Act To Change Celebrates 7th Annual National Day Against Bullying and Hate with Powerful Youth Leadership Showcase and Awards

NEW YORK, May 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- On May 17, 2025, Act To Change hosted its 7th Annual National Day Against Bullying and Hate, convening hundreds of youth, families, and partner organizations from across the nation in a powerful day of celebration, storytelling, and action in New York City.

This year's theme, "The Future of Allyship," served as both a reflection and a rallying call to center youth voices and reimagine allyship as a daily practice rooted in empathy, action, and community. The event honored the legacy of Vincent Chin, whose murder in 1982 became a flashpoint in Asian American civil rights history, and recognized the continued fight against bullying, discrimination, and hate faced by Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) communities.

"At Act To Change, we know that young people, including AANHPI youth, continue to face challenges, with 1 in 3 saying they've experienced hate, bullying or discrimination in school", said Maulk Pancholy, Act to Change co-founder. "Our 7th Annual National Day Against Bullying and Hate uplifted the tools of allyship to pave the way for a future where all young people can celebrate being exactly who they are."

The cornerstone of the day was the graduation and capstone showcase of the 2024–2025 Youth Ambassador Program (YAP). Eighteen outstanding young leaders were recognized for their work over the past eight months designing and implementing original capstone projects that address bullying, identity, mental health, and inclusion in their communities.

"I'm so proud to be in this work alongside our incredible Youth Ambassadors who are leading the charge and making a change", shared Act to Change Executive Director Soukprida Phetmisy. "It's important that we recognize the youth that are stepping up and speaking out because their courage and leadership is what will shape a better future."

The event also recognized organizations and individuals whose extraordinary contributions are advancing equity, visibility, and justice.

• Allied Organization of the Year: The Sikh Coalition – recognized for their foundational partnership since Act To Change's inception.
• Partner Organization of the Year: HarperCollins Publishers – honored for their unwavering commitment to storytelling, equity, and AANHPI representation in literature.
• Changemaker of the Year: Aya Hashi, a rising sophomore at the University of Redlands and a standout Youth Ambassador alumnus. Aya's leadership has catalyzed new youth programming and helped shape national dialogues on bullying prevention.
• Impact Awardees:
  • Saagar Shaikh, actor and advocate known for his work in Ms. Marvel and Deli Boys, recognized for redefining South Asian American visibility and masculinity in media.
  • Poppy Liu, actor and activist known for her work in Hacks and Dead Ringers, awarded for using art and advocacy to shift cultural narratives and promote healing justice, queer visibility, and intersectional liberation.

"When I think about Act to Change, I think of the never-ending support, love, and endearment towards its youth and fellow partners", said Aya Hashi, Act to Change Changemaker of the Year Award Recipient. "Act to Change has nurtured an environment, where anyone, youth especially, are empowered to use their voices for a more just world, where we can imagine a world without hate and bullying." 

The celebration continued with the Empathy Expo, a vibrant community fair where attendees connected with Act To Change's Youth Ambassadors, explored their capstone projects, and engaged with partner organizations leading change across sectors. Act To Change also recognized the vital support of its program partners and mentors, including FYLPRO, NAAPIMHA, Teach For America's Reinvention Lab, AAPI Youth Rising, and the Very Asian Foundation.

"As we look ahead, allyship will be key to ending bullying," said Sumi Parekh, Act to Change Board Chair. "It's no longer enough to simply stand by—we must stand up together. Our collective future depends on creating spaces where every person feels safe, supported, and proud of who they are, no matter their identity or where they come from."

The organization also shared bold goals for the future, including plans to expand the Youth Ambassadors Program to 10 new states and the Homeroom anti-bullying program to 12 additional schools—reaching thousands more students with identity-affirming education and AANHPI visibility.

About Act To Change
Act To Change is a national 501(c)(3) nonprofit working to end bullying and hate in the AAPI community. Act To Change empowers youth through education, community building, and advocacy. Learn more at www.acttochange.org.

Contact: [email protected] 

SOURCE Act To Change