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                              White House and WHIAANHPI Kick Off Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Festivities with History-Making Forum
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**FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE May 4, 2023**

        **Contact: 
                                    HHS Press Office**
          202-690-6343media@hhs.gov

          White House and WHIAANHPI Kick Off Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Festivities with History-Making Forum
    
    

      *Vice President Kamala Harris, federal leaders, artists, and trailblazers celebrate community and progress at national event in Washington, DC; Gathering is one of the largest AA and NHPI Heritage Month events hosted by the White House.* **

*Forum draws more than 1,300 community members, influencers, elected officials, and advocates to address critical priorities; Attendees from over two dozen states and U.S. territories join in-person.*

WASHINGTON, DC – On May 3, 2023, the White House and the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) hosted **The White House Forum on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AA and NHPIs)**at The George Washington University in Washington DC, kicking off AA and NHPI Heritage Month under the theme ‘Visible Together.’

The all-day event drew more than 1,300 AA and NHPI community members from over two dozen states and U.S. territories, making it one of the largest in-person events ever hosted by the Biden-Harris Administration in celebration of AA and NHPI Heritage Month. The forum livestream also generated 253,000+ views across White House-branded YouTube and social media accounts.

Through more than a dozen breakout convenings, panels, and artistic performances that included Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander creatives—attendees celebrated the diversity, inclusivity and visibility of the community.

Biden-Harris Administration leaders, including Vice President Kamala Harris, the first South Asian American to serve in the second highest office in the nation, paid tribute to the rich history and cultures of AA and NHPIs and shared the accomplishments made by the Biden-Harris Administration over the past two years—including the release of the first-ever National Strategy to Advance Equity, Justice, and Opportunity for AA and NHPI Communities and progress on addressing hate and promoting greater inclusion.

**DOWNLOAD PHOTOS HERE******

**VIEW THE PROGRAM AND SPEAKER BIOS HERE**

**VIEW THE LIVESTREAM HERE**

“You may find when you walk into a room that you are the only one who looks like you or has your lived experiences,” **said Vice President Kamala Harris**. “My message is: Walk in with your chin up, shoulders back—knowing that you are representing the voices of so many people who are proud that you’re in that room. We are all in that room with you. You are not walking in that room alone.”

“We are excited to host this historic Forum to honor our communities’ diverse cultures and contributions to our nation as we kick off Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month,” **said** **Krystal Ka‘ai, Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders.** “The President has made clear that it is a priority of his Administration to advance equity for underserved communities, including Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. Today, speakers across the Administration reaffirmed that we are committed to empowering our communities.”

“Thanks to President Biden, our community has become more visible than ever before. We have an unprecedented AA and NHPI representation in the Administration. Both the President and Vice President have demonstrated with their words, and their actions, and their presence, how much they sincerely care for our community. And have hope for our future,” **said Erika L. Moritsugu, Deputy Assistant to the President and AA and NHPI Senior Liaison at the White House.**“That’s what today’s Forum is all about—becoming even more ‘Visible Together.’”

“I’m moved and inspired by the beauty of the AA and NHPI’s diverse community and proud of the historic and unprecedented ways this Administration has seen and uplifted the community,” **said Stephen K. Benjamin, Senior Advisor and Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement.** “This Administration has made once-in-a-generation investments to improve the lives of AA and NHPIs, and with the help of our partners we will finish the job we started. That’s why this week’s Forum and gathering of community, learning, and coalition building is so timely and critical.”

**The historic program included:**

**Emcees:**

Jeannie Mai Jenkins, Emmy Award Winning TV Host, Producer, and Advocate
	Philip Kim, Senior Advisor, White House Office of Public Engagement**A conversation with Vice President Kamala Harris, moderated by:**

Poorna Jagannathan, Actress
	Jerry Won, Founder and CEO of Just Like Media and Always Be Creating**Musical and artistic performances by a diverse array of creatives from across the country and diaspora.**

Rupi Kaur, Poet, Artist, and Performer
	MILCK, Singer-Songwriter, Producer, and Advocate
	Wolftyla, Singer/Songwriter
	Melonie Leihua Stewart, CEO, E Ala E Hawaiian Cultural Center
	Sonny Singh, Musician, Social Justice Educator
	Keilana, Singer/Songwriter
	Aaron J. Salā, Founder and CEO, Gravitas Pasifika
	John Taukäve, Performing Artist, Rako Pasefika
	Ikelau Misech,  Student, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa**Four main stage panels, featuring community trailblazers and Biden-Harris Administration leaders focused on advancing equity, public service, creative excellence, and the power of the AA and NHPI voice.**

***Advancing Equity for AA and NHPI Communities Across Government***

Shelly C. Lowe (Navajo), Chair, National Endowment for the Humanities
	Rohit Chopra, Director, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
	Kiran Ahuja, Director, U.S. Office of Personnel Management
	Erika L. Moritsugu, Deputy Assistant to the President and Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Senior Liaison, The White House***AA and NHPI Leadership in Public Service and the Biden-Harris Administration***

Gautam Raghavan, Assistant to the President and Director, White House Presidential Personnel Office
	Nani A. Coloretti, Deputy Director, White House Office of Management and Budget
	Vanita Gupta, Associate Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice
	Jenny R. Yang, Deputy Assistant to the President for Racial Justice and Equity, Domestic Policy Council, The White House
	Daniel Arrigg Koh, Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Cabinet Secretary, The White House***Advancing AA and NHPI Creative Excellence***

Geena Rocero, Author, Director, Producer, and Trans Advocate
	Rupi Kaur, Poet, Artist, and Performer
	Daniel Dae Kim, Actor, Director, Producer, and Activist
	Aaron J. Salā, Founder and CEO, Gravitas Pasifika
	Bing Chen, CEO and Co-Founder, Gold House***The Power of the AA and NHPI Voice***

Eric Nam, Artist and Co-Founder, Creative Director at DIVE Studios/Mindset
	Versha Sharma, Editor in Chief, Teen Vogue
	Estella Owoimaha-Church, Executive Director, Empowering Pacific Islander Communities
	John C. Yang, President and Executive Director, Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC
	Lisa Ling, Host and Executive Producer, CNN’s This Is Life**Eight breakout convenings, with national advocates, elected officials, and AA and NHPI leaders focused on community-building that will examine the advocacy, policy, and public service efforts to support our communities.**

***Advancing Justice Through Data Equity***

Featuring remarks and discussions with:

Kei Koizumi, Principal Deputy Director for Policy, The White House Office of Science and Technology Policy
	Dr. Margo Schwab, Co-Chair, Equitable Data Working Group, Office of Management and Budget, and Senior Science Policy Analyst, Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs
	Karthick Ramakrishnan, Co-Founder and Co-Director, AAPI Data
	Rachel Marks, Branch Chief, Racial Statistics Branch, Population Division, U.S. Census Bureau
	Jordan Matsudaira, Deputy Under Secretary and Chief Economist, U.S. Department of Education
	Jim Walker, Supervisory Economist, Bureau of Labor Statistics, U.S. Department of Labor
	Meina Banh, Deputy Director, Office of Financial Education, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
	Gregg Orton, National Director, National Council of Asian Pacific Americans
	Kham Moua, National Deputy Director, Southeast Asia Resource Action Center
	Neil Ruiz, Head of Pew Research Initiatives, Pew Research Center
	Fontane Lo, Deputy Director, AAPI Data
	Ninez Ponce, Professor and Fred W. & Pamela K. Wasserman Endowed Chair, UCLA***Advancing Equity Through Storytelling and Narrative Change***

Featuring remarks and discussions with:

Shelly C. Lowe (Navajo), Chair, National Endowment for the Humanities
	Don Young, Director of Programs, Center on Asian American Media
	Kiki Rivera, Storyteller, Empowering Pacific Islander Communities
	May Lee-Yang, Writer, Performer, Educator, and Co-Founder of Funny Asian Women Kollective
	Rinku Sen, Executive Director, Narrative Initiative
	Naomi Tacuyan Underwood, Executive Director, Asian American Journalists Association***Supporting the Mental Health Needs of AA and NHPI Communities***

Featuring remarks and discussions with:

Sejal Hathi, Senior Policy Advisor for Public Health, Domestic Policy Council, The White House
	Trina Dutta, Senior Advisor to the Office of the Assistant Secretary, Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration
	Kevin Kreider, Actor, CEO and Founder of ALLS Productions, and Sans Alcohol Free by Taejin Beverage
	Richard Lui, Anchor and Journalist, MSNBC/NBC News
	DJ Ida, Executive Director, National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association
	David Ko, CEO and Board Member, Calm
	Mina Fedor, Founder and Executive Director, AAPI Youth Rising
	Sahaj Kohli, Founder, Brown Girl Therapy***Expanding Philanthropic Investments in AA and NHPI Communities***

Featuring remarks and discussions with:

Doua Thor, Vice President, Strategy and Influence, Sobrato Philanthropies
	Stephanie Hsu, Executive Director, The Jeremy Lin Foundation
	Gia Vang, Co-Founder, The Very Asian Foundation
	Georgette Bhathena, Chief Programs Officer, The Asian American Foundation***Expanding and Empowering AA and NHPI Entrepreneurship***

Featuring remarks and discussions with:

Jennifer Kim, Associate Administrator, U.S. Small Business Administration
	Christy Innouvong-Thornton, Founder, Tuk Tuk Box
	Helen Nguyen, Owner and Chef, Saigon Social
	Shanty Sigrah Asher, Pacific Islander Liaison Officer, Office of Economic Revitalization, City and County of Honolulu
	Luisa Blue, Commissioner, President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders
	Chiling Tong, President and CEO, National Asian & Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce & Entrepreneurship
	Andrew Chau, Co-Founder and CEO, Boba Guys
	David Zhao, Founding Partner, Chubby Cattle International
	Raji Sankar, Co-CEO, Choolaah Indian BBQ
	Lydia Zhang, Owner and Business Partner, Peter Chang Restaurant Group***The Impact of Local and State-Level Policymaking***

Featuring remarks and discussions with:

Mayor Aftab Pureval, City of Cincinnati, Ohio
	Neera Tanden, Senior Advisor to the President and White House Staff Secretary
	Assemblymember Evan Low (CA-26)
	Representative Sam Park (GA-107)
	Delegate Kathy Tran (VA-42)
	PaaWee Rivera, Senior Advisor, White House Office of Intergovernmental Affairs***Promoting Careers in the Federal Government***

***Making Connections: A Community Space for Relationship-Building & Networking***

###

*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.*
  

    ###
    Note: All HHS press releases, fact sheets and other news materials are available at https://www.hhs.gov/news.Like HHS on Facebook, follow HHS on Twitter @HHSgov, and sign up for HHS Email Updates.Last revised: May 4, 2023

  
  
  







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  Content created by Assistant Secretary for Public Affairs (ASPA) Content last reviewed May 4, 2023 Back to top
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