Georgia Minority Supplier Development CouncilThe GMSDC celebrates the contributions of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in our community during this year’s Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. The month of May has been set aside for this commemoration for more than 40 years, starting with President Carter signing off on a resolution designating the first week of May as Asian Pacific Heritage Week in 1978. In 1992, the observance was enhanced, expanded to an entire month and renamed Asian Pacific American Heritage Month. The name was later changed again to recognize cultures with roots in both the Asian continent and the many islands of the Pacific region. The month of May was chosen in honor of two historic milestones – the arrival of the first Japanese immigrants to the US in May of 1843, and the completion of the transcontinental railroad – largely built by Chinese immigrants, in May of 1869. The nation’s AAPI population – around 23 million today, is projected to reach 46 million by 2060, making it by far the fastest growing segment of the US population. Asian Americans – roughly 6% of the US population – hail from more than 40 distinct Asian, native Hawaiian and Pacific Island cultures.
Asian American owned businesses are some of the nation’s most successful minority businesses, including many from Georgia who are nationally recognized industry leaders and award winners. The AAPI community is also one of the GMSDC’s most engaged, with numerous leaders who serve on boards, committees and other positions of leadership. Nearly 300 of the Council’s certified MBEs are Asian owned, including recipients of prestigious recognition like GMSDC and NMSDC Supplier of the Year Awards, EY Regional Entrepreneur of the Year and repeat recognition in Inc. Magazine’s list of America’s 500 fastest growing private companies. The GMSDC’s Asian community transacts billions of dollars in revenues each year and employs tens of thousands of people around the world. As we celebrate these outstanding companies and their many accomplishments, we would like to spotlight one of the amazing MBEs from Georgia’s AAPI community –
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Asian American businesses play a huge role in Georgia’s economy, and that of the entire nation. We honor the many contributions that all of these cultural groups have made to the state and celebrate their impact on the business community. We are proud of these amazing MBEs and look forward to a bright future ahead. For more information, visit asianpacificheritage.gov.
