The Localized History Project (LHP) began in Fall 2023 as a New York State-funded youth participatory action research project investigating the extent to which AANHPI history is taught in K-12 history classrooms in NY State, and presenting youth-driven curriculum alternatives to test-driven curricula. In June 2025, the Asian American / Asian Research Institute was awarded funding through the New York City Council’s Education Equity Action Plan for the Localized History Project to build New York City’s first K-12 AAPI Studies curriculum, in partnership with the Asian American Education Project (AAEdu).
The Localized History Project is built on a community-centered approach, ensuring the eventual curriculum is collectively created with intergenerational partners: teachers, students, families, and community organizations. LHP seeks to uplift AANHPI histories, specifically those local to the New York State community, to provide a sense of connection and belonging, challenging the status quo of AANHPIs being perpetually foreign, and to foster solidarities across communities of color. Most importantly, we hope our work showcases how youth are critical contributors to knowledge production, research, and history. Youth driven work matters, and youth driven history classrooms will ensure a more just, inclusive, and accurate curriculum for all.
Follow the Localized History Project on Instagram (@localizedhistory) for updates.
- Localized History Digital Archive: View
- Journal Article (Apr 2025), Localized Histories and Pedagogical Revolutions: Read
- WNYC All Things Considered Interview: Listen
- Journal Article (Dec 2025), Constellations and Collectivity: Youth Storytelling as Re-Reooting Methodology: Read
- Localizing History (Queens Ledger news article – March 11, 2026): Read
The Localized History Project was founded in partnership between the Asian American / Asian Research Institute – CUNY (AAARI-CUNY), and the Coalition for Asian American Children + Families (CACF)
