As we start this new year, we cannot ignore the 19 million Americans who lack internet access. The COVID-19 pandemic has underscored the importance of universal broadband in economic growth and recovery. In the 21st century, internet access is an indispensable means to work from home, pursue education, and to communicate with our friends and family. Everyone must have access to this critical technology, especially during this crisis.
 
ILF strives to promote the economic effectiveness of the AAPI community – every year, we host an exciting business and leadership conference which includes a Global Strategic Economic Forum and Business to Business matchmaking. At 20 million strong, Asian Americans are a powerful economic force: nearly two million Asian American–owned small businesses generate $700 billion in annual GDP and employ around 3.5 million people. Yet, COVID-19 has illuminated ways in which Asian Americans have been disproportionately affected – unemployment rates among Asian Americans increased by more than 450 percent during the public health crisis.

As a vibrant economic powerhouse, the recovery of AAPI businesses will be essential in the revival of the economy in the country as a whole. To help AAPI and other minority businesses recover from the economic downturn of the pandemic, we urge Congress and the FCC to expedite and build on universal broadband initiatives. Expanding universal broadband to more Americans means small business owners will have access to the necessary digital infrastructure needed to participate in e-commerce, apply to relief programs, and compete in an increasingly global—and digital—marketplace. In order to give businesses the tools they need to thrive, universal broadband access is key.

We also take pride in preparing over thousands of AAPI college students nation-wide to become leaders in the public, business, academic, community, and professional fields. That is why the increasingly expanding “homework gap”, heightened by the pandemic, is alarming. An estimated 124,000 public and private K-12 schools and at least 55 million students are affected by the COVID-19 pandemic – with the gap noticeably more pronounced among minority communities. A survey found that roughly 1 in 10 AAPI Americans do not have ready access to computers and broadband. Equally important to broadband connectivity, we urge policymakers to enact comprehensive legislation to expand broadband adoption efforts such as digital literacy and affordability to help students access the devices and reliable connectivity they need to unlock their leadership potential. 
 
COVID-19 has alerted us to the need, more than ever, to ensure that AAPIs and other communities of color have access – and affordable options – to the digital resources they need. A new year, and new Administration, presents a new opportunity for our government leaders to reinvest and update existing programs to make broadband more accessible, affordable and sustainable. The pandemic has shown that it is not economically feasible for market forces and private companies to do it alone. It is time for Congress to take swift and bold actions to ensure the economic and educational success of all Americans. 

The International Leadership Foundation (ILF) is pleased to announce that we are now accepting applications for the 2021 Civic Fellowship Program. Every year, ILF’s selection committee identifies approximately 30 outstanding Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) college students to spend 8 to 10 weeks interning at a federal agency in Washington D.C. during the summer.
 
Students accepted into the program are known as Civic Fellows and will receive a stipend upon program completion. In addition to their full-time federal internships, they will attend professional development workshops and leadership training.  Fellows are responsible for their own travel, housing, and living expenses.
 
“One of ILF’s goals is to prepare and advocate for the next generation of leaders in public service,” said Dr. Paul Hsu, Chairman of ILF. “It is so important to increase exposure and understanding of civic engagement so that young leaders can take action to support their communities in relevant ways.”
 
"Developing next generation AAPI leaders is at the heart of our mission," said Linh Hoang, Executive Director of ILF." We help college students acquire the skills, experience, and insights necessary to become leaders and continue the fight of those who came before them. The ILF Civic Fellowship is a unique opportunity to jumpstart their careers and leadership journey." 
 
Undergraduate students of AAPI heritage are encouraged to apply. Requirements include United States citizens, minimum 3.0 GPA, and current undergraduate sophomores, juniors, or seniors. Additional documents such as an official transcript, resume, and at least one letter of recommendation is required. 
 
Applications are open now and must be submitted by January 22, 2021 at 5pm Eastern Time. 
 
To learn more or submit an application, please visit www.ilfnational.org
 
Important note: ILF anticipates the widespread availability of effective COVID-19 vaccines in the first half of 2021. Applicants should expect that summer internships will be on-site in Washington, DC. However, some or most internships may be virtual, depending on each agency’s policy. ILF will keep applicants informed during the application and placement process.
 
About ILF - International Leadership Foundation (ILF) is a non-profit organization that promotes civic engagement, leadership, empowerment, and economic prosperity of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) community to enhance diversity in our country. The mission of ILF is to cultivate civic-minded future AAPI leaders. Founded in 2000, ILF has provided scholarships, leadership training, and educational programs to over 10,000 AAPI students.

Washington, DC – The International Leadership Foundation (ILF) congratulates President-elect Joe Biden and Vice President-elect Kamala Harris on their win.  Kamala  Harris will be the first AAPI woman and woman of Color as Vice- President in American history. 

“We celebrate Vice President-elect Kamala Harris’ smashing the glass ceiling as she becomes the first woman, first Black woman, first Asian American to be elected to national office. Representation matters, and Vice President-elect Harris will continue to inspire so many AAPI to run for office and to get involved in public service.” stated Linh D. Hoang, Executive Director of ILF, "This is a pivotal time for our country, our economy, and for generations to come. Now is the time for a new era of inclusion, opportunity, and innovation. Together, we will work to heal our nation and rebuild stronger than ever before.” 
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ILF encourages the Biden-Harris administration to fill the positions in the administration with racial and gender equality.  ILF is ready to work with the Biden administration and elected leaders across the nation to restore public health, revitalize our economy, rebuild American lives and communities, and empower next generation leaders to lead change.  It is our civic responsibility to unite our country and encourage more young people to engage in civic life. 

​As the country continues to grapple with an unprecedented public health and economic crisis, millions of families and business owners are left with no choice but to conduct their lives and responsibilities remotely – away from offices, schools, and other social settings. Increasingly, our communities depend on internet access to connect with loved ones, attend online classes, video conference into office meetings, and manage businesses without putting themselves or others in harms way.  
 
As important as connectivity is, the pandemic has shown that broadband accessibility and affordability eludes far too many households – and especially communities of color and rural Americans. According to the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) 18 million people lack broadband internet service across the U.S. today. Our leaders must address the growing digital divide to help people and businesses weather the negative economic impacts of the pandemic, and to give them access to the digital infrastructure they need to prosper in a post COVID-19 economy.  
 
We are active participants in our community – more than half a million AAPI-owned employer firms in the United States – and take pride in positively contributing to America’s success as a global hub for talent, innovation, and growth. From hosting business and leadership conferences to offering competitive fellowship programs in the nation’s capital, ILF strives to promote the economic effectiveness of the AAPI community. That is why we urge Congress and the FCC to hasten their initiatives to make universal broadband a reality for more Americans. 
 
The digital divide in our community – intensified by the COVID-19 crisis – jeopardizes, and in some cases has already back-pedaled, the economic advancements accomplished by AAPI-owned businesses. The scale of the looming crisis for all small businesses is unprecedented.  According one report published in April of this year, “nearly 7.5 million small businesses may be at risk of closing permanently over the coming five months.” Small businesses are the lifeblood of the American economy and often serve other important social functions in minority communities. Broadband connectivity will give these businesses a fair shot at adapting to a world of e-commerce and remote services.
 
We take pride in our core values and mission to develop the next generation of AAPI leaders in both the public and private sector. That is why the growing “homework gap” that accompanies the digital divide is so alarming. According to Pew, the homework gap is more pronounced for minority and low-income households, and 15% of U.S. households with school-aged children do not have a home broadband connection. If we want our communities to recover and emerge from this difficult time ready to succeed, we need to unlock all the talent and potential in AAPI and other minority communities across the country. Internet access is a necessary and important step toward meeting this goal.
 
What we need is swift and bold action. We commend Congress and FCC for their renewed push to provide the necessary tools and resources to expand broadband access and investment across the county, but more needs to be done – and soon. The pandemic has made clear that private investment on its own is not economically feasible and legacy government infrastructure funding initiatives have not properly filled in the gaps of the digital divide in America.
 
A vibrant, connected AAPI community can contribute to a swift economic recovery. Today’s economic hurdles can be offset with smart, responsible investment in our broadband infrastructure – a welcomed, and urgent, measure necessary for AAPI’s businesses and leaders to prosper now and in the future.  

​We join in solidarity with the Black community and those who are peacefully protesting around the country in the continuing struggle against racism and injustice. We strongly condemn police violence and racism in all their forms and deeply grieve the killing of George Floyd in Minnesota. 
 
As we strive to be inclusive and to amplify the voices of those who are marginalized, we must redouble our commitment and efforts - individually and collectively - to support the Black community and engage in this work as agents of change in the United States. 
 
Each of us is called today to stand against injustice and the wanton murders of our fellow citizens, and to renew a nation dedicated to upholding the values of justice and equality for all. We must come together as communities of our allies, friends, and neighbors, business leaders and decision makers to stop this crisis once and for all. 

We are living in unprecedented times – the coronavirus is impacting our families, our communities and our very way of life. ILF National is working closely with Capitol Hill, the White House, federal agencies and other AAPI organizations in Washington DC to provide accurate information and action to support and sustain our families and small businesses.  

We will continue our Civic Fellowship Program as scheduled. Our students’ safety is our top priority and we will monitor the development of the pandemic. We also take your health and the health of our staff very seriously and will keep you posted on future activities. Please stay safe and healthy.

What we are facing is daunting, but we are heartened by the moments of triumph in everyday acts of courage, humanity and love. We would like to recognize and thank all local Chapters for donating and supporting hospitals and local communities. Please continue to support our Civic Fellowship Program and the battle against COVID-19 with a donation to ILF. ​

We are living in unprecedented times – the coronavirus is impacting our families, our communities and our very way of life. ILF National is working closely with Capitol Hill, the White House, federal agencies and other AAPI organizations in Washington DC to provide accurate information and action to support and sustain our families and small businesses.  

We will continue our Civic Fellowship Program as scheduled. Our students’ safety is our top priority and we will monitor the development of the pandemic. We also take your health and the health of our staff very seriously and will keep you posted on future activities. Please stay safe and healthy.

What we are facing is daunting, but we are heartened by the moments of triumph in everyday acts of courage, humanity and love. We would like to recognize and thank all local Chapters for donating and supporting hospitals and local communities. Please continue to support our Civic Fellowship Program and COVID-19 donation to ILF. ​

WASHINGTON, D.C. – The International Leadership Foundation (ILF) was pleased to welcome the 2019 cohort of Fellows at the Ronald Reagan Building & International Trade Center during the ILF Civic Fellowship Program Orientation on Saturday, June 1st.