2025 Day of Giving
Building Bridges, Fostering Growth: Invest in Arkansas' Asian Business Future
As part of our first-ever Day of Giving fundraising campaign on December 2nd the AAAB is calling all members of the Arkansas-Asia Business community to help us advance our mission and strategic Initiatives.
The AAAB is actively building the economic bridge between Arkansas and Asia to create a more dynamic and globally connected state. We are at a critical inflection point. With your support, we can launch new, impactful programs and achieve measurable success.
Funds from this year's Day of Giving campaign will be dedicated to "Empowering Next-Gen Leaders & Connecting Our Community" and directly support two pivotal AAAB strategic pillars:
- AAAB Ascend: The launch of our Internship Program and an Innovation Challenge to cultivate future Asian-American talent and foster entrepreneurial solutions benefiting Arkansas businesses and youth.
- AAAB Community Hub: Enhancing our signature networking events, such as the "East Meets West" of Arkansas Lunar New Year Luncheon, to build stronger connections and foster a more vibrant, inclusive business community.
Support the AAAB today—your investment fuels our vision!
The Story of a Bridge
Imagine a bridge. Not one of steel and concrete, but one of connection, opportunity, and ambition. Now, imagine two people standing on opposite sides.
On one side is Priya, a brilliant engineering student at a university in Arkansas. She's the first in her family to go to college and is full of innovative ideas and a powerful drive to succeed. She has the talent, but she faces a hidden barrier: she doesn't have a local professional network. She sends resume after resume into the void, wondering how she'll ever get the chance to prove herself in the state she now calls home. She fears her Arkansas dream might end with graduation.
On the other side is Mr. Henderson, the owner of a growing manufacturing firm in Little Rock. He desperately needs fresh talent and new perspectives to help his company compete globally. He knows the potential is out there, but he struggles to connect with the next generation of diverse, skilled leaders. He's looking for a spark of innovation that his standard hiring process just isn't finding.
Both Priya and Mr. Henderson want to cross the bridge, but the path isn't clear.
This is where the Arkansas Association of Asian Businesses (AAAB) builds the connection.
Because of a contribution to the AAAB, Priya was able to attend an AAAB networking event. There, for the first time, she wasn't just a resume; she was a bright mind in a room full of leaders. She had a conversation with Mr. Henderson, who was immediately impressed by her insight.
Fueled by that connection, Priya applied for a position through AAAB's new internship program. Mr. Henderson's company, now an AAAB member, brought her on board. During her first three months, Priya didn't just learn; she led. She developed a new efficiency model for the company’s supply chain, which not only saved thousands, but also opened management’s eyes to a new way of thinking.
Today, Priya is no longer a student hoping for a chance. She is a full-time project manager at Mr. Henderson’s firm, a rising star who chose to build her career right here in Arkansas.
And Mr. Henderson? He found more than an intern. He found a future leader who is helping drive his company's growth.
There are more stories like these that you can write with your gift today.
The internship program that opened the door for Priya? That’s AAAB Ascend.
The networking event where she met her future employer? That’s our AAAB Community Hub.
There are countless Priyas in Arkansas with limitless potential and hundreds of Arkansas businesses like Mr. Henderson's ready to grow. They are waiting for a bridge.
On December 2nd, your gift doesn't just support an organization. It builds that bridge. It launches a career. It sparks innovation. It keeps brilliant talent in Arkansas, strengthening our community and our state for years to come.
Your donation is the connection.
Thank you to our Community Partners!
Federal Soft Systems
Molecular Processing, LLC
Startup Junkie