Kiran Ahuja, Executive Director of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans & Pacific Islanders (WHIAAPI), blogs about the recent WHIAAPI Midwest Regional Action Summit held in Columbus on July 13, 2012:

On July 13, the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders convened an Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Midwest Regional Action Summit in Columbus, Ohio. The Summit brought together community leaders and federal agency representatives in a day-long convening to exchange ideas.

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As I spoke with members of the community, I continue to be reminded of why this Initiative was established. Members of the Nepali community spoke about the need for resources and funding for community organizations that provide for everyday services to support those who are illiterate, even in their own native language. Members of the Mon community, ethnic members from Burma, pointed out the lack of cultural competency in the workplace. Researchers discussed the inconsistent disaggregated data needed to properly address issues facing the community, from jobs to health. Additionally, community members are concerned about their children’s education in crowded schools and finding doctors that can understand specific health issues.

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Read more about the 2012 WHIAAPI Midwest Regional Action Summit here.