The 2006 AnewAmerica Microbusiness Expo was one of the most successful yet.

This year's event featured entrepreneurs from the very first AnewAmerica client cohort to enter the program all the way through the newest cohort that started this year.

The broad spectrum of businesses involved also showcased the variety of the AnewAmerica entrepreneurs. Businesses exhibiting ranged from the more traditional - childcare, jewelry, auto-body, marble & granite - to the high-tech, such as videography and digital advertising displays.

Several other businesses featured items imported from around the world, including pottery from Vietnam, clothing from Peru, textiles from Laos, tea from Japan and gift items from El Salvador, to name a few.

At this annual event, clients get a chance to showcase their businesses, test out new products, and practice marketing themselves to real-life customers. AnewAmerica also benefits because these clients show the other Gala attendees what the program is all about and why we believe immigrant entrepreneurs have so much to offer.

If you didn't participate this time, think about it for next year. We'll see you there!

Community Angels Amanda Feinstein, Maria Gallo, and Ginny Poon Yamate pose with their awards.

We are delighted to present these notable women with handmade angels created by AnewAmerica's client, Rodrigo Garcia. The Community Angels are celebrated for their commitment to social and economic justice in the Bay Area. AnewAmerica is proud to pay tribute to these amazing leaders ot our community.

...'This event is a celebration of the extraordinary value new Americans bring to this country and is also an opportunity to support innovative efforts in economic development of low-income people,' said Sylvia Rosales-Fike, Founder, President, and CEO of AnewAmerica.

The gala will feature the Community Angel Awards, which are presented to three outstanding leaders from local government and the business community. This year's awardees are:

*Ginny Yamate, Manager of Diversity Outreach and Contributions, [AAA of Northern California], and former director of public affairs, ABC7;
*Amanda Feinstein, Program Officer, Haas Fund;
*Maria Gallo, Vice President for Diverse Markets, Union Bank of California

These three women will be recognized for leadership in community development, economic justice and responsible philanthropy in the Bay Area...

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We honored two very special clients for their hard work and dedication in 2006. We searched for well-rounded entrepreneurs whose creativity, drive, and vision exemplified our model of Small Business Development, Asset Building and Social Responsibility.

An independent jury comprised of prominent business leaders in the community chose the winners.

We are pleased to present you with our 2006 Entrepreneurs of the Year:
Delia Suarez and An Pham!

Delia Suarez, pictured left accepting her Entrepreneur of the Year check from Union Bank representative Henry Reynoso, fled her birth country of El Salvador after relatives and close friends were killed by the army. After finding AnewAmerica, Delia opened her business, "Delia's Little Angels Day Care" and expanded to a second facility this year. Delia's commitment to make a better society for all includes activism in the San Francisco Children’s Council and as a member of the coordinating committee of the AnewAmerica Business Association.

An Pham, pictured right giving her Entrepreneur of the Year acceptance speech, is a Vietnamese immigrant and businesswoman. An and partner Huong Tran recently celebrated the grand opening of HP Pottery in San Jose that offers pottery, garden accoutrements, and other imported products from Vietnam. Thanks to AnewAmerica's Social Responsibility Program, An is giving back to the community by offering part of her proceeds to Long Buu Charity Clinic in Vietnam.

Find out more about An and Delia

Carolyn Carr, Public Relations Manager, said:

The Gala for me, is a splendid snapshot of who we are, what we are about and where we are going... I love watching our guests networking, talking and laughing, the meeting of old and new friends, the media interviewing & taking pictures of our clients at the Expo, the performers, and finally, all the effort and hard work on the part of the staff culminating into one grand affair.

Cynthia Parlier, Development Coordinator, said:

I loved the decorations! They were very colorful and exciting. I think the fabrics provided a good background for an enjoyable event.

Jeff Butler, Business Program Manager, said:

My favorite part was the Business Expo. We had a good mix of business types, a good balance of new and more-established businesses, and a lot of clients from the newest cohorts.

Jaime Huertas, AmeriCorps VISTA, said:

My favorite part of the gala was the undeniably charming AnewAmerica Staff. After that would probably be how happy Delia was when she won.

Laura Mendoza, Office Administrator, said:

The food was fantastic! The entertainment was great! It was great to see the array of clients we have at AnewAmerica. I also enjoyed seeing all the people attending the event enjoying our event...It made it worth all the work!

Jenna Boyer, Family Assets Program Manager, said:

I really enjoyed the opportunity to support our clients in the Microbusiness Expo. I also loved the food prepared by our own food entrepreneurs.