White House AAPI Summit: Connect, Share, Mobilize

On May 12, 2015, thousands of leaders from across the nation gathered at George Washington University for the first-ever White House AAPI Summit. With two thousand reserved seats completely filled, thousands more on the wait list hoped for a chance to attend the celebratory and groundbreaking event. The Summit brought together community, governmental, and cultural leaders from around the country, all attending to celebrate and encourage AAPI involvement in the government and to increase representation of AAPI communities so AAPI voices can be heard.

Hosted by the White House in honor of AAPI Heritage Month, the event opened in solemn moment of silence and a Hawaiian chant for the victims of the recent Nepal Earthquake. The traditional Japanese drum dance and the Indian Prag Mata dance followed, signaling a new pro-Pacific era. The hosts kept the mood of the event light and enjoyable for the attendants.

In conjunction with the 2015 theme, “Connect, Share, Mobilize,” the event drew a sleuth of experts and federal government employees from different states and agencies with the intent to provide guidance to AAPI jobseekers seeking federal employment. More than fifty federal officials attended the event, six of them being Cabinet leaders. The guidance focused on teaching the audience how to navigate through the federal government system, for employment and as well as breaking the glass ceiling to create a lasting impact.

President Obama provided a brief video, thanking the White House Initiative for organizing the summit. He emphasized the importance of immigrant reform, and lauded the efforts of those helping non-English speakers obtain healthcare, helping DREAMers obtain a position in society, and helping eligible immigrants to obtain citizenship. Julián Castro, Secretary of Housing and Urban Development promised to provide translated forms for various housing assistance into 29 different languages in hopes to break the language barrier between non-English fluent speakers and the federal government.

Congresswoman Judy Chu (AAPI Caucus Leader) emphasized the importance of AAPI members’ cooperation in obtaining human rights protection and proper immigration reform. Chu stressed the importance of raising the collective voice to obtain rights and benefits necessary for protecting and growing AAPI representation in US politics. Chu also urged for active political involvement and pointed out the difference between politicians who will work to further AAPI agenda as opposed to those who merely seem to support AAPI concerns. She gave Senator Mark Warner’s past election as an example; Chu stated, “Mr. Warner’s senate race in Virginia was successful because he appealed to Asian Americans. With the ballooning AAPI population in Virginia, an overwhelming 67% voted for Mark Warner. He won with less than a 1% margin.” She continued, “Asian Americans have gone from being the marginalized to becoming the margin,” and urged for a “unified voice” to obtain AAPI representation in business, government, education, and health.

In a brief interview with Mr. Arthur Pavan Bezwada, a member of Maryland Governor’s Commission of South Asian Affairs, he emphasized the importance of connecting AAPI communities to create new and better opportunities in the federal government for the new generation. He noted the importance of immigration for all AAPI members, and stated that it could never diminish in importance.