Census Summit

NANAY Joins Asian American Community Leaders at 2010 CENSUS Summit

by Sze Lee

Volunteer participants aim to Ensure Complete and Accurate 2010 Census Count in Atlanta Region

On August 18-19, 2009, NANAY joined Asian American leaders from across the Atlanta Region (Florida, Atlanta, Alabama) in St. Petersburg, Florida to learn about and discuss the importance of the 2010 Census and to ensure every resident in their community is counted.

Made up of state, local and community leaders, meeting with Census officials, this meeting went a long way to help the Asian American community to become more aware of the core strategic elements of the 2010 Census. The summit included a cross section of community representatives “ including government agencies leadership, education, business , faith-based organizations and the media “ and aim to address the various racial, ethnic, cultural and geographic considerations of the community.

Using their local knowledge of the Asian American community these leaders were energized to design and implement census awareness campaigns that uniquely address the special characteristics of the Asian American community. These campaigns are targeted to inspire residents to participate in the 2010 Census and ultimately ensure every member of their community is counted.

Five officers of NANAY, Inc. (Dr. Joy Bruce-Founding President, Evelyn Bruce-Executive Director, Sze Lee-Youth Coordinator/Development Officer, Dennis Murasaki and Winnie Tang - Governing Board members) were among the limited number of community leaders from Florida who were invited by the Census to participate in the=2 0Summit. Dr. Bruce is also one of the 45 Governor-appointed members of the Florida Complete Count Commttee, along with Leilani Fontanilla from the Council of Filam Organizations in Orlando (CFAO) and Belinda Keiser from Keiser College.

Leilani Fontanilla and Val Dagani from Orlando, Romy dela Paz from Brevard County and Dr. Mel Carbonell from Jacksonville -- all members of the Filam Coalition of Florida -- were also invited to participate.