We are talking about the contributions of Asian Americans to the fabric of Upstate New York this Lunar New Year on In Focus.

Lining He, National Governing Board Member for Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs, sat down with JoDee Kenney. He came to the U.S. 24 years ago, ultimately earned a PhD from Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute, and now calls Syracuse home. He praised the city’s diversity and called it a welcoming community where he “never felt foreign.” His experience as a New American inspired him to advocate for others in their journey, both in New York, and across the country as a National Board Member of United Chinese Americans. Recently signed legislation designating Lunar New Year a public school holiday here in New York, He said, is an important step in recognizing the contributions of this fast-growing immigrant community.

You can watch the full interview with Lining He, president and director of Fundraising for the Syracuse Chapter of Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs, via the video player above. And be sure to tune in for a look inside the biggest issues impacting Upstate New York, on In Focus with JoDee Kenney — every Sunday on Spectrum News 1.