National Association of Asian American Professionals

We’re thrilled to continue our sponsor highlights for the Leadership Convention! We celebrate our Diamond sponsor Oracle, Platinum sponsors Boston Scientific and Takeda Oncology and Gold sponsors and MLB whose support is invaluable. A huge thank you to all our sponsors for their incredible contributions. Stay tuned as we showcase more partners throughout the week!

is in full swing! We are honored to present the Pinnacle Awards to Sudhir Kondisetty from and Eva Kwong from . Thank you for your incredible support and contributions to our community. Congratulations!

We are proud once again to be partnering with the Human Rights Campaign. Join HRC, Asia Society New York, and the NAAAP Pride community for the third annual, and first time NAAAP sponsored, AANHPI Pride Month in-person reception in New York at the Asia Society Museum. The community theme this year is "We Show Up" so join us and show up with us! There is no cost to attend as NAAAP community, but registration is required via hrc.im/AANHPINYC

🌈✨ Join Us for an Urgent Dialogue. This Pride Month, we're bringing together powerful voices from APIA Vote, Human Rights Society, and the National Q***r Asian Pacific Islander Alliance for a transformative panel. Let's amplify our unified call for action! Hear and learn from our esteemed panelists. 🌟 Our Panelists: 🔸 Bob Sakaniwa, APIAVote 🔸 Bentley Hudgins, Human Rights Society 🔸 Reggie Reyes, NQAPIA

RVSP below:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rise-up-igniting-our-response-to-the-national-lgbtq-emergency-tickets-916889369787

Join NAAAP Pride, as we welcome Bentley Hudgins from Human Rights Campaign, Reggie Reys of National Q***r Asian Pacific Islander Alliance, and Bob Sakaniwa of Asian Pacific Islander American Vote (APIAVote) to the NAAAP virtual stage. Moderated by former NAAAP Director currently at Okaeri: A Nikkei LGBTQ Community, Keith Nishida. Our event aims to inform and mobilize the LGBTQ+ community and our allies, galvanizing support for our fight for equality and justice. Join us as we amplify the voices of leading AAPI and LGBTQ+ advocacy organizations, shedding light on the importance of staying informed and taking action in the face of this existential threat to LGBTQ+ rights. To RSVP, click on our link https://www.eventbrite.com/e/rise-up-igniting-our-response-to-the-national-lgbtq-emergency-tickets-916889369787 ***rstories

Leadership Convention 2024 (LC24) is your opportunity to cultivate powerful connections, engage in dynamic workshops, and draw inspiration from visionary keynote speakers. Join us to collaborate and ignite new ideas.

Under our theme, “Future Forward: Leading Into The Unknown,” we empower you to explore how we can guide and inspire others through uncertain and unpredictable times.

For more details visit the link in our bio and follow Leadership Convention by NAAAP. Register today. Now that’s Future Forward!

Happy ! Our theme for 2024 is "Pride Ascending: Together, We Rise." Just like the phoenix rises from the ashes, we ignite our fire, fueled by love, strength, and unity. This , let's celebrate our collective journey—a testament to our resilience and unwavering spirit. 🌈✨ Together, we rise, lifting each other higher, forging a world where every voice is heard and our stories are amplfied. Each of us is a unique flame, and together, we create an unstoppable fire of change. Join us in celebrating Pride Month, as one community in support, with hope and love. 🌟❤️🧡💛💚💙💜 Everyone is welcome to participate in our events and discussions, regardless of how you identify or express yourself. By calling us all in to listen and learn more about the ANHPI q***r community, we can mobilize and represent a more robust, inclusive, and compassionate community. NAAAP Pride

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As we celebrate APIHM, we’re thrilled to introduce the inspiring participants for our “Resilience & Pride: Breaking Barriers” event with Nikki Barua!

Meet Nikki Barua: A serial entrepreneur, keynote speaker, bestselling author, and future-ready expert. With 25 years in the digital space, Nikki has propelled global brands to success through rapid innovation. As the CEO & Co-Founder of Beyond Barriers, Nikki’s mission is to unlock talent potential at scale. She’s an award-winning leader, recognized as one of Entrepreneur Magazine’s 100 Most Influential Women and LA Woman of Influence.

Meet Our Moderator, Noelle D. Blanco: A q***r, neurodivergent first-generation Portuguese, Filipino, Chinese American, Noelle is the Director of Strategy and Operations at NQAPIA and National Program Director of Pride. With over a decade of experience in sales, fundraising, marketing, and partnership development, Noelle is dedicated to aligning organizational purpose with outcomes. She’s also the Chief Communications Officer for NAAAP’s San Jose Chapter and Co-Marketing Chair on the B Local Bay Area Board.

Don’t miss this powerful panel! Reserve your seat now: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/resilience-pride-breaking-barriers-with-nikki-barua-tickets-886155343487

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Join us for a profound virtual fireside chat as we close out Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month and kick off Pride Month. Hear from CEO & Co-Founder of Beyond Barriers, Nikki Barua, as she shares her extraordinary journey as an immigrant, serial entrepreneur, board director, and innovation thought leader. Her story of ambition, resilience, and determination to shatter barriers is truly inspiring. As an Asian American q***r woman, Nikki’s triumph over significant challenges serves as a guiding light, inspiring us to embrace authenticity and realize our fullest potential. Moderated by NAAAP Pride Director Noelle Blanco, this enlightening discussion will delve into Nikki’s experiences navigating intersectional identities and empowering women and LGBTQ+ individuals in the workplace. Register today: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/resilience-pride-breaking-barriers-with-nikki-barua-tickets-886155343487

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Let’s get to know our participants for Navigating Two Worlds: The Experiences of Asian American Transracial Adoptees sponsored by DOW. Don’t forget to register for this event: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/navigating-2-worlds-the-experiences-of-asian-american-transracial-adoptees-tickets-864658636257

Moderator: Shane Carlin - Korean Adoptee Korean American adoptee with a background in Agricultural Communications and Higher Education Administration. Founder of Asian Student Achievement.

Panelist: Cosette (Eisenhauer) Epp - Chinese Adoptee Master’s student in Social Work with a passion for adoption advocacy. Co-founder of Navigating Adoption, featured by Today.com and KERA.

Kris Rao - Indian Late Discovery Adoptee Discovered Indian heritage at 34 after a DNA test. Embarked on a journey to uncover his true roots, fueled by determination and a quest for truth.

Riley Woods - Vietnamese Adoptee Product development specialist in the food industry and Senior Director of the Adoptee Unity Committee of NAAAP Boston. A firm believer in celebrating differences.

🎉 Join us on May 23rd at 4pm PST / 7pm EST for a special event celebrating Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month 2024! 🌟 Let’s honor and raise awareness about the diverse adoptee experience. Hear compelling stories from transnational and multiracial adoptees, shedding light on the unique struggles they face as minorities within a minority. It’s time to amplify adoptee voices and explore the complexities of identity and culture. Join our empowering discussion on navigating two worlds and embracing the diverse shades of adoptee identity. Don’t miss out on this enlightening event! Register below:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/navigating-2-worlds-the-experiences-of-asian-american-transracial-adoptees-tickets-864658636257

Thank you to our sponsor Dow for making this happen!

Moderator: Shane Carlin & Learn ASA

Panelist:
- Cosette (Eisenhauer) Epp
- Kris Rao
- Riley Woods

You grew up watching The Rock on WWE. Your partner finds Jason Momoa attractive. You just learned how to pronounce Taika Waititi. Despite the rise in visibility of AAPI communities in recent years, PI communities continue to go unseen, unheard, and underrepresented. As a result, deep structural inequities persist that manifest as economic injustice, disproportionate health risks, lack of political representation, barriers to educational access, and more. As we navigate PI narratives and identities together, participants will (1) increase their awareness around NH/PI communities and (2) gain an understanding of cultural values.

About Our Presenter
“Estella is the first-generation of her family born on Tongva Land (for now known as Los Angeles). While identifying as an Angeleno, deeply connected to the lands that raised her, Estella’s roots burrow deep beyond the asphalt of South Central L.A.. Her maternal grandparents are from the villages of Satufia of Savai’i and Saleilua of Upolu, Samoa; her paternal grandparents are from Calabar, Cross River, Nigeria. She transitions into the role of Executive Director at Empowering Pacific Islander Communities (EPIC) post nearly two decades of service as an educator. Estella was the first Samoan to be named a finalist for the Global Teacher Prize in 2018 and awarded California Theatre Teacher of 2020. As a Black-Pacific Islander (PI), mother to a Black-PI child, and eldest sister of two Black-PI young men, she holds dear her responsibility to serve generations of past, present, and future. So long as she is capable, Estella will advocate for all those who look like her, step up as co-conspirator for others in the margins, and forge clear paths for young people where there once were none.”

Reserve your seat today:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/to-p-or-not-to-p-tickets-865082153007

Meet our moderator and panelist for our South Asian Voices in the Creative Landscape

Moderator
Dr. Nitin Deckha
Dr Nitin Deckha holds a PhD in Anthropology from Rice University and is a Certified Training Development Professional (CTDP).

Panelist

Sherry Bahl
Shelly Bahl is an interdisciplinary artist and decolonizing art trailblazer. She has been leading and participating in BIPOC and feminist artist-run culture in Toronto and NYC for 30 years.

Heidi McKenzie
Heidi has showcased work at the Australian Ceramics Triennale, 2019, the World Indian Diaspora Congress in Trinidad, 2020.

Meera Margaret Singh
Singh has been the recipient of numerous residencies and awards, most notably Canada Council for the Arts, Ontario Arts Council and Toronto Arts Council grants.

Tazeen Qayyum
Qayyum’s work has been exhibited across the globe and in included in several private and public collections, some of which include the Royal Ontario Museum (ROM) in Canada, Welt Museum in Austria, TD Canada Trust Permanent Collection in Canada, Chinese Ministry of Foreign Affairs in China, The Robert McLaughlin Gallery in Canada, the Doris McCarthy Gallery in Canada, the National Gallery of Amman in Jordan and the National Art Gallery in Nepal

Register Today:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/south-asian-voices-in-the-creative-landscape-tickets-864664253057

Unfortunately, cancer touches everyone. Whether it’s affecting a friend, a family member, any loved one, or even yourself, where can you go for support and resources? How do you make your voice heard regarding how you or your loved one's care is managed? These are the tough questions regarding care of a person with cancer and get more difficult when involving minority communities.

Join us for an informative and important webinar. https://linktr.ee/naaapsanjose

OUR SPEAKERS

Our friend and community member, Roji Oyama, will share his personal journey of when his partner Kengi Shim was diagnosed with ovarian cancer. Which helped make him the strong advocate for patient rights he is today.

Danielle Peterson is an Ovarian Cancer Counselor with the Clearity Foundation. Clearity strives to improve the survival and quality of life of women with ovarian cancer and give hope to them and their families.

As we head into Asian Pacific Islander Heritage Month we want to also recognize World Ovarian Cancer Day (May 😎. For every new member who joins NAAAP San Jose when they register for this event, NAAAP San Jose will donate 25% of the membership fee to the .

Dive into the vibrant world of South Asian creativity! 🎨 Join us for ‘South Asian Voices in Creative Landscape,’ a captivating panel discussion on community visioning and the power of creativity. Hear from esteemed South Asian Canadian and American artists as they share their artistic journeys, insights, and triumphs amidst uncertainty and change. Don’t miss out on this inspiring event! Reserve your spot today:
https://www.eventbrite.com/e/south-asian-voices-in-the-creative-landscape-tickets-864664253057

Join us this May for NAAAP’s Asian Pacific Island Heritage Month! Explore our powerful theme, “Grit & Grace: API Narratives of Resilience, Strength, and Identity.” Let’s uplift, empower, and inspire the incredible stories of resilience within the API community. Event Registration is now live: https://www.naaap.org/api-heritage-month-2024/

Celebrate Asian Pacific Islaner Heritage Month with NAAAP in May 2024! Stay tuned for some exciting programing and news in the near future.

🌟 We’re still filled with excitement from our DEI Symposium in Dallas, TX last weekend! 🎉 Join us this week as we reflect on the incredible discussions and connections made at the event. Huge thanks to NAAAP Dallas Fort Worth for hosting and creating such a meaningful experience!