Aysha Qamar is a Pakistani-American journalist, poet, and advocate known for her compelling coverage of social justice issues, with a focus on identity. Her work often highlights the personal stories behind political and historical events. Qamar’s writing combines personal experiences with socio-political analysis, aiming to raise awareness and foster empathy among her audience.
Drawing on her background in law and policy, she aims to amplify the voices of marginalized individuals and advocate for change through her writing. She currently serves as the News Editor of Muslim.co and Entertainment Editor of Brown Girl Mag, both roles based in NYC.
Currently serving as the Entertainment Editor at Brown Girl Magazine, she covers the diverse stories of those bringing representation to the South Asian community. She has successfully interviewed several influential people in the entertainment sector, both on their journeys as creatives and the projects they have worked on.

Giannina Ong is a narrative architect reshaping the cultural landscape as Editor-In-Chief of Mochi Magazine, the longest-running digital publication by Asian American women. During the day, Giannina is a communications specialist, researcher, and activist amplifying narratives through impactful storytelling. Her mission is to use storytelling as a means to shift perspectives, drive social change, and redefine representation. She holds a master’s from the University of Toronto’s Women and Gender Studies Institute and she completed her bachelor’s with majors in English, Classics, and Women’s and Gender Studies and minors in Retail Marketing, History, and Public Health Sciences at Santa Clara University.

Helena Cheng is currently a financial journalist at Bloomberg News in New York, where she produces and writes daily market news on global technology, equities, crypto and ETF. Previously, she was a news associate at ABC News, editing and publishing digital and broadcast stories for GMA and ABC News Live on cultural news. She was also news associates at Fox News and CNBC before, which gave her abundant experience covering political events and breaking news.

Beyond the newsroom, she serves as Director of Communications on the AAJA NY board, leading outreach efforts and fundraising to support AAPI voices in journalism.

Henry is the Editor-in-Chief and founder of Timid Magazine, an independent publication spotlighting fashion, identity, and culture through an Asian and Pacific Islander lens. Created to reclaim and redefine the word “timid,” the magazine serves as a platform for underrepresented voices, blending original editorials, red carpet coverage, and deeply personal narratives. With a background in photography and publishing, Henry is passionate about building spaces where nuance, heritage, and community-driven storytelling take center stage. His work aims to challenge stereotypes, champion visibility, and reimagine who gets to tell the story.

Jennifer Chowdhury is a freelance journalist and the creator of Port of Entry, a narrative newsletter that illuminates untold stories from immigrant and diaspora communities. With over 15 years of experience in journalism and digital communications, Chowdhury reports on immigration and the systemic inequities shaping marginalized lives. Her work has appeared in outlets such as The Guardian, The Washington Post, Elle Magazine and Prism.

Lea Veloso is the Entertainment Editor at StyleCaster, and a music and culture critic. Her main focuses are K-pop and Indie music. She has a deep commitment to storytelling in sound, music, and fandom. As a musician, she especially loves delving into everything in production and the basis of a song. She’s interviewed people from ATEEZ’s HONGJOONG, Audrey Nuna, EXO’s Baekhyun, and Charli xcx, and she regularly reviews concert tours and festivals.

Pratika Katiyar is a writer and activist who focuses on technology and politics. She has bylines in major media outlets including Teen Vogue, CNN, and Harvard’s Nieman Reports, and spearheaded a global press freedom campaign that engaged thousands of journalists, becoming the youngest member of the Student Press Law Center’s Board of Directors. Her work has earned her invitations to speak at the United Nations, Georgetown Law School, and Columbia University, and recognition on the Her Campus and e.l.f. Cosmetics 22 Under 22 list and as one of Glamour Magazine’s Women of the Year. Her activism has garnered recognition and commendation by the Virginia Senate and Congressman Gerry Connolly. She currently works full time at the ACLU (American Civil Liberties Union) and volunteers with the New England First Amendment Coalition.

Radhika Menon is an Indian-American entertainment journalist with a passion for TV and Film analysis. With bylines on ELLE, Marie Claire, Vulture, Slate, Salon, and more, her work aims to shed light on underrepresented voices, start discussions about art and culture, and strengthen diversity in media and journalism. Radhika’s personal essays about shows like “Never Have I Ever” and “Happy Endings” have been read and shared by talent like Mindy Kaling and Casey Wilson. She’s a proud Michigan native living in LA after a stint in NYC, and you can find her on all social platforms @menonrad.

Saleah Blancaflor is a New York-based journalist with more than a decade of reporting experience. She is currently the TV Reporter at ADWEEK. She has previously worked as the data reporter at Morning Consult and as an associate producer for NBC News where she was part of the award-winning Asian America team. She has also written for Fast Company, People, Polygon, and more.

Samantha Lui is a radio producer and journalist, with bylines in the CBC, ELLE Canada, GRAMMY, RepresentASIAN Project, Joysauce, Complex Canada and more. As a writer, she specializes in Asian entertainment, covering everything from representation in media, film, TV, K-pop and Asian pop music. She currently writes a newsletter focused on K-pop, Asian entertainment and pop culture called Bunni Pop (bunnipop.substack.com). It is a platform she started given there are very few spaces in Canada to cover this beat.

Stephanie Yang is an Asia correspondent with the Los Angeles Times, previously based in Beijing and Taipei with the Wall Street Journal. She covers China and Taiwan relations, as well as everything from economy, culture, politics and society in countries across Southeast and East Asia.