Readout of White House Roundtable Meeting with AA and NHPI Faith Leaders
Yesterday, Erika Moritsugu, Deputy Assistant to the President and AA and NHPI Senior Liaison at the White House, Sonal Shah, President of The Asian American Foundation (TAAF), and the White House Office of Public Engagement, hosted a virtual meeting with AA and NHPI faith leaders on hate prevention and AA and NHPI inclusion in the lead up to the 20th anniversary of 9/11.
The meeting was part of the Administration’s efforts to hear directly from leaders at the local and national levels about the work they are engaged in to combat anti-AA and NHPI hate, pursue racial justice, and create belonging and inclusion in the AA and NHPI community and beyond. Representatives of the attending groups shared lessons they’ve learned in the 20 years since 9/11 about how to prevent hate and bigotry in their respective communities, and what faith leaders have found to be effective when it comes to helping their communities heal from acts of hate and violence. Participants also discussed the importance interfaith dialogue continues to play in healing divides and bringing people together during a rise in xenophobic violence and hate.
Administration officials reiterated the President’s commitment to fighting hate in all its forms, addressing racial equity gaps in AA and NHPI and other communities, and working together on the Afghan refugee resettlement effort and other humanitarian initiatives. The Administration also committed to continued engagement and partnership with these groups.
Organizations that participated in today’s roundtable included:
• Asian American Christian Collaborative
• Bochasanwasi Akshar Purushottam Swaminarayan Sanstha (BAPS)
• Christians for Social Action
• Claremont Theological Seminary
• Emgage
• Faith and Community Empowerment (FACE)
• Interfaith Youth Core
• Muhammad Ali Center
• Muslim Advocates
• National Association of Evangelicals
• Sikh Coalition
