Building Equity Together: Policy Forum on AA and NHPI Economic Well-Being

As a part of National CAPACD’s 25th Anniversary celebration events highlighting our legacy of empowering leaders and mobilizing communities, we are hosting a special policy forum, Building Equity Together: Policy Forum on AA and NHPI Economic Well-Being. The policy forum will amplify the voices of community leaders in our coalition who are advancing economic equity for Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) communities through advocacy. They will inform policymakers, advocates, and funders about the economic challenges and opportunities facing AA and NHPI communities, and showcase actionable data and community narratives, aligned with National CAPACD’s action agenda, on housing, economic opportunity, and thriving communities for low-income AAs and NHPIs. 

June 27, 2025
9 a.m. - 1 p.m. ET
Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library
901 G St NW, Washington, DC 20001

Tickets

Join us for a special event with free admission and a complimentary lunch — all you need to do is register in advance!

Seating is limited, and we want to ensure a spot is reserved for you. Your RSVP helps us plan for food and venue capacity.

Program Overview

Opening remarks from Congresswoman Grace Meng, CAPAC Chair (video)

Supporting Small Businesses Panel

This panel will feature four speakers from National CAPACD’s coalition representing Asian American, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) communities, focusing on small business centers, micro entrepreneurs, and discussions around capital support.

  • Susi Feltch Malohifo’ou, CEO, Pacific Island Knowledge 2 Action Resources
  • Maysee Herr, Ph.D., CEO, Hmong Wisconsin Chamber of Commerce
  • Jessie Lee, Managing Director, Renaissance Economic Development Corporation
  • Ron Fong, Executive Director, Asian Pacific Islander Small Business Collaborative 

Housing Challenges & Solutions Panel

This panel will feature four speakers from National CAPACD’s coalition representing Asian American, Native Hawaiian, or Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) communities, focusing on affordable housing, housing development, housing counseling, CDFIs, and community programs.

  • Lamar Heystek, President, ASIAN, Inc.
  • Erich Nakano, Executive Director, Little Tokyo Services Center

Table of Contents

 • Overview
 • Tickets
 • Program