This week, I had the privilege of attending the first-ever National Philanthropic Briefing on the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Community at the White House. The briefing was initiated by the Obama administration through the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, co-chaired by Secretary of Education Arne Duncan and Assistant to the President and Cabinet Secretary Christopher Lu.

The initiative is part of the administration’s efforts to address economic and social challenges facing the AAPI community, and improve the quality of life and opportunities for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. The historic gathering was attended by more than 170 philanthropic and administration leaders, including colleagues from the California Community Foundation, the William and Flora Hewlett Foundation, Liberty Hill Foundation and many others. The purpose was to dialogue and strategize on six critical issues: healthy communities; immigrant integration; housing, economic and community development; civil and human rights; arts and culture; and educational opportunities.