EAST LANSING, MI - The Council of Asian Pacific Americans (CAPA), in collaboration with the Governor's Advisory Council on Asian Pacific American Affairs (ACAPAA) and other Michigan Asian Pacific American groups, will hold its sixth annual APA Leadership Summit for the first time to a statewide audience on Saturday, September 13, 2008 at the Hannah Community Center in East Lansing. The center is located at 819 Abbott Rd.

The summit is open to individuals and organizations interested in topics related to Asian Pacific Americans. This year's summit is historic as CAPA is expanding the scope of the event to address the needs of the APA community through-out Michigan. Previous CAPA leadership summits have been exclusive to the Metropolitan Detroit area.

"This leadership summit is especially important in light of House Bill 6172, which would establish a permanent APA Affairs Commission," said Mi Dong, President of CAPA and Chair of this year's leadership summit. "The Asian Pacific American community is the fastest growing community in the state. Clearly now is the time to come together to address our needs and challenges while building bridges to all of Michigan."

The Bill recently passed the Michigan House of Representatives and matching Senate Bill 1371 awaits approval in the Senate.

Over the past year the Asian Pacific American community has rallied together in support of immigration reform and other critical issues. Roland Hwang, a member of ACAPAA, said the conference is yet another example of the community mobilizing for positive change. "I think the statewide conference will be a visible indicator of the cooperation among the Asian Pacific American communities from Grand Rapids to Detroit," Hwang said.

The keynote address for the summit will be given by Mee Moua, State Senator from Minnesota. The event will feature several workshops, including forums on economic growth, healthcare access, justice, civil rights and voter empowerment for Asian Americans. Additional presentations of cultural programs and games will also take place.

CAPA, founded in 2001, unites Asian Pacific Americans and the community at-large through culture, education and community service.

For more information on the Advisory Council on Asian Pacific American Affairs, visit http://www.michigan.gov/mdcr-acapaa.