City of Jacksonville

The Mayor's Asian American Advisory Board consists of 15 members appointed by the Mayor to effectively recognize the concerns and desires of the Asian community in Jacksonville. The purpose of the Board is to provide a means by which the City may obtain information, guidance, and ongoing comprehensive studies relating to its citizens of Asian descent.

Mission: To serve as a liaison between the Asian American community and the City of Jacksonville to cultivate civic engagement and promote cultural heritage.

Vision: We envision unity and solidarity by fostering long-term relationships among the Asian American communities and promoting humanitarian efforts.

Total Members

15 members appointed by the Mayor.

Committee Duties

• Recognize the concerns and interests of the Asian American community in Jacksonville.
• Provide information and guidance to the City regarding the community's needs and priorities.
• Support ongoing study and communication relating to Jacksonville residents of Asian descent.
• Promote civic engagement and cultural heritage within the community.

Meeting Schedule

View the Boards and Commissions events calendar

Board Leadership

Elly Liao, Chair
Born to Taiwanese parents in Thomasville, Georgia, Elly was raised in Leesburg, Florida and has lived in Jacksonville for about 10 years. She holds a bachelor's degree from the University of Florida in Criminology, graduating with honors. Following in the footsteps of her family, Elly feels passionate about serving her community to create more unity and spread more cultural awareness.

Elly is the founder of ENSPIRd Life Coaching and is a Board-Certified Coach who is passionate about helping clients create more balance, fulfillment, and happiness in their lives. Along with this, she serves as the Fundraising Chair for the University of Florida's Association of Asian Alumni and is a member of Toastmasters, serving previously as President and Vice President of Membership. In her free time, Elly enjoys spending time with family and friends, traveling, investing in real estate, and reading/self-development.

Franchesca Williams, Vice Chair
Franchesca Williams is Director of Third Party Risk Management at Ameris Bank in Jacksonville, Florida. Her experience spans merger and acquisition integration, procurement, risk management, contract administration and negotiation, and supplier diversity. She has a Bachelor of Science in Business Management from the University of Phoenix and has worked in the financial industry for more than 19 years. Franchesca is passionate about learning and sharing Asian culture with those around her and advocates for inclusivity within the community.

William Vasana, Secretary
William Vasana is a licensed real estate associate with Keller Williams Jacksonville Realty. Originally from Thailand, he grew up in Bangkok and graduated from Assumption University with a bachelor's degree in marketing. He later earned dual MBA degrees in marketing and finance from the University of Tampa. Before beginning his real estate career, he worked in marketing, IT, and e-commerce for major companies including Time Warner and Comcast. He relocated to Jacksonville in 2002 and has spent nearly two decades specializing in residential and commercial real estate, international properties, relocation, probate real estate, short sales, and REOs.

Board Members

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Public Records Notice

The City of Jacksonville is committed to transparency, accessibility, and compliance with all applicable local, state, and federal laws, including Florida's Government in the Sunshine laws and public records requirements. Jacksonville.gov is a public information website and is not the City's system of record. The website publishes current materials needed for active public business. Historical records and archived documents are retained offline in accordance with applicable records retention requirements and may be requested through the City's public records process.

Submit a public records request online

Additional Information

Asian American High School Scholars Scholarship

The Mayor's Asian American Advisory Board offers the Asian American High School Scholars Scholarship for eligible students.

For more information about scholarship eligibility, deadlines, and how to request application materials, please email MAAAB for scholarship information.

Community Resources

This page also includes selected student, scholarship, and young professional resources that may be helpful to Jacksonville's Asian American community.

High School Student Groups

OneJax: Youth Leadership Education

Programs for teens that promote interracial, inter-religious, and intercultural engagement.

• METROTOWN: Summer diversity education program for 10th-12th grade students
• LOUD: Leaders of United Diversity, student ambassadors promoting inclusion at their schools

Learn about OneJax Metrotown and LOUD programs

Youth Leadership Jacksonville

For high school juniors with demonstrated leadership ability. Helps prepare students for community involvement and ethical leadership.

Learn about Youth Leadership Jacksonville

World Affairs Council: Educational Resources for Students

Educational programs and resources that help young people develop a better understanding of the world.

Explore World Affairs Council student resources

INROADS

A nonprofit organization connecting diverse undergraduate students with paid internships and career development opportunities.

Visit the INROADS internship and career development website

HandsOn Jacksonville: Youth Leadership Council

Volunteer-focused leadership opportunities for teens, including service projects and youth engagement programs.

Additional resources: Visit the generationOn youth service website, Visit the Get Ur Good On youth action website, Visit the DoSomething youth activism website, and Download the HandsOn Jacksonville Youth Leader Toolkit.

Learn about HandsOn Jacksonville teen programs

Scholarships

First Generation Scholarship Program at UNF

The University of North Florida participates in Florida's First Generation Matching Grant Program.

Learn about the UNF First Generation Scholarship Program

National Merit Scholarship Corporation by State Farm

One-time, nonrenewable awards of $2,500 for qualifying high school seniors who are National Merit finalists.

Learn about State Farm National Merit scholarships

Northeast Florida Counts

A regional online resource that also offers scholarship opportunities to help offset educational costs.

Visit the Northeast Florida Counts scholarship resource website

Minority Teacher Education Scholarship

A scholarship program designed to attract and retain students interested in becoming teachers in Florida.

Explore Minority Teacher Education Scholarship information

Asian American & Pacific Islander American Scholarship Fund

The nation's largest nonprofit organization devoted to providing college scholarships for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

Learn about Asian American and Pacific Islander scholarship opportunities

Young Professionals Groups

IMPACTJAX

The young professionals program of the JAX Chamber, connecting emerging leaders with each other and the community.

Learn about the IMPACTJAX young professionals program

JCCI Forward

A leadership development program where young professionals and emerging leaders engage in community problem-solving and civic action.

View the JCCI Forward events calendar
Learn about the JCCI Forward program

The Jacksonville Jaycees

Provides leadership development through projects that serve the community.

Visit the Jacksonville Jaycees website

Rotaract

A young professionals organization focused on professional development, friendship, and service.

Visit the Jax Rotaract website

Young Professionals of the World Affairs Council

Provides opportunities for adults ages 21 to 40 to better understand global issues while connecting with others in Northeast Florida.

Learn about World Affairs Council young professionals programs