'NO OTHER' CAMPAIGN SUCCEEDS

What do the CEOs of MasterCard, Microsoft and Pepsi have in common? They are all proud members of the Asian American community, who can join the Asian community’s 19 million residents to stand and be counted. No longer will their census information be placed in the shadows of the indiscriminate racial category known as “other” ethnic groups.

These changes were announced by the Asian Real Estate Association of America at its May 4 press conference at the National Press Club, along with supporters and staff from the Census Bureau. The result of the “No Other” campaign is that effective immediately, the Census Bureau will include distinct data on Asian American and Pacific Islanders in its quarterly reports, whereas before such data was recorded by the bureau on its annual reports only. A new line of questions on Census forms will capture Asians’ correct ethnicity rather than clumping them along with Native Americans and Native Hawaiians. 

For nearly two decades, Asian Americans have been the fastest growing ethnicity in the U.S. “This historic [U.S. Census Bureau] change is the result of tireless work on the part of many individuals and organizations, particularly AREAA members and chapters who campaigned hard to be heard throughout the country,” said Vicky Silvano, AREAA National Chair.

At the media event, AREAA explained that members of the Asian American and Pacific Islander community took out 2 million home loans over the past five years. This new category of data collection will help to shed light on the Asian American market and the opportunities that these people bring to the economy and the real estate industry. 

Established in 2003, AREAA is a national business trade organization focused on expanding housing opportunities for Asian American communities. NVAR member and 2010 NVAR Chairman of the Board Vinh Nguyen, owner of Westgate Realty in Falls Church, was the founding president of the AREAA D.C. Chapter.