The Asian American Unity Coalition (AAUC) hosted the 2024 National AANHPI Unity Summit, co-organized by ten organizations, including the Asian Culture and Education Society USA (ACAESUSA). This summit brought together community leaders, activists, and advocates to discuss significant issues faced by Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. Held in Washington, D.C., from September 19-20, 2024, the summit served as a powerful platform for advocating for community rights and addressing racial discrimination.
As part of the Unity Summit, on September 19th, a delegate group of 70 individuals attended a White House Briefing to discuss issues concerning our diverse communities, followed by a White House tour for 100 Summit attendees. In the afternoon, representatives of the DOJ met with and listened to our community voices at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, which was followed immediately by a youth session discussing racial bias in school and cross-cultural identities.Erika L. Moritsugu, Deputy Assistant to President Biden, conveyed the president’s congratulatory message during the summit’s welcome dinner, further adding significance to the event.
Jan Xie, President of ACAESUSA, delivered an emotional speech at the White House, calling on the community to unite against anti-Asian hate crimes. She expressed her vision for a society free of discrimination, stating, “I hope that through our collective efforts, we can build a society that stands against hate and all forms of discrimination.”
A highlight of the summit was the “World of Love” art exhibition and competition, organized by ACAESUSA, which was successfully held in the Capitol Hill conference. Jan Xie expressed her gratitude to Dr. SK.Lo, Chairman of the AAUC Board, UCA President Haipei Shue and United Chinese Americans Community Foundation Sharon for their support. The exhibition showcased the artistic talents of global artists, promoting cross-cultural understanding through the universal language of art. The proceeds from the exhibition will be used to raise funds for students with autism and mental health challenges, demonstrating the summit’s commitment to inclusivity and supporting vulnerable groups.
The summit also focused on youth empowerment. ACAESUSA organized a highly anticipated Youth Seminar, where young leaders from diverse backgrounds discussed pressing issues such as racial bias in schools and cross-cultural identity. Youth speakers included Shivya Vig and Katelyn Hu, representing ACAESUSA. Jan Xie praised the energy and courage of the young participants, and proposed that future youth seminars include more interactive workshops and mentorship opportunities. The distinguished guests included ACAESUSA Advisor and Filmmaker Chang Changfu, UCA President Haipei Shue, ACAESUSA’s representative Shiv Vig, and Kavita Sekhsaria from the Hindu American Foundation. In addition, the ACAESUSA team performed traditional songs like “Jasmine Flower” and a scene from the Henan opera Hua Mulan, adding cultural richness to the summit.
Other key parts of the summit included meetings with U.S. Congress members and representatives from the Department of Justice, where discussions centered on civil rights, immigration, and hate crime prevention. The ACAESUSA team brought forward suggestions to Senator from Texas, including introducing Asian American history education and repealing the outdated Alien Land Laws—both critical steps to advancing the civil rights of the AANHPI community.
Several distinguished individuals were honored during the summit for their contributions:
● US Rep. Judy Chu received the Political Leadership Award.
● US Rep. Andy Kim was given the Public Service Award.
● Suffolk County Police Asian Jade Society, SEWA-AIFW, Team Aids, and Elizabeth de Leon-Gamboa were honored with the Community Service Award.
● Mr. Evan Chen was recognized as Philanthropist of the Year.
● Ms. JencyMalena Mesik and Mr. Suraj Kulkarni received the President’s Young Person and Youth Awards, respectively.
At the conclusion of the summit, Jan Xie reflected on the spirit of unity showcased throughout the event, stating, “The themes of advocacy, civic engagement, and cross-cultural understanding resonated deeply.”
The following ACAESUSA parents and students were recognized during the 2024 AANHPI Unity Summit:
- ACAESUSA 2024 Outstanding AANHPI Youth Leadership Award:
- Amy Xu (ACAE- Youth HP Co-President)
- Andrew Xu (ACAE-Youth Business President)
- Keira Yang (ACAE-Youth DDYA President)
- Katelyn Hu (ACAE-Youth Houston President)
- Ebony Chen (ACAE-Youth Plano officer)
- Esther Zhou (ACAE-Little Fat Ni BBQ President)
- Diana X. Chen (ACAE-Youth Mental Health Co-President)
- Samuel Wu （ACAE-Executive Director）
- Jessica Wu (ACAE-Youth Leadership Council Chair)
- Zichang (Lucy) Zeng (ACAE-Youth STEM President)
- Shivalika Vig (ACAE-Youth Frisco Co-President)
- Shivya Vig (ACAE-Youth Frisco Officer)
- Yihan Cheng (ACAE-Youth UCADFW Co-President)
- Wanrong Cheng (ACAE-Youth STEM VP)
- ACAESUSA 2024 Parent of the Year Award: Chuyan Bi, Li Qun, Dan Jiang, Rongmei Zhang, Annie Hu, Linglin Ye, Guiqiao Chen, Shiv Vig, Zhengang Cheng.
We also express our heartfelt appreciation to the “World of Love” art exhibition and competition committee members for their hard work and the beautiful art displayed. Additionally, we are deeply grateful for the support of the following organizations for our youth programs: AAUC, North Texas Chinese Cultural Promotion Association (NTCCPA), UCA WAVES, UCACF, DFW IT Association (DFWIT), Warburton Investment LLC, Seapot, and MT Jewelry Studio LLC.
Looking ahead to the 2025 summit, ACAESUSA remains committed to strengthening unity within the AANHPI community and continuing its role in youth engagement, cultural advocacy, and the fight against discrimination.