decisions
- • Accountability to the communities we serve
- • Protection of contributor rights at every stage
- • Careful stewardship of sensitive stories and data
Executive Team
Ava Chen
Executive Director & Founder
Ava is a student leader and entrepreneur with a record of building high-impact, student-driven initiatives. She is the founder of the AAPI Voice Archive and the AAPI Curriculum Team (ACT), leading efforts to ethically preserve Asian American narratives and advance the integration of Asian American Studies into public education across Washington State. Ava has founded and led multiple organizations, mobilizing over 100 students in service, advocacy, and nonprofit leadership. Her work spans curriculum development, community engagement, research, and social enterprise, driven by a commitment to scalable impact, innovation, and community-centered leadership.
Contact Ava