White House Meeting with Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Leaders
On May 20, 2021, White House officials including Susan Rice, Cedric Richmond, Erika Moritsugu and Howard Ou hosted Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA and NH/PI) leaders to discuss the Biden-Harris Administration’s historic commitment to combat anti-Asian racism, xenophobia, hate and violence.
According to the readout of the meeting released by the White House, after a year of rising anti-Asian hate incidents and crimes and the tragic shootings in Atlanta and Indianapolis that targeted women of Asian descent and Sikh Americans, the White House convened philanthropic and business leaders, including the Asian American Foundation, to discuss the role they can play in supporting AA and NH/PI advocacy, power, and representation. During the meeting, the business and philanthropic participants announced a private funding commitment of more than $1 billion to combat anti-AAPI hate, and advance research and public education on AA and NH/PI communities. Their announcement today is the largest philanthropic commitment in history fully focused on supporting AA and NH/PI communities.
President Joe Biden and Vice President Kamala Harris also visited with these leaders to emphasize their Administration’s commitment to AA and NH/PI communities, and to acknowledge the importance of standing up against hate crimes and advancing racial equity./.
