While Asian Americans populate the front lines of health workers and own businesses generating $700 billion in annual GDP in the U.S., the negative impact of COVID-19 on this highly productive community has gone largely underreported and unnoticed. Yet, increasing discrimination is taking its toll, potentially spurring a mental health crisis.

In this panel conversation, we will discuss the findings of a recent report issued by McKinsey & Company about the economic, social and psychological challenges facing the Asian American community as a result of the ongoing global pandemic. Some of the report’s findings are:

• Asian Americans experienced a 450% increase in unemployment rates from February to June 2020—the largest percentage increase in unemployment among racial groups
• Asian American workers and businesses are disproportionately highly exposed to the negative impacts of COVID-19
• Asian American workers are overrepresented in 72% of essential, high-contact medical professions
• Asian-owned businesses comprise 26% of US accommodations and food services, 17% of retail trade, and 11% of educational services businesses—all sectors hit hardest by COVID-19
• Evidence also suggests that Asian-owned businesses experienced declines in activity nearly a full month before others as a result of unfounded xenophobia against Asians
• Mental health support texts have increased by 39% in the first quarter of 2020 and at least 1,900 anti-Asian hate incidents were documented by organizations across 46 states

McKinsey’s latest research takes a deeper look into major barriers Asian Americans face amid the pandemic and how agencies can take immediate actions toward relief and recovery for Asian Americans. Moderated by Asia Society’s Executive Vice President Tom Nagorski, this discussion features co-author of the report Harrison Lung, partner and Asian ERG Leader at McKinsey & Company; Subha V. Barry, president of Working Mother Media, a division of Bonnier Corporation; Cindy Hsu, Emmy Award-winning anchor and reporter at CBS 2 News in New York City; and additional speakers to be confirmed. Please join us for a timely and important conversation on ways we as a community can help.