📣 🛍️ We're back with our annual #ShopAAPIMonth campaign in partnership with the MA Asian and Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus!
🗓️ Throughout AAPI Heritage Month, we invite everyone to support their local AAPI-owned small business throughout the state. Whether you've been meaning to try out a new restaurant or get the perfect gift for someone special, an AAPI-owned business is there for you. And, we want to share your experience.
1️⃣ Visit and capture your experience supporting an AAPI-owned business.
2️⃣ Post to Instagram, Facebook, or LinkedIn and tag us and the Caucus while using #ShopAAPIMonth.
3️⃣ We'll repost your experience and boost visibility for the business.
‼️ Attention business owners: Let your customers know you're part of #ShopAAPIMonth and don't be afraid to share your story, your journey, and your offerings. We'll be sure to feature you, too!
🔎 Check out our useful media kit with graphics to share and sample captions and content ideas to help you get started. Just visit https://tr.ee/ShopAAPIMonth
📣 Introducing May's AAPI Business Highlight and 2026 Ignite Program Cohort Member: Kuya's Cooking
🔎 Read more about how Aldrin Agas started his business, his deep connection to hospitality and generosity, and his plans to have a permanent place to call his own. Visit kuyascooking.com to check out his offerings! #ShopAAPIMonth @asiancaucusma
Bring back in-person meetings if it involves food? Especially if it’s #ShopAAPIMonth?
BIG thank you to @mimischukadiner for providing delicious food for ACF’s Grant reviewer volunteer lunch today ❤️ We are always so proud to support and uplift our AAPI-owned businesses, especially during #ShopAAPIMonth. We encourage you to take part and tag @abec_ma and @asiancaucusma .
🔎 Still on the hunt for the perfect Mother's Day gift? We got you covered --> #ShopAAPIMonth @asiancaucusma
➡️ Check out these gift ideas for Mom from AAPI-owned businesses: Mommy Goes to Work @mommygoestowork_ , Banyan & Birch @banyanandbirch , OONCII @ooncii , PureniTea @purenitea , and Wax & Scent @waxandscentma
❓What are some other other AAPI-owned businesses where we can get the perfect gift for Mom? Share it with us in the comments!
🥡 Celebrate AAPI Heritage Month and National Small Business with us and the City of Cambridge on Wednesday, May 6 at Sumiao Hunan Kitchen from 4PM–6PM!
📩 Space is limited, RSVP today. We hope to see you there!: tr.ee/AAPINetworking
Massachusetts communities building resistance and solidarity 💪🏽
The Boston Globe recently published an opinion piece by State Senator Lydia Edwards, Gladys Vega of La Colaborativa, and Leverett Wing of the Commonwealth Seminar on how communities across race, class, and identity are pushing back against federal policies seen as divisive and discriminatory.
Across Greater Boston and beyond, Black, Latino, Asian, LGBTQ+, and immigrant advocacy networks are forming multiracial coalitions—from “Know Your Rights” campaigns to joint legislative efforts—to protect civil rights and advance equity.
The piece highlights how the Asian Business Empowerment Council, along with other equity-focused groups, is working with partners to advance economic inclusion for under-resourced small businesses by aligning strategies, convening leaders, and pushing for shared policy priorities.
This coverage showcases how collective action plays a vital role in defending rights, strengthening neighborhoods, and expanding opportunity for all.
🔗 Read the full opinion piece through here: https://tr.ee/GlobeOpEd
✨ Last week, we gathered over 100 AAPI business leaders for our annual AAPI Business Leadership Breakfast for a morning discussing adaptive leadership in a rapidly changing environment.
💡 Thank you to our speakers Paul W. Lee, Board Chair of ABEC; Jay Tuli, President of Leader Bank; Raymond Ahn, CMO of HarbourVest Partners; Kimberly Blakemore, Head of ADVentures, Analog Devices; and Gogi Gupta, Founder of Gupta Media for sharing practical tools, honest insights, and real examples of leadership in today's environment.
➡️ A big thank you to our gracious hosts, HarbourVest Partners, for being collaborator in this work, and our sponsors, Leader Bank and Verizon Small Business Digital Ready Partners, for making this event possible.
📷 A special shoutout to Nicole Loeb of Brightside Media for capturing the energy of the room. For photos, please visit https://tr.ee/ABLB26
Happy Solar New Year! 🌺
Across Southeast Asia, communities welcome the new year with water, joy, and renewal — from Songkran (Thailand), Thingyan (Myanmar), Pi Mai (Laos), to Choul Chnam Thmey (Cambodia).
These vibrant celebrations mark a time of cleansing, fresh beginnings, gratitude, and coming together with family and community. ☀️
🎊We're excited to announce our 2026 Ignite Program Cohort! 🎊
These 5 business will undergo a 6-week coaching sprint directed and led by Prepshift, founded by Irene Li. Last month, we had our kickoff session at the Hong Kong Restaurant in Harvard Square where participants were able to meet one another, connect with the ABEC and Prepshift teams, and hear from the owner of the Hong Kong, Paul Lee, and learned how to get the most out of this experience.
We're excited to be part of their business journey. Please be sure to check them out and support them!
Broken Cup Teahouse - brokencupteahouse.com, @brokencupteahouse
Kuya’s Cooking - kuyascooking.com, @kuyascooking
Mint Kitchen & Bar - mintworcester.com, @mintworcester
Pho Saigon - phosaigonspringfield.com, @phosaigonma
Solid Ground Café - solidgroundcafe.com, @solidgroundcafeboston
Last week’s Asian Women Making an Impact was a powerful reminder of what intentional leadership looks like in action. 🤎
Thank you to everyone who joined us at The Boston Foundation to celebrate Women’s History Month in community.
We’re deeply grateful to our incredible speakers —
✨ Diana Hwang
✨ Jean Yang
✨ Alicia Tulsee
✨ Representative Erika Uyterhoeven
And to our thoughtful moderator, Shirley Leung, for guiding such a meaningful conversation.
We were also honored by a special appearance from Vanna Howard, the first Cambodian American elected as a State Senator in the nation.
We took a moment to honor our dear friend, partner, and mentor, Renee Inomata—an integral part of WOCE and ABEC, and a dedicated advocate for small businesses. She is deeply missed by our community.
From stories of resilience to pivotal career decisions, the evening reminded us how impact is built—through courage, clarity, and community.
Thank you to our partners at the Asian Business Empowerment Council, and to every founder, leader, and supporter who filled the room with energy and intention.
Special thanks to our vendors who made the evening even more memorable:
@meltinyourmouth.boston , @moylings Tea, @90pluscellars , @shanti_boston , and Kevin Thai of @threecircles.studio .
If you’d like deeper insights, founder updates, and invitations to upcoming events, follow us.
Community. Leadership. Impact. ✨
#womenshistorymonth #aapileaders #womeninleadership #socialimpactbusiness
In honor of Women's History Month, we partnered with Women of Color Entrepreneurs (WOCE) @woce_boston to host the annual Asian Women Making an Impact Event. 💜
This year, we had five incredible women join us for an evening of getting real, facing imposter syndrome, and being the best Asian woman you know. We heard from Jean Yang, President & CEO of Vinfen; Erika Uyterhoeven, State Representative 27th Middlesex; Alicia Tulsee, Founder of Moxie Scrubs; Shirley Leung, Business Columnist at the Boston Globe; and Diana Hwang, Founder & Executive Director of Asian American Women's Political Initiative (AAWPI). Thank you for sharing your insights and inspiring all of us.
We also had a special appearance by Vanna Howard, who is the first Cambodian American to be elected as State Senator in the nation.
In this work, we honored our dear friend, partner, and mentor, Renee Inomata. She has been an integral part of WOCE and ABEC and has long supported and advocated for small businesses. She is deeply missed by our community.
A special shoutout to our vendors for making this night extra special: Melt in Your Mouth Desserts, Moylings Tea, 90+ Cellars, Shanti Indian Cuisine, and Kevin Thai from Three Circles Studio for capturing the event.
