Washington, D.C. (September 13, 2010) – The Organization of Chinese Americans – National Chapter, announce this week that a $75,000 grant from State Farm was awarded to support OCA’s Entrepreneur Empowerment Training program. The fishing industry has become the pathway for many Southeast Asians to live the American Dream. This training will help members of the Southeast Asian community in New Orleans who desire to start their own small business.
“State Farm is proud to support OCA and the Entrepreneur Training Program, as we recognize the many benefits of small businesses and the importance of how entrepreneurship can lead to the American Dream for many APAs,” said Sonya Gong Jent, vice president of Operations, Multicultural Business Development, State Farm. “My parents owned a small business in Mississippi and I am certainly living the American Dream.”
Since 2007, OCA has partnered with State Farm through the EET program, which provides APAs with tools and skills to start a small business, such as determining funding needs and writing a business plan. The program will begin with a three-day training that will focus on small business development, food production/food packaging, food services and personal money management.
“OCA is committed to contributing positively to the communities that OCA members live in and providing opportunities for development and leadership,” said Ken Lee, OCA national president. “We are confident that this program will help APA entrepreneurs continue to fulfill their goals of financial freedom and economic well-being within their respective communities.”
The EET program goals are to provide job creation guidelines and small business management skills. Participants select a curriculum track to create sustainable enterprises. The long-term goal is for each participant to have the ability to train their employees in business practices that will sustain a growing concern.
OCA is a national organization with more than 80 chapters and affiliates dedicated to advancing the social, political and economic well-being of Asian Pacific Americans.
