The White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders on May 12 hosted the first-ever White House Summit on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders at The George Washington University. Nearly 2,000 community leaders, federal officials, and members of the public representing over 40 states and the Pacific Islands attended the summit, held as part of the ongoing Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month.
The summit with the theme “Connect, Share and Mobilize,” highlighted the Obama Administration’s policies and programs over the past six years and outlined efforts for the next two years and decades to come.
“This is a historic turning point for the AAPI community. Federal representatives, community leaders, youth, and others from all over convened today to connect with one another and find ways to continue working together to expand opportunity for AAPIs everywhere,” said Initiative Executive Director Kiran Ahuja.
The summit featured six cabinet secretaries and multiple federal agency leaders highlighting accomplishments benefiting the AAPI community. As part of the event, a fact sheet on these agency accomplishments was released.
Dr. Vivek Murthy, Surgeon General of the United States, was announced as co-chair of the Initiative, serving alongside Secretary of Education Arne Duncan.
In addition, three newly appointed members of the president’s Advisory Commission on AAPIs were introduced – Sanjita Pradhan, Jacob James Fitisemanu, Jr., and Paul Watanabe. They join 16 members of the commission who were appointed last May and represent the diverse AAPI community for the Administration.
Along with conversations with federal officials and AAPI leaders, the summit featured artistic presentations by AAPI artists including an Hawaiian chant, cultural drumming, and an artistic presentation by the Jabbawockeez, a prominent dance troupe.
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