Celebrating Advocacy, Art, and Youth Leadership 庆祝倡导、艺术与青年领导力
亚裔美国人团结联盟主办了2024年全国AANHPI团结峰会，由包括美国亚洲文化与教育联盟（ACAESUSA）在内的十家组织共同协办。此次峰会汇聚了社区领导者、活动家和倡导者，深入探讨亚裔美国人、夏威夷原住民和太平洋岛民社区面临的主要问题。峰会于2024年9月19日至20日在华盛顿特区举行，为倡导社区权益、反对种族歧视提供了重要平台。
作为团结峰会的一部分，9月19日，一个由70人组成的代表团参加了白宫简报会，讨论了与我们多元社区相关的问题，随后100名峰会参与者进行了白宫参观。下午，司法部的代表在皇冠假日酒店与我们社区的声音进行了会谈，紧接着是一个青年会议，讨论了学校中的种族偏见和跨文化身份问题。拜登总统副助理艾丽卡·森次古在峰会欢迎晚宴上传递了总统的贺信，进一步提升了活动的意义。
美国亚洲文化与教育联盟会长解健（Jan Xie）在白宫的演讲充满信心，号召亚裔社区团结一致，抗击反亚裔仇恨犯罪。解健表达了她对无歧视社会的渴望，坚定地说：“我希望通过我们集体努力，能够建立一个反对仇恨与一切形式歧视的社会。”
峰会的一大亮点是美国亚洲文化与教育联盟主办的“爱的世界”艺术展览与比赛，该展览在国会山会议室成功举行。解健特别感谢亚裔美国人团结联盟董事会主席钟秀昆博士、美国华人联盟主席薛海培和美国华人联盟社区基金Sharon等人的支持。展览展示了全球艺术家的作品，通过艺术这一普遍语言促进了跨文化理解。本次展览的收益将用于为自闭症和心理健康障碍的学生筹集资金，彰显了峰会对包容性和支持弱势群体的承诺。
同时，峰会聚焦青年赋权。由美国亚洲文化与教育联盟负责组织的青年研讨论坛成为众人瞩目的焦点，来自不同背景的青年领袖共同探讨了学校中的种族偏见及跨文化身份认同等紧迫问题。演讲嘉宾包括亚洲文化与教育联盟青年代表Shivya Vig和Katelyn Hu。解健特别表扬了这些年轻参与者的活力和勇气，并提议未来的青年会议应增加更多互动式的工作坊和导师机会。论坛嘉宾包括亚洲文化与教育联盟顾问电影导演常长福，美国华人联盟会长薛海培，亚洲文化与教育联盟Shiv Vig，以及美国印度教基金会Kavita Sekhsaria。此外，亚洲文化与教育联盟团队还表演了传统歌曲《茉莉花》和豫剧《花木兰》选段，为峰会增添了文化色彩。
峰会的其他重要部分还包括与美国国会议员及司法部代表的会面，讨论了公民权利、移民问题及仇恨犯罪的预防。亚洲文化与教育联盟团队向德州参议员提出了引入亚裔美国人历史教育、废除《外侨土地法》等政策建议，这些建议被认为是推动AANHPI社区权利的关键步骤。
多位杰出人士因其贡献在峰会期间受到表彰：
● US Rep. Judy Chu received the Political Leadership Award.
● US Rep. Andy Kim was given the Public Service Award.
● Suffolk County Police Asian Jade Society, SEWA-AIFW, Team Aids, and Elizabeth de Leon-Gamboa were honored with the Community Service Award.
● Mr. Evan Chen was recognized as Philanthropist of the Year.
● Ms. JencyMalena Mesik and Mr. Suraj Kulkarni received the President’s Young Person and Youth Awards, respectively.
峰会结束时，解健反思了整个活动所展现的团结精神，她总结道：“倡导、公民参与与跨文化理解的主题在本次峰会上产生了深远的共鸣。”
以下是2024年AANHPI团结峰会期间获得表彰的ACAESUSA家长和学生：
- ACAESUSA 2024年杰出AANHPI青年领导力奖：
- Amy Xu (ACAE- Youth HP Co-President)
- Andrew Xu (ACAE-Youth Business President)
- Keira Yang (ACAE-Youth DDYA President)
- Katelyn Hu (ACAE-Youth Houston President)
- Ebony Chen (ACAE-Youth Plano officer)
- Esther Zhou (ACAE-Little Fat Ni BBQ President)
- Diana X. Chen (ACAE-Youth Mental Health Co-President)
- Samuel Wu （ACAE-Executive Director）
- Jessica Wu (ACAE-Youth Leadership Council Chair)
- Zichang (Lucy) Zeng (ACAE-Youth STEM President)
- Shivalika Vig (ACAE-Youth Frisco Co-President)
- Shivya Vig (ACAE-Youth Frisco Officer)
- Yihan Cheng (ACAE-Youth UCADFW C0-President)
- Wanrong Cheng (ACAE-Youth STEM VP)
- ACAESUSA 2024年年度家长奖：Chuyan Bi, Li Qun, Dan Jiang, Rongmei Zhang, Annie Hu, Linglin Ye, Guiqiao Chen, Shiv Vig, Zhengang Cheng。
我们还要感谢“爱的世界”艺术展览与比赛委员会成员的辛勤工作，以及展示出的美丽艺术作品。此外，美国亚洲文化和教育联盟对以下组织的支持深表感谢：美国亚裔团结联盟、北德州华人文化促进会、美国华人联盟心理健康项目、美国华人联盟社区基金、达福科技协会、Warburton Investment LLC、Seapot和MT Jewelry Studio LLC。
展望2025年峰会，ACAESUSA将继续致力于加强AANHPI社区的团结，在青年参与、文化倡导和反歧视行动中发挥更加积极的作用。
ACAESUSA Co-Hosts 2024 National AANHPI Unity Summit: Celebrating Advocacy, Art, and Youth Leadership
The Asian American Unity Coalition (AAUC) hosted the 2024 National AANHPI Unity Summit, co-organized by ten organizations, including the Asian Culture and Education Society USA (ACAESUSA). This summit brought together community leaders, activists, and advocates to discuss significant issues faced by Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities. Held in Washington, D.C., from September 19-20, 2024, the summit served as a powerful platform for advocating for community rights and addressing racial discrimination.
As part of the Unity Summit, on September 19th, a delegate group of 70 individuals attended a White House Briefing to discuss issues concerning our diverse communities, followed by a White House tour for 100 Summit attendees. In the afternoon, representatives of the DOJ met with and listened to our community voices at the Crowne Plaza Hotel, which was followed immediately by a youth session discussing racial bias in school and cross-cultural identities.Erika L. Moritsugu, Deputy Assistant to President Biden, conveyed the president’s congratulatory message during the summit’s welcome dinner, further adding significance to the event.
Jan Xie, President of ACAESUSA, delivered an emotional speech at the White House, calling on the community to unite against anti-Asian hate crimes. She expressed her vision for a society free of discrimination, stating, “I hope that through our collective efforts, we can build a society that stands against hate and all forms of discrimination.”
A highlight of the summit was the “World of Love” art exhibition and competition, organized by ACAESUSA, which was successfully held in the Capitol Hill conference. Jan Xie expressed her gratitude to Dr. SK.Lo, Chairman of the AAUC Board, UCA President Haipei Shue and United Chinese Americans Community Foundation Sharon for their support. The exhibition showcased the artistic talents of global artists, promoting cross-cultural understanding through the universal language of art. The proceeds from the exhibition will be used to raise funds for students with autism and mental health challenges, demonstrating the summit’s commitment to inclusivity and supporting vulnerable groups.
The summit also focused on youth empowerment. ACAESUSA organized a highly anticipated Youth Seminar, where young leaders from diverse backgrounds discussed pressing issues such as racial bias in schools and cross-cultural identity. Youth speakers included Shivya Vig and Katelyn Hu, representing ACAESUSA. Jan Xie praised the energy and courage of the young participants, and proposed that future youth seminars include more interactive workshops and mentorship opportunities. The distinguished guests included ACAESUSA Advisor and Filmmaker Chang Changfu, UCA President Haipei Shue, ACAESUSA’s representative Shiv Vig, and Kavita Sekhsaria from the Hindu American Foundation. In addition, the ACAESUSA team performed traditional songs like “Jasmine Flower” and a scene from the Henan opera Hua Mulan, adding cultural richness to the summit.
Other key parts of the summit included meetings with U.S. Congress members and representatives from the Department of Justice, where discussions centered on civil rights, immigration, and hate crime prevention. The ACAESUSA team brought forward suggestions to Senator from Texas, including introducing Asian American history education and repealing the outdated Alien Land Laws—both critical steps to advancing the civil rights of the AANHPI community.
Several distinguished individuals were honored during the summit for their contributions:
● US Rep. Judy Chu received the Political Leadership Award.
● US Rep. Andy Kim was given the Public Service Award.
● Suffolk County Police Asian Jade Society, SEWA-AIFW, Team Aids, and Elizabeth de Leon-Gamboa were honored with the Community Service Award.
● Mr. Evan Chen was recognized as Philanthropist of the Year.
● Ms. JencyMalena Mesik and Mr. Suraj Kulkarni received the President’s Young Person and Youth Awards, respectively.
At the conclusion of the summit, Jan Xie reflected on the spirit of unity showcased throughout the event, stating, “The themes of advocacy, civic engagement, and cross-cultural understanding resonated deeply.”
The following ACAESUSA parents and students were recognized during the 2024 AANHPI Unity Summit:
- ACAESUSA 2024 Outstanding AANHPI Youth Leadership Award:
- Amy Xu (ACAE- Youth HP Co-President)
- Andrew Xu (ACAE-Youth Business President)
- Keira Yang (ACAE-Youth DDYA President)
- Katelyn Hu (ACAE-Youth Houston President)
- Ebony Chen (ACAE-Youth Plano officer)
- Esther Zhou (ACAE-Little Fat Ni BBQ President)
- Diana X. Chen (ACAE-Youth Mental Health Co-President)
- Samuel Wu （ACAE-Executive Director）
- Jessica Wu (ACAE-Youth Leadership Council Chair)
- Zichang (Lucy) Zeng (ACAE-Youth STEM President)
- Shivalika Vig (ACAE-Youth Frisco Co-President)
- Shivya Vig (ACAE-Youth Frisco Officer)
- Yihan Cheng (ACAE-Youth UCADFW Co-President)
- Wanrong Cheng (ACAE-Youth STEM VP)
- ACAESUSA 2024 Parent of the Year Award: Chuyan Bi, Li Qun, Dan Jiang, Rongmei Zhang, Annie Hu, Linglin Ye, Guiqiao Chen, Shiv Vig, Zhengang Cheng.
We also express our heartfelt appreciation to the “World of Love” art exhibition and competition committee members for their hard work and the beautiful art displayed. Additionally, we are deeply grateful for the support of the following organizations for our youth programs: AAUC, North Texas Chinese Cultural Promotion Association (NTCCPA), UCA WAVES, UCACF, DFW IT Association (DFWIT), Warburton Investment LLC, Seapot, and MT Jewelry Studio LLC.
Looking ahead to the 2025 summit, ACAESUSA remains committed to strengthening unity within the AANHPI community and continuing its role in youth engagement, cultural advocacy, and the fight against discrimination.