Latest news with #AAPI
Refinery29
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Refinery29
Sherry Cola Used To Hide Her Mom's Cooking. Now, It's Her Love Language.
Sherry Cola is beaming. But we're not at some glitzy Hollywood party — it's 9 a.m. at an old strip mall in San Gabriel Valley and she's giving me a tour of her family's beloved order-at-the-counter restaurant. She points out each dish with pride: curry chicken, crispy pork chop, spicy bamboo shoots, wok-fried peanuts, tofu skin meatballs, the list goes on. 'Every order comes with a milk tea and seaweed soup, on the house,' she adds with a smile. Cola said she used to work the counter after school, sometimes making the milk tea for the customers. But it wasn't always like this — the food, yes, but not the pride. 'I remember bringing dumplings with extra, extra chives [to school] and feeling embarrassed they smelled,' she says. 'Embarrassed that my parents had an accent. I'm ashamed I was ashamed. It was a testament to how hard they worked despite not knowing the language. They made something from nothing — and that is the American dream. Now, I get to carry on that legacy.' These days, Sherry isn't behind the counter as often as she was in high school — and for good reason. She's busy filming the next season of Apple TV+'s Shrinking, Netflix's Nobody Wants This, and starring alongside Keanu Reeves in Good Fortune. But she still finds ways to show love for her roots — like bringing her mom as her date to red carpet premieres, including the recent Bride Hard premiere. In this episode of Fam Style, Sherry and I sit down over plates of nostalgic Shanghainese comfort food to talk about family, cultural identity, coming out — and why the food she once hid is now her greatest source of pride. Fam Style spotlights Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) changemakers across entertainment, food, art, and culture. Over shared meals at AAPI-owned restaurants, we sit down with creators, artists, and innovators to talk about identity, ambition, community, and the stories that shape us. Through intimate conversations and the language of food, we highlight the nuance, joy, and resilience within the AAPI experience — one dish at a time.
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Universal Processing Unveils New Headquarters, Pioneering Fintech Solutions for Minority-Owned Businesses
New York, New York--(Newsfile Corp. - June 25, 2025) - Universal Processing (uP), a leading Fintech and payment solutions provider, proudly announces the grand opening of its new headquarters in the heart of New York City, Times Square. This exciting milestone marks the company's continued growth, as well as its commitment to empowering minority-owned businesses with cutting-edge financial technology. A New Era for Minority Business Empowerment With global digital payments surpassing $10 trillion in 2024, the ability to offer seamless, cashless transactions has become a crucial factor in business success. Yet minority-owned businesses continue to face disproportionate barriers in accessing advanced payment technology, which hinders customer acquisition, financial management, and long-term sustainability. As one of the few AAPI-owned Fintech firms in the U.S. and the second AAPI-owned payment processor to achieve Full-Service Provider status, Universal Processing is bridging the gap between minority entrepreneurs and next-generation payment solutions. The new headquarters represents more than just an expansion-it's a strategic investment in the future of inclusive Fintech. "In today's digital economy, small businesses need more than just a payment processor-they need a partner who understands their unique challenges and provides tailored solutions," says Saint Hung, CEO of Universal Processing. "That's why we built a company that doesn't just process payments, but helps underserved businesses compete at a global level with cutting-edge financial tools, multilingual support, and transparent pricing." Building Fintech Solutions That Matter The new headquarters will serve as a hub for continued innovation, featuring: Tap-to-Pay and Omnichannel Capabilities - Empowering businesses to accept payments anywhere, from mobile to in-store. In-Language Customer Support - Offering 24/7, U.S.-based assistance in multiple languages to serve diverse business owners. Financial Education & Resources - Providing tools and insights to help entrepreneurs scale sustainably. A Commitment to Minority Entrepreneurs Studies show that 70% of minority business owners believe that limited access to technology negatively impacts their business viability. Universal Processing is tackling this challenge head-on by ensuring that underserved businesses have access to enterprise-level payment tools-without enterprise-level complexity or costs. "The ability to accept digital payments shouldn't be a privilege-it should be a standard," added Hung. "With our new headquarters, we are doubling down on our mission to democratize access to Fintech solutions, helping more businesses move 'uP'." Join the Grand Opening To celebrate this milestone, Universal Processing invites partners, clients, and industry leaders to its grand opening event at the new headquarters on June 26th. The event will feature live demonstrations of payment technologies, discussions on the future of Fintech, and insights from industry experts on empowering minority-owned businesses in a digital-first economy. For media inquiries, event details, or partnership opportunities, please contact: Yin Yupr@ About Universal Processing Universal Processing is an award-winning Fintech and payment solutions provider, specializing in serving underserved businesses and partner channels with full-service payment processing. As a certified Minority-Owned Business, uP is committed to providing transparent, secure, and scalable payment solutions with 24/7 multilingual support. Learn more at To view the source version of this press release, please visit Sign in to access your portfolio
Yahoo
21-06-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
Shasti Conrad wins open DNC vice chair position after Hogg fallout
Washington State Democratic Party Chair Shasti Conrad won the Democratic National Committee's (DNC) second open vice chair position Friday after members voted to redo the election amid significant inner turmoil over David Hogg's role within the party. Conrad won the spot with almost 56 percent of the vote over DNC member Kalyn Free in a runoff election that took place from Wednesday to Friday. Kansas Democratic Party Chair Jeanna Repass had initially been eliminated from contention for the seat in the first round of voting after no candidate received a majority of DNC members' votes. Conrad finished the first round ahead of Free and Repass, reportedly with 44 percent of the vote to Free's 37 percent and Repass's 20 percent. Free's complaint in February over the way that the DNC's vice chair election was run started the process that resulted in Hogg losing his position as vice chair. Conrad joins Pennsylvania state Rep. Malcolm Kenyatta (D), who was first elected vice chair in the winter and won the redo election Saturday to reclaim his post, filling out the DNC's last two vice chair roles. The Washington state Democrat, a South Asian millennial, said in a statement that she's honored to serve as vice chair, underscoring her commitment to provide more opportunities for young people to get involved and to ensure Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) have a seat at the table. 'This was the longest election in DNC history, and every vote cast reflected our shared belief in building a stronger, more inclusive Democratic Party,' she said. DNC Chair Ken Martin called Conrad a 'trailblazer' who understands the importance of hard work to ensure Democrats win up and down the ballot. He said Conrad helped Washington be the only state in the country to buck a red wave across the ballot. 'She is also the first AAPI chair in the contiguous 48 states and is deeply committed to the DNC's mission of organizing everywhere, year round,' he said. 'As a former state party chair and [Association of State Democratic Committees] president myself, I look forward to working with her to continue bolstering our state party infrastructure and strengthening and broadening our Democratic coalition.' Free, a DNC member since 2019 from Oklahoma, argued in her complaint that the February election that selected Hogg and Kenyatta as vice chairs was improperly conducted and gave the male candidates an unfair advantage. The DNC Credentials Committee recommended redoing the election last month, and the full membership of the DNC voted overwhelmingly to hold another election last week. The controversy concerning the election was procedural, but it came at a time when Hogg, who rose to prominence as a gun control activist, was in the midst of a firestorm over his group, Leaders We Deserve, pushing to primary certain longtime House Democratic incumbents. His moves caused significant backlash among DNC leadership and contributed to a wider conversation of generational change within the party. After the DNC voted to hold the vice chair election again, Hogg announced he wouldn't seek his vice chair position a second time, wanting to allow the party to 'focus on what really matters.' He said building the strongest party possible will be his 'number one mission.' Kenyatta won support from almost all voting members as he was unopposed in his election, which took place Thursday to Saturday. The position was specifically for male candidates, and Kenyatta was the only male candidate eligible to run again. Female candidates were eligible for the second election, which ran from Sunday to Tuesday. Both the DNC and Republican National Committee have rules requiring some amount of gender balance in its leadership positions. Updated at 6:32 p.m. EDT Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Bloomberg
10-06-2025
- Business
- Bloomberg
Bloomberg Intelligence: US Deploys Marines to LA as Protests Spread to Cities
Watch Alix and Paul LIVE every day on YouTube: Bloomberg Intelligence hosted by Paul Sweeney and Alix Steel -Sarah McGregor, Bloomberg Managing Editor of the National Team, discusses the latest with the LA protests. The Trump administration has mobilized 700 Marines to join thousands of National Guard troops in Los Angeles to respond to anti-deportation protests, escalating tensions with Democratic leaders. -Sam Fazeli, Bloomberg Intelligence, Director of Research for Global Industries and Senior Pharmaceuticals, discusses the Department of Health and Human Services dismissing all 17 members of the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP), a key scientific panel that advises the US government on vaccine safety and policy. -Joy Yang, Head of Index Product Management at MarketVector Indexes, to discuss her outlook for the markets. A quiet session on the economic front saw traders driving the S&P 500 mildly up, with the gauge about 2% away from a record. Tesla Inc. led gains in megacaps. -Chiling Tong-CEO of National ACE, discusses the effects of tariffs and trade policy on AAPI small business owners, ethnic business districts and their economic vulnerability.
Time of India
06-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
A taste of home: Indian American student wins hearts in NYC school with her Maggi lunch
New York City 's official Twitter page, @nycgov, recently delighted viewers with a wholesome video that beautifully captured the essence of cultural pride and diversity. The spotlight was on a young Indian-origin student named Anya, who joyfully presented the contents of her school lunchbox . This clip was part of a broader initiative to highlight the city's rich multicultural environment, especially within its public school system. Tied to the observance of Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, the campaign used food as a way to honor identity and community. A Glimpse into Anya's Heritage Through Food Anya appeared in the video with an enthusiastic introduction, warmly guiding the audience through her meal of Maggi noodles . With bright eyes and a cheerful voice, she explained how her lunch was prepared—starting with boiling the noodles, mixing in water and spices, and watching the dish transform into a golden, flavorful treat. Anya also expressed her deep love for her mother's chicken curry, noting that it was her favorite dish. She spoke fondly of the aromatic spices her mother used, each lending a distinct scent and taste that made the meal unforgettable. Maggi as a Symbol of Comfort and Connection Maggi noodles, a household staple in India, are more than just a quick meal. For many, they evoke memories of home, childhood, and comfort. Anya's lunch sparked feelings of familiarity and nostalgia for viewers, particularly those from South Asian backgrounds. Her simple yet heartfelt narration brought smiles and sparked conversations, especially on social media, where audiences found joy in her pride and honesty. Community Reactions Overflow with Love The video rapidly gained traction online, touching hearts far and wide. Many viewers left heartfelt comments praising Anya for sharing her culture and expressing admiration for her confidence. Words like 'adorable,' 'beautiful,' and 'so sweet' filled the replies, underscoring how small, personal stories can resonate on a global scale. The shared enthusiasm for dishes like Maggi and homemade curry created a sense of unity among strangers who found common ground in food and family traditions. Lunchboxes That Tell a Bigger Story This video was part of the 'What's In My Lunchbox' series, which aims to celebrate cultural backgrounds through the eyes—and meals—of schoolchildren. By showcasing the unique and flavorful items in students' lunchboxes, New York City's campaign emphasizes inclusion and the value of heritage. As the city continues to embrace its diverse population, these glimpses into everyday life reveal powerful narratives about identity, tradition, and belonging.
