HUD SE Regional Administrator Jennings, Jr participating in town hall. Photo attribution: Boon Vong

On March 16, 2012 the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPIs) conducted the first ever Southeast Regional Action Summit in Atlanta, Georgia, on the campus of Emory University. The White House AAPI Initiative works to increase access and participation to needed federal services and protections for these and other populations.

Almost 600 community leaders from throughout the South met with government representatives to include senior leaders from HUD such as Assistant Secretary John Trasvina, Office of Fair Housing and Equal Opportunity and HUD Southeast Regional Administrator Ed Jennings, Jr. Additionally Mr. Chris Lu, Assistant to the President and White House Cabinet Secretary, Co-Chair of the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders was the key note speaker and provided insight into the accomplishments of the Administration and their support to the AAPIs.

Southeastern states experienced rapid AAPI population growth in the last decade, according to recent Census data. The state of Georgia AAPI population expanded 82 percent and now boasts more than 300,000 AAPIs.

The 2012 White House Initiative Southeast Regional Action Summit provided valuable opportunities to exchange ideas and concerns through multiple breakout sessions and an open town hall setting that amplified the AAPI voices in such areas as business, civil rights, housing and health. The event concluded with a traditional Korean dance and musical tribute to the Administration and attendees for their participation and hope for positive results going forward.