Dear OFBNP Family and National Stakeholders,

As we conclude this remarkable journey together, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to each of you for your unwavering support, dedication, and collaboration. It has been an honor to serve as the Director of the Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships (OFBNP) under President Biden, Secretary Raimondo, and Deputy Secretary Graves’ leadership, and to witness the profound impact we have made together in underserved and minority communities across our nation.

Reflecting on the past three years, I am immensely proud of our collective achievements. Our mission to provide resources, training, and technical assistance to small businesses, faith leaders, and community-based organizations has transformed lives and empowered communities. Through our efforts, we have strengthened the capacity of small businesses and non-profit organizations to expand through exports, grants, and resources, while fostering partnerships that promote equity, innovation, and economic growth.

Our strategic stakeholder engagement has been the cornerstone of our success. In 2024, we maintained active roundtables in 14 states, amplified key resources to all 50 states plus territories, and collaborated with state-specific teams to address critical issues such as climate change, minority business development, and access to data and innovation. These roundtables have amplified our reach, connecting resources, technical assistance, and training to historically underserved communities.

Some of our proudest moments supporting the Biden-Harris Administration's priorities - fostering a collaborative environment that promoted resource-sharing and collective impact - were amplified through our 12 high impact summits and convenings, a great majority of them first ever events for the Department of Commerce. We brought together representatives from governmental, faith-based, and nonprofit organizations, strengthening partnerships that aligned with our mission and the administration's goals, and yielded historic MOUs and timely resources reaching our communities.

The Youth Summits of 2023 and 2024 stand as shining examples of our commitment to the next generation. The inaugural Youth Summit attracted hundreds of participants in-person and thousands online, providing invaluable networking opportunities, recommendation letters, and career guidance. In 2024, the National Youth Summit 2.0 continued this legacy, bringing over 300 youth to the Department of Commerce and inspiring countless young minds. 

Under that same empower and include vision, we successfully delivered the first ever National Faith Leaders’ Summit, National Disability Leadership Summit, Latino Advocacy Summit, African American Leaders Convening, National Chambers of Commerce Leaders Roundtable, and Partnerships Summit for non-profit organizations. Each gathering addressed a unique set of challenges by bringing together America’s most engaged and talented leaders and by connecting folks on the ground to movers and shakers, grants, and resources.

Our historic first ever National Muslim American Leaders Convening and National Jewish American Leaders Convening in November and December 2023 respectively, provided vital resources but most importantly, they facilitated meaningful conversations to take place in a time when our communities were hurting and asked to be heard. As a result, we became an integral part of the President’s team that launched the National Strategy to Combat Antisemitism and Islamophobia, providing much needed straightforward action items and resources. These events, along with our continued outreach to diverse communities, have uplifted and empowered countless individuals.

The expansion of our stakeholder engagement universe to over 20,000 Americans and the establishment of key partnerships, with you as community connectors, have amplified our impact and reach.

Our interagency outreach efforts, including whole of Commerce collaborations, have paved the way for significant advancements in digital equity, health equity, and economic development.

As we look toward 2025, I am confident that the foundation we have built together will continue to thrive. Our commitment to building partnerships, fostering relationships, and providing resources to historically underserved communities remains steadfast. 

I would also like to express my deepest appreciation to our incredible team of advisors, deputies, interns, and detailees who have been instrumental in supporting our work. Their dedication, hard work, and noble commitment to our mission have been the driving force behind our success. Together, we have navigated challenges, celebrated wins, and made a lasting impact on the communities we serve.

As a Biden-Harris Presidential Appointee, my tenure will conclude on January 20, 2025, in accordance with the upcoming Presidential transition. It has been a privilege to serve in this capacity, and I am deeply grateful for the opportunity to work alongside such dedicated and passionate individuals.

Thank you for being an integral part of this journey. Your dedication and support have made all the difference. Together, we have achieved remarkable milestones, and I am excited to see the continued growth and success of the Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships.

With heartfelt appreciation and best wishes,

Andres Chong-Qui Torres

Director, Office of Faith-Based and Neighborhood Partnerships, Office of the Secretary, U.S. Department of Commerce

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