Imagine an economy where cultural wisdom drives financial success — where communities can build personal and collective wealth. This is the transformative vision of Empowerment Economics, a framework that challenges mainstream financial systems by centering cultural approaches to building lasting prosperity in Asian American and Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AA and NHPI) communities and communities of color.
In Salt Lake City, three women — Simi Poteki, Susi Feltch-Malohifo’ou and Cencira Te’o — are bringing this vision to life. Their journey began in 2015, when they founded Pacific Island Knowledge 2 Action Resources (PIK2AR) with a shared goal to combat domestic violence in the Pacific Islander community. Initially, PIK2AR created lifesaving support groups for survivors as well as a support and advocacy group for Pacific Islander men to hold each other accountable. Through this work, PIK2AR recognized the critical need to address the underlying economic, social and cultural factors that perpetuate the cycle of domestic violence.
The survivors’ support groups shined a light on a major issue facing Pacific Islander women in abusive relationships — financial stability and independence. The founders expanded their programming to provide holistic and culturally relevant programs and education to end violence, increase incomes and preserve Pacific Island culture.
To grow the Pacific Islander community’s financial health and well-being, PIK2AR sought out technical assistance and support from National CAPACD, the nation’s leading organization in advancing AA and NHPI community development. PIK2AR’s cofounders designed their offerings to meet the community’s most pressing needs through three major service programs: Empowered Living and Social Services, Economic Development, and Arts and Humanities. Community members who received services from PIK2AR themselves now lead many of the programs.
All of PIK2AR’s programs support community members to become “pro-Pacific Islanders,” which Susi defines as “Pro-Pacific Islanders are proud of who they are, see the value in their culture and in their ways.”
To make an even greater impact, Susi and Cencira established the Pacific Islander Chamber of Commerce, which empowers local businesses and provides financial coaching, mentorship and networking opportunities for community members. After more than one year of relationship-building, they understood that to successfully create the Chamber, they needed to bridge the divide between financial institutions and the Pacific Islander community.
Susi and Cencira worked alongside National CAPACD to implement its Empowerment Economics curriculum. PIK2AR worked with financial institutions to offer an accessible and culturally relevant nine-week curriculum and discuss Pacific Islander beliefs in building communal wealth. By drawing upon the Pacific Islander communities’ strengths and wisdom, PIK2AR built trust among the community, worked to overcome multigenerational trauma, and taught foundational best practices for growing personal and collective wealth.
Now in its ninth year, PIK2AR and the Pacific Islander Chamber of Commerce continue to coach financial institutions on how to overcome cultural and communication barriers and help members of the Pacific Islander community increase personal financial literacy, build lasting wealth, access funding or apply for small-business loans.
PIK2AR’s community-focused emphasis on wealth and power-building has resulted in individual and collective financial empowerment among the Salt Lake City Pacific Islander community and will continue to transform the lives of many for generations to come.