Asian American Business Resilience Network
Transforming Businesses, Changing the World
AABRN is a 501c3 non-profit organization based in Minnesota.
AABRN’s VISION:
Envision a new reality that challenges historical inequities, and promotes economic
development through resilience, sustainability, and inclusive growth for all businesses
AABRN’s MISSION:
AABRN radically accelerates the pace of changes and community ownership of lands and build
infrastructures; providing resources, training, and support to entrepreneurs and small businesses;
- Building bridges across diverse ecosystems along with local chambers and business networks, in
order to achieve sustainable development’s silver lining with an equitable future.
AABRN will support below Programs: - Providing an accessible, inclusive, and welcoming space for businesses and
communities to feel like they belong; - Hosting low- and no-cost technical support, such as training to leverage digital tools to
create efficient business operational processes and platforms; - Supporting culturally responsive and translation services, such as: expanding
cultural healers’ business base; - Sustaining strategies that attract and retain skilled workers, such as: training Wellness
Coach or IT professionals; - Navigating local, state, and federal business resources, such as: monthly eMagazine
with recovering grant opportunities
One of the key success factors for every business is an advantageous location and platform.
Immigrant communities have always negotiated their journeys against a backdrop of obstacles
and issues, but the recent collision of two international shockwaves has made our pathway
truly perilous. The on-screen police murder of George Floyd outraged a world that was already
suffering through the early months of the COVID-19 pandemic’s worldwide upheaval.
These tragedies have shaken millions of lives and countless communities. For Asian Americans
in Minnesota, both events hit their communities especially hard. George Floyd’s murder
reopened the social wounds of a history of disparate policing, even as civil unrest hollowed out
homes, businesses, and infrastructure in struggling communities. Then a growing social media
storm spread memes about “China Virus,” portraying Asian peoples as somehow responsible
for a plague that affected everyone, and a renewed wave of anti-Asian hatred and violence
swept across North America.
Businesses in every community are sources of prosperity, leadership, cohesion, and pride. In
Minnesota’s Asian American community, too, successful businesses have a key role to play in
building prosperity, connection, positive identity, and social capital. However, countless studies
and first-hand experiences have shown that a positive, connected, resource-rich environment is
one of the keys to businesses that launch successfully and thrive long-term. Many Asian American business owners are working hard to recover from the recent damaging events and
trends, and others are trying to start new firms in spite of the uncertain outlook.
Since 2020, Asian American Business Resilience Network (AABRN) is a collaborative venture to
propel the emerging and continuing businesses in our disadvantaged communities by providing
the must-have supports, services, collective intelligence, access to labor, and welcoming, safe
spaces that can make all the difference between struggling in isolation and moving steadily
through the desired stages of organizational growth.
The Asian American Business Resilience Network will make this crucial difference in business
leaders’ journeys through the scalable direction, assets, and efficient assistance that are at the
center of its guiding principles. These forms of business support are aimed to address the
specific needs and opportunities that, when they are not accessible, most often cause business
stagnation or decline.
AABRN’s VISION:
Envision a new reality that challenging historical inequities, and promoting economic
development through resilience, sustainability, and inclusive growth for all businesses.
AABRN’s MISSION:
AABRN radically accelerates the pace of changes and community ownerships of lands and build
infrastructures; providing resources, training, and support to entrepreneurs and small businesses;
- Building bridges across diverse ecosystems along with local chambers and business networks, in
order to achieve sustainable developments silver lining with the equitable future.
AABRN will support below Programs:
Providing an accessible, inclusive, and welcoming space for businesses and
communities to feel like they belong; - Hosting low- and no-cost technical supports, such as training to leverage digital tools to
create efficient business operational processes and platforms; - Supporting with culturally responsive and translation services, such as: expanding
cultural healers’ business base; - Sustaining strategies that attract and retain skilled workers, such as: training Wellness
Coach or IT professionals; - Navigating local, state, and federal business resources, such as: monthly eMagazine
with recovering grant opportunities
One of the key success factors for every business is an advantageous location and platform.
AABRN’s solution is to locate its mission to nourish Asian American businesses within the Urban
Village planned for development in the former St. Paul Sears site, between Marion Street and
Rice Street, just off University Avenue West. This location is at the core of a planned mixed-use
community hub, at the center of a new residential neighborhood served by retail and
commercial firms, entertainment venues, holistic health services, sports complex, innovative
charter school, and other asset-based initiatives.
This is the strategic moment in our state’s intentional efforts to emerge from the worst
example of our social breakdown and from an unprecedented pandemic. The Asian American
Business Resilience Network is the right solution, at the appropriate scale, to power the
resurgence of the range of business concerns in Minnesota’s burgeoning Asian communities.
Asian American Minnesota’s best days are ahead, and AABRN is excited to be laying the
groundwork for the careful, proven steps and assets that business leaders need to perpetuate
their creations and to undergird thriving Asian American communities for the future. We
welcome the interest and participation of all who are committed to these goals and values.
John B Yang’s Vision:
AABRN will be a thriving community hub that provides equal opportunities for all. Promote Arts,
Cultural and Economic Development by empowering businesses and entrepreneurs to succeed;
MISSION
“Our mission is to create economic growth and development by providing resources, training, and
support to entrepreneurs and small businesses. We aim to create a thriving community by fostering
innovation, collaboration, and inclusivity. We strive to empower disadvantaged entrepreneurs and
small businesses by providing them with the necessary resources and support to achieve their goals.”