We know we needed each other this year. The global pandemic has disrupted all of society, bringing our AAPI identity to the forefront of our experiences, and forcing us to redefine our lives and brace for the changes in our industry,

We needed both the uplifting and vindicating conversations that inspire us to rise to our potential and face new challenges. It is our deepest hope that you come away from this week knowing you are supported and affirmed by our community. It is our hope that you have found joy, camaraderie, and inspiration in the dialogue, song, creating, ideating, and play of #AAJA20, in the face of a markedly difficult chapter for all of humanity.

We built #AAJA20 for you, and with you. And you showed up in full force as a testament of the strength of #AAJAFamily. It is palpable what we can accomplish together, and we are proud to support each and every one of our members, as we continue to push the needle on the future of journalism.

Thank you for being a part of #AAJA20. We're going to hibernate & get a few days of sleep, but we'll be back in touch soon with more reflections.

In the meanwhile, what did you think of Day 6...or all of #AAJA20? We want to hear all the pluses and deltas, all the roses, buds, and thorns. Let us know in the daily feedback form.

AAJA Friends standing in Grace S. Deng's rainbow field in Animal Crossing during AAJA Fest game night. (@gracesdeng)

Twitter thread by Heather J. Chin (@heatherjchin) here and by us here

Join us at 4:00pm to formally conclude a phenomenal #AAJA20 week with guests Meredith Kopit Levien, the incoming CEO of the New York Times Company, and David Chang, founder of Momofuku and author of forthcoming memoir Eat a Peach, in conversation with ABC News Nightline's Juju Chang

Close the first-ever AAJA virtual convention with the AAJA Second Annual Film Showcase at 7:30pm ET.

This showcase features AAPI filmmakers hosted by AAJA Photojournalists, Video, Women & Non-binary Voices, and Features Forum. RSVP here to attend.

Watch the judges' Top 5 entries of the 30th Anniversary Karaoke Competition and vote in the polls here by Saturday to award the newly minted George Kiriyama Karaoke Award. (For a shorter highlight reel, check out this Twitter thread)

Join in the photo competition this year with an entry on the theme "Coping With a Pandemic." Full competition details here. #AAJAPhoto

Ankit Pathak (@apathak17) “With the pandemic, the audience isn’t nearly as judgmental of your interviews [and production.] They understand that analysts are trying to be factual as possible versus being perfect. We have a sense of comradery of ‘we’re going to figure this out.’” -@KNegandhiESPN

Elana Zak (@elanazak) “Your newsroom will never love you the same way you love it.” -@kimfox at #AAJA20. Loved hearing from Kim @sharonpianchan and @LaSharah on burning out and finding a way into journalism-adjacent roles. Twitter thread here.

Thanks to our phenomenal #AAJA20 attendees at the Women Do News Wiki Edit-a-thon, our trailblazers honoree Lori Matsukawa, can now be found on Wikipedia. Image above depicts the celebration of AAJA trailblazer honorees Lori Matsukawa, Vic Lee, and Henry Moritsugu

Above: AAJA Seattle's socially distanced float in Lake Washington; Below left: The AUDIO social hosted by AAJA Radio & Podcasting, Asian-American Podcasters Association and AIR; Below right: The AAJA Philly Mixer

We’d like to thank our partner AARP for supporting #AAJA20 and empowering AAPI storytelling through the Community Coronavirus Response Grant. 

Congratulations to winners Rachel Chang, Agnes Constante, and Janet Cho! Stay tuned for more on their proposed stories.

AARP salutes everyday #AAPIHeroes, such as members of our AAJA family, for their continued work during these unprecedented times. Visit AARP AAPI Community on Facebook to view more stories of AAPI Heroes.

💡 FESTIVAL TIP: Check out "The art of effective (virtual) networking" from the Lenfest Institute.

We're starting an #AAJA20 playlist to cultivate the collective mood of fest! Add your favs here.

Virtual Welcome Bag Please enjoy these exclusive offers, freebies, and discounts from friends of AAJA during the festival. Find the Virtual Welcome Bag on your #AAJA20 menu bar.