MassLive recently asked readers to identify people who are leaders from the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community throughout the state, working to make a difference in politics, education, business, the arts or another area of interest.
Profiles of these leaders will be published through AAPI Heritage Month in May. These are people our readers have identified as inspirational, who may be doing good acts for their communities. They are being recognized for their accomplishments, leadership and commitment to inspire change.
Abby ChinCourtesy of Abby Chin
Abby Chin
Age: 41
Community: Arlington/Boston
Her story: Abby Chin is no stranger to being the only woman, or Asian-American, in the room.
A graduate of the University of Colorado, Chin worked her way up from a “diversity hire” in production at ESPN to eventually become an on-air reporter and host in Alabama and Oregon. While attending the first post-pandemic press conference for another top tier franchise in the NBA, Chin noticed that she was the only woman at the conference.
“From that moment on, I’ve made it my mission to discover, engage and foster young women in sports media while creating and strengthening relationships with women and allies within the industry,” she told MassLive.
Chin has been the long-time sideline reporter for the Boston Celtics, bridging the gap between fans and one the most successful squads in NBA history.
“I bring a unique perspective to interviews and conversations with players, coaches various community leaders featured throughout the season,” Chin said.
In addition to getting the scoop, Chin’s work also helps accentuate the importance of diversity and representation in sports media while fostering a greater sense of inclusion and belonging in the community.
“Beyond what you see on camera, I recognize the significance of my role as a mother and a woman of Asian descent in the sports media world,” she said. “I strive to bring a strong, well-prepared voice, inspiring young girls and diverse communities to find representation and empowerment within professional sports and media.”
A key contributor to the multi-Emmy Award winning regional broadcasts, Chin also covered major events for national networks from the 2018 Winter Olympics in Pyeongchang on NBC to NBA Summer League on NBATV.
But perhaps Chin’s greatest accomplishment, is being a mother to her two young children, Mabel and Silas.
In her own words: “Working in a male-dominated industry can be at times intimidating, frustrating and discouraging. Recognize that your perspective and experiences bring valuable diversity to the field. Embrace your uniqueness and use it to your advantage in telling stories and connecting with audiences.”
We’re always open to hearing about more inspiring people. If you’d like to suggest someone else who should be recognized, please fill out this form.
