CA Hmong Chamber Holds Meet & Greet for New CEO Steve Ly
The chamber will now absorb a civil rights advocacy group Ly founded, the Asian American Civil Liberties and Anti-Defamation (AACLAD) organization.
On Saturday, February 7, the California Hmong American Chamber of Commerce held a meet-and-greet for their new Chief Executive Officer, Steve Ly. The evening event was held at Elk Grove's Sky Port Restaurant and Bar.
The California Hmong Chamber of Commerce was founded in Fresno, Calif., in 2020 by Mr. Yia Her. As part of naming Ly as CEO, the group will now be headquartered in Elk Grove.
The event drew several dozen supporters and chamber members. Ly took the opportunity to elaborate on their chamber's goals and plans to expand their reach.
In his remarks to the group, Ly noted that, as part of his agreement to assume duties, they will now take a more active role in civil rights advocacy. The chamber will now absorb a civil rights advocacy group Ly founded (see second video below), the Asian American Civil Liberties and Anti-Defamation (AACLAD) organization.
The AACLAD was co-founded by Ly in 2021 following a tumultuous 2020 Elk Grove mayoral campaign. Ly, who was the mayor and sought his third term, was opposed by the current Elk Grove mayor, Bobbie Singh-Allen.
During that campaign, the Hmong diaspora in Sacramento and nationwide was angry with Singh-Allen for comments she made that they characterized as insulting to the Hmong people and culture. Although Singh-Allen won the race and was reelected, her relationships with the Hmong community remain problematic.
Although Ly mentioned the 2020 campaign, he did not name Singh-Allen.
"In the 2020 election, what we saw in the city of Elk Grove was attacks on the Hmong community," Ly told the audience. "There were no other organizations willing to step up, so as a result of that, what we are doing, we are raising funds, specifically in the chamber, to create a civil rights division."
Ly also said another goal of the chamber was to create an educational foundation to teach students Hmong culture and language. Additionally, Ly said the chamber will form a political action committee.
"The political action committee is an arm that will engage in supporting candidates and opposing candidates that don't have the interests of small business owners," he said.
More information about the California Hmong Chamber of Commerce is available here.
The meeting was sponsored by Victor Neng Xiong of Vinai WS; Divine Dental Solutions, Dental Practice of Dr. Peter Vang Ly;
Sue Xiong of Xcity Feed, John Thao of Guardian Angel Adult Daycare Suab Hmoob; Dao Yang of 18 Clan Council President Dao Yang; and
Cynthia and Johnathan Lam of Sky Port
