By: Azhar Hussaini
Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion (DEI) means more than policy. It is about belonging. As society continues to evolve, DEI has become a crucial framework to ensure people from all backgrounds feel seen, respected, and included. However, recent political decisions, particularly the banning of DEI programs, have left many communities feeling sidelined. Among them is the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community in St. Louis.
Brandon Hu, a 9th-grade student at John Burroughs School, has been exploring what DEI truly means in his city. “Instead of removing the program,” he says, “we should be digging deeper into its purpose. DEI creates the conditions necessary for all communities to coexist in harmony.”
Community Healing Through Representation
For Brandon, the effects of DEI are tangible, especially within the AAPI community. He has seen how DEI fosters understanding between ethnic groups, breaks down stereotypes, and promotes healing. Robin Hattori, Senior Project Manager in the Program in Occupational Therapy at Washington University in St. Louis, shares this view. She reflects on how DEI has made space for stories that go beyond the typical “model minority” narrative.
Hattori notes a rise in AAPI representation in St. Louis, highlighting projects that explore Chinese-American history and past injustices, such as the treatment of Asians during the 1904 World’s Fair. A friend once described the movement as “the Asian Harlem Renaissance.” Now, with DEI programs being removed, Hattori believes that this cultural momentum is being disrupted.
Brandon asks a critical question. What kind of future do we want for the AAPI community? Without DEI, he believes the path toward visibility and representation becomes harder to navigate.
School Leadership and Cultural Belonging
At his school, Brandon has seen firsthand how DEI makes a difference. Andy Chen, Director of Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Engagement at John Burroughs School, began in 2016 as the school’s only Asian staff member. Since then, JBS has deepened its commitment to cultural inclusion, offering programs like AAPI dinners, Lunar New Year celebrations, and affinity groups.
Chen also leads the AAPI Culture Club and has championed a curriculum that includes a mandatory diversity class. These efforts reflect the founding principles of JBS, which was established in 1923 as one of the first co-educational secular schools in America. Brandon believes that if DEI is banned, those foundational values will be at risk. “There will be a less unified AAPI student body,” he says, “and a more culturally misinformed environment.”
City Leadership and Grassroots Change
Beyond the school, St. Louis Mayor Tishaura Jones has been a leader in DEI work throughout the city. She created the Office of New Americans (OoNA) to help immigrants transition into the city smoothly and without fear. Her administration has also refused to collaborate with immigration raids and has expanded translation services for non-English speakers.
Jones includes AAPI members in her leadership team, such as Grace Kyung, her senior advisor. Her policies reflect a deep commitment to belonging, inclusion, and racial equity. In 2023, she designated January 19 as “Very Asian Day” to honor AAPI identity and activism in the city.
Looking Ahead: DEI and the American Ideal
To Brandon, DEI is more than a local issue. It represents a democratic ideal. “When voices are equally heard and resources are fairly distributed,” he says, “that’s when equity and inclusion truly work.”
As a student and active member of the AAPI community, Brandon sees participation as the most effective way to uplift DEI’s message. “Getting involved is how we ensure the next generation can live in a society that values inclusion. This matters not just for the AAPI community, but for anyone who has ever felt unseen.”
Published by Jeremy S.
