White House to honor "Champions of Change" for Affordable Care Act outreach to AAPIs

Recognition honors eleven community leaders' work to educate AAPIs about access to health care

This week, the White House and U.S. Department of Health & Human Services will honor eleven advocates and community leaders as "Champions of Change" for their work to educate Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders about the Affordable Care Act.

The event, to be held at the White House this Thursday, April 24, will celebrate the leadership, commitment, and hard work of navigators, consumer assisters, community health centers, and other individuals or organizations that have focused on ensuring that AAPIs fully benefit from health reform.

Some facts about Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islanders and health care access: One in four Korean Americans is uninsured; nearly 40% of Asian American women over the age of 40 haven't had a routine mammogram; one in four Asian Americans over the age of 18 -- and one in three Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders -- have not seen a doctor in the last year.

Thursday's event will recognize outreach and education efforts to provide nearly two million uninsured Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders with quality, affordable health care. Here are the Champions of Change -- special shout out to my old friend Priscilla Huang, Policy Director for the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum.

White House to honor Cesar E. Chavez "Champions of Change"

Recognition honors ten community leaders who embody the spirit of Cesar E. Chavez’ legacy

On Monday, March 31, in celebration of Cesar Chavez Day, the White House will recognize ten individuals as "Champions of Change" -- community leaders who embody the spirit of Cesar E. Chavez's legacy, representing "the values and steadfast determination of Cesar Chavez to organize ourselves for a more just tomorrow."

The Cesar E. Chavez Champions of Change include some pretty awesome folks doing amazing work, inspirational work, including Khin Mai Aung, Director of the Educational Equity Program at the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund, and Helen Gym, Board Member of Asian Americans United (and former Angry Reader of the Week). Congratulations!

Here's the full list of this year's Cesar E. Chavez "Champions of Change":

Nominate an AAPI woman as a Champion of Change

Heads up. The White House Champions of Change series spotlights ordinary citizens who are demonstrating extraordinary commitment to their community, their country, and their fellow citizens.

This May, on the occasion of AAPI Heritage Month, the White House Office of Public Engagement, White House Council on Women and Girls, and White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders will honor a small group of AAPI women as Champions of Change. That's where you come in.

Do you know an AAPI Woman who is a Champion of Change? Members of the public are invited to submit nominations online. A small group of AAPI women who represent diverse experiences and backgrounds will be honored as Champions of Change and invited to the White House for an event in early May.

Go to the White House website to submit an awesome AAPI woman as a Champion of Change (under "Theme of Service," choose "AAPI Women Leaders"). The nomination deadline is March 29.