Dallas Roundtable Press Release
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 3, 2022
ASIAN AMERICAN & PACIFIC ISLANDER SMALL BUSINESS OWNERS MEET WITH GOVERNMENT OFFICIALS IN DALLAS TO DISCUSS THE STATE AND FUTURE OF AAPI BUSINESSES
[May 3, Dallas, Texas] – The National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (National ACE), alongside affiliate partners, the US-China Chamber of Commerce Dallas (USCCC) and the Greater Dallas Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce (GDTCC), hosted an AAPISTRONG Small Business Roundtable for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) small business owners to discuss the current state of business in Dallas.
The AAPISTRONG Small Business Roundtable is an open forum for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander business owners in the United States to connect with policymakers, corporate partners, and community members to find solutions for the barriers facing minority-owned small businesses today. The Dallas event is the seventh roundtable this year, preceded by Detroit, Fort Walton Beach, New York, Houston, Atlanta, and Northern Virginia.
Joining AAPI entrepreneurs at the event were Congressman Marc Allison Veasey, Texas's 33nd Congressional District; Congressman Colin Allred, Texas's 32nd Congressional District; City of Addison’s Mayor Joe Chow; City of Plano’s Deputy Mayor Maria Tu; and Small Business Administration (SBA) District Director Herbert Austin. Small business owners and officials discussed policy interests, including international trade, the American Rescue Plan, supply chain disruptions, anti-AAPI discrimination, and opportunities for capital through federal programs. They talked about how AAPI business owners experienced discrimination and shortfalls during the pandemic, as well as how they are emerging stronger through technology and apps-based operations.
Participants also discussed the necessity of diversity, equity, and inclusion in federal contracting and positions of economic and political influence. Deputy Mayor Pro Tem of Plano Maria Tu shared how she is the only Asian city councilmember in Plano, whose population is 22 percent Asian. Albert Shen, Strategy Manager at Verizon Business Group and National ACE Policy Committee Member, with Congressman Veasey and Congressman Allred emphasized diversity in corporate positions, as well as the importance of Fortune 500 companies—many of whom are based in Dallas—renewing their commitment to AAPI communities.
“Our business community continues to face many challenges. Asian American and Pacific Islander small business owners have battled both COVID-19 and a sharp spike in discrimination and violence. Our policymakers play a significant role in protecting our community, allowing our small businesses to operate safely, and creating prosperity,” said National ACE President and CEO, Chiling Tong. “This conversation will help policymakers to understand the unmet needs of our community so we can find solutions. National ACE looks forward to working with the Asian Chamber of Commerce in Atlanta to advance solutions that will help our economy move forward.”
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About National ACE
National ACE’s mission is to serve as a strong advocate of AAPI business interests and positive change on all issues that enhance and advance the goals and aspirations of AAPI business owners, entrepreneurs, and corporate leaders. National ACE strives to do this through supporting and promoting issues that impact the AAPI business community, improving the economic development and economic impact of the AAPI community, advancing coalitions and enhancing community building, and fostering the next generation of AAPI entrepreneurs and executives. National ACE provides a unified voice for the business interests of AAPIs nationally. Learn more at www.nationalace.org or www.aapistrong.com.
About USCCC:
USCCC is a non-profit organization that has strived to bolster trade and business connections between China and the US since its founding in 1994. USCCC annually hosts networking opportunities to help members find inter-continental associates and investments. The USCCC Dallas has become the most prominent organization for local Chinese American small business owners in the Dallas/Fort Worth metroplex.
About GCTCC:
GDTCC (Greater Dallas Taiwanese Chamber of Commerce) started in 1992 to connect the DFW area, Taiwanese entrepreneurs, to further foster interchanges through education, cultural, public services and volunteer works both here in Dallas as well as in Taiwan. GDTCC hosts monthly meetings for its members with speakers to promote lifetime learning. GDTCC has earned local recognition for Taiwan connections.
PRESS CONTACT:
Janet Alikpala
jalikpala@nationalace.org
312-217-4369