Dear Friend,
As we reach the mid-way point of 2023, we would like to share with you some of the highlights and successes of USPAACC so far. We are proud of our accomplishments and grateful for your continued support, partnership, and friendship.
USPAACC has been hard at work delivering a range of impactful business development programs and opportunities for our members. We have also advanced our mission of promoting and empowering Pan-Asian American/AANHPI businesses and communities across the nation.
Some of our successes in the first half of 2023 include:
These are just some of the impactful programs and events that USPAACC has delivered in the first half of 2023. We could not have done it without your collaboration and generosity. Thank you for being part of our USPAACC family!
We look forward to working with you in the second half of 2023 and beyond. Together, we will overcome all challenges and create more opportunity and prosperity for Pan-Asian American/AANHPI businesses and communities.
Sincerely,
US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce
Education Foundation (USPAACC)
Susan
Susan Au Allen
CEO
CelebrASIAN Business + Procurement Conference 2023: BREAKTHROUGH
USPAACC hosted its CelebrASIAN 2023 Procurement + Business Conference: BREAKTHROUGH June 6-8 at the Westgate Las Vegas Resort and Casino. CelebrASIAN was a tremendous success featuring a variety of programs and sessions to connect, educate, and inspire diverse business owners, corporate executives, government officials, and nonprofit leaders. CelebrASIAN saw great attendance and participation across various sectors and industries.
Some of the programs at CelebrASIAN were:
- Chief Procurement Officers (CPO) Forum where attendees learned from procurement leaders from Fortune 1000 corporations, government agencies, and large nonprofits on how to survive and thrive in uncertain economic times. The CPO Forum featured guest speakers from AT&T, Edwards Lifesciences, MGM Resorts International, NASA, Sephora, US Bank, Wells Fargo, and Nationwide. Our CPO Forum was a valuable program that provided insights and guidance to diverse businesses on how to work with corporations and leverage their competitive advantages;
- Community Navigator Pilot Program (CNPP) Session Powered by SBA which kicked off CelebrASIAN with the SBA’s Elmy Bermejo, Regional Administrator, and Saul Ramos, District Director of Nevada, providing updates about the CNPP which helps underserved and unserved business communities, as well as hearing from USPAACC’s Regional Spokes;
- One-on-One Business Matchmaking Meetings that provided opportunities for Pan Asian American and other minority businesses to meet with buyers from corporations, government agencies, and large nonprofits to discuss potential contracts and partnerships;
- Doing Business with Corporations session that showcased how diverse businesses can work with Fortune 1000 corporations in different fields and access new opportunities to grow their operations and reach more customers;
- Doing Business with the Federal Government program that highlighted how diverse businesses can navigate the federal procurement process and access multi-billion-dollar contracting opportunities with agencies such as the Department of Defense, Department of Transportation, Department of Homeland Security, NASA, and more;
- Fast 100 Asian American Businesses Awards Program recognizing the nation’s fastest-growing Asian American-owned businesses. We honored the top 100 Asian American businesses that have achieved remarkable revenue growth rates in the past two years;
- Women Initiative for Strategic Empowerment (WISE) Forum, a platform for Pan Asian American and Minority women in business to meet, develop skills, make connections, and grow together; and
- i-Builders (Industry Builders) showcasing successful entrepreneurs and business leaders who have upended an existing market with a disruptive innovation sharing insights on how to turn disruptive ideas into game-changing innovations. i-Builders also featured a special fireside chat between USPAACC CEO Susan Au Allen and SBA Administrator Isabella Guzman, as well as a Q&A.
As in years past, CelebrASIAN featured a stellar lineup of speakers from corporations, national nonprofits, and the federal government. We were especially honored to feature SBA Administrator Guzman, and Donald R. Cravins Jr. Under Secretary of Commerce for Minority Business Development.
Supplier Diversity Champions Program
In January of this year, USPAACC launched the Supplier Diversity Champions program to recognize the unsung heroes of supplier diversity and provide tools and resources to nurture the growth and development of diverse suppliers and buyers. The program received numerous applications from US-based corporations, government entities, and large nonprofits that were applauded for beginning to assess supplier diversity performance year-over-year.
The 2023 Supplier Diversity Champions recognized at CelebrASIAN included AgileOne, AT&T, Blue Shield of California, Centene Corporation, Citizens Bank, Delta Air Lines, Denny’s, Drexel University, Kyndryl, Liberty Mutual, Logitech, Mass Mutual, Merck, Nationwide, PG&E, Pacific Gas and Electric, Raytheon Technologies, SCE, Southern California Edison, TIAA, Trane Technologies, Truist Bank, Walmart. These corporations were selected based on the transparency, innovation, inclusion, impact, and integration of their supplier diversity programs.
Supplier Diversity Champions will return next year, with applications slated to open in January 2024. Stay tuned for more news about this innovative program in the months ahead and visit https://sdchampions.org/ to learn more.
Asian American/Minority-Owned Business Certification
2023 also saw USPAACC continue advancing its Asian American/Minority-Owned Business Certification to increase business opportunities with Fortune corporations and government agencies, deliver access to the multi-billion-dollar Federal procurement pipeline, and open doors to economic opportunities.
Since 1998, USPAACC’s Asian American/Minority-Owned Business Certification has provided corporate, government, and large non-profit supplier diversity programs with qualified, quality, certified suppliers, making a huge impact for over 2,000 certified businesses. USPAACC will continue working to ensure more members and minority-owned businesses are certified. To learn more, visit https://uspaacc.com/certification/asian-minority-businesses.
College Scholarship Program
USPAACC’s College Scholarship program had another fantastic group of scholars! USPAACC awarded 14 valuable college scholarships totaling $54,000 to high school seniors across the country who have demonstrated academic excellence, community involvement, and financial need. The scholarships will help the students pursue their college dreams and prepare them for future leadership roles.
Since the initiative’s launch 34 years ago, over $2 million in scholarships have been awarded through USPAACC’s College Scholarship Program. The college scholarship awards range from $3,000 to $10,000 and are bestowed yearly to high school seniors nationwide for their post-secondary education to help offset ever-rising college expenses. USPAACC has provided over 330 students with a scholarship through the program.
USPAACC’s program has continued growing in popularity, with winners receiving a scholarship and a trip to CelebrASIAN to meet their scholarship sponsors. Major corporations have established their Hallmark Scholarships with USPAACC, and many Pan Asian American businesses have stepped forward to support the Scholarship Program and endow their scholarships.
USPAACC’s 2023 College Scholarship recipients are:
Muhammad Ameen Sugapong
Cao Ngyue
Emujin Batzorig
Janessa Reyes
Iliana Rose Acevedo
Angel Faye J. Baleskie
Ziao Huang
Sabrina Guo
Patricia Julaton
Kimberley Vo
Linh Le Bao Truong
Anna Pham
Sheri Lin
Sydney Junelle Wenyou Humbert
Congratulations to all our 2023 College Scholarship recipients!
Business Leadership Series
USPAACC’s Business Leadership Series (BLS) is a unique educational opportunity for business owners to engage in meaningful discussions about growing leadership skills and learning practical management tools. Powered by Wells Fargo, BLS covers a wide range of topics that are vital for the success and sustainability of small and minority businesses in the United States. BLS offers targeted support and development resources designed to create and maintain a strong operating capacity for businesses.
Some of the topics that BLS has covered in the first half of 2023 include:
- Cyber security and IT solutions
- Economic Impact of AAPI Business Owners
- How ChatGPT and AI Affect Identity Security & Compliance
- Talent trends and strategies
- HR compliance trends.
This program features guest speakers, recognized experts, and educators who share their insights, experiences, and best practices with the participants. BLS is a valuable platform for networking, learning, and growing with other business leaders and professionals and is open to all USPAACC members and non-members interested in enhancing their business knowledge and skills. Past programs are available on demand at https://uspaacc.com/bls.
USPAACC CEO Susan Au Allen: A Dynamic and Influential Speaker for Asian American Businesses
USPAACC CEO Susan Au Allen has been a leader and a pioneer in advocating for the interests and opportunities of Asian American entrepreneurs and professionals across various sectors and industries. Mrs. Allen also is one of the most dynamic, influential, and in-demand speakers in the Pan Asian American business community, sharing her insights, expertise, and vision for the future of Asian American businesses.
Mrs. Allen is known for her energy, connections, experience, and passion for helping USPAACC members and advancing its agenda. She has been instrumental in creating and facilitating programs, partnerships, and platforms that showcase and celebrate the achievements and contributions of Asian American businesses to the national economy and society. She has also been a strong voice for diversity, inclusion, and innovation in the tech sector, where she serves as a Vice Chair of the CEDC. Mrs. Allen is an inspiration and a role model for many aspiring and established Asian American entrepreneurs and professionals who look up to her as a mentor, a friend, and a champion.
USPAACC Advocacy in Action
In January of 2023, USPAACC sent a letter to President Biden and Congressional leadership, advocating for key national, bipartisan priorities. The letter outlined six areas of focus that are vital for the growth and success of Pan Asian American/AANHPI and minority businesses and communities in the United States.
- Increasing Supplier Diversity: USPAACC urged the federal government to continue increasing its contracting opportunities for minority-owned businesses and promote supplier diversity nationwide;
- Promoting Minority Business Certification: USPAACC highlighted the importance of minority business certification as a tool to access capital, contracts, and markets;
- Providing Assistance for Minority Businesses and Communities: USPAACC expressed its support for the various relief programs and initiatives that have been implemented to help minority businesses and communities recover from the COVID-19 pandemic;
- Closing the Digital Divide, Addressing the Digital Skills Gap: USPAACC emphasized the need to bridge the digital divide and address the digital skills gap that affects many minority businesses and communities. USPAACC proposed that the federal government invest more in broadband infrastructure, digital literacy, and workforce development, as well as promote innovation and entrepreneurship in the digital economy;
- Reauthorizing the U.S. Small Business Administration: USPAACC applauded the efforts of the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) in helping and resources to small businesses across the country. USPAACC urged Congress to reauthorize the SBA and increase its budget and authority, as well as enhance its programs and services for minority businesses; and
- Standing up to Anti-Asian Hatred: USPAACC condemned the rise of anti-Asian hate crimes and incidents that have occurred in the past year. USPAACC demanded that the federal government take swift and decisive action to combat this alarming trend, such as passing legislation, increasing law enforcement, and raising awareness.
Through this letter, USPAACC once again demonstrated national leadership and bipartisan advocacy for Pan Asian American and minority businesses and communities. USPAACC also reaffirmed its strong commitment to working with the federal government and other stakeholders to advance these priorities and create a more inclusive and prosperous society for all. You can read a copy of the letter here: XXXXXXX
Thank You To Our Tremendous Team!
As we conclude the first half of 2023, we would like to express our sincere gratitude and appreciation to our dedicated team of professionals who always go above and beyond in delivering for our members. You are the backbone of USPAACC, and your hard work, creativity, and passion are the driving force behind our success. You have made a difference in the lives of countless Asian American and minority business owners, entrepreneurs, and professionals, and you have helped us achieve our mission of being the gateway to corporate and government contracts, information, and opportunities. Thank you for your commitment, loyalty, and excellence. To our members, we look forward to serving you and working with you in the second half of the year and beyond. Together, we are stronger. Together, we are USPAACC!
