BAKERSFIELD, Calif. (KGET) -- Kern County launched its Asian Chamber of Commerce Friday morning at the Liberty Bell. Each May marks Asian American and Pacific Islander -- or AAPI -- Heritage Month, designated by President George H.W. Bush in 1990. The Biden administration has made it even more inclusive, calling it Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month. Throughout the country, the month calls for a celebration of that community. Kern County celebrated by launching the Kern Asian Chamber of Commerce and recognizing the group's more than 150 years here. "This is a very historical day, how are we feeling this morning? Yeah!" said an energetic Raji Brar, businesswoman and board member of the California Chamber of Commerce. That enthusiasm was very well maintained by other speakers, including president of the Asian Chamber of Commerse, Vivian Cao. BPD searching for suspects who allegedly stole dog food from Oswell St store "The Asian community has been here for 150 years, more than that, actually, and it's just now launching, and so it's time," Cao said of the launch. Cao said as someone from Orange County, an area with heavy Asian presence and representation, launching the chamber in Kern was a bit of a "challenge accepted." The president said she hopes the chamber can be "a platform for congregation," raising awareness for those who have yet to see the impact of the Asian community, especially in the economic landscape. The group's debut, which organizers say took decades, also was celebrated by county supervisors, city councilmembers and Mayor Karen Goh, many who are also Asian American and Pacific Islanders themselves. "The first Sikh American at state office, the first south Asian woman in the Legislature in the state was elected from Delano as well," Assemblywoman Dr. Jasmeet Bains, explaining the firsts she's contributed to Kern's Asian community. "This community cares about ethnicities and minorities and making sure there's representation," Bains emphasized, adding that her biggest hope from the chamber is outreach, specifically upping voter registration and education. "There is such a blessing in having an Asian Chamber of Commerce, and a Black Chamber of Commerce and a Hispanic Chamber of Commerce," stated Raji Brar. Cao agreed: "Now, there's a whole group of people who speak your language, who understand the cultural struggles and kind of the assimilations we haven't really had here. But also the resources that are dedicated to the AAPI community." Wasco man pleads no contest to sex with underage girls She explained the chamber already has partnerships with the Bakersfield Sikh Women's Association, Bakersfield Chinese Women's Club, Chinese Historical Association as well as other cultural, ethnic groups in town. Kern's Asian Chamber of Commerce joins the Hispanic and Black chambers of commerce. Representatives from both were also present Friday. "On behalf of the Kern County Hispanic Chamber of Commerce, I'm just so excited and honored to partner and lock arms with this wonderful organization that's about to begin their journey," said Jay Tamsi, president of the Hispanic Chamber of Commerce. "We are forging a new chapter in the annals of commerce, one that celebrates the diversity of Asian American entrepreneurship," said Quon Louey, Vice President of the Kern Asian Chamber of Commerce. "The Kern County Asian Chamber of Commerce is not merely an organization. It is a rallying call for solidarity, collaboration and mutual empowerment." On that note, Cao noted the diversity within the Board itself. "There are a lot of resources coming through the pipelines, from the state level, from the federal level," the president said. "We are at this moment in time we can certainly advocate for ourselves and really bring these resources in collaboration with other chambers, other community partners."