Asian Association of Hampton Roads
A 501(C)6 Not For Profit• A tax exempt business
chamber of commerce• Seeks to enhance the Asian
Community through social and business empowerment.
• Not-Exclusive - anyone can join and participate with no regard to national origin
• Members represent cultural communities, not Race or Countries.
• Their motto is: “Strength in Unity, Innovation through Diversity”.
“I do officially recognize the Asian Association of Hampton Roads in our Commonwealth of Virginia”
- Governor Robert
McDonnell
What does AA-HR do?• Provides a diverse business network to it’s members.• Builds a connection between businesses and
community organizations.• Supports small businesses though education,
mentorship and social enrichment.• Seeks to be the “Go-To” organization for businesses
and organizations that want to engage the Asian Community.
• Provides organizational support to assist in fundraising for crisis and disasters in Asia.
• Capable of bringing the Asian Community to organizations and businesses that support out mission.
Asian Population in Hampton Roads
• Total Population of Hampton Roads July 2007
1,647,937
Estimates are for the 2010 Census is over 2 million
Data: Hampton Roads Partnership
• 3.1% of the population is Asian
• 1.8% is of Filipino Ancestry - Total Population
• Between 14 to 16 percent of businesses in Hampton Roads are Asian Owned.
Current Japanese Crisis
• March 11th, 2011• Over 15,000 dead• 12,700 or more
homeless and displaced• Ongoing nuclear crisis• For survivors the
disaster never ended
• How did AA-HR assist?• Held two major
fundraising events and four mini-event fundraisers.
• Total raised: $12,085.30• Original goal was
$5,000
“Help Heal Japan” Rock Benefit Concert
April 9th, 2011
“United for Japan” Charity BenefitApril 15th, 2011
Mini-Events
• Businesses donated products, services, food and entertainment at no cost to raise funds for Japan
• Mini-Events are still planned for May and June
Where did the money that AA-HR raise go?
• Partnered with:
• The International Red Cross
• Operation Blessing International
• Both 501(C)3 Not-For- Profit Charitable Organizations
Leadership
• Common themes in Asian Culture
• Thinking as a community
• Not afraid of hard work• Family Oriented • Masters of trade and
commerce
• Translate to all cultures:• Ability to have
personnel believe in the greater collective
• An engaged leadership works hard too
• Seek ways to gain support from outside entities and support them (trade)
Diversity • We all the same as
people, yet we are all different as individuals
• There is value to be gained from those who come from a different community and different point of view from our own
• Diversity is the elevation of Equal Opportunity
• Innovation and Diversity work hand in hand
• Organizations that are diverse and unified are extremely successful
• In the US the Military was always the first to step into an innovation
• If each person can contribute positively and isn’t afraid to do so everyone wins
Empowerment and Beyond
• “You don’t have to be one of, to belong”
• Representation and Engagement
• Diverse and Unified groups can’t be discriminatory
• Unbiased Opportunity• We are all of the same
family anyway
• Face the challenges of the future
• Repeal of DADT• New world of
commerce and defense• Remember Leadership
is an Art form develop your own creativity
• Leadership is a social job
Yutaka Suzuki
• 100th Battalion WWII• Most decorated unit in
US Military History• US Air Force Reserve
Officer after WWII• My GrandFather
Learn More
• To donate to the Japanese Relief Effort and to find out more about the Asian Association of Hampton Roads:
www.aa-hr.com
• Population ReferenceHampton Roads
Partnershipwww.hrp.org
Asian Pacific Heritage Month:
asianpacificheritage.gov