Plenary I: The State of Asian New Yorkers: Who Are We? This general session sought to present the Asian American identity from the sociological, political and economic perspectives. It examined the unique contributions of Asian Americans in the transformation of their neighborhoods and looked at the policies that may sustain their initiatives or inhibit them.

Speakers:

• Melany Dela Cruz Viesca, Assistant Director, UCLA Asian American Studies Center, American Studies
• Tarry Hum, Associate Professor, Department of Urban Studies at Queens College
• Claire Shulman, President & CEO of Flushing/Willets Point/Corona LDC and Former Queens Borough President
• MODERATOR: Lydia Tom, Deputy Director, Enterprise Community Partners, New York Office

Plenary II: Forging Linkages and Building Bridges This general session highlighted the local economy of immigrant communities and discussed ways of linking or integrating them into the larger system. It specifically looked into concrete and creative approaches to community development through partnerships and innovations in the areas of institutional development, rebuilding communities, and forming coalitions.

Speakers:

• Jonathan Bowles, Director, Center for an Urban Future
• Dunson K. Cheng, Chairman of Cathay Bancorp and Cathay Bank
• Jason Muss, Principal, Muss Development LLC
• MODERATOR: Lisa Hasegawa, Executive Director, National Coalition for Asian Pacific American Community Development (National CAPACD)

The State of Homeownership: Pitfalls, Innovations and Partnerships The experts and practitioners discussed the state of homeownership in the Asian American community and offered concrete approaches and solutions to the unique problems affecting it.

Speakers:

• Flora Ferng, Assistant Director, Asian Americans for Equality Community Development Fund
• Solomon Greene, Research Fellow, NYU's Furman Center for Real Estate and Urban Policy
• Julie Sun, Manager of Corporate Relations and Housing Outreach Division, Freddie Mac
• John Yen Wong, Founding Chairman, Asian Real Estate Association of America (AREAA)
• MODERATOR: Cecelia Fucuy, Director, New York Mortgage Coalition

The State of Affordable Housing in New York City: Preservation and Advocacy Leading advocates for immigrant rights, policymakers and practitioners examined the contributions of immigrants in revitalizing their neighborhoods and the importance of preserving affordable housing. They also discussed taking creative steps in helping immigrants adapt to the changes in their gateway cities and enclaves.

Speakers:

• Seema Agnani, Executive Director, Chhaya CDC
• David Hanzel, Policy Director, Association for Neighborhood and Housing Development
• Gregory Watson, Director, New York State, Department of Housing & Community Renewal
• Thomas Yu, Director, Downtown Manhattan Community Development Corp (DMCDC)
• MODERATOR: Javier Valdés, Director of Special Projects and Housing Advocacy, New York Immigration Coalition

The State of Small Businesses: Engines of Neighborhood Development Policy researchers, nonprofit professionals and Asian American entrepreneurs shared their stories and studies on how immigrant entrepreneurs are reshaping the economy and are transforming their neighborhoods.

Speakers:

• K.Y. Chow, Owner, GM Printing
• Michael Lee, Assistant Director, Renaissance Economic Development Corporation
• Pin Tai, Executive Vice President and General Manager, Cathay Bank
• MODERATOR: Michael Fields, First Vice President and CRA Officer, Valley National Bank

Partnership and Leadership Models: Leveraging Power and Nurturing New Leaders Asian American emerging leaders discussed and shared different models and approaches on policy advocacy and youth leadership formation.

Speakers:

• Steven Choi, Attorney, YKASEC - Empowering the Korean American Community
• Wayne Ho, Executive Director, Coalition for Asian American Children and Families
• Saru Jayaraman, Executive Director, Restaurant Opportunities Center of New York (ROC-NY)
• Tina Lee, Executive Vice President, World Journal
• Frances Yen, Director of Community Education, Asian Americans for Equality
• MODERATOR: John Choe, Chief of Staff to Councilmember John C. Liu, New York City Council

Post-9/11 Chinatown: Prevailing Over Crisis Through Partnerships The workshop discussed how Asian American organizations came together to rebuild and remake their community after 9/11. It examined how this particular crisis was turned into an opportunity for growth and communal cooperation through a community-based planning method.

Speakers:

• Jennifer Brown, Executive Director, Flatiron/23rd Street Partnership Business Improvement District
• Amy Chin, Special Advisor for Cultural Initiatives, Chinatown Partnership Local Development Corporation
• Michael Hickey, Vice President, Deutsche Bank Americans Foundation and Community Development Finance Group
• Robert Weber, Director of Policy Development, Asian Americans for Equality
• MODERATOR: Eve Baron, Director of the Planning Center, Municipal Art Society

Philanthropy as a Community Development Tool This workshop explored how philanthropy can influence change and redirect policy discussion on community development. It discussed the role of philanthropists as innovators and change agents.

Speakers:

• Jessica Chao, Vice President, Rockefeller Philanthropy Advisors
• Rose Chao, Trustee, Lin and Susie Chen Foundation
• Paul Huang, President, C.J. Huang Foundation, Director of Ouyang Yu Foundation
• Jiming Liang, Executive Assistant to the Executive Director, Charles B. Wang Foundation
• Patricia Swann, Program Officer, New York Community Trust
• MODERATOR: Nelson Louis, Executive Officer, Ong Family Foundation

Innovations in Community Outreach & Education: A Case Study A case study on the partnership formed between JP Morgan Chase, Freddie Mac and the immigrant communities, showcasing the response of mainstream financial institutions in customizing their projects and services in response to the needs of the community.

Speakers:

• Lynn Roque Alley, Northeast Regional Director for Expanding Markets, Freddie Mac
• Jessie Liu, Director of Account Services, L3 Advertising, Inc.
• Veronica J. Seale, Vice President of Multicultural Marketing, Chase Home Lending.