Advocating for Equity and Celebrating 35 Years of Impact

As we celebrate the Asian Chamber’s 35th Anniversary, we reflect on our continued mission to champion and empower Asian American businesses in Houston.

This past month, the Chamber stood alongside our partners—the Philippine-American Chamber of Commerce Texas – Greater Houston Region, Korean American Chamber, ACE NextGen, and many of our members—to speak before Houston City Council in strong opposition to the proposed removal of Asian-owned businesses from the MWBE Professional Services category.

Our Board Member Daniel Yoo spoke passionately on behalf of the Chamber, joined by other Asian business leaders who shared how this change would negatively impact their businesses.

Their voices made it clear: Asian-owned businesses continue to face barriers and must remain included in the city’s efforts to ensure equitable economic opportunity. Advocacy like this is part of what makes our Chamber strong—and your continued support is what keeps us moving forward.

As we look ahead, mark your calendars for our 2025 Golf Tournament on April 7 at Black Horse Golf Club. It’s more than a day of golf—it’s an opportunity to connect with fellow business leaders and support our scholarship and educational programs that uplift the next generation of AAPI changemakers.

Thank you for being part of this journey.

Warm regards,

Fan Chen

Chair, Asian Chamber of Commerce

Advocating for Equity:

Standing Up for Asian-Owned Businesses

Last week, the Asian Chamber of Commerce joined forces with the Philippine-American Chamber of Commerce – Texas Greater Houston Region, the Korean American Chamber of Commerce, ACE NextGen, and numerous Asian business owners to speak out against a proposed policy change that would have excluded Asian American-owned businesses from the City of Houston’s Professional Services MWBE (Minority and Women Business Enterprise) category.

This recommendation from the Office of Business Opportunity would significantly impact Asian-owned businesses by restricting access to public contracts, stifling business growth, and undermining decades of progress made toward inclusive economic opportunity.

Why This Matters:

❌ Limits economic participation – Asian-owned businesses are a critical part of Houston’s economic engine. Removing them from MWBE programs would shrink contract opportunities, slow growth, and cost local jobs.
❌ Weakens MWBE protections – These programs were created to address disparities in government contracting. Asian-owned businesses continue to face systemic barriers and still need these protections.
❌ Contradicts Houston’s commitment to equity – Excluding an entire community sends the wrong message and erodes trust in the City’s commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion.

Representing the Asian Chamber, Board Member Daniel Yoo delivered a strong statement on behalf of our membership. He was joined by respected immigration attorney Gordon Quan, and C.C. Lee, Chairman & CEO of STOA International Architects and a Lifetime Member of ACC, along with several South Asian business leaders, urging City Council to reconsider this exclusionary recommendation.

The Asian Chamber will continue to advocate fiercely for equity and fair access to economic opportunities for all of Houston’s diverse business communities.

📢 Stay informed. Stay engaged. Contact your Houston City Council member and express your opposition.

Together, we can ensure Asian-owned businesses remain part of Houston’s inclusive growth story.

Congratulations to Donna Cole

on Her

Appointment to the Board of Pilot Commissioners for Harris County Ports

The Asian Chamber of Commerce proudly congratulates Donna Cole on her recent appointment to the Board of Pilot Commissioners for Harris County Ports by the Harris County Commissioners Court. Donna will serve a one-year term set to expire on February 1, 2026.

As one of the co-founders of the Asian Chamber, Donna has long been a trailblazer, advocate, and leader in both the business and civic communities. Her appointment is a testament to her continued dedication to public service and her deep-rooted commitment to advancing economic growth and opportunity in our region.

We celebrate this well-deserved recognition and know she will serve with distinction in this important role.

Congratulations, Donna!

Swing into Action for a Great Cause! ⛳️

Get ready to tee off for a day of impact, connection, and fun at the 2025 Asian Chamber Golf Tournament! This signature event brings together Houston’s top business leaders and professionals for a lively day on the greens—all while supporting scholarships and educational programs that uplift the next generation of changemakers.

📅 Monday, April 7

🏌️ Shotgun Start: 1:00 PM

📍 BlackHorse Golf Club | 12205 Fry Rd, Cypress, TX

Whether you're a seasoned golfer or just in it for the networking, this tournament is the perfect opportunity to enjoy great company, good food, and a whole lot of fun—all for a meaningful cause.

🎟️ Your registration includes:

-18 holes of golf
- Lunch, dinner, and drinks
- A golfer’s gift bag
- Raffle prizes and awards

💼 Sponsorship opportunities are still available!

Align your brand with a worthy cause and gain valuable exposure among Houston’s diverse and dynamic business community.

🔗 Reserve your spot or become a sponsor today:

https://asianchamberfoundation.org/golf

Let’s swing into action—we can drive change, one hole at a time.

Member Spotlight: GiftTech LLC Elevating Corporate Gifting with Purpose

We’re excited to spotlight GiftTech LLC, a proud member of the Asian Chamber and a trailblazer in the corporate gifting space. GiftTech is a B2B company that helps businesses strengthen employee engagement, enhance customer loyalty, and boost brand recognition—one personalized gift at a time.

With a sharp focus on branded promotional products, corporate gifts, and swag, GiftTech partners with companies to deliver gifting solutions that leave a lasting impression. Whether you're welcoming a new team member or recognizing a valued client, GiftTech makes it easy to send thoughtful, customized gifts that align with your company’s culture and brand.

What They Offer:

Custom Branded Merchandise: From tech gadgets like smart watches and gym accessories to mugs and T-shirts, GiftTech delivers high-quality items with your logo and custom designs.

Employee & Client Gifting: Curated gift boxes perfect for onboarding, holidays, appreciation, and rewards programs.

Eco-Friendly & Premium Options: Choose from sustainable and top-tier gift selections to match your values and brand standards.

Tech-Enabled Gifting Platform: Simplify the process with a streamlined system for ordering, customization, and distribution.

Who They Serve:

Corporate Teams looking to improve employee recognition and retention

Marketing Departments planning events and branded giveaways

HR Professionals creating memorable onboarding and appreciation experiences

Why Clients Choose GiftTech:

· Seamless customization and bulk ordering

· A focus on meaningful, memorable gifting experiences

· Strategic integration with company branding initiatives

Whether planning your next big event or simply wanting to say “thank you” in a special way, GiftTech is your go-to partner for gifting with impact. Learn more at www.mygifttech.com

Unlock Resources to Grow Your Business with Verizon Small Business Digital Ready!

Are you looking for expert guidance, funding opportunities, and tools to help grow your small business? The Verizon Small Business Digital Ready platform is here to support your entrepreneurial journey—at no cost to you.

Created in partnership with Next Street and the Local Initiatives Support Corporation (LISC), this free, online resource hub provides small business owners with access to:

✅ Over 40 curated online courses in English and Spanish, covering everything from financial management and business development to social media marketing and customer engagement

✅ Coaching and mentoring sessions led by small business experts

✅ A thriving online community of entrepreneurs where you can network, collaborate, and share resources

✅ A Small Business Funding Marketplace, developed with Next Street, where you can search for grants and loan opportunities tailored to your business needs

✅ The chance to apply for a $10,000 small business grant

Each year, the platform provides over $1 million in small business grants to help entrepreneurs like you grow and thrive. Since its launch, more than 350,000 businesses across the country have taken advantage of this powerful tool—51% of which are women-owned and 62% Black or Hispanic-owned.

Whether you're just starting out or looking to scale, Verizon Small Business Digital Ready is a valuable resource to help you achieve your goals. 👉 Sign up today and start exploring everything the platform has to offer:

https://digitalready.verizonwireless.com

Together, we grow stronger. Take the next step in your business journey with Verizon Small Business Digital Ready.

Save the Date!

Asian American, Native Hawaiian & Pacific Islander Heritage Month Luncheon

📅 Thursday, May 2, 2025

📍 Ocean Palace | Heart of Chinatown

Join the Asian Chamber of Commerce as we kick off AAPHI Month with our annual AANHPI Heritage Month Luncheon—a vibrant celebration of culture, community, and cuisine.

Set against the backdrop of Houston’s iconic Chinatown, this signature event brings together business and community leaders to honor the rich contributions of Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander communities and to spotlight the diverse culinary traditions that define our region.

✨ More details and ticket information coming soon. Stay tuned!