TAAF CEO Releases Statement on Official Launch of White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders

Media Contact:
The Asian American Foundation
press@taaf.org

WASHINGTON, DC, December 9, 2021 — The Asian American Foundation ("TAAF") today shared a statement in response to the official launch of the Biden-Harris Administration’s White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI). U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Secretary Xavier Becerra and U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Katherine Tai will serve as WHIAANHPI co-chairs. The launch was announced during a virtual press conference hosted by HHS.

Norman Chen, Chief Executive Officer of TAAF, released the following statement in response to the announcement:

“Today’s official launch of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans, Native Hawaiians, and Pacific Islanders (WHIAANHPI) marks a significant boost to our nation’s response to COVID-19 and the shared effort of creating a more equitable society. The pandemic has hit AAPIs particularly hard as the virus and anti-AAPI hate and scapegoating have ravaged our communities — making WHIAANHPI’s focus on health equity a timely directive. TAAF applauds HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra and Ambassador Katherine Tai, who we believe will do an exceptional job of leading this Initiative and driving necessary investments in our communities. We are particularly thrilled to see that Ambassador Tai has been named co-chair of WHIAANHPI, as her appointment gives AAPIs everywhere the opportunity to see experiences similar to theirs valued at the highest levels of government. For AAPI communities who have long been denied the chance to thrive in the way that all Americans deserve, this type of representation helps foster a much-needed sense of belonging.”

About The Asian American Foundation
The Asian American Foundation (TAAF) is a convener, incubator, and funder committed to accelerating opportunity and prosperity for AAPI communities. TAAF supports advocates and organizations committed to AAPI causes so that together we can more effectively take action against hate and violence, and build the infrastructure needed to improve AAPI advocacy, power, and representation across American society. We were founded to solve for the longstanding lack of investment and resources provided to AAPI communities and we strive to be a catalyzing force for creating a permanent and irrevocable sense of belonging for the 23 million Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders living in the United States. For additional information about TAAF, please visit www.taaf.org.

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