NAAAP Connecticut

04/27/2026

We’re proud to be a promotional partner in Beyond Business As Usual 2026: Scaling Resilient Entrepreneurship, hosted by ReSET (Social Enterprise Trust) on May 7 at CT State Community College–Gateway in New Haven.

This one day summit brings together entrepreneurs, funders, policymakers, and ecosystem leaders from across Connecticut for a day of connection, insight, and action. The event will feature dynamic panel discussions, interactive roundtables, and opportunities to explore innovative approaches to funding, policy, and business growth. Attendees will engage directly with experts and peers to tackle real challenges facing small businesses today, from accessing capital to navigating regulatory systems and scaling sustainably.

As part of our partnership, the NAAAP CT community can receive $10 off using code: NAAAP10

Get your ticket: resetco.org/bbau

11/07/2025

Excited to bring our Connecticut Asian community together! 🎉
Join us for the NAAAP CT AAPI Potluck & Open House on Sunday, Nov 16 in Milford, come share great food, connect with friends, and help shape our plans for 2026.
👉 RSVP: https://luma.com/dxbzg7ib

Come share a meal, reconnect, and help us shape the direction of 2026. Event details: Sunday, November 16 (thanks to our Co President Ming for sponsoring the…

10/28/2025

We loved meeting so many of you at our last NAAAP-CT event, Smash & Mingle AAPI Pickleball and Networking Mixer. Your energy, stories, and enthusiasm for building our AAPI professional network made it a special day.

Now we are bringing everyone back together for our next event, the NAAAP CT AAPI Potluck and Open House. Come share a meal, reconnect, and help us shape the direction of 2026 by being a volunteer.

📍 Where: Mathnasium, Milford, CT (thank you to our Co-President, Ming Hui for sponsoring the space)

📅 When: Sunday, November 16

🕛 Schedule:
• 12–1 PM: Potluck lunch — bring a favorite dish
• 1–2 PM: Interactive discussion and volunteer sign-ups

We’re recruiting volunteers for:
• Communications (email and social)
• Events (planning and logistics)
• Operations and Tech (website and tools)

Whether you want to lend a hand, learn new tools and technologies, or simply connect with fellow AAPI professionals, we would love to see you there.

👉 RSVP on Luma: https://luma.com/dxbzg7ib

Thank you for being part of this growing community. Your support, ideas, and presence make everything possible.

Come share a meal, reconnect, and help us shape the direction of 2026. Event details: Sunday, November 16 (thanks to our Co President Ming for sponsoring the…

09/19/2025

🏓🤝 Pickleball + Networking Success! 🎉

On Saturday, July 26, 2025, NAAAP Connecticut co-hosted Smash & Mingle — an AAPI Pickleball & Mixer event with APAC — and what a turnout! 🙌 Nearly 30 attendees joined us for a fun day at Pickle Spot 🏓 followed by food 🍣, drinks 🍹, and conversations 💬 at Sayori in Orange.

From the courts to the dinner table, the energy was amazing ✨. The smiles in the photos say it all — new friendships 👯, great connections 🔗, and a lot of laughter 😂.

💐 A huge thank you to:
🙏 JHD and APAC New Haven for collaborating with us
🍱 Sayori for the delicious food and warm hospitality
🏓 Pickle Spot for providing such a fun space to play

We’re so grateful 💖 to our community for coming together and can’t wait to host more events like this. Stay tuned 📢!

📸 Check out the happy faces from the event below:
👉 https://josephabadphotography.pixieset.com/naaappickleballsocialsmashandmingle/

Follow us on Facebook NAAAP Connecticut, Instagram .ct 📸 to get first communications on future events.

07/16/2025

Join us on Saturday, July 26 for Smash & Mingle, an AAPI pickleball + networking mixer in Orange, CT, hosted by NAAAP Connecticut and Asian Pacific American Coalition of Connecticut (APAC)!
Whether you're starting your career journey or a seasoned professional, seize this opportunity to connect with industry peers from all corners of Connecticut in a relaxed and enjoyable setting.
The event is designed to break away from traditional networking norms. Have a good time, engage in friendly competition, break a sweat, and forge valuable relationships.
🎟️ Register here: https://lu.ma/twu1btqf
A big thank you to our sponsors: Sayori and Elevate Pickleball Academy 🙌
If you're in the vicinity, join us for a game and some mingling. Looking forward to meeting you there.

07/15/2025

𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺: 𝗮𝘄𝗸𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝘂𝗸𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝗰𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗲 ☕😴 𝘁𝗼: 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 🏓⚡
Join us on Saturday, July 26 for Smash & Mingle, an AAPI pickleball + networking mixer in Orange, CT, hosted by NAAAP Connecticut and Asian Pacific American Coalition of Connecticut (APAC)!

Whether you're starting your career journey or a seasoned professional, seize this opportunity to connect with industry peers from all corners of Connecticut in a relaxed and enjoyable setting.

The event is designed to break away from traditional networking norms. Have a good time, engage in friendly competition, break a sweat, and forge valuable relationships.

🎟️ Register here: https://lu.ma/twu1btqf?tk=9Lf8uO

A big thank you to our sponsors: Sayori and Elevate Pickleball Academy 🙌

If you're in the vicinity, join us for a game and some mingling. Looking forward to meeting you there.

Join us for an exciting day of pickleball and professional networking! Event Schedule: 1:00-2:00 PM: Pickleball Games at Pickle Spot (Indoor), Orange,…

07/09/2025

𝗙𝗿𝗼𝗺: 𝗮𝘄𝗸𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗱 𝘀𝗺𝗮𝗹𝗹 𝘁𝗮𝗹𝗸 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝘂𝗸𝗲𝘄𝗮𝗿𝗺 𝗰𝗼𝗳𝗳𝗲𝗲 ☕😴 𝘁𝗼: 𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗴𝗶𝘇𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗴𝗮𝗺𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝘂𝗶𝗻𝗲 𝗰𝗼𝗻𝗻𝗲𝗰𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀 🏓⚡
Join us on Saturday, July 26 for Smash & Mingle, an AAPI pickleball + networking mixer in Orange, CT, hosted by NAAAP Connecticut and Asian Pacific American Coalition of Connecticut (APAC)!

Whether you're starting your career journey or a seasoned professional, seize this opportunity to connect with industry peers from all corners of Connecticut in a relaxed and enjoyable setting.

The event is designed to break away from traditional networking norms. Have a good time, engage in friendly competition, break a sweat, and forge valuable relationships.

🎟️ Register here: https://lnkd.in/eKWzkQxC

A big thank you to our sponsors: Sayori and Elevate Pickleball Academy 🙌

If you're in the vicinity, join us for a game and some mingling. Looking forward to meeting you there.

06/23/2025

Join us on Saturday, July 26 for Smash & Mingle, an AAPI pickleball + networking mixer in Orange, CT, hosted by NAAAP-CT and APAC!

Whether you're starting your career journey or a seasoned professional, seize this opportunity to connect with industry peers from all corners of Connecticut in a relaxed and enjoyable setting.

The event is designed to break away from traditional networking norms. Have a good time, engage in friendly competition, break a sweat, and forge valuable relationships.

🎟️ Register here: https://lu.ma/twu1btqf

A big thank you to our sponsors: Sayori and Elevate Pickleball Academy 🙌

If you're in the vicinity, join us for a game and some mingling. Looking forward to meeting you there!

Join us for an exciting day of pickleball and professional networking! Event Schedule: 1:00-2:00 PM: Pickleball Games at Pickle Spot (Indoor), Orange,…

02/12/2025

🌟 Meet the Team! 🌟

Please meet Lucas Zheng, our NAAAP CT Treasurer. His bio is below, and don't forget to check out options to contact us at the end of the post!

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Lucas is a dynamic professional with a robust career spanning finance, leadership, and program management. Currently, he serves as the Program Director of M&A Transaction Enablement at IBM, where he leads key deals and integrations, driving impactful business transformations. His expertise in finance and strategy has been honed through various leadership roles at IBM and a track record of delivering successful outcomes in complex, high-stakes environments.

Lucas is currently pursuing an Executive MBA at Columbia University, deepening his strategic and leadership skills to tackle modern business challenges. His academic and professional experiences are complemented by over seven years of dedicated service to the National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP) Boston, where he served as Chief Financial Officer and Finance Chief, fostering community growth 🤝 and financial sustainability 📈. Before his time with NAAAP, he contributed to Ascend Leadership in Tri-State NY as Vice President of Marketing, strengthening the organization’s brand and outreach.

Beyond his professional endeavors, Lucas is passionate about fitness and outdoor activities, including boxing 🥊, hiking 🥾, and running 👟. He also engages in pro-bono consulting, enjoys exploring new perspectives through reading and travel, and is committed to lifelong learning and community impact.

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📣 NAAAP Connecticut is welcoming new members and volunteers interested in building a robust and strong organization that best serve and empower the AAPI professional community in Connecticut.
✅ Please complete the NAAAP CT Volunteer Interest Form (https://forms.gle/jxrYXVAddzbTU91S9) to let us know about your interest, or forward it to someone else who might be interested. We look forward to meeting you soon! 🙂
❓Have further questions and/or interested?
Follow or contact us:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: NAAAP CT (https://www.linkedin.com/company/naaap-ct-24/)
Facebook: NAAAP Connecticut (https://www.facebook.com/NAAAPCT?mibextid=LQQJ4d)
Instagram: .CT

02/05/2025

🌟 Meet the Team! 🌟

Please meet Joey Abad, our NAAAP CT Secretary. His bio is below, and don't forget to check out options to contact us at the end of the post!

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A passionate leader and creative force in arts, education, and community engagement. With over a decade of experience, and twenty years as a private music 🎶 educator, Joey connects people through the arts, fosters inclusive communities, and creates opportunities for others to thrive.

As an Assistant Director at Trinity College’s Career and Life Design Center, he specializes in guiding students in arts, communications, and marketing toward meaningful career paths while building strategic partnerships with local nonprofits. 🤝

As a Freelance Photographer, Joey tells visual stories that amplify underrepresented voices, collaborating with organizations like the Appalachian Mountain Club 🥾 and the Connecticut Museum of Culture and History, and earning accolades such as the 2021 Free Center Independent Artists Fund Grant.

Whether designing impactful programs, curating cultural initiatives, or strengthening community ties, Joey’s work is rooted in sustainable growth and equity. At NAAAP CT, he is dedicated to building vibrant connections and empowering creative professionals. Follow along as he inspires change through creativity and connection!

~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~*~

📣 NAAAP Connecticut is welcoming new members and volunteers interested in building a robust and strong organization that best serve and empower the AAPI professional community in Connecticut.
✅ Please complete the NAAAP CT Volunteer Interest Form (https://forms.gle/jxrYXVAddzbTU91S9) to let us know about your interest, or forward it to someone else who might be interested. We look forward to meeting you soon! 🙂
❓Have further questions and/or interested?
Follow or contact us:
Email: [email protected]
LinkedIn: NAAAP CT (https://www.linkedin.com/company/naaap-ct-24/)
Facebook: NAAAP Connecticut (https://www.facebook.com/NAAAPCT?mibextid=LQQJ4d)
Instagram: .CT