A Minnesota organization supporting Asian American leaders across Minnesota just received $2.5 million from philanthropist Mackenzie Scott. It’s the Coalition for Asian American Leaders, or CAAL, and they’re using the funding to launch a new initiative called CAAL Ignite. It’s a grant program that provides $10,000-15,000 to Asian American entrepreneurs and small business owners in the state. Applications for the grant open Wednesday. ThaoMee Xiong is the executive director of CAAL. Laura Boller runs a hair and makeup business, “Laura B Beauty,” and is part of the CAAL community. Xiong and Boller joined MPR News host Nina Moini to talk about the grant.

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