Asian American Society of Central Virginia : What We Do

The AASoCV strives to accomplish its mission through the following:

Educating the public about Asian culture and its people, particularly their capabilities and contributions to Central Virginia and the United States
Providing information on Asian topics to schools, businesses, government and the public to encourage racial understanding and harmony, which lessens neighborhood tensions and the burdens of government
Proving contacts and source information on member organizations
Eliminating racial prejudice and discrimination through education and social outreach
Promoting and sustaining unity among diverse ethnic groups
Promoting cultural exchange among ethnic groups
Soliciting, administering, maintaining, and distributing funds to support these purposes

Milestones

Fall 1997	Committee formed to reach out to various Asian American communities
Feb. 1998	Founding Board of Asian American Society of Central Virginia (AASoCV) established.
May 1998	First Asian American Celebration held at Richmond Centre
Sept. 1998	Certificate of Incorporation received from State Corp. Commission
March 1999	Non-Profit 501(c)(3) status for advanced ruling period (5 years) received from IRS
May 1999	Second Asian American Celebration held at Richmond Centre
May 1999	Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Celebration hosted by Governor Gilmore
May 2000	Third Asian American Celebration held – Four Events (Chesterfield County became organizing partner – Oct. 1999) Evening of Eastern Enchantment Exhibits at Main branch of the regional Libraries Asian American Festival at Manchester Middle School Business Luncheon at Virginia Fine Arts Museum at Carpenter Center Essay Contest and Library
April 2001	AASoCV Website established (www.aasocv.org)
May 2001	Fourth Asian American Celebration held at Richmond Centre (Counties of Chesterfield, Hanover, and Henrico, and City of Richmond became partners for the celebration event)
Aug. 2001	AASoCV co-hosted two Virginia Gubernatorial Candidate Receptions
Nov. 2001	Asian Radio Program started in Central Virginia
Feb. 2002	AASoCV joined other Asian Pacific Americans in the Governor Warner's Inaugural Parade
Feb. 2002	Received grant from Philip Morris USA to support the Asian Radio (8 Asian ethnic radio programs at AM 990/ AM 1340 every Sunday afternoon)
March 2002	AASoCV attended its first General Assembly sessions and was acknowledged by the legislature
March 2002	AASoCV hosted an Asian Advisory State Board planning session
May 2002	Fifth Asian American Celebration held at Arthur Ashe Center ( Counties of Chesterfield, Hanover, and Henrico, and City of Richmond continued to be partners of the Celebration event)
June 2002	Governor Warner hosted the AA Reception at the Governor's Mansion
Sept. 2002	Participated in the FBI's first Diversity and Unity Day
Nov. 2002	The first Asian American Business forum was held at Retail Merchant Association of Greater Richmond
Nov. 2002	Received Consumer Education Grant from VA State Corporation Commission to conduct “Energy Choice for Asian Americans” project
Jan. 2003	Asian American Business Council (AABiz) was established as an affiliation of AASoCV
Feb. 2003	Received grant from Verizon Foundation for the project “Asian American Connections”, to develop 13 web sites for the Asian American communities
March 2003	AASoCV hosted the first Health and Career Fair at Sheraton hotel
April 2003	AASoCV joined the branding campaign, “Historic Richmond Region ,Easy to Love”, the joint venture of several businesses, non profit organizations and government agencies
April 2003	AASoCV and the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce hosted the International Dinner at the Science Museum
May 2003	6 th Asian American Celebration held at Greater Richmond Convention Center (In partnership with Philip Morris, Dominion, Capital one, Chesterfield, Henrico and City of Richmond) Governor Mark Warner and the First Lady attended the event
May 2003	Participated in the Supreme Court Town Hall hearing
June 2003	Two AASoCV board members were appointed to serve on the VA Asian American Advisory Council
July 2003	In collaboration with the Organization of Chinese Americans (OCA) ,provided Asian Awareness Training to staff of Juvenile Justice Services, City of Richmond
July 2003	8 Asian groups participated in the first International Day, City Summer Festival, organized by the City Celebrations
July 2003	Confirmed by IRS as ‘Exempt' under Section 501( c)(3) of Internal Revenue Code and classified as a public charity
August 2003	AASoCV participated in the Judicial Council of Virginia's Solutions Conference
October 2003	AASoCV Executive Board members served as panelists at the NAACP Dominion Conference, “Diversity is Everybody's Business.”
October 2003	Participated in the First Asian Citizen Police Academy, Richmond, Police Department
October 2003	One Board member was appointed by Governor Warner to serve on Crime in Minority Communities Task Force
November 2003	AASoCV has become a partner of the Children's Museum of Richmond for the special holidays celebrations, “ Our Community, Our World”.
January 2004	Two Executive Board members were appointed to serve on the Governor's Asian Advisory Board.
May 2004	7 th Asian American Celebration held at Greater Richmond Convention Center (In partnership with Philip Morris, Capital one, Dominion Resources, Bank of America, Verizon, Chase Manhattan, Chesterfield, Henrico and City of Richmond..
May 2004	AASoCV and OCA (in partnership with City of Richmond , Chesterfield, Henrico and Hanover Police Depts.) provided an Asian American Community and Law Enforcement Symposium , featuring keynote speaker, Dr. Henry Lee.
June 2004	The First Asian Soccer Tournament was held at Dorey Park, participated by six Asian groups.
July 2004	AASoCV participated in the first Intercultural Celebration in Petersburg
Oct. 2004	Hosted Asian American Olympic and Health Fair at Midlothian High School
Jan. 2005	AASoCV raised money for the Tsunami Relief Fund for Indonesia, Sri Lanka Thailand and India
Feb. 2005	AASoCV hosted the 1 sst Ping Pong Tournament at Church of the Vietnamese Martyrs
March 2005	In partnership with Capitol One, AASoCV hosted the 5K Run for the Tsunami victims at the Capitol One Campus
April 2005	AASoCV participated in the Asia Blooms in the Garden at Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden
April 2005	AASoCV hosted the 1 st Basket Ball Tournament at Short Pump Middle School
May 2005	8 tth Asian American Celebration held at Greater Richmond Convention Center (in partnership with Capitol One, Philip Morris, Dominion, Chesterfield and Henrico)
June 2005	2 nd Asian Soccer Tournament held at Dorey Park
July 2005	AASoCV participated in the Diversity Job Fair sponsored by Richmond Times Dispatch, held at Greater Richmond Convention Center
Aug. 2005	AASoCV had the presentation at the Diversity Day, Defense Commissary Agency, Fort Lee
Aug. 2005	Participated in the 2 nd Petersburg Intercultural Celebration
Sept. 2005	AASoCV participated in the Children's Garden Opening Celebration, Lewis Ginter Botanical Garden