May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, celebrating the histories and contributions of Americans hailing from across the Asian continent and the Pacific Islands of Micronesia, Melanesia, and Polynesia.
“Asian American” is an incredibly broad identity, numbering 23 million people with roots from over 20 countries, each of which has its own diversity of ethnicities. And just like the variety of ethnic and cultural backgrounds this identity encompasses, the Asian American experience is not monolithic.
What challenges do Cleveland's Asian Americans face?
The Asian American community in Northeast Ohio is thriving, with a recent 34% population growth according to the 2022 Census. Overall, the Greater Cleveland AAPI community has high rates of college degrees, business ownership, and home ownership, factors that correlate to long-term economic success.
In celebrating the achievements of our AAPI neighbors, however, it is important not to overlook those who are struggling. According to a Pew Research Center analysis, the Cleveland-Elyria metro area has the 4th-highest Asian American poverty rate in the nation, at 14.1%.1
One reason the experience of Asian Americans living in poverty is often invisible is the “model minority” stereotype. This portrays those of Asian descent as academically high-achieving, tech savvy, and financially well-off. While it is true that AAPI workers are overrepresented in fields like software development and medicine, they are also overrepresented in low-paying jobs like manicurists, cooks, and sewing-machine operators.2
This results in a significant income gap between Asian American sub-communities. Within the City of Cleveland, for example, Native Hawaiians have a 75% poverty rate, significantly higher than other Asian ethnic groups.3 The Cleveland Native Hawaiian community is so small, however, that this number is rarely highlighted.
Why do some AAPI communities flourish while others struggle? While there are many factors, the overarching challenge is English proficiency. Navigating job applications, answering interview questions, and succeeding in a new workplace are all extremely difficult without language fluency.
This challenge permeates the Asian American experience for the 68% of AAPI adults born outside of the U.S., and not only for recent immigrants. A 2021 Pew Research study found that even after 10 years in the US, 40% of AAPI immigrants over age 5 are “less than proficient” in English. This impacts every aspect of their daily lives, from getting medical care or accessing government services to learning in school or getting a job.
How is United Way supporting the AAPI community?
At United Way of Greater Cleveland, we view improving economic mobility as a key intervention point for breaking the cycle of poverty. Those living in or near poverty need a pathway to financial stability as well as immediate crisis relief. We take a multi-pronged approach to increasing economic mobility, collaborating on innovative new initiatives as well as supporting existing agencies with grants. Through this grantmaking, we can identify and fund key programs that target economic mobility for specific populations.
Our funded partner Asian Services in Action (ASIA) is the largest health and human services agency serving the AAPI community of Northeast Ohio. By offering culturally and linguistically appropriate services, ASIA is uniquely positioned to support the economic mobility of our AAPI neighbors. Interpreter services in over 38 languages plus a wide range of specialized supports help clients work through the language barrier to access services and succeed.
Funding from United Way of Greater Cleveland supports ASIA’s Ready for Next program, which addresses the challenges AAPI community members face when looking for jobs. This program offers comprehensive case management, interpretation services, financial counseling, job application assistance, and more.
The program has seen many successes, such as the story of Mohammad:
A recent immigrant from Afghanistan, Mohammad first came to ASIA looking for language assistance to navigate public benefits. Wanting to support his family and realize his dream of starting a transportation business, Mohammed also began attending financial education training sessions and engaging in one-on-one consultations for business startup guidance.
Over time, ASIA provided Mohammad with valuable insights and assistance in navigating the complexities of business ownership, until only one significant hurdle remained: securing the necessary capital to launch his business. Through ASIA, Mohammad successfully obtained a loan tailored to his business needs, paving the way for him to realize his entrepreneurial ambitions.
Today, Mohammad is focused on building his transportation business, leveraging the skills and knowledge acquired through ASIA’s guidance and support. His journey reflects the resilience, determination, and spirit of countless immigrants who seek to carve out a better future for themselves and their families in their new homeland.
Mohammad’s story is inspirational, and a testament to the success that can be achieved with hard work and community support. It also highlights the challenges immigrants and non-fluent English speakers face. Multiple systemic barriers must be overcome, from communicating effectively in a new language to providing the financial documentation necessary for a loan. Culturally-specific services like those offered by ASIA are key to addressing such barriers to work.
We are thrilled that Mohammad was able to start a transportation business that can support his family and fill a need in our regional economy. We celebrate the many valuable cultural, civic, and economic contributions Asian Americans like Mohammad make in Northeastern Ohio.
Thank you, Asian Services in Action, for the amazing work you do to provide culturally competent support to Northeast Ohio’s AAPI community. We are proud to be your funded partner, working together to make Greater Cleveland a better place for all.
Special thanks to Thet Win and Lida Ahmadi from Asian Services in Action for providing a client success story.
