Press release RO23-06

Readout of Administrator Guzman’s Meeting with Representatives Chu, Thanedar, and AANHPI Small Business Leaders

WASHINGTON, D.C. – On May 9, 2023, Administrator Isabella Casillas Guzman met with the Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus, Judy Chu, Congressman Shri Thanedar, and Deputy Assistant to the President and Asian American and Native Hawaiian Pacific Islander Senior Liaison Erika Moritsugu to host Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islanders (AANHPI) business leaders to celebrate AANHPI Heritage Month and discuss efforts to expand opportunities for AANHPI entrepreneurs through President Biden’s Investing in America agenda.

The Administrator, Representatives Chu, and Thanedar – both members of the House Small Business Committee – highlighted the achievements and the needs of AANHPI communities. Together, participants discussed the progress made under the Biden-Harris Administration and ways for the Administration to expand resources and continue its support for AANHPI communities. The roundtable additionally examined ways to break down the barriers to accessing capital for AANHPI entrepreneurs and ways to increase equity in procurement.

The Small Business Administration has been steadfast in supporting the Administration’s commitment to AANHPI communities in a variety of ways, including leadership in the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders regional economic summits, which focus on financing AANHPI small businesses.

Attendees at yesterday’s meeting included:

  • Chairwoman Judy Chu, Chair of the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus (CAPAC) - California’s 28th Congressional District   
  • Rep. Shri Thanedar, Michigan's 13th District (Small Business Committee Member)  
  • Erika L. Moritsugu, Deputy Assistant to the President and Asian American and Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Senior Liaison, White House
  • Susan  Au Allen, CEO & National President, US Pan Asian American Chamber of Education Foundation (USPAACC)
  • Seema Agnani, Executive Director, National Coalition for Asian Pacific Americans Community Development (National CAPACD)
  • Mike ‘Keawe’ Anderson, Director of Advocacy, Nakupuna Companies
  • Norman Chen, Chief Executive Officer, The Asian American Foundation
  • Estella Owoimaha-Church, Executive Director, Empowering Pacific Islander Communities (EPIC) Jan-Ie Low, Senior Director Corporate Development and Events, National Asian/Pacific Islander American Chamber of Commerce and Entrepreneurship (National ACE)
  • La Wolfgramm, Chair of the Women's Executive Alliance, Pacific Island Chamber of Commerce

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About the U.S. Small Business Administration

The U.S. Small Business Administration helps power the American dream of business ownership. As the only go-to resource and voice for small businesses backed by the strength of the federal government, the SBA empowers entrepreneurs and small business owners with the resources and support they need to start, grow, expand their businesses, or recover from a declared disaster. It delivers services through an extensive network of SBA field offices and partnerships with public and private organizations. To learn more, visit www.sba.gov.

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Mila Myles