National ACE Partners with WHIAANHPI and SBA to Host the Sixth Successful AA and NHPI Economic Summit in Metro Atlanta Area
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
January 17, 2024
CONTACT
Emily Fuder
efuder@nationalace.org
National ACE Partners with WHIAANHPI and SBA to Host the Sixth Successful AA and NHPI Economic Summit in Metro Atlanta Area
[January 10th, Duluth, Georgia] – On January 10, 2024, the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) hosted an AA and NHPI Economic Summit, in collaboration with the U.S. Small Business Administration, U.S. Department of the Treasury, U.S. Department of Health and Human Services’ Office of Small and Disadvantaged Business Utilization, the National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce & Entrepreneurship (National ACE), and thecity of Duluth. Over 259 attendees gathered at Gas South Convention Center for the Summit—the first of several planned for 2024.
The AA and NHPI Economic Summits are designed to connect Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) community members directly with federal leaders. It demonstrates the Biden-Harris Administration’s commitment to empowering AA and NHPI communities by ensuring that government resources reach the communities that need them the most.
Several notable speakers kicked off the Summit, including U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai; SBA Deputy Administrator Dilawar Syed; Deputy Assistant to the President and AA and NHPI Senior Liaison Erika Moritsugu, WHIAANHPI Executive Director Krystal Ka‘ai; City of Brookhaven Mayor John Park; and National ACE Board Member Jason Chan.
Ambassador Katherine Tai hosted a fireside chat moderated by Sameera Fazili, Former Deputy Assistant to the President and Deputy Director of the National Economic Council. The Summit also included topic discussions such as access to capital, federal/local/community collaboration, federal contracting opportunities, and economic development and resiliency in AA and NHPI communities. With some of the top leaders and experts in each field represented, the Summit connected federal and local opportunities and resources to AA and NHPI entrepreneurs in Georgia.
“It is our honor to ensure that the government's resources are reaching those who need it the most,” said Chiling Tong, National ACE President and CEO. “AA and NHPI small business owners continue to face many challenges, from access to capital and contracts to equity. We firmly believe in the power of cross-sector and community collaboration to address these barriers and foster safety, prosperity, and opportunity for the AA and NHPI community in Atlanta and across the country."
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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 by supporting and promoting issues that impact the AAPI business community, improving the economic development and economic impact of the AAPI community, advancing coalitions, 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 the Initiative
The White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI), established by President Joe Biden through Executive Order 14031, is charged with coordinating a whole-of-government agenda to advance equity, justice, and opportunity for AA and NHPI communities. Learn more here.
About the U.S. Small Business Administration
Created in 1953, the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) continues to help small business owners and entrepreneurs pursue the American dream. SBA is the only cabinet-level federal agency fully dedicated to small businesses and provides counseling, capital, and contracting expertise as the nation’s only go-to resource and voice for small businesses. Learn more here.
