Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders

Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders Blog

  • Cultivating AAPI Youth Advocates

    Posted by Bessie Chan on February 28, 2012 at 10:02 PM EDT

    This week, the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders is hosting a web chat targeting young Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) who have an interest in community advocacy.  The web chat will give young leaders the opportunity to discuss their own community work, as well as learn about internships, fellowships, and other opportunities to get involved with AAPI issues at the federal level.

    Working at the Initiative has been an incredible learning experience, as well as an invaluable opportunity to meet passionate individuals with a commitment to improving the lives of AAPIs through public service.  I have opportunities to work on projects pertaining to bullying, federal employment, affordable healthcare, domestic violence, and a host of other issue areas integral to improving the lives of AAPIs. 

    Through outreach to local leaders and collaboration with community organizations, the Initiative has been able to accomplish so much in just two years.  The Initiative’s work has touched AAPIs across the country, reaching smaller AAPI communities in the Midwest and South, as well as larger AAPI communities on the East and West coasts.  Today, there are more than 17 million AAPIs, yet significant portions of the population live below the poverty rate, face significant health disparities, and struggle with accessing culturally and linguistically appropriate services and resources.  Across the country, the AAPI experience varies greatly.

    I encourage those of you who seek a fast-paced and challenging work environment to apply to the Initiative’s internship program.  The Initiative will be accepting applications for its summer internship program until March 15, 2012.  Interns are responsible for assisting the staff in researching a wide range of issues, including education, health, community and economic development, and civil and immigrant rights.  The internship is an invaluable opportunity for young leaders to get hands-on experience and help create greater visibility for AAPI issues at the national level.

    Please also take the time to come to our youth web chat on Wednesday, February 29th from 3:00 – 4:00 p.m. EST.  If you would like to participate, email WhiteHouseAAPI@ed.gov with “RSVP for 2/29 Chat” in the heading by February 29th at 12:00 p.m. EST.  We will then email you with log-in details.

    Bessie Chan is a Project Analyst at the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

     

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  • MBDA: Strengthening Support to Minority-Owned Firms

    Posted by David A. Hinson on February 24, 2012 at 5:16 PM EDT

    Ed Note: The following is a cross-post that originally appeared on the Commerce.gov blog.

    Supporting the growth and global competitiveness of minority-owned businesses is a priority for the Department of Commerce and the Obama administration.

    And we’re making good on that priority. Last year, the Department’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) registered the best annual performance in its 41-year history. It assisted minority-owned businesses in gaining access to nearly $4 billion in contracts and capital, supporting the creation of nearly 6,000 much-needed jobs. Over the last three years, our network of 39 MBDA Business Centers, has been largely responsible for generating $10 billion in contracts and capital while helping to create and save nearly 20,000 jobs.

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  • Improving the Health Care System through Innovation

    Posted by Wil Yu on February 22, 2012 at 8:44 PM EDT

    This week, I joined my colleagues, including White House Cabinet Secretary and Initiative Co-Chair Chris Lu, in Jacksonville, Florida to engage with Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) business leaders about the Obama Administration’s policies and programs to support aspiring entrepreneurs and start-ups, resources for small businesses wanting to go global, and innovation opportunities for entrepreneurs, including health IT.

    Throughout American history, AAPI communities have played a pivotal role in helping to build the infrastructure that supports our great nation.  As our economy continues to improve, the contributions of the AAPI community will lead the way in building and improving our health care infrastructure in An America Built to Last.

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  • "What's Your Story?" AAPI Video Challenge Voting Begins

    Posted by Eddie Lee on February 17, 2012 at 5:50 PM EDT

    In the fall of 2011, the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders launched the “What’s your story?” video challenge. The challenge aimed to highlight the personal stories of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) across the country who have impacted their community through their dreams, experiences, and dedication to a cause.

    Ultimately, we received over 200 unique and inspiring stories. Each video shines a light on the important work happening around the country. And they remind us what makes this community so strong. From these submissions, we have chosen the top 11 video entries based on strength of content and creativity.

    Now we need your help. Please help us by watching these 11 video submissions at www.whitehouse.gov/whatsyourstory and voting for the story that most inspires you. The deadline for voting is March 1, 2012.

    After you select your favorite video we will choose a group of these exceptional AAPI leaders to share their stories at the White House as special guests at a White House Initiative event in March. Please take some time to watch and share these inspiring stories.

    Eddie Lee is an Associate Director of the Office of Public Engagement.

  • AAPI and the 2013 Budget

    Posted by Francesca L. de Quesada on February 14, 2012 at 10:57 AM EDT

    President Obama laid out a blueprint in his State of the Union address for an economy that’s built to last – an economy built on American manufacturing, American energy, skills for American workers, and a renewal of American values.  The President released a budget that illustrates how we put that blueprint to work.

    Yesterday in his message to Congress, the President explained that we are in a make-or-break moment for the middle class, and for all those who are fighting to get there. The Budget targets scarce federal resources to the areas critical to growing the economy and restoring middle-class security: education and skills for American workers, innovation and manufacturing, clean energy, and infrastructure. It is built around the idea that our country does best when everyone gets a fair shot, everyone does their fair share, and everyone plays by the same rules.

    The Administration is dedicated to addressing the multi-layered challenges affecting the diverse subgroups and communities that make up the more than 14 million Asian American and Pacific Islanders. To construct an economy that is built to last and provide security for AAPI families, the 2013 Budget will:

    • Support the DREAM Act
    • Improve Higher Education for Students from Minority Backgrounds
    • Strengthen Anti-Discrimination Enforcement
    • Promote Citizenship and Integration
    • Support Learning Among Migrant and Refugee Children
    • Support Minority Businesses
    • Take Immediate Action to Support Growth and Job Creation
    • Give Every American a Fair Shot at Success by Improving and Reforming K-12 Education
    • Expand Access to College
    • Equip American Workers for Good-Paying Jobs Today and in the Future
    • Promote Affordable Homeownership
    • Support Responsible Homeowners and Help Them Stay in Their Homes
    • Preserve Affordable Rental Opportunities
    • Help States Provide Paid Family Leave to Workers
    • Prevent Hunger and Improve Nutrition
    • Improve Retirement Security
    • Expand Affordable High-Quality Primary and Preventive Care
    • Boost Funding for Workplace Safety
    • Revitalize Distressed Urban Neighborhoods.
    • Invest in Regional and Community Planning Efforts for Sustainable Development

    Read more about how the President’s 2013 budget will help ensure security for Asian American and Pacific Islander families: HERE.

  • USCIS Engages Chinese-Speaking Immigrants with “Jiao Liú”

    Posted by Ivan Fong on February 13, 2012 at 12:45 PM EDT

    Every year, over 650,000 immigrants take the momentous step of becoming U.S. citizens. In doing so, they pledge their allegiance to the United States because they believe in its core values of freedom and opportunity and in the democratic principles upon which our Nation was founded.  For many of these new citizens, one of the most significant challenges they have had to overcome to build a new life in America and to pass the naturalization test was to learn English.  My parents came to the United States as immigrants, so I know from personal experience how important it is to support new immigrants as they strive to learn a new language and integrate into American society.   

    I am therefore extremely pleased that U.S. Citizenship and Immigration Services (USCIS) is expanding its multilingual outreach by hosting public sessions in Mandarin and Cantonese to help Chinese-speaking immigrants learn how to apply for citizenship and immigration benefits. The first of these Chinese public engagements, called “Jiao Liú” (which means “engagement” in Mandarin), will be held on Thursday, February 16, at 10:30 a.m. (PST) in the USCIS San Francisco District Office. The theme of this first session will be “How to Become a U.S. Citizen.” Please click here to learn how you can watch and ask questionsin person or via the internet or telephone.

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