OUR STORY

From sharing our lived experiences to sharing dreams for a more inclusive and culturally rich community, the Coalition aspires to be a cornerstone of local engagement. We organize cultural events, educational activities, and community-building initiatives that showcase the richness and diversity of our Asian American and Pacific Islander community and build relationships. Together, we celebrate the beauty of our cultures and the strength of our collective presence on the North Shore.

Join us as we continue to nurture and celebrate the extraordinary within our AAPI community, all are welcome!

A former potluck club turned 501(c)3 non-profit celebrating and empowering the vibrant AAPI community on the North Shore of Massachusetts.

Meet the Team

  • Rachel TonThat

    Director

    Rachel (she/ they) is an interdisciplinary artist and writer. She works with her mother Flora, at the Northey Street House B&B, co-publishes Oreades Press, and runs the contemporary art project space, Airtight Garage.

  • Flora TonThat

    Assistant Director

    Flora (she/ her) has run the award-winning Northey Street House B&B since 2002 and founded the Bridge Street Neck Neighborhood Association. She has previously served as a board member of the Chamber of Commerce and the Recycling Committee.

  • Lillian Hsu

    Board Member

    Lillian (she/her) is Director of Public Art and Exhibitions at Cambridge Arts, the arts agency for the City of Cambridge, MA, where she has been since 2003. She manages the Percent-for-Art Program, site-specific temporary projects, and exhibitions for Gallery 344.

  • Anja Higashibaba

    Board Member

    Anja (she/ her) is a North Shore native, and currently lives with her partner, son, and their cat in Beverly. She works as a lactation consultant in Boston and is currently pursuing a degree in nursing. In her free time Anja loves a good book (preferably read in the warm sun), singing and Zumba.

  • Annie Lin

    Board Member

    Annie (she/ her) is the co-owner of the family run Koto Asian Fusion restaurant and Annie’s Asian Mart in Salem and plays the guzheng with the Yi Zhiyin Guzheng Ensemble and with her daughter, Loren.

  • Dakota Russell

    Board Member

    Dakota (he/ him) is the Executive Director of the House of the Seven Gables Settlement Association. Prior to joining the House of the Seven Gables, Russell led the Heart Mountain Wyoming Foundation, which tells the stories of Japanese Americans unjustly incarcerated during World War II.

  • Miyabe Shields

    Emeritus Board Member

    Miyabe (they/ them) is a queer and neurodivergent stoner scientist and avid psychonaut with more than 13 years of experience in academic and industrial research.

  • Jackie Eng

    Board Member

    Jackie (she/her) has owned and operated Dave Eng Flowers with her husband, David on historic Derby Street Salem for many years. Her family (Yee Hoey) was one of the first Chinese families in Lynn, and David’s Eng family was one of the first few Chinese families in Salem.