National ACE Partners with Google, AAF to Provide NYC Asian American and Pacific Islander-owned Small Businesses with Nest Cams to Boost Safety
**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE** September 9, 2022
Contact: Robert Familiar, robert@stuloeser.com
National ACE Partners with Google, AAF to Provide NYC Asian American and Pacific Islander-owned Small Businesses with Nest Cams to Boost Safety
Congresswoman Grace Meng joined National ACE, AAF and Google to launch the program at an event today in Jackson Heights, Queens.
Queens, NY — The National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (National ACE) today announced a partnership with Google and the Asian American Federation (AAF) to support safer business environments for Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI)-owned small-to-medium-sized businesses (SMBs) in New York City. Under the AAPISTRONG Nest Cam Kit program, eligible AAPI small business owners can now receive three Google Nest Cams, along with set up and services at no cost.
Congresswoman Grace Meng announced the new initiative today at a 1:00 PM ET event in Diversity Plaza, Jackson Heights, Queens alongside National ACE, AAF and Google.
“The hate and violence directed at the Asian American community over the past two-and-a-half years has been despicable and disgusting, and we must continue doing everything we can to combat these increased attacks and acts of bigotry,” said U.S. Rep. Grace Meng (D-Queens). “This includes protecting Asian-owned small businesses, and this initiative will go a long way towards helping to increase safety for them, their customers and our communities. Thank you to National ACE, Google and the Asian American Federation for launching this important partnership to support safer business environments. As I have said many times, we must never take a backseat to safety. Keeping people safe and out of harm’s way must always be the top priority.”
The AAPISTRONG Nest Cam Kit initiative was created in response to the sharp increase in violence against AAPI communities and is designed to foster economic opportunity for AAPI businesses by cultivating a safer environment for brick-and-mortar businesses through Nest products. The goal is to help at least 500 SMBs nationally access free Nest devices and
services, with a substantial allocation expected in NYC. Other target cities include Chicago, Houston, Atlanta and Washington, DC.
“Our AAPI-owned businesses are still experiencing severe losses as a result of increased hate, discrimination, and bias at their places of business,” said Chiling Tong, President & CEO, National ACE. “This contribution from Google will provide security for AAPI small business owners who have faced heightened insecurity. Together, these products can help businesses increase office safety, save energy, and run efficiently.”
“As if the devastation of the economic downturn from the pandemic was not enough, Asian American small business owners have to contend with being afraid for the physical safety of their staff and themselves, as anti-Asian violence continues,” said Jo-Ann Yoo, Executive
Director, Asian American Federation. “The free AAPISTRONG Nest Camera give-away from Google and National ACE will go a long way toward keeping our Asian brick-and-mortar businesses safe and allow them to continue to do what they do best – provide jobs, generate revenue, and act as a safety net for our communities. We thank them for caring about our small business communities.”
“Small and independent business owners and operators in New York continue to be the backbone of our economy and have persevered through tremendous barriers in the past few years. With today’s announcement, Google and Nest are supporting the AAPI community and addressing the additional challenges they face,” said Angela Pinsky, Head of Government Affairs and Public Policy, Google New York. “We’re incredibly honored to partner with National ACE and AAF today to make AAPI small businesses safer for owners and their customers — helping ensure our communities can continue to grow and thrive.”
National ACE is administering this program, while Google is providing the products and hardware installation at no cost. The complimentary AAPISTRONG Nest Cam Kits include:
1. 3 indoor Nest cameras
2. 12-month subscription of Nest Aware
3. Professional installation service
To qualify for grant assistance, AAPI-owned businesses must satisfy all of the following requirements:
1. The business must be Asian American/Pacific Islander/Native Hawaiian majority-owned (51% or more);
2. based in the United States;
3. currently in operation;
4. have a brick and mortar storefront;
5. operate in a maximum of three locations; and
6. not part of a chain or franchise.
Please note the following:
● Eligible businesses are allowed to receive one kit. (i.e. Businesses with multiple
locations can only receive one kit.)
● Eligible business owners are allowed to receive one kit. (i.e. Applicants that own more than one business may only receive one kit.)
● One kit is allowed per establishment. (i.e. Applicants that own more than one business at the same address may only receive one kit.)
● If selected, business owners must provide a credit card prior to installation to activate the 12-month Nest Aware subscription. The first 12 months are complimentary, with an auto-renewal for continuation of services. Business owners can cancel their renewal 30 days prior to the end of the 12-month period at no cost.
Applications opened at 1:00 PM ET on Friday, September 9, 2022 via AAPISTRONG.com. The application period will close on October 31, 2022 and products will be distributed in November 2022. Interested applicants can learn more about the program and the application process at AAPISTRONG.com.
Supporting Quotes:
“Small businesses owners are the backbone of our economy and AAPI businesses accounted for 20% of all small businesses prior to the Covid-19 Pandemic. Not only have they had to deal with the disastrous economic realities of the Covid-19 crisis but they have also had to deal with an increase in hate crimes and violence. We must do all we can to ensure their security. The Nest Cam Kit Initiative will aid in that process and I commend Google, National ACE, and Asian American Federation for making this happen,” said New York State Senator Toby Ann Stavisky.
“AAPI small businesses are the backbone of our Queens communities, and we must do everything we can to protect and secure them,” said Assemblywoman Nily Rozic. “The program to provide free Nest Cam Kits to 500 AAPI small businesses is a crucial step to protecting our neighbors from rising hate crimes.”
“The statistics were clear that crimes against the AAPI community were rising during the pandemic, but it was the footage caught on security cameras across the city that drove home the brutality of these attacks,” said Council Member Sandra Ung. “Not only will these free security cameras bring peace of mind to business owners and deter criminal activity, they could also play a role in bringing a future perpetrator to justice. Thank you to National ACE, Asian American Federation, and Google Nest for partnering to help keep the AAPI community safe.”
“For more than a century, Asian Americans have contributed economically to New York City and the nation, though we haven’t always been welcomed or celebrated,” said Council Member Shekar Krishnan. “With the recent resurgence of anti-Asian hate, I'm proud to stand with Google, the Asian American Federation, and National ACE to offer Nest cameras, free of charge, to hundreds of AAPI-owned small businesses across the country. We deserve to feel safe in our homes and in our communities.”
“The AAPISTRONG Nest Cam Kit initiative is an essential tool for activation against hate crimes and violence against our AAPI community in NYC. We appreciate the support of Google Nest Security and their ability to provide security cams to the thousands of AAPI SMB owners, Thank you,” said Deputy Borough President Ebony Young.
“Throughout the pandemic, New York’s tech sector has consistently stepped up to address a myriad of economic, health, and social challenges. It's done so by expanding career development efforts, increasing community investments, and much more. Nonetheless, New York's AAPI community has been negatively, and disproportionately, impacted, which is why today’s initiative — providing safety resources to the small businesses that define a neighborhood’s character — is so important,” said Jason Myles Clark, Executive Director of Tech:NYC. “National ACE, the Asian American Federation, and Google deserve a tremendous amount of credit not only for this crucial program, but for all the hard work and resources they’ve committed to uplifting the AAPI community in New York.”
“We applaud this initiative by National ACE, Asian American Federation, and Google,” said Thomas J. Grech, President and CEO of the Queens Chamber of Commerce. “Hate has no place anywhere in America but especially in the most diverse place on earth that is Queens county.”
“The increase in hate crimes and violence against the AAPI community is among the most horrific outcomes of the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Jessica Walker, President and CEO of the Manhattan Chamber of Commerce. “The AAPISTRONG Nest Cam Kit initiative is an example of how corporate and nonprofit partnerships are combatting this racial bias, discrimination and fear. Kudos to Google, National ACE and the Asian American Federation in New York City for leading the way.”
Small Business Testimonials:
“I am super excited that my customers and team feel safer. One of the top questions that I get is if my kitchens have internal security cameras. Since food entrepreneurs work late nights/early mornings and nearly 95% of my customers are actually women or minority-owned businesses, my new cameras allow each of us to feel more comfortable with working as late as we need to,” said Nancy Preston, Founder & CEO, Milk Money Kitchens. “Another plus: Since we’re growing, I want to couple my Nest cameras with smart locks and start running 24hr operations, for which I have the demand but not the staff. I can schedule my customers’ kitchen times with smart locks and verify their safe entry and exit with the cameras. This really opens a new world of possibilities that can transform my small kitchen business into a tech-enabled kitchen company.”
“The AAPISTRONG Nest Cam Kit Program was an easy, fast, and convenient way to add a layer of safety for our staff. The installation took less than an hour and is a major improvement over our previous security system,” said Mike Tran from Eggloo NY.
About National ACE
National ACE’s mission is to serve as a strong advocate of AAPI business interests and effect positive change on all issues that advance the goals of AAPI business owners, entrepreneurs, and corporate leaders. With 100 affiliate chambers of commerce and minority business organization partners throughout the country, National ACE strives to support and promote issues that impact the AAPI business community by improving economic development and impact, advancing coalitions and enhancing community building, and fostering the next generation of AAPI entrepreneurs and executives. National ACE provides a unified voice for the AAPI business community. Learn more at www.nationalace.org
About AAF
Established in 1989, with the mission to raise the influence and well-being of the pan-Asian American community through research, policy advocacy, public awareness, and nonprofit support, AAF is the largest umbrella leadership organization in New York serving diverse Asian American communities that make up the fastest-growing population in the city, state, and country. Learn more at www.aafederation.org.
About Google
Google LLC is an American multinational technology company that focuses on artificial intelligence, search engine, online advertising, cloud computing, computer software, quantum computing, e-commerce, and consumer electronics. Digital tools and training can help Americans find economic opportunity. Google is helping millions of US small businesses connect with their customers, and we’ve helped millions of job seekers learn digital skills to grow their careers. From helping everyone in the world learn anything in the world to helping people access trusted information and resources in critical moments, Google will always continue searching for ways to help people, businesses, and communities respond to a transforming world. Learn more at about.google.
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