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WHITE HOUSE Some of the AANHPI staff and managers that have been appointed by the Biden-Harris administration gathered for a photo with Vice President Kamala Harris. |
Perhaps more than any previous administration, President Biden and his administration has put the spotlight on the Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander communities.
The White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) Tuesday (Jan. 17) convened federal government officials and community leaders to mark the release of the Biden-Harris Administration’s first-ever National Strategy to Advance Equity, Justice, and Opportunity for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) Communities.
FYI: Watch the full event here.
“From day one, President Biden and Vice President Harris have made clear their commitment to address the needs of underserved communities, including Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities,” said Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra. “With the release of today’s national strategy, the public can see the Biden-Harris Administration’s whole-of-government approach to advancing equity and addressing the challenges that Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities face.”
In the special virtual event, senior Biden-Harris Administration officials outlined the details of 32 federal agency plans, which build on the Administration’s previous actions to promote safety and equity for AA and NHPIs. The wide-ranging policies ranged from increased multi-lingual communication to making it a priority to address hate crimes against AANHPI to providing more disaggregated data across federal agencies.
In the special virtual event, senior Biden-Harris Administration officials outlined the details of 32 federal agency plans, which build on the Administration’s previous actions to promote safety and equity for AA and NHPIs. The wide-ranging policies ranged from increased multi-lingual communication to making it a priority to address hate crimes against AANHPI to providing more disaggregated data across federal agencies.
Community leaders also discussed additional steps the federal government can take to address critical priorities for AA and NHPI communities, including data disaggregation, language access, and combating anti-Asian hate.
FYI: WHIAANHPI is also soliciting public feedback on the agency plans here.
The unprecedented national strategy based on the work by WHAANHPI is the first national plan of its kind with elected officials, federal leaders, community members and prominent Asian Americans working together to combat racism.
“These commitments are bold, ambitious, and deeply aligned with the Biden-Harris Administration’s broader equity agenda. This national strategy also builds upon our shared progress to ensure the safety and prosperity of our families, neighborhoods, and communities.”
The event was moderated by WHIAANHPI Executive Director Krystal Ka‘ai, and included panel discussions moderated by Erika Moritsugu, Deputy Assistant to the President and AA and NHPI Senior Liaison, along with Sonal Shah, Chief Commissioner of the President’s Advisory Commission on AA and NHPIs.
The event was moderated by WHIAANHPI Executive Director Krystal Ka‘ai, and included panel discussions moderated by Erika Moritsugu, Deputy Assistant to the President and AA and NHPI Senior Liaison, along with Sonal Shah, Chief Commissioner of the President’s Advisory Commission on AA and NHPIs.
The need to address issues affecting the AANHPI communities occurs in an environment of increasing racist attacks against AANHPI. In the period of March 2020 to March 2022, there have been over 11,500 hate incidents recorded by Stop AAPI Hate.
The surge in hate attacks mobilized the AANHPI communities lobbying local and federal law enforcement, health agencies, media organizations and the religious community to address the racist incidents directed against all Asian American groups.
Parallel to becoming more vocal and demanding action, there was an increase in political activity by registering new voters and emboldening more AANHPI to run for political offices. The increase in AANHPI voters was able to affect elections in jurisdictions across the nation.
Since January 2021, the Biden-Harris Administration has taken steps to address the needs of AA and NHPI communities by advancing policies that promote equity, expanding entry points to federal services and programs, and centering the experiences and resiliency of AA and NHPI communities. To support these efforts, WHIAANHPI engaged federal agencies to improve interagency policymaking, program development, and outreach efforts to AA and NHPI communities across the country.
In Summer 2022, 32 agencies – including all 15 executive departments in the President’s Cabinet – submitted agency plans that outline specific actions to advance equity, justice, and opportunity for AA and NHPI communities. These plans are deeply aligned with the Biden-Harris Administration’s broader equity agenda and represent an historic first for the federal government.
Among the areas the federal actions:In Summer 2022, 32 agencies – including all 15 executive departments in the President’s Cabinet – submitted agency plans that outline specific actions to advance equity, justice, and opportunity for AA and NHPI communities. These plans are deeply aligned with the Biden-Harris Administration’s broader equity agenda and represent an historic first for the federal government.
Promoting Belonging and Inclusion and Addressing Anti-Asian Hate/Discrimination
Across the federal government, agencies have stepped up their efforts to respond to the increasing number of bias incidents and discrimination against AA and NHPIs, promote belonging, equity, and inclusion, and improve access to federal resources.
Addressing the Systemic Lack of Data Disaggregation on AA and NHPI Communities
The Biden-Harris Administration is committed to advancing racial equity through improved data collection, research, access, and disaggregation efforts. Better data leads to better and more informed policies that reflect the needs and priorities of the AA and NHPI communities.
Expanding Language Access Across Federal Programs
Federal agencies are taking critical action to expand access for limited English proficient communities and deliver greater equity for the diverse AA and NHPI community.
Building Capacity in AA and NHPI Communities
By increasing access to federal contracts, grants, and opportunities, the federal government is helping to break down persistent barriers to federal resources, center equity in grant-making, and build the capacity of AA and NHPI communities and organizations across the country.
Creating a Diverse Federal Workforce
The Biden-Harris Administration strives to make the federal government a model for diversity, equity, and inclusion and reflects the lived experiences and rich cultural backgrounds of all Americans, including the diverse members of the AA and NHPI community.
Increasing Outreach and Engagement Efforts and Cultivating Community Partnerships
To ensure that government policies are informed by and reflect the needs of the AA and NHPI community, agencies are engaging in meaningful outreach efforts to hear from community stakeholders, deepen partnerships, and expand access to government programs.
“These 32 agency action plans are the result of more than a year of work by dedicated public servants in collaboration with community advocates, and detail specific commitments to advance justice and opportunity for Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders,” said US Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai.“
A statement from the WHAANHPI said: "Advancing equity is not a one-year project – it is a generational commitment that will require sustained leadership and partnership with all communities."
EDITOR'S NOTE: For additional commentary, news and views from an AANHPI perspective, follow @DioknoEd on Twitter.
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