FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 22, 2021
PRESS CONTACT:
Devon Cruz
RELEASE: First Lady Jill Biden to Address Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander Youth at Changemakers Summit 2021
WASHINGTON DC—Today, Act To Change, Hate Is A Virus, and Stop AAPI Hate announced that Dr. Jill Biden, First Lady of the United States, will provide special remarks at their inaugural Changemakers Summit 2021 this Saturday, October 23 from 10am-3pm PST / 1-6pm EST. The Summit seeks to empower Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) youth, educators, and activists. Targeting 12-24 year old youth, the Summit will provide resources and guidance to help develop them into the next generation of leaders in the AANHPI community.
On the Summit and efforts to end bullying and racism against the AANHPI community, Dr. Jill Biden said:
“To the students, educators, and community leaders at this year’s Changemakers Summit. You represent the best of who we are as Americans. Through your courage and vision, you are preparing our nation’s next generation of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander leaders. It matters.
Especially as we emerge from a pandemic that has been so difficult on our country and the AANHPI community in particular. In addition to the loss of life, we’ve experienced a rise in hate and xenophobia. Too many of you have experienced the taunts, the looks, the physical and emotional distress that comes everyday online, in our schools, and just walking the streets of America.
Our President often says, ‘We must not be silent. We have to speak out. We have to act.’ We will act. We are committed to fighting hate crimes and bullying in all its forms. We stand united against racism. We stand united for justice and equality. And we stand united in the belief that every child deserves to grow up proud of who they are. And that’s why today’s summit is so important as you educate, empower, and celebrate all the young people who will be true changemakers for generations to come.”
Other speakers for the event include actors, writers, filmmakers, and activists such as:
- Helen Zia, author and activist
- Maulik Pancholy, actor, author and co-founder of Act To Change
- Amanda Nguyen, activist, founder of Rise
- Versha Sharma, Editor-in-Chief of Teen Vogue
- May Lee, journalist, author, professor
- Ashlyn So, fashion designer, youth activist
- Kapulei Flores, photographer, activist
- Ryan Alexander Holmes, actor, content creator & activist
- Rachel Leyco, filmmaker, actress, and activist
- And more to be announced.
The Summit and support of these activists come after a year of increased anti-Asian hate crimes and discrimination, fueled by COVID-19 misinformation and scapegoating. By joining the Summit, our speakers are investing their social influence behind the fight to end racism, bullying, and discrimination against AANHPI communities.
Click here to learn more about the Changemakers Summit 2021.
