Balitang New York : White House and WHIAANHPI Kick Off Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month Festivities with History-Making Forum

Vice President Kamala Harris, federal leaders, artists, and trailblazers celebrate community and progress at national event in Washington, DC; Gathering is one of the largest AA and NHPI Heritage Month events hosted by the White House.

Forum draws more than 1,300 community members, influencers, elected officials, and advocates to address critical priorities; Attendees from over two dozen states and U.S. territories join in-person.

WASHINGTON, DC – On May 3, 2023, the White House and the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) hosted The White House Forum on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (AA and NHPIs) at The George Washington University in Washington DC, kicking off AA and NHPI Heritage Month under the theme ‘Visible Together.’

The all-day event drew more than 1,300 AA and NHPI community members from over two dozen states and U.S. territories, making it one of the largest in-person events ever hosted by the Biden-Harris Administration in celebration of AA and NHPI Heritage Month. The forum livestream also generated 253,000+ views across White House-branded YouTube and social media accounts.

Through more than a dozen breakout convenings, panels, and artistic performances that included Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander creatives—attendees celebrated the diversity, inclusivity and visibility of the community.

Biden-Harris Administration leaders, including Vice President Kamala Harris, the first South Asian American to serve in the second highest office in the nation, paid tribute to the rich history and cultures of AA and NHPIs and shared the accomplishments made by the Biden-Harris Administration over the past two years—including the release of the first-ever National Strategy to Advance Equity, Justice, and Opportunity for AA and NHPI Communities and progress on addressing hate and promoting greater inclusion.

“You may find when you walk into a room that you are the only one who looks like you or has your lived experiences,” said Vice President Kamala Harris. “My message is: Walk in with your chin up, shoulders back—knowing that you are representing the voices of so many people who are proud that you’re in that room. We are all in that room with you. You are not walking in that room alone.”

“We are excited to host this historic Forum to honor our communities’ diverse cultures and contributions to our nation as we kick off Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Heritage Month,” said Krystal Ka‘ai, Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. “The President has made clear that it is a priority of his Administration to advance equity for underserved communities, including Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders. Today, speakers across the Administration reaffirmed that we are committed to empowering our communities.”

“Thanks to President Biden, our community has become more visible than ever before. We have an unprecedented AA and NHPI representation in the Administration. Both the President and Vice President have demonstrated with their words, and their actions, and their presence, how much they sincerely care for our community. And have hope for our future,” said Erika L. Moritsugu, Deputy Assistant to the President and AA and NHPI Senior Liaison at the White House. “That’s what today’s Forum is all about—becoming even more ‘Visible Together.’”

“I’m moved and inspired by the beauty of the AA and NHPI’s diverse community and proud of the historic and unprecedented ways this Administration has seen and uplifted the community,” said Stephen K. Benjamin, Senior Advisor and Director of the White House Office of Public Engagement. “This Administration has made once-in-a-generation investments to improve the lives of AA and NHPIs, and with the help of our partners we will finish the job we started. That’s why this week’s Forum and gathering of community, learning, and coalition building is so timely and critical.”

The historic program included:

Emcees:

Jeannie Mai Jenkins, Emmy Award Winning TV Host, Producer, and Advocate
Philip Kim, Senior Advisor, White House Office of Public Engagement

A conversation with Vice President Kamala Harris, moderated by:

Poorna Jagannathan, Actress
Jerry Won, Founder and CEO of Just Like Media and Always Be Creating

Musical and artistic performances by a diverse array of creatives from across the country and diaspora.

Rupi Kaur, Poet, Artist, and Performer
MILCK, Singer-Songwriter, Producer, and Advocate
Wolftyla, Singer/Songwriter
Melonie Leihua Stewart, CEO, E Ala E Hawaiian Cultural Center
Sonny Singh, Musician, Social Justice Educator
Keilana, Singer/Songwriter
Aaron J. Salā, Founder and CEO, Gravitas Pasifika
John Taukäve, Performing Artist, Rako Pasefika
Ikelau Misech, Student, University of Hawaiʻi at Mānoa

Four main stage panels, featuring community trailblazers and Biden-Harris Administration leaders focused on advancing equity, public service, creative excellence, and the power of the AA and NHPI voice.

Advancing Equity for AA and NHPI Communities Across Government

Shelly C. Lowe (Navajo), Chair, National Endowment for the Humanities
Rohit Chopra, Director, Consumer Financial Protection Bureau
Kiran Ahuja, Director, U.S. Office of Personnel Management
Erika L. Moritsugu, Deputy Assistant to the President and Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Senior Liaison, The White House

AA and NHPI Leadership in Public Service and the Biden-Harris Administration

Gautam Raghavan, Assistant to the President and Director, White House Presidential Personnel Office
Nani A. Coloretti, Deputy Director, White House Office of Management and Budget
Vanita Gupta, Associate Attorney General, U.S. Department of Justice
Jenny R. Yang, Deputy Assistant to the President for Racial Justice and Equity, Domestic Policy Council, The White House
Daniel Arrigg Koh, Special Assistant to the President and Deputy Cabinet Secretary, The White House

Advancing AA and NHPI Creative Excellence

Geena Rocero, Author, Director, Producer, and Trans Advocate
Rupi Kaur, Poet, Artist, and Performer
Daniel Dae Kim, Actor, Director, Producer, and Activist
Aaron J. Salā, Founder and CEO, Gravitas Pasifika
Bing Chen, CEO and Co-Founder, Gold House

The Power of the AA and NHPI Voice

Eric Nam, Artist and Co-Founder, Creative Director at DIVE Studios/Mindset
Versha Sharma, Editor in Chief, Teen Vogue
Estella Owoimaha-Church, Executive Director, Empowering Pacific Islander Communities
John C. Yang, President and Executive Director, Asian Americans Advancing Justice – AAJC
Lisa Ling, Host and Executive Producer, CNN’s This Is Life

Eight breakout convenings, with national advocates, elected officials, and AA and NHPI leaders focused on community-building that will examine the advocacy, policy, and public service efforts to support our communities.

Advancing Justice Through Data Equity