About Michigan Moai
Email: support@michiganmoai.org
LinkedIn
Michigan Moai is a nonprofit organization committed to supporting the mental health and well-being of AANHPI (Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander) individuals across Michigan. Our mission is to ensure that those facing trauma, racism, or language barriers have access to culturally competent and linguistically appropriate mental health care.
The name “Moai” comes from a Japanese concept meaning “meeting for a common purpose.” Traditionally, moai are lifelong social support groups that offer emotional and financial assistance while creating a strong sense of belonging. At Michigan Moai, we embrace this philosophy by building networks of care that alleviate stress, promote healing, and serve as a safety net for our community.
We work to identify therapists across Michigan and PSYPACT states who speak AANHPI languages and have experience supporting trauma survivors. Our goal is to connect individuals to the right care through a searchable referral database for therapy sessions. Through strong community partnerships and a commitment to culturally responsive services, we aim to make mental health support more accessible and inclusive for all.
Elizabeth Amata | Founder
Email: eliamata@bu.edu
LinkedIn
Elizabeth is a senior undergraduate student earning her Bachelor of Arts in Psychology at Boston University. She is on the pre-law track and plans to pursue a Master of Social Work followed by law school, with the goal of advancing policy and advocacy for marginalized communities. In 2023, she founded Michigan Moai to expand access to mental health support for immigrant and refugee communities across Michigan, emphasizing culturally competent care and services in individuals’ native languages.
Lawrence Tang | Technical Lead
Email: lawrence.j.tang@gmail.com
LinkedIn
Lawrence is a senior undergraduate student earning his Bachelor of Science in Computer Science and Engineering (AI) and minors in both Finance and Mathematics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He runs the website along with all technology-related aspects of Michigan Moai.