Episode 04 - Celebrating AAPI Heritage Month: Reflections on the AAPI Experience as a Woman in Fundraising and Philanthropy
Episode Guide
In celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Month, we sat down with Mary M. Luke and Poonam Prasad to discuss how to holistic approach to philanthropy that moves toward racial and gender equity and emphasizes allyship.
We also explore the roots of Asian American immigration, its impact on American history, both past and present.
Episode Highlights
Poonam Prasad on taking action
Fundraising can act as an educational tool counteract discrimination against Asians.
“It’s a time when we need to come together… We learn in America that when bad things happen, we activate… You get together and take collective action.”
Mary M. Luke on the model minority stereotype
It prevents AAPI communities, living below the poverty line, from having access to resources designated for low-income communities.
It pits AAPI groups against other communities of color.
Funding AAPI Communities
Funding AAPI communities are low due to the model minority stereotype.
Poonam Prasad on education and understanding AAPI history
“There are motives to separate us and it’s a fight for us to bring the love and understanding… It has to be a continuous process to educate children and adults. In the end, we have more in common than we have differences.”
Education is crucial for allyship and solidarity.
Mary M. Luke on the Shadow Pandemic
The Pandemic brought long-standing issues to light; racism towards AAPI communities, the intersection of violence against AAPI women, gender-based violence and gender disparity in the workplace
Guests
Mary M. Luke
Board of Directors, UN Women USA and WOC Advisory Committee Member
Poonam Prasad
Founder and President, Prasad Consulting & Research and WOC Advisory Committee Member
Host
Yolanda F. Johnson
Founder, Women of Color in Fundraising and Philanthropy (WOC)®
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Prasad Consulting and Research
“Prasad Consulting & Research (PCR) enables nonprofit organizations to maximize their income by raising major and capital gifts. A national fundraising consulting and prospect research firm based in New York City since 1989, the firm has counseled more than 100 charities throughout the country and around the world, with operating budgets ranging from $50,000 to $2.5 billion.”
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About Our Guests
Mary M. Luke, Board of Directors, UN Women USA and WOC Advisory Committee Member
Luke is a member of the UN Women USA Board of Directors and President Emeritus, Senior Advisor to UN Women USA NY board. She is Vice President of PowHerNY, a coalition promoting gender and racial justice in New York State; Co-chair of NYC4CEDAW Act; Advisor to Women of Color (WOC) in Fundraising and Philanthropy; member of the National Asian Pacific American Women’s Forum (NAPAWF), Asian Women Giving Circle. She was a member of the Consultation Day, and Women of Distinction committees for the NGO-CSW64 in 2019.
Poonam Prasad, Founder and President, Prasad Consulting & Research and WOC Advisory Committee Member
Poonam Prasad is Founder and President of Prasad Consulting & Research, a national fundraising consulting and prospect research firm based in New York City. Poonam established the firm in the late 1980s, when nonprofits were facing drastic public funding cuts, to help charities attract private philanthropic dollars. Since then, she has helped raise billions of dollars for nonprofits to advance the education, environment, culture, human rights, social services, medicine and other sectors locally, nationally and internationally.