The Asian population in North Carolina makes up about four percent of the state’s around 11 million according to the 2023 United States Census. The Asian American Oral History Project started during the 2022-2023 school year when a student in AP United States History was working on their final project and attempted to use their textbook to learn about Indian Americans. This student then started this project as a way to highlight the underrepresented 38 percent of Asian Americans at Green Hope
Since last year, the Asian American Oral History Project worked with ten different teachers here at Green Hope to add Asian American projects into their classes in an attempt to further highlight Asian Americans through United States history.
Annika Rogov (‘25), Co-President of the Asian American Oral History Project, shared why she wanted to be a part of this project. “Personally I’m not Asian American, but I’m really passionate about equity specifically in education. I didn’t think it was going to be a big deal for me when I went to the interest meaning,” Rogov said. While Rogov might not be Asian American she decided to help anyway.
Through this project students are able to connect with Asian Americans who serve the community in a variety of ways from teachers to police officers. Students transcribed and interviewed Asian Americans that helped shape the community, which allowed students to connect with Asian Americans who serve in a variety of roles from teachers to police officers.
In March of 2024, the Asian American Oral History Project collaborated with the school orchestra and choir to conduct an Asian American Heritage concert. Since many seniors graduated, the club conducted a new member drive and elected new students into leadership roles.
Dianhao Li (’25), the Co-President of the Asian American Oral History Project, joined as a way to connect his own Asian American roots to the larger Green Hope community. Growing up, Li went to a Chinese school which led him to his contribution in the club. “The focus of this year is actually going to be on creating a new Asian American class at this school, which to my knowledge is going to be the first high school Asian American History class in North Carolina,” he shared.
Mr. Colin Richardson, an AP United States History teacher and the Project’s Adviser, is in charge of starting an Asian American class at Green Hope. Mr. Richardson writes the standards that the class must meet. Because of this project, the class wouldn’t rely solely on textbooks but it would have primary sources from the Triangle that students can connect with.
If the class is approved, it will be a primary focus of the spring semester. The Asian Oral History project strives to represent the Asian American population at Green Hope through connecting students with experiences and voices that are not their own.
