State Rep. Anita Somani, D-Dublin, joined In Focus host, Mike Kallmeyer, to discuss the importance of Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month.

Somani described her heritage and the importance of representing the AAPI community in Ohio.

“When you look at the Asian community, we come from so many different backgrounds,” she said. “We all have very different customs and traditions, and I think that is important to preserve and for people to understand that, you can’t lump everyone into one group.”

Somani said she is working with the other Indian American lawmaker at the statehouse to represent the entire Asian community, not just Indian Americans. Another top priority for Somani during her first year in office is addressing health inequities in the state.