EmpowerSEA

Advancing workforce equity, financial empowerment, and business growth for Southeast Asian communities in Minnesota. Advancing workforce equity, financial empowerment, and business growth for Southeast Asian communities in Minnesota. Advancing workforce equity, financial empowerment, and business growth for Southeast Asian communities in Minnesota. Advancing workforce equity, financial empowerment, and business growth for Southeast Asian communities in Minnesota.
Advancing workforce equity, financial empowerment, and business growth for Southeast Asian communities in Minnesota. Advancing workforce equity, financial empowerment, and business growth for Southeast Asian communities in Minnesota. Advancing workforce equity, financial empowerment, and business growth for Southeast Asian communities in Minnesota. Advancing workforce equity, financial empowerment, and business growth for Southeast Asian communities in Minnesota.

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Advancing workforce equity, financial empowerment, and business growth for Southeast Asian communities in Minnesota.

Email: support@edact.org

EmpowerSEA

EmpowerSEA the Southeast Asian Workforce Equity Initiative is a two-year workforce and financial empowerment initiative led by Equitable Development Action (EDACT). The program supports Southeast Asian individuals and business leaders in overcoming barriers to employment, economic participation, and financial stability.

Through culturally responsive and community-centered programming, EmpowerSEA equips participants with practical skills, financial knowledge, and business development support to foster long-term economic mobility and generational wealth.

Duration FY2026 – FY2027
Cohorts 2 (12–16 weeks)
Format Hybrid (In person & Virtual)
Focus Workforce & Business Growth

Who It's For

The Program Serves

  • Southeast Asian individuals (18+) seeking employment
  • Southeast Asian-led business owners

Participant Outcomes

  • Workforce readiness & job placement preparation
  • Financial literacy coaching
  • Resume and portfolio development
  • Business capacity-building support

Communities

Hmong Lao Vietnamese Cambodian Filipino Burmese Karen / Karenni
Get Involved

Program Contacts

Jude Nnadi Executive Director jude.nnadi@edact.org
Addriana Her Case/Program Manager addri@edact.org

Partners

Minneapolis Community & Technical College
ThrivEdge Solutions
JEJE Tax LLC
Siengkane Lao MN

Program Resources

Explore and download official EmpowerSEA materials for outreach, awareness, and program information.

Equal Opportunity Law Notice — English Equal Opportunity Law Notice — Arabic Equal Opportunity Law Notice — Chinese Equal Opportunity Law Notice — Hmong Equal Opportunity Law Notice — Laotian Equal Opportunity Law Notice — Russian Equal Opportunity Law Notice — Somali Equal Opportunity Law Notice — Spanish Equal Opportunity Law Notice — Vietnamese

The State of Minnesota Department of Employment and Economic Development (DEED) funded (or funded in part) this training through a grant. The grant recipient created this training. DEED does not endorse this publicity or training or make guarantees, warranties, or assurances of any kind, express or implied, regarding the accuracy, completeness, timeliness, usefulness, adequacy, continued availability, or ownership of the information herein or elsewhere.

Frequently Asked Questions

Questions people ask about EmpowerSEA.

Southeast Asian individuals aged 18+ seeking employment, and Southeast Asian-led business owners, from the Hmong, Lao, Vietnamese, Cambodian, Filipino, Burmese, and Karen/Karenni communities.

Both — EmpowerSEA is delivered in a hybrid format, combining in-person and virtual sessions across each 12–16 week cohort.

No — the program has two tracks. Jobseekers join the Work Readiness track; business owners join Business Capacity Building. You're welcome to ask about either.

Contact our team and we'll walk you through current cohort openings and next steps.