On the eve of Asian American & Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month, Gold House, a leading cultural ecosystem that champions AAPI creators and leaders, partnered with Nasdaq to host the Gold Power Summit. The summit began with impressive statistics highlighting the influence of the AAPI community in businesses and investments. Gold House CEO Bing Chen and Nasdaq’s Chief Digital Officer Sehr Thadhani rang the Nasdaq Closing Bell with 200 Gold House members. This event was followed by iconic buildings, including the Empire State Building, shining in gold lights to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month. Chen emphasized the importance of diversity and representation at the Milken Global Conference, showcasing the strategic design of Gold House to create an equitable and inclusive future.
The AAPI community has historically been invisible in mainstream media, lacking representation and diversity consideration. At the Gold Power Summit, speakers emphasized the importance of sharing stories, advocating for the community, and combating hate and violence. Stephanie Mehta of Mansueto Ventures highlighted the role of media in portraying AAPI achievements and aspirations, emphasizing the need for representation in news organizations and Hollywood. Wesley Chan of FPV Ventures emphasized the importance of proactive representation for AAPI female founders, citing examples of successful entrepreneurs to inspire future generations.
Gold House’s Gold Open initiative aims to promote powerful portrayals of the AAPI community in media and entertainment. Through research collaborations and platforms like Gold Open, which supports AAPI-led films, Gold House has successfully driven box office success for numerous AAPI-led films. The initiative has gained the trust of Hollywood studios and expanded its cultural consultation services to various industries, including advertising, video games, and Broadway. Gold House is investing in independent film and media companies to change greenlight power through its Creative Equity Fund, fostering opportunities for emerging talent.
The AAPI community faces challenges such as the bamboo ceiling and stereotypes perpetuated by the model minority myth. While AAPI entrepreneurs have achieved success in building successful businesses, there is a lack of representation at the executive level in many industries. The community faces income disparities and struggles for funding, particularly AAPI female founders. Gold House Ventures aims to disrupt systemic barriers by empowering AAPI leaders through programs like Gold Rush and a $30 million early-stage venture fund. The initiative seeks to ensure inclusive allocation of capital and diversify board placements for minority leaders.
Gold House Futures, a new initiative launched by Gold House, aims to support emerging AAPI creatives, entrepreneurs, and social impact leaders. By blending creativity and business in investment and distribution pipelines, Gold House Futures provides investment, amplification, and community support. The initiative focuses on nurturing the next generation of leaders in film, art, technology, and more. Bing Chen emphasized the importance of blending industries and convening communities to create a more inclusive and unified future. Gold House’s Blueprint 3 strategy aims to empower AAPI communities through storytelling, economic empowerment, and unity across generations, showcasing the power of collaboration for a brighter tomorrow.
