In light of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, Bronx Asian residents and supporters called on the mayor to invest more of the city’s 2024 budget into their growing community.  

The 18 Percent and Growing campaign, led by the Coalition for Asian American Children and Family, hit the street to call for support of its over 90 community-based programs. Supporters chanted "We are 18% and growing!" through the streets, referencing the percentage of the city’s population that is Asian American or of Pacific Islander descent.  

The campaign is calling for $7.5 million for the AAPI community support initiative, $4 million for Access Health NYC and $7.5 million for the Communities of Color Nonprofit Stabilization Fund. 

Last year, Mayor Eric Adams and the City Council invested $5 million into the AAPI community support initiative. The coalition says this was a $1 million increase from the previous year, but organizers say that as their community continues to grow, the amount of money invested must grow as well.  

According to the Mayor’s Office of Immigrant Affairs, the AAPI community is the fastest growing racial group in the city.  

News 12 has reached out to the mayor’s office for a statement in response to this request and is awaiting a response.