2020 Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

May is Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Congress chose this month to commemorate the immigration of the Japanese to the United States on May 7, 1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10, 1869. The majority of the railworkers were Chinese immigrants. Since the 1800s, Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders have contributed so much more to America’s growth and prosperity – from technology innovation to educational advancement, and the exponential expansion of minority business enterprises (MBEs).

In this new decade, we salute Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders amid the unprecedented COVID-19 pandemic, which unjustly spreads fear of and racism against these Americans. This is no time to point fingers or assign blame. We must join hands – albeit virtually –in this fight to end the coronavirus crisis.

New York City-based Emma Worldwide, a newly Council-certified MBE marketing firm, led by Chih-Chin Sun, supports her neighbors and responds to the pandemic with personal resources she cultivated in China over the past 25 years. Since the stay-at-home and social-distancing orders began,she has imported nearly a million pieces of vital PPE products from masks and gowns to thermometers and sanitizing agents from China.

“When the pandemic struck,and I heard people blaming Chinese people for ‘fake stuff’, and saw price gouging, I thought I should get involved and help get quality PPE to America at fair prices,” said Sun. “I work directly with a few legitimate manufacturers with proven track records of excellence–of producing the highest quality PPE products, meeting China’s rigid safety standards and regulations,” Sun continued.

Emma Worldwide moves stuck personal protective equipment (PPE) shipments from China through customs, arranges freight and transportation, and ensures the PPE products go to the people with the most need. Working with fellow MBE, United Building Maintenance Corporation, and World Financial Group’s Hope of Tomorrow Foundation, which donates the PPE to hospitals, Emma Worldwide is making a difference.

The Council proudly supports MBEs like Emma Worldwide and the many other Asian-American MBEs that are stepping up and doing their part to diversify the supply chain for the health and welfare of all Americans. #AllInThisTogether

Like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Also, be sure to reach out to us for more information about our technical assistance programs and the many ways to diversify your supply chain.

ASIAN-AMERICAN OWNED BUSINESSES:

In honor of Asian/Pacific American Heritage Month, the NYNJ MSDC presents a listing of Council-certified, Asian/Pacific American-owned businesses. Learn more

Sincerely,

Terrence Clark