Rising Voices Amplify Centers the Stories of Metro Detroit’s Asian American Communities – WDET

With the approach of the Aug. 3 primary election, nonprofitRising Voices seeks to empower metro Detroits Asian American community through voter outreach and education. To amplify their mission,the organization teamed up with artist andphotographer Jarod Lew to create a historical record of the regions Asian American communities. The current collaboration is a continuation of their Rising Voices Amplify project, which profiled leaders and residents across the state dedicated to organizing and uplifting the voices of Asian American women andcommunities.

Through imagery,audio stories and videos, the multimedia venture is intentional on documenting Asian American leaders in community and politics throughoutMichigan.

Jarod Lew, courtesy of Rising Voices

Marcia Lee with her family one of Jarod Lews subjects for the Rising VoicesAmplifyproject.

Its interesting, here in Michigan. We have a very unique Asian American history and community versus others, says Jasmine Rivera, digital communications organizer of Rising Voices. So going to the various organizational leaders who are part of the community centers and who have been involved in activism and uplifting their own communities, thats something we wanted to amplify andcelebrate.

Lews photography examines theAsian American experience in metro Detroitthrough the lens ofcommunity, identity and displacement. While his subject matter gained attention from the art community,collaborating with Rising Voices welcomed a mental shift to also center his intentions on giving back to Detroit in a powerful way that lifts upvoices.

It has to be done, he says. As Im photographing and collecting these images and stories, I think its a necessity since were so dispersed. As more generations of Asian Americans are living in Michigan, there has to be a resource of information to showcase where were at. I think the common conversation here in Michigan is, Where arewe?

With Rising Voices, the goal is to show just that the thriving and presence of Asian Americans throughoutMichigan.

Learn more about the projecthere.

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Rising Voices Amplify Centers the Stories of Metro Detroit's Asian American Communities - WDET