White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders

25 years. Five presidential administrations. One shared journey. To all the community leaders, commissioners, and public servants who have worked across generations to shape and sustain the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders' mission since 1999 – thank you. ?? Current and former White House Initiative staff and members of the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders gather at the Andrew W. Mellon Auditorium in Washington, DC on May 13, 2024. Photo courtesy of James Ton.

?? A note of gratitude from the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders' Executive Director Helen Hyunjung Beaudreau. Read more: https://lnkd.in/g94_EHgN

In May 2021, President Joe Biden signed Executive Order 14031 to re-establish the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders and put forward our most ambitious mandate to advance equity, justice, and opportunity for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. Last week, we gathered for our final event under the Biden-Harris Administration to celebrate the progress we’ve made together and thank the incredible partners who make our work possible. View highlights from “A Community of Partnerships”: https://lnkd.in/gRRmtMsN Watch the full event: https://lnkd.in/gaj_DRvn See all photos: https://lnkd.in/gnie77CK ?? Photographs courtesy of Annette Lee

ICYMI — The White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders has issued "Rising Together," its final report to President Joe Biden that offers a comprehensive review of the Biden-Harris Administration’s historic investments in Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. Read more: https://lnkd.in/gXtWv-HN

Community is at the heart of all that we do, and we are forever thankful for the partnership and progress we've made together. ?? Graphic recording produced by Brian Tarallo / Lizard Brain at "A Community of Partnerships,"?the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders' final event under the Biden-Harris Administration.

WATCH: On January 10, 2025, the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders hosted "A Community of Partnerships," its final event under the Biden-Harris Administration to recognize the leaders, advocates, and allies across the White House, federal agencies, and community organizations who have helped the Initiative realize its historic mandate. The convening served as a call to action for future administrations and included cultural performances and remarks from WHIAANHPI’s Co-Chairs U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra and U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai; current and former Executive Directors of WHIAANHPI; members of the President’s Advisory Commission on AA and NHPIs; and community leaders from across the nation. ?? Credits: Paul Kwak Films

Last week, we were proud to celebrate the winners of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders' Innovator Challenge in the heart of our nation's capital. Community-based organizations play an essential role in ensuring that Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders have access to critical resources and services. Thank you to everyone who stepped up and shared your ideas to help combat hate and foster healthy communities.

In September 2024, the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders launched a national prize competition to help raise greater awareness of hate crimes and address the health consequences, including mental health, of communities burdened by bullying, hate, and bias. Over 100 innovative ideas were submitted to combat hate and foster healthy communities. We're proud to announce that the following organizations were awarded approximately $100,000 each for their winning ideas: ?? The Hawai‘i Arts Alliance (Honolulu, Hawai‘i): To carry out the project, "In Language There is Life: Cultivating Storytelling, Healing, and Poetry with Hawaii’s Youth," including poetry workshops, curriculum development for educators, and more to address hate speech affecting AA and NHPI students. ?? The National Asian American Pacific Islander Mental Health Association (Denver, Colorado): To convene a national community of practice to train, share best practices, and develop new resources to address trauma, bullying, hate incidents, and bias. ?? The Vietnamese American Community Center of the East Bay (San Leandro, California): To host public forums on anti-Asian hate crimes and campaigns to foster resilience and reduce isolation, among other activities.

The “model minority myth” often portrays Asian Americans as high-achieving students, but this stereotype masks the real struggles faced by many AA and NHPI communities. Join us as we explore educational inequities; the transformative role of Asian American and Native American Pacific Islander-Serving Institutions (AANAPISIs) in supporting underserved AA and NHPI students; and the Biden-Harris Administration's historic efforts to expand access to higher education. Watch: https://lnkd.in/gYJmqSC3

While Asian Americans faced a rise in violence during the COVID-19 pandemic, anti-Asian hate is nothing new. Join the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders as we explore the history of hatred, the challenges in the fight against hate crimes, and actions taken by the Biden-Harris Administration to promote safety and justice. Watch: https://lnkd.in/gZC6MTgF