US Congressman Jim Moran (D, VA-8th District) was the invited guest at this conference that offered small and minority businesses with training, resources and networking growth strategies. Other highlights of the August 3 day-long conference held in Arlington , Virginia : Vivek Kundra , Virginia Assistant Secretary of Commerce and Trade, talking about the impact of Base Realignments and Closure (BRAC), and sessions on federal contract opportunities, business financing tips and best practices in export/import and retail industries. Participants networked with more than 40 of the region’s leading companies and conference exhibitors.

Capital Area Asian American Network (CAAAN) held a program providing practical advice on how Asian Americans need to manage misconceptions and overcome workplace challenges to climb up the corporate ladder. CAAAN President Leona Chan said the program was championed by Cornet Technology Program Manager of Embedded Systems Manville Chan. Sprint Nextel Corporation Vice President of Marketing My-Chau Nguyen was the speaker. Studies show that 44% of Asian Americans over age 25 have graduated from college, the highest percentage for any racial group. Yet only one percent of them hold seats on U.S. corporate boards.

In Los Angeles, California last July 15, KCCD hosted its 6th Annual Homeownership Fair at the Wilshire United Methodist Church. It drew KCCD’s largest turnout ever at over 1,000 participants. KCCD President Hyepin Im noted Korean homeownership rate is close to 50% compared to the national 70%. The Fair included a welcome from KCCD President Hyepin Im; Rev. Chol Hwan Kwak, Senior Pastor of Wilshire United Methodist Church; Samona Caldwell from State Farm Insurance; Morella Lombardi from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, and Gayle Bryce from Freddie Mac. L.A. Police Department First Assistant Chief Jim McDonnell and Eric Boyd, represented Assembly Member Mark Ridley-Thomas.

Grace Heritage Organization and Barnes & Noble in Virginia’s Tysons Corner presented "Tales from the Far East last August 14-20. The event featured story-telling sessions to Asian American children by Margaret Read MacDonald, author of over 45 books. The last day showcased talent show emceed by Avellino Ernestanto and Teresa Chelsea Hartanto, capped by a fashion show of traditional costumes. Photo courtesy of the GRACE Heritage

Kimberly Tam and Vinh Nguyen, center (holding awards), were among the 11 D.C. high school sophomores and juniors honored August 18 for completing the 8-week summer phase of "The China Challenge" youth language and cultural studies project. The H Street Community Development Corporation’s project partners are D.C. Chinatown Community Cultural Center (CCCC) and the Smithsonian Institution’s Asian Pacific American Program. Photo shows, from left: Chunrong Cai, the project’s Chinese language instructor; William A. Barrow III, H St. CDC Executive Director; Yulonda Queen, H St. CDC Project/Administrative Manager; CDC; Franklin S. Odo, Director of the Smithsonian APA Program; Co-founding Director and CCCC Vice Chair Duane Wang and Greg Chen, Director of the D.C. Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs.

Leadership In Action summer interns were honored at their graduation after completing an eight-week program with community based organizations in Los Angeles, California, a project held in partnership since 2001 by Leadership Education for Asian Pacifics, Inc. (LEAP) and Anheuser-Busch. Photo shows, from left: Jocelyn Wong, LEAP Project Manager Ben de Guzman, Gary Lee, Los Angeles Brewery Plant Manager of Anheuser-Busch, Inc., Chaquon (Chalsea) Chen, Camilla Benedicto and LEAP Program Coordinator Jade Agua. Dennis Arguelles, president of the Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council, a coalition of Asian American groups there, was the keynote speaker.

Visiting top Philippine actress Boots Anson Roa, second from right, thanked the area Filipino American community and Springfield, Virginia’s Manila Café for the successful July 30 fund raising for the Movie Welfare Fund (MOWELFUND). About a hundred friends and guests attended the event, which featured dinner with a screening of Regal Film’s “Blue Moon,” starring Boots, Eddie Garcia and Christopher de Leon. With Boots are her friends, from left: Jennie L. Ilustre, Annie Wilderman, Emelina Garcia Camp and Fred Paras. Photo: Bing Branigin

The Chinatown 6th Annual ComEd Dragon Boat Race for Literacy attracted 22 Dragon Boat teams last July 22 along the South Branch of the Chicago River at Chicago Chinatown's Ping Tom Memorial Park. The Aquaholics (left, in blue), a team from Toronto, won first place. The Chicago Skyline and the Sears Tower are pictured in the background. Bhangra 101: Interactive Class, where members of the audience joined dancers from the Punjabi Cultural Society, was among the popular entertainment numbers at the Chinatown 6th Annual ComEd Dragon Boat Race for Literacy, held at Chicago Chinatown’s Ping Tom Memorial Park. Photo: Rieny G. Cualoping

Public Employee magazine and staff of the American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees (AFSCME), led by Jon Melegrito (right), once again bagged awards in the media contest by the International Labor Communications Association AFL-CIO. Melegrito won the No. 1 award, the Max Steinbock award. The award is named after a revered former ILCA president. It recognizes "an outstanding journalistic effort that explores an issue of concern to working families, with particular sensitivity and insight into the human spirit." Melegrito’s winning piece was "Victimized by Water, Wind and Politicians." He was part of the team of International Union staff who went to New Orleans to help in the union’s relief effort.