NATIONAL ACE NAMED MEMBER OF THE SBA'S COUNCIL ON UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES BY ADMINISTRATOR GUZMAN

NATIONAL ACE NAMED MEMBER OF THE SBA'S COUNCIL ON UNDERSERVED COMMUNITIES BY ADMINISTRATOR GUZMAN

National ACE,  Alongside CUC Chair John Rogers and Distinguished Leaders, Will Develop Recommendations to Address Nation’s Pressing Challenges Affecting AAPIs and Underserved Small Business Owners

[Washington, D.C. DECEMBER 7, 2021] – Today, U.S. Small Business Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman named the National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (National ACE) to serve on the reconvened Council on Underserved Communities (CUC) authorized under the Federal Advisory Committee Act (FACA). Under newly-appointed Chair, John W. Rogers, Jr, Founder and Co-CEO of Ariel Investments, National ACE and the CUC will work to further the equity priorities of the Biden-Harris Administration by making programmatic and policy recommendations to Administrator Guzman and the SBA to increase access and opportunity across SBA’s programs and initiatives to help level the playing field for all of America’s entrepreneurs. With National ACE’s focus on serving Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs), National ACE is uniquely positioned to help the SBA in achieving its equity goals and deepening its relationships with entrepreneurs within the AAPI community.

“We are working hard to provide a foothold for our AAPI businesses to overcome the increase in bias, harassment, and economic challenges that our community is facing. National ACE is committed to elevating and celebrating our AAPI entrepreneurs so they will have equity in the marketplace to thrive,” said National ACE CEO/President Chiling Tong.

“I look forward to relaunching the CUC and working with Chairman John Rogers, National ACE, and our other newly-appointed members to support President Biden’s commitment to equity as we build our economy back better,” said Administrator Guzman. “An economic recovery for all of us means that we must do everything we can to help all of our small business and innovative startups emerge from the pandemic stronger and more resilient.  And SBA is committed to ensuring our underserved entrepreneurs can access capital, markets and networks to grow their businesses.”

Drawing from the nation’s most diverse and accomplished small business owners, community leaders, and advocates, Administrator Guzman’s CUC membership represents the voices and interests of America’s diverse small business owners, including those in disadvantaged groups such as women and communities of color. Together, the CUC’s members will work to promote public investment and policy formation to address the barriers facing underserved small businesses. 

National ACE works to break down barriers that hold back AAPI business owners. Since the start of the pandemic, hate incidents against the AAPI community have increased 150%. National ACE was proud to advocate for the passing of the COVID-19 Hate Crimes Act to protect marginalized communities of color. The law aims to increase awareness about hate crimes during the pandemic and to educate state and local governments on how to address hate. In response to the increased levels of AAPI hate, National ACE launched its AAPISTRONG initiative to combat the racial bias, discrimination, and fear that has plagued the AAPI business community. AAPISTRONG has four core components: business roundtables, cultural sensitivity training, grants for AAPI-owned businesses, and a small business data share program. In 2021, National ACE served 16,000 small businesses with AAPISTRONG programming, and distributed more than $2 million in grants to AAPI-owned businesses. As a member of CUC, National ACE will continue to create equitable opportunities and build capacity for AAPIs and underserved businesses throughout the nation. 

Read more about the National ACE’s fellow CUC members in the SBA’s full release here. The SBA will announce CUC additional members in the coming weeks as well as the official meeting dates.

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About the Council on Underserved Communities 

Initially established in 2010, the Council on Underserved Communities provides advice, ideas, and opinions on SBA programs, services, and issues of interest to small businesses in underserved communities. The 20-member federal advisory committee serves as an essential connection between the SBA and underserved small businesses to work towards creating new and insightful initiatives to spur economic growth, job creation, competitiveness, and sustainability across all communities. 

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 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.