Ascend Canada Joins #HealthNotHate Collective to Combat Anti-Asian Racism

TORONTO, June 15, 2020 — Ascend Canada, a non-profit organization with the mission to develop and advance pan-Asian professionals, is the latest organization to support the #HealthnotHate awareness campaign to combat misconceptions about the COVID-19 virus and unsettling cases of anti-Asian sentiment. Ascend’s commitment is to work together with other organizations to fight inequities and racism and join the global movement to make positive change in the workplace and in our communities.

Earlier in May, a grassroots group of concerned organizations and citizens in Toronto and Vancouver rallied together to produce #HealthNotHate, an anti-racism campaign with an objective to counter a spate of anti-Asian incidents, along with many unreported cases, that have taken place across Canada and North America.

#HealthNotHate aims to redirect this discourse with the view that health is the national imperative, where diversity contributes to a functional, inclusive, and prosperous society.

“Unfortunately, amidst all the great sense of community that is taking place, we are seeing some incidents of anti-Asian sentiment related to the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Alex Peh, Executive Vice President, Ascend Canada. “Ascend Canada strongly supports inclusive communities. We’re proud to partner with #HealthNotHate to actively support efforts to refocus the pandemic as a health issue and promote public tolerance. Racism in any form, against any group, is just not acceptable.”

Produced within 4 weeks, and entirely by voluntary and donated efforts, #HealthNotHate has attracted seasoned marketing experts and a who’s who of the film and television community. Talents for the campaign includes luminaries such as Russell Wong, Ludi Lin, Osric Chau, Louis Ferreira, Tzi Ma, and others, all supported by ACTRA/UBCP.

“We’re excited that Ascend Canada has joined the #HealthNotHate movement,” says Sonny Wong, one of the founders of the initiative. “Like-minded groups must come together in allyship to support those facing racism and oppression, so our ultimate goal of community health remains paramount in these trying times when systemic racism – as we’ve seen with Black Lives Matter – has been made evident.”

The campaign launched in early May, which is Asian Heritage Month of Canada. The #HealthNotHate group has to date garnered media support from Glacier Media, Sing Tao Canada, Maclean’s Magazine, The Tyee, Lahoo, Westca, CBC Radio Canada, Adapt Media, Pattison Outdoor, Korea Times Daily, Vancouver is Awesome, The Score, and others. For list of talents and supporters, please visit healthnothate.com.

About #HealthNotHate #HealthNotHate is a community and social justice campaign created and led by Hamazaki Wong Marketing Group, Megafone Media, Orange Studio, Werewolves of London, and Early Sullivan, with support from Multicultural Marketing Alliance of Canada. The organizations are active in the marketing, media, and film and television industries. During this time of COVID-19, the group hopes to use its collective efforts and networks to draw attention to a key issue that has erupted from the stresses of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to change attitudes toward greater social understanding and inclusiveness. Learn more at healthnothate.com.

About Ascend Canada Ascend Canada was founded in 2012 to enhance the presence, visibility, and influence of current and future Pan-Asian business leaders. Today, with the support of our more than 4,000 members and numerous corporate partners, our objectives are to develop the full potential of our members by leveraging our networks and providing programs and events that inspire, as well as educate.

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For more information, please contact: 

#HealthNotHate

Loretta Lam – lorettal@focuscomms.com (m: 416 648 3888)

Joycelyn David – joycelyn.david@avcommunications.ca

Sonny Wong – sonny@hamazakiwong.com

Ascend Canada

Patrick Bhang – patrick.bhang@rbc.com