North Raleigh Today

Wake County recently celebrated the contributions that Asian American Pacific Islanders (AAPI) have brought to the area.

"It reminded me when I was a little kid, it really did,” Dr. Gracie Galloway, chair of Asian American Pacific Islanders of North Carolina, told ABC 11 News about the event. “My grandmother used to play, my great aunts used to play the instruments.” 

The event was held May 21, during AAPI Heritage Month.

U.S. Rep. Deborah Ross (D-Raleigh) was on hand to recognize all that those of AAPI heritage have done to enrich life in the area.

"Wake County would not be the thriving hub of innovation and culture that it is without your incredible contributions,” she said, according to ABC 11 News.

Galloway said most in the group are so appreciative for the opportunities in this country that giving back is natural.

"We are Americans, and we're here because we love this country, and we want to make this better,” Galloway told ABC 11 News. “We want to contribute. And we do contribute.”

That feeling is driven by the freedoms America confers on its people.

"So many of us come from countries where if you did get politically involved, you could end up shot, tortured or your family could end up shot or tortured,” Galloway said, according to ABC 11 News. “So there's always that hesitance that maybe I shouldn't because I don't know. So that educational process that we have started and continued to build on has been truly remarkable.”

One of the challenges those from the AAPI community still must overcome is the stereotype that Asian Americans have it easier than other ethnic groups in the U.S.

"This myth of the model minority, perpetual foreigner and viewing Asian Americans as a monolith really obscures the diverse needs of Asian Americans in North Carolina,” Ricky Leung, program director for the advocacy organization North Carolina Asian Americans Together, told ABC 11 News. “There’s a big wealth disparity gap between the highest-earning Asian Americans and the lowest-earning Asian Americans. And without accounting for the diversity of the community, it's really harmful to the most vulnerable of our populations.”

According to the most recent Census data available, North Carolina's Asian-American population has increased by 65% since 2010.