AAPI Briefing

Last Thursday, the Office of Public Engagement brought over eighty interns from various organizations around Washington DC to the White House for a briefing on AAPIs (Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders) in public service. Just a few of the organizations represented included the Organization of Chinese Americans, Japanese American Citizens League, National Council of Asian Pacific Americans, Indian American Leadership Council, DC Mayor’s Office on Asian Pacific Islander Affairs, and the White House.

The briefing featured leaders from the White House, Department of Defense, Department of Labor, Department of Commerce and the Department of Interior. Associate Director of the Office of Public Engagement Kalpen Modi introduced OPE Director Tina Tchen, who welcomed the attendees and outlined the role of OPE. They and the other speakers spoke about the importance of engagement and empowerment, lauding the participants for dedicating their summer to service and encouraging them to continue to serve throughout their lives, whether in the government or the non-profit sector. Each speaker also shared personal stories, specifically what led them to a career in public service, and described the day-to-day activities in their current role.

Candace Chin, the Special Assistant to the Director of Presidential Personnel, chronicled her path to the White House; first interning and working in the House and Senate, working on the Obama campaign and now, having the opportunity to work in the Office of Presidential Personnel.

Arun Chaudhary, the White House Videographer discussed his passion for politics from an early age. He ultimately decided to study and pursue a career in filmmaking, hoping to stay politically active through his films. But then he heard about a new presidential candidate with a "funny name" – Barack Obama – and decided to join the Obama campaign. And now, as the official White House videographer, Arun is able to combine filmmaking and politics at the highest level.

Ben Chang, the Deputy Spokesman for the National Security Council, entertained the audience with stories of working in Central America and at the United Nations as a Foreign Service Officer, sharing anecdotes about being mistaken on more than one occasion for an Asian diplomat. He said that he never took these moments of "mistaken identity" personally. He added that a rewarding part of serving as a career diplomat who is Asian American is reflecting in a small way the diversity of this country and changing some people’s perception of what is the "face" of America.