Fostering Economic & Cultural Opportunities for Asian Minnesotans

Va-Megn Thoj, born in Laos and a refugee at age seven, descended from the Miao/HMong people of China, raised and educated in the United States, is a husband, father, and son, currently residing in Saint Paul, Minnesota. After an undergraduate stint in Comparative Literature at Indiana University, Va-Megn (known by family and friends as Megn) dabbled in filmmaking in New York City until he moved to the Land of 10,000 Lakes, where he became a small business owner and community organizer. As a Bush Fellowships fellow, he studied Public Policy & Administration at the Humphrey School of Public Affairs and worked briefly in city government afterwards. He then founded and is the current CEO/Executive Director of AEDA.

As the Café Manager of Xia Café, Alex wants to serve her community by incorporating various asian drinks to the typical coffee, providing delicious French pastries as well as asian desserts and dishes. 

“I love the interaction with my customers, welcoming them to our space, learning where they are from, their culture and sharing their dreams and stories make my days brighter”.

Bao is a passionate small business owner and consultant, devoted to supporting underserved Asian and minority communities in overcoming business challenges. She shares her own experiences in entrepreneurship to support others on their journey to success. With her personalized approach, Bao offers valuable advice to many business owners, helping them flourish in their endeavors.

Jennifer Khang is a passionate advocate for small business success and community growth, serving as a Small Business Development Specialist with a mission to empower entrepreneurs to thrive. With a strong background in process improvement, strategic marketing, and operational consulting, Jennifer brings a unique blend of real-world experience and empathetic insight to her role.

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A first-generation Hmong-American entrepreneur herself, Jennifer understands firsthand the challenges and triumphs of building a business from the ground up. Her approach is rooted in listening deeply, identifying practical solutions, and offering actionable guidance tailored to each business’s goals. Whether helping business owners refine their operations, access resources, or navigate funding opportunities, Jennifer’s work is grounded in equity, innovation, and heart.

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In her role, she aims to bridge the gap between vision and sustainability to support business owners in not just surviving, but truly flourishing.

Ngân Huỳnh (she/they) is a Vietnamese illustrator-designer based in Minneapolis. Ngân graduated from the Minneapolis College of Art and Design with a BFA in Illustration and a minor in Marketing. They are excited to join Aeda in supporting artists and small businesses to ensure that they benefit from their participation in local programs and activities.

“I look forward to being in connection with the local artists and working together with Aeda to successfully run the events and creative workshops at XIA. Being a young Vietnamese artist, I find the value in helping others like me find opportunities that help them grow their creative career. I will make sure our brandings reflect the values we are supporting here at XIA.”