ST. LOUIS — Michelle Li, Today in St. Louis anchor and founder of the Very Asian Foundation, has been awarded the International Institute of St. Louis' Community Advocacy Award.
The award recognizes the dedication of someone who has tirelessly advocated for multiculturalism in the St. Louis community, the institute said in an emailed statement to Li.
"Through their unwavering commitment, compassion, and deep understanding of the unique challenges faced by immigrants and refugees, the recipient has been instrumental in building bridges, fostering understanding, and promoting the rights and well-being of immigrants to our region," the institute said.
The award will be presented to Li during the institute's second World Refugee Day Awards on Saturday, June 15 at 4 Hands Brewing Company's Soulard location.
Li's work uncovering untold Asian American stories in St. Louis and the Very Asian Foundation's continual support for immigrants across the region is in part why she received the reward.
Li started the Very Asian Foundation as a way to respond to a racist voicemail she received following a segment where she talked about her Korean heritage.
Following the incident, Li received a more than $10,000 donation from Ellen DeGeneres herself to launch the foundation. The foundation also established "The May Book Project,” which makes finding AAPI books easier and readily available for readers in libraries.
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