As USPAACC completed a 3-day flagship CelebrASIAN Business + Procurement Conference, Agility and Adaptability were the key takeaways for the small, minority, and diverse business community.
Now on its 36th year, USPAACC assembled 66 speakers from Fortune 1000 Corporations, Federal Agencies, Chamber Leadership Alliance Presidents, CEOs, and Founders, and Pan Asian American suppliers and entrepreneurs over 25 sessions for the CelebrASIAN Conference. More than 800 participants tuned in on the virtual platform, held June 8 – 10.
The third day of the conference built upon the substantive business development forums and discussions of the previous two days, also focused on opportunities in the supply chain, latest best practices, strategies, and the big picture on procurement.
Congresswoman Young Kim (R-CA) started off the day with encouraging remarks on how minority communities supported each other during the pandemic. Subash Iyer, Chief Counsel, Federal Transit Administration of U.S. Department of Transportation, shared his insights on how jobs are the centerpiece in the re-opening of the economy especially through increased infrastructure funding. Edith McCloud, MBDA, U.S. Dept of Commerce applauded USPAACC’s work and effort and shared her agency’s mission in expanded help for the minority business community.
At the second round of the popular CPO Forum Rachel Kutz, VP, Global Connections Supply Chain Strategic Initiatives, AT&T said, “Organizations are being intentional in their approach and MBEs should show up well.” She encouraged minority businesses to know their financial capabilities, learn how to respond to RFPs, and ask for help when necessary. “We are here to mentor,” Kutz added. Talking about the evolution of the supply chain and current trends in procurement, Shahid Javed, CPO, TIAA, said, “Don’t be a generalist, be a specialist. MBEs should be demanding.” Wassel Lewis, CPO, Aflac, emphasized risk management as a prerequisite.
Jalayana Bolden, Director, AT&T, shared key tips for prospective suppliers to major corporations: “Get certified and register with organizations like USPAACC and build a portfolio. Sell us the solutions, not just your products. Share ideas on how to save money and increase efficiency. Help us help you get into our supply chain.”
Clayton Judge III, Global D&I Lead, Nike, shared the corporation’s plans to increase participation from diverse communities: “We are starting a mentorship and internship diversity program called the Nike Academy. We focus on connection, innovation, competition, and impact for our Diversity and Inclusion initiatives.”
Gigi Dixon, Executive VP & Head of External Engagements, Wells Fargo and USPAACC National President & CEO Susan Au Allen closed the virtual conference in a candid conversation about how far the two organizations’ collaborative work has come. “It is not a conclusion but an intermission, and we will continue our series of innovative D&I programs. We will keep expanding our efforts for small and minority businesses with the help of corporations and the Biden government,” Allen said. “We thank our sponsors, speakers, and participants for helping to make CelebrASIAN conference a big success.”
To learn more about CelebrASIAN Business + Procurement Conference, follow the link here. For more information about USPAACC, click here.
Washington, DC -(December 2, 2024) – The US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation (USPAACC) is partnering with Denny’s, Inc., as part of the 2024/25 Hungry for EducationTM (HFE) scholarship program, a major initiative to help bring communities together and promote education. Now open for applications, the Denny’s HFE program will award more than $130,000 in scholarships to deserving high school and college students throughout the United States and Puerto Rico, and we’re proud to be a partner this year.
Susan Au Allen, the National President and CEO of US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation (USPAACC), has been named by DiversityPlus Magazine as one of the Top Change Leaders of 2024.According to a statement released by the publication, the annual Top 25 Diversity Change Leaders roster recognizes “exceptional leaders who have made significant contributions to advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) within their organizations and communities.”
WASHINGTON (May 30, 2024)—Today the US Pan Asian American Chamber of Commerce Education Foundation (USPAACC) awarded 15 corporations with its second annual Supplier Diversity Champions Award.
