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August 2015 Roundup: Collaboration and Celebrating Community Milestones

September 3, 2015 at 2:05 PM ET by Mary Lam
Summary: 
Throughout the month of August, the White House Initiative on AAPIs continued to expand opportunities for underserved communities while honoring several milestones.

Throughout the month of August, the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) continued to expand opportunities for underserved communities while honoring several milestones. August marked major events such as the 50th anniversary of the Voting Rights Amendment (August 6); 15th anniversary of Executive Order 13166 (August 11); and the 50th anniversary of Community Health Centers (August 13). In addition to recognizing the previous work that has been done to improve quality of life for AAPIs, the Initiative also collaborated with local, state, and federal agencies and organizations to bring more opportunities to communities across the country. Here are a few highlights from the last month.

2015 National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance Conference

On August 7, the Initiative’s Deputy Director Jason Tengco spoke at the 2015 National Queer Asian Pacific Islander Alliance (NQAPIA) Conference in Chicago, Illinois.  The conference gathered more than 250 AAPI lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender (LGBT) leaders and allies from across the country.  During his remarks, Jason highlighted the Initiative’s work around bullying prevention, engaging youth through its E3! Ambassadors Program, and efforts to encourage AAPI leaders to enter public service.

2015 National Association of Asian American Professionals Convention

On August 8, the Initiative’s Deputy Director Jason Tengco spoke at the National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP) 2015 National Convention in Dallas, Texas. The event served as a three-day opportunity for Asian professionals to network with AAPI leaders, develop professional skills, and celebrate the successes of community heroes.

50th Anniversary of Community Health Centers

On August 13, the Initiative participated in a Twitter chat hosted by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to celebrate the 50th anniversary of National Community Health Centers. This chat highlighted the ways in which these centers have helped underserved communities overcome cultural and linguistic barriers to access care. Watch the Initiative’s Executive Director Kiran Ahuja discuss the impact of community health centers below.

For 50 yrs, community health centers have delivered health care regardless of patients' language, culture, & ability to pay. #NHCW15

2015 Asian American Journalists Association National Convention

On August 15, the Initiative’s Co-Chair and U.S. Surgeon General Dr. Vivek Murthy spoke at the Asian American Journalists Association’s 2015 National Convention. More than 900 journalists, news executives, media researchers, and community leaders attended the event in San Francisco, California. Dr. Murthy headlined the event’s Annual Scholarship and Awards Gala.                 

New American Business Bootcamp

On August 20, the first New American Business Bootcamp was hosted by the Initiative in Cleveland, Ohio. More than 150 participants had the opportunity to hear from local, state, and federal agencies and community organizations about government resources, financing programs, and entrepreneurship. On-site translation was provided in six languages.

Doing Business in the Digital Age

On August 26, the Initiative hosted a cyber security symposium in Monterrey Park, California. The event featured speakers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), Internal Revenue Service (IRS), U.S. Department of Homeland Security, U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services, U.S. Department of Labor, and U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission. About 150 participants, including business leaders, students, and Congresswoman Judy Chu, gathered to learn more about cyber security.

What’s Next?

Don’t miss our upcoming September events, including the President’s Advisory Commission on AAPIs’ Listening Session in Honolulu, Hawaii. The Commission wants to hear from the public on issues ranging from education and civil rights to immigration and veteran affairs. Individuals who wish to attend the listening session must RSVP via email at WhiteHouseAAPI@ed.gov no later than September 16, 2015 at 3:00 pm EDT. The RSVP for attendance must include name, title, organization/affiliation, e-mail address, and telephone number of the person joining the session.

Mary Lam is Communications Advisor at the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.