THE NEXT 250 ↗️

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Greetings 👋 

Hi, how was your weekend?

250 years later, we're still watching history unfold every day.

Maybe not the kind you'll find in a textbook, but the kind that starts businesses, strengthens communities, breaks barriers, and creates opportunities for the next generation. That's why we do what we do: to amplify the voices and stories that move our community forward.

If you find this newsletter interesting, refer it to your friends by sharing this link and receive amazing gifts from AHN!

Together, Forward: Join Act To Change's Inaugural Youth Summit in LA!

Ready to see the next generation of AAPI leaders in action? Registration is now open for Act To Change's first-ever Youth Summit.

Under this year's theme, Together, Forward, this free event brings together youth leaders, advocates, and allies to build a safer, more inclusive future. It's a chance to connect with changemakers, grow your advocacy network, and support the next generation making an impact.

Event Details:

🗓️ Saturday, July 18
📍 Rideback Ranch, Los Angeles, CA
🎟️ Admission: FREE (limited capacity)

Event Highlights:

🔥 Youth Power: See Youth Ambassadors present real-world projects creating impact in communities across the country.

🏆 Annual Awards: Celebrate the leaders, organizations, and changemakers advancing belonging and inclusion.

👀 Exclusive First Look: Be among the first to learn about the Homeroom Collective before its nationwide launch.

🎉 Perks & Partner Activations: Enjoy a complimentary lunch from Panda and interactive experiences from community partners.

Hosting something for the community?

Add AHN as a collaborator on Luma so we can help amplify it.

THIS WEEK: SOCIAL MEDIA MARKETING STUDIOS

Building a brand or business?

Join the AHN Directory and get discovered by the community.

The Founder Who Helped Bring Asian Food to Every Grocery Store

Before founding Annie Chun's in 1992, Annie Chun started by selling homemade Asian-inspired sauces at farmers' markets in Marin County. That small local venture eventually became one of the first brands to make authentic Asian cuisine widely accessible in mainstream U.S. grocery stores.

In 2005, CJ Foods acquired a 70% stake in the company, helping expand its national reach. Annie Chun later sold the remaining stake in 2012 before launching her next venture, Gimme Seaweed.

The lesson for founders is simple: the biggest opportunity isn't always creating something new. It's making something great more accessible.

Interested in supporting founders building impactful brands?

Join our private investor network and stay connected to future opportunities across the AHN ecosystem.

Bruce Lee Officially Becomes the First Chinese American With a California Day

Bruce Lee is making history once again. Gov. Gavin Newsom has officially signed a bill declaring May 17 as Bruce Lee Day, making Lee the first Chinese American to receive a namesake day in California. The honor recognizes the San Francisco-born legend whose influence reached far beyond martial arts and movies.

The new commemorative day will encourage schools, museums, and local communities to celebrate Lee's life and legacy through lessons, exhibits, and public events. More than 50 years after his rise to fame, his impact on Asian American representation, confidence, and culture continues to inspire people around the world.

Read the full article here.

Crunchyroll Founder Launches the World's First Anime B2B Marketplace

Kun Gao, the founder and former CEO of Crunchyroll, has launched AniBiz, a global B2B marketplace built to make anime licensing faster and easier. Created by his company Nakama, the platform gives rights holders, distributors, and businesses one place to discover, negotiate, and secure anime IP deals instead of relying on scattered industry connections.

AniBiz has already partnered with major companies including Toei Animation, Aniplex of America, and TV Tokyo. As the global anime market continues to grow, Gao says the goal is simple: make anime IP more accessible so more brands, creators, startups, and businesses can join the industry's next wave of growth.

Read the full article here.

Lee Min Ho Eyes Rom-Com Return With New K-Drama "But Your Love"

Lee Min Ho is reportedly in talks for his first drama since "When the Stars Gossip" ended in 2025. His agency confirmed he received an offer for the rom-com "But Your Love" and is currently reviewing it.

The 12-episode series follows an office worker who discovers her cold, demanding boss is secretly a member of a virtual idol group. Casting is underway, with filming expected to start by year's end.

Read the full article here.

The Competitive Advantage of a Strong Brand Story

When growth slows, many businesses turn to a new logo or refreshed visual identity in hopes of reigniting momentum. While design can strengthen a brand, it rarely addresses the deeper reasons customers choose to engage or buy.

The brands that stand out do more than look polished. They communicate a clear story that defines who they serve, what they stand for, and why they deserve customers' trust.

The takeaway is simple: a great logo captures attention, but a compelling brand story builds trust, loyalty, and long-term growth.

A $10,000 Grant Opportunity for Eligible Small Businesses

AHN and National ACE are proud to share a valuable opportunity for entrepreneurs looking to invest in the growth of their businesses. 

Through Verizon Small Business Digital Ready, eligible small business owners can apply for a $10,000 grant after completing two Digital Ready learning resources and submitting an application.

The program is designed to help businesses strengthen their digital capabilities while providing access to funding that can support future growth. If your business meets the eligibility requirements, we encourage you to explore this opportunity and apply.

Unlock Payroll Tax Benefits and Savings With ADP’s SMB Solutions

Managing payroll, HR, and tax compliance requires time, accuracy, and constant attention to changing regulations. For many small and mid-sized businesses, these responsibilities can take focus away from strategic growth.

Through our partnership with ADP, SMB leaders gain access to reliable, cloud-based payroll and human capital management solutions designed to simplify operations while maximizing cash flow. 

How ADP supports your growth:

• AI-Enhanced Payroll: Reduce errors and late penalties with automated filings and AI-powered error detection that flags discrepancies before you pay.

• Maximum Tax Credit Recovery: ADP’s specialists use your payroll data to uncover valuable incentives—including R&D credits (now with expanded eligibility) and Work Opportunity Tax Credits (WOTC).

• Built-In Compliance: Stay ahead of 2026 regulatory shifts, including new retirement plan mandates and updated wage bases, with automated system updates.

• Scalable HR Infrastructure: From your first hire to your 500th, access integrated tools for recruitment, benefits administration, and 24/7 HR advisory support.

Strategic payroll management is a reinvestment in your business. Fill out our form to connect with an ADP specialist for a personalized review of your current payroll process or review of potential payroll tax savings.

You already have a take on which AI lab ships next.

Claude or Gemini? OpenAI or Anthropic? GPT-7 before year-end or not? If you read tech newsletters, you've already formed opinions on all of it.

Kalshi has real-money markets on which AI model leads benchmarks this week, which lab ships AGI first, when Anthropic releases Mythos, whether OpenAI raises ChatGPT pricing, and which company has the best coding model at year-end. These aren't abstract questions — they're live markets with real money on both sides, moving as labs ship, benchmarks drop, and announcements land.

The edge belongs to whoever actually follows this space. Not the casual observer — the person who reads model cards, tracks evals, and notices when a new release outperforms the field before the mainstream press catches up.

That person has a genuine edge. If that's you, Kalshi lets you act on it.

Trade the model race

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