April 20, 2020 to April 24, 2020

It’s been over a month since the state of emergency was declared in Minnesota. The road ahead is long and still foggy, so we’re zooming in and zooming out to keep things moving forward.

It’s not only critical but necessary that we zoom in now to listen and learn from communities who have been telling us that they are being left out or left behind in the crisis response. Our complex diversity doesn’t make this easy, but the rich assets we do have surely can help. As I hear communities share how they are adjusting, I’m hearing about the cultural, language, entrepreneurial, financial, and social capital being deployed. So, if we have the will, then I know we already have what we need to do better, and we can widen the table to rebuild a future with everyone in mind. 

I’m pleased to see that Governor Walz and Lt. Governor Flanagan launched a Community Resiliency and Recovery Work Group. This kind of intention is a step in the right direction. I hope you’ll pay attention and give critical feedback as you explore the data that’s being shared, engage with the solutions being proposed, and identify what else is missing. There’s room for more voices and more ideas – especially those born from communities. Here at CAAL we are working hard to zoom in on specific vulnerable segments of the community so that we can provide more information to you.

Lastly, as leaders who wear multiple hats, many of you are already dedicating time to zooming out to give more clarity to that foggy future. We are also thinking about what recovery and rebuilding means and can look like when so many people are suffering. I look forward to hearing and learning from you as you think about this. Let’s move more boldly forward with equity at the center.

In solidarity,
Bo Thao-Urabe
Executive & Network Director

We couldn’t do our work without you. Please consider making a generous donation to support our COVID-19 response and recovery work. Thank you!

LISTENING TO COMMUNITY

“I have been supporting myself financially since I was 17 years old. Four years ago I bought a house in Savage, Minnesota. About three years ago I decided to follow my passion and started my own business. I was doing well. Then a couple of weeks ago this deadly virus arrived in Minnesota, and I had to close my doors. I cried every day that week, and I struggled to ask people for help. I felt like my independence and joy were taken away. I have contacted all my financial institutions where I have obligations asking for relief; they have been very slow in getting back to me. Fortunately, my student loan and building lease provided me 60 days of relief, but I feel lost because I don’t know how I am going to be able to pay anything after 60 days. The loan programs are complicated. I have started multiple applications, but I’m scared to complete them because I cannot afford the burden of any more debt. I called DEED and other programs because I need help, but they just tell me, “I don’t know how to help you specifically.” They just dvise me to keep looking at their website for updates.” 

-Dana Sour, Apsara Beauty Owner

Dana’s story and concerns are like so many small and micro businesses owned by Asian entrepreneurs at this time. Most don’t want more loans, and are often underbanked and underserved, but few grants are available for businesses. They also have little capacity to apply for forgivable loans and by the time they hear about it, they’re often too late because bigger businesses with more capacity have tapped into the resources already. In addition to the financial insecurity, Asian Minnesotan businesses are fear that xenophobia and racial discrimination are stopping customers from patronizing their businesses because there are mispreceptions that Asians are carriers of the virus or everyone is somehow to be blamed because of a connection to China.

In the next round of aid, relief and stimulus funding we strongly urge and recommend that the Minnesota State Legislature and Governor Walz create more comprehensive support that reaches micro and small businesses, especially those owned by underrepresented communities in the Asian, Black, Indigenous, and Latinx communities. Before this crisis, Asian-owned businesses paid over $600 Million in taxes in Minnesota, and were a crucial part of making Minnesota strong. During this time of crisis, our government must work harder to meet support these entrepeneurs.

Two specific recommendations we have are:

1) Make information accessible in language to underrepresented businesses:

• Make information available in different languages in audio or video formats. If materials cannot be translated into all languages then it should be translated to populations most prevalent in specific sectors, such as nail salons, restaurants, etc.
• Clearly explain what the eligibility criterias are, and simplify what the help available to people/businesses are.
• Employ community navigators to help people access what is available for them and to complete the application process.
• Collect and disaggregate all data to better understand how funding has been distributed and identify which communities are being left out.

2) Provide relief that prepares for recovery, not more debt:

• Provide grants for businesses that have no revenues, and work with micro and small businesses to make sure they have the capacity to apply for forgivable loans.
• Work with local CDFIs to do outreach to specific communities/sectors who have been historically underserved and are underrepresented.
• Partner with community organizations to ensure businesses receive information.
• Before policies are voted on listen closely to underserved and underrepresented communities to ensure solutions are EQUITABLE. For example, the short application periods have been especially challenging for communities who have limited English or low capacity; and, underrepresented and underserved communities are rarely asked about their needs and challenges, so most end up spending their time reacting to programs that have been passed rather than provide input on the design of policies and programs.

There have also been many questions about the CARES Act direct payments to people. The US Treasury launched a web-based portal. Please check irs.gov/coronavirus for updates.

We shared previously that our COVID-19 response and recovery work includes several threads that include: supporting individual BIPOC leaders who are using their expertise and skills to address urgent needs, investing in Asian Minnesotan organizations, working collaboratively to combat xenophobia and racism, and providing more timely information about the community. We’re pleased to share the progress of this work so you know what we’ve been up to at CAAL.

STRONGER TOGETHER FUND 

Designed to support Asian Minnesotan organizations who are using their cultural fluency and community connections to deliver language accessible navigation and support services to the most vulnerable community members, but who are often too small or have little capacity to access funding support for their work. Applications are due on Friday, April 24, 2020 at 5:00 PM CT. Please share this simple application with any Asian Minnesotan organizations you know who may want to apply. We will accept written applications, but will also interview an organization if that is preferred. 

SPARK LEADERSHIP FUND

We’ve provided $15,000 through the Spark Leadership Fund to BIPOC leaders who have ideas to address and urgent need at this time. Below are the descriptions of the first few projects we’ve supported.

Diana Kim Albrecht will create an interactive exhibit called PLACED to explore the bond between person and place for Korean adoptees, who are often stuck in between two cultures: where one is taken from, and another where one desperately tries assimilate.

Paulina Hoong and Sandy Lor’s Minnesota Rice, will create a website and Instagram featuring authentic Asian cuisine in the Twin Cities to address the COVID-19-related racism has contributed to the decline in business for Asian restaurants in the Twin Cities.

Serena Xiong will survey racially- and ethnically-diverse women to improve cervical cancer screening among minority women, who are reportedly at higher risks of developing and dying from late stage cervical cancer. Even in this critical time, health gaps must be addressed. 

We are still accepting applications for the Spark Leadership Fund. Apply today. Applications are accepted until funds run out. 

COLLABORATIVE TO COMBAT XENOPHOBIA & RACISM 

If you have experienced or witnessed discrimination, please complete the online form, or call 651-539-1133 | 1-800-657-3704. Interpreting services are available.

We’ve been connecting with national and local groups across the country to strengthen our local work to address and prevent anti-Asian xenophobia and violence. We provided input to Asian American Advancing Justice and Hollaback! and they are offering virtual workshops on bystander intervention. Join in and learn about how how to be an effective bystander without compromising your safety. Upcoming training dates are:

• Tuesday, April 21
• Thursday, April 23
• Monday, April 27
• Saturday, May 2
• Thursday, May 7
• Wednesday, May 13
• Thursday, May 21
• Saturday, May 30

You can find more details and register here. If you are interested in our work, please contact Bo Thao-Urabe.