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