White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (WHIAAPI) hosted the AAPI Young Leaders Summit 2020 & the President’s Advisory Commission led an AAPI Young Leaders Roundtable Discussion

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On July 20th, the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders hosted their first virtual AAPI Young Leaders Summit. The Summit took place over four days, July 20th – July 23rd, and brought together influential speakers from the AAPI community to address mentorship, community outreach, public service, and entrepreneurship. The Honorable Elaine L. Chao, U.S. Secretary of Transportation, provided special remarks to commence the four-day Summit in which she encouraged young AAPIs to “learn, observe, and listen.”

“We Asian Americans have a wonderful cultural heritage and values. Most of us have wonderful families behind us, supporting us. We have so much to share with mainstream America. Our country is increasingly diverse, so people with diverse backgrounds increasingly have an advantage,” Secretary Chao said as she encouraged college students and interns to “keep learning and remember to always help others along the way.”

“Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are vital not only to American culture, but to our economic prosperity and growth as a Nation” said Secretary of Commerce Wilbur Ross, Co-Chair of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. “It is essential that young leaders within the AAPI community work to integrate their cultural perspectives and values into their current work and future careers. America is a nation that celebrates diversity of thought and experience, therefore we must continue to encourage young AAPI leaders to succeed.”