Celebrating 15 Years of Breaking Barriers: The Journey and Future of the California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce

In 2010, the California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce (CalAsian Chamber) was founded to fill a critical gap in statewide AAPI business and political representation. Over the past 15 years, our journey has been defined by bold vision, transformative partnerships, and relentless advocacy for our community. As we celebrate this milestone, we honor our achievements and look forward to a future of even greater impact and growth.

“There was no voice at the state level to Asian Pacific Islander owned businesses and so we thought it was really critical,” said Pat Fong Kushida, CEO & President of the California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce. “We had started a local chamber and we’re very successful here in Sacramento because obviously this is the capital, and so I realize there was an opportunity to really give voice to all of the businesses here in California.”

A Foundation Built on Vision and Partnership

From our very inception, we recognized that empowering AAPI-owned businesses requires more than just support—it demands strategic collaboration. Comcast, one of our founding sponsors, was there from day one. As John Gutierrez explains, “Comcast has been a member of the CalAsian Chamber since its inception. Johnnie Giles was the Chamber’s first Board Chair, and we have maintained our membership throughout its history.”

Comcast’s early and continued involvement set the stage for our growth, demonstrating a commitment to expanding community engagement and supporting diverse entrepreneurs. Alongside Comcast, our foundational support from industry leaders like PG&E, Verizon, Wells Fargo, and AT&T has been instrumental in our journey, allowing us to develop programs that truly make a difference.

Milestones That Define Our Impact

Over the last 15 years, we have reached several key milestones that showcase our ability to drive change and empower the AAPI business community:

Federal Centers and Strategic Initiatives:

• The U.S. Department of Transportation SBTRC (Southwest Region) opened in 2011.
• The U.S. Department of Commerce’s Minority Business Development Agency (MBDA) Business Center and the U.S. Small Business Administration’s San Joaquin Region SBDC have supported our mission, with the latter launching in 2022.
• In 2024, our Electrify CA program, part of the MBDA Capital Readiness Program, further bolstered our strategic initiatives.

Policy Wins That Pave the Way:

With the help of our Political Action Committee, we have championed critical legislation such as AB 2019 (signed in 2022) and AB 258 (signed in 2023), which support small business certification and improve access to state resources for minority-owned businesses. These policy victories reflect our commitment to creating an equitable economic landscape in California.

Data-Driven Impact:

Our partnerships with the California African American and Hispanic Chambers have enabled us to launch data research initiatives that inform and amplify the diverse needs of small businesses. Our 2024 report stands as a testament to the growing impact of our work.

Expanding Our Partner Network:

Our robust MOU partner network, which includes the Asian Business Association Los Angeles, Asian Business Association San Diego, Asian INC., the Central Valley Asian-American Chamber of Commerce, and the California Hmong Chamber of Commerce, has been key in ensuring that small businesses across California have a powerful, statewide voice.

Celebrating Our 15-Year Legacy and Looking Ahead

Today, the California Asian Pacific Chamber of Commerce is the largest statewide ethnic chamber of commerce in California and the second largest chamber in the state overall. Our dedicated team of over 30 employees, along with our growing board and sponsorshipnetwork—including long-standing support from Comcast, Wells Fargo, PG&E, Verizon, and AT&T—reflects our unwavering commitment to fostering an inclusive and thriving business ecosystem.

Our CalAsian Foundation programs and workshops, such as Catalyst, NextGen Empower U, and AAPI Lift, have opened new pathways for AAPI entrepreneurs, preparing them to lead, innovate, and drive change. As we celebrate 15 years of impact, we remain focused on breaking barriers and building a future where every AAPI business and leader has the opportunity to succeed.

Join Us in Celebrating the Future

We invite you to explore our journey, learn more about our initiatives, and join us as we continue to empower the AAPI community and advance small business success throughout California. Together, with our visionary partners and dedicated supporters, we are paving the way for a brighter, more inclusive future.

Here’s to 15 years of impact and to many more years of breaking barriers and growing stronger together.