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NBC News: This small, local Laotian-owned bakery is funding Asian American studies scholarships
By Brahmjot Kaur/NBC News
A Laotian-owned French bakery in Connecticut has started a college scholarship for students taking Asian American studies and pursuing careers in public school education.
Khamla Vorasane opened BouNom Bakery in Avon last February with her sister, Chan Graham. It’s named after their late parents, Boulieng and Nom.
“What can we do to continue this conversation when the media no longer picks up about hate crimes towards Asians? How do we keep that dialogue going? One thing we realized is, it’s a matter of education,” Vorasane told NBC Asian America.
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It’s not Vorasane’s first time raising money for the community amid the rise of anti-Asian hate. In March, the bakery organized a fundraiser to support the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, Asian Americans Advancing Justice and UConn’s Asian and Asian American Studies department, and raised $4,000 in one day. This success inspired her to start the scholarship.
The bakery is supporting the first six scholarships, but is also encouraging donations to expand the program.