The Asian American Federation of Florida (AAFF) is a 501(c)(3) coalition that aims to unity and collaboration among the various Asian Pacific American organizations and to improve the relationship of a culturally diverse Asian Pacific American community in Florida. The AAFF is a statewide organization made up of more than 70 Bangladesh, Burmese, Cambodian, Chinese, Filipino, Indian, Iranian, Korean, Laotian, Taiwanese, Thai, Turkish and Vietnamese faith-based and community-based organizations, businesses and media.
EMPOWERING ASIAN AMERICANS IN
FLORIDA
MIAMI, FLORIDA – July 15, 2011
On June 16-17, 2011, more than 50 Asian American community
leaders gathered in Fort Lauderdale during the Annual Summit of the
Asian American Federation of Florida (AAFF), to discuss economic
development, issues and opportunities that impact their communities,
organizations, and businesses. This was done in conjunction with the
Florida Economic Development Summit hosted by Let’s Do Business Florida
and Florida Minority Community Reinvestment Coalition (FMCRC).
Key members of the White House and Federal agencies including
Minority Development Business Agency (MBDA), HUD, and Department of
Labor identified the need for public services and resources in the
context job creation in low-and-moderate income communities, and
successful approaches for addressing these needs. The panelists explored
federal efforts to support job creation development in low-and-moderate
income communities, including the challenges of access to community
economic development capital for nonprofits that serve minority and
underserved communities.
Jeanette Lee, Staff Attorney for the Asian
American Justice Center’s Affirmative Action Program, talked about the
necessity and effectiveness of minority contracting programs in public
and private sectors locally and nationally, and encouraged Florida Asian
American business owners and organizations to share and write their
experiences in government and corporate contracting. Jessica Chia,
NAPABA Law Foundation Partners and In-House Counsel Community Law Fellow
at the Asian American Justice Center, discussed the DREAM Act and
the need for community advocacy. Dr. Antonio
Wong, Medical Director of Doctors Plus, gave an update on
affordable health care and its impact on the Asian community.
Ahn Nguyen, Partnership and Data Specialist from the U.S. Census
Bureau, Atlanta Region, summarized the latest statistical data for Asian
Americans in Florida at the Summit and gave a hands-on workshop at the
NANAY Community Center on how to access online data from the Census.
Mikki Canton, Founder and CEO of
Asia-Americana International LLC and Senior Public Policy
Advisor to the Mayor of the City of Miami for Public/Private
Partnerships and International Alliances, presented plans to set up an
Asia Americana International District in Miami. ASIA Affinity Group gave
free visual screening to the Summit attendees and a powerpoint
presentation on Health Vision.
The highlight of the AAFF Summit was a panel presentation by
Florida student leaders who participated in the AAFF Youth Essay Contest
on “How To Empower Youth To Become Future Leaders of Our
Community”. Lawrence Wong and Catherine Wong from the University of
Miami garnered the First and Second Prizes, while Alyssa Wang from the
University of Florida won the Third Prize. The other youth panelists
were Neha Swaroop, Northeast High School Graduate who is going to
University of Florida beginning in Fall 2011; and Anna Sun, a second
year student from University of Florida. The panel was
moderated by Anthony Reynolds, Vice President of the University of
Florida Student Body and Chief Executive Officer of the Student
Government Cabinet.
“AAFF would like to encourage youth participation and identify
future community leaders that can be mentored and who can potentially
bring Asian Americans in Florida to a higher level of achievement,” said
AAFF President Dr. Joy Bruce.
As a result of this initiative, the AAFF Board members
unanimously agreed to create a new AAFF Youth
Council, that will initially be headed by Anthony Reynolds and Lawrence
Wong.
The next AAFF meeting will be held on October 15-16, 2011 at
Double Tree Hotel in Orlando, Florida, and will include a 4-hour
workshop on the business requirements for Government Contracting to be
facilitated by Atlanta-based President of Government Contractors
Association, Abe Xiong, who will share vital
information on how to register, prepare and successfully
negotiate for government contracts.
The Asian American Federation of Florida (AAFF) is
also planning to include Voters Education and Advocacy in its next
meeting agenda, with specific focus on the Alien Land Law (Florida is
the only State that still has this provision discriminating and
prohibiting Asians from owning properties). The current Florida Census
data will be utilized to design initiatives for advocacy and
empowerment, which includes voters’ registration and youth mobilization.
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