Couple's Lifelong Love Story Breaks Box Office Records - NBC News.com

My article for NBC Asian America re "My Love, Don't Cross that River"

Directed by veteran documentary filmmaker Jin Mo-Young, the film follows the love story of an elderly couple - 89-year-old Kang Kye-Yeol and 98-year-old Cho Byeong-Man, married for 76 years. The two are described as fairytale-like characters—the husband is strong like a woodsman and the wife is full of charms like a princess. Every day, the couple wears matching traditional Korean hanbok, enjoy a daily routine together, and fall asleep at night holding hands. The movie documents their days as they sense their time together, and their love story, may be drawing to a close.

Couple's Lifelong Love Story Breaks Box Office Records - NBC News.com

Is it original? An editor’s guide to identifying plagiarism | Poynter.

Is it original? An editor’s guide to identifying plagiarism | Poynter.

All-Time Favorite Writing Prompts | The Ploughshares Blog

All-Time Favorite Writing Prompts | The Ploughshares Blog

Traditional Asian Lending Circles Get New Life with Modern Twist - NBC News.com

My article for NBC Asian America on Lending Circles:

"Social loans have long been practiced in our communities, both in countries of origin and here in the U.S.," said Lisa Hasegawa, Executive Director of National CAPACD, "The added twist of being able to build credit while saving has really resonated with so many previously disenfranchised people including recent immigrants and refugees, survivors of domestic violence, and micro-entrepreneurs."

Traditional Asian Lending Circles Get New Life with Modern Twist - NBC News.com

Justin Lin Goes From 'Fast and Furious' to 'Star Trek 3' - NBC News.com

My article for NBC Asian America

Lin is best known for directing four of the Fast & Furious films, which grossed $1.9 billion worldwide. But he's also known for Better Luck Tomorrow, one of the few all-Asian-American film projects to reach prominence on the mainstream market, and which introduced actors John Cho, Sung Kang, and Parry Shen to national audiences. Lin is also one of the founders of the Asian-American blog and video network, You Offend Me, You Offend My Family (YOMYOMF).

Justin Lin Goes From 'Fast and Furious' to 'Star Trek 3' - NBC News.com

The Year in Books: Asian America's Must-Reads of 2014 - NBC News.com

My article for NBC News Asian America

Need new book ideas now that your Asian-American Literature class is over? Check out some of the books published by Asian-American authors in 2014. From food to family, comedy to color, these books will be next on your must-read list.

The Year in Books: Asian America's Must-Reads of 2014 - NBC News.com

SNL Doll Sketch: Straight Satire or Pushing Stereotypes? - NBC News.com

My article for NBC Asian America re SNL Asian American Doll sketch:

"I didn't find the sketch offensive, but I also didn't find it funny," said 8Asians.com Editor-in-Chief and CEO Jocelyn "Joz" Wang, "Once it got going, I could see all the jokes and stereotypes before they came. Why so predictable, SNL? I guess it's too much to ask for SNL to do anything more nuanced."

SNL Doll Sketch: Straight Satire or Pushing Stereotypes? - NBC News.com

Holiday Gift Guide Looks Back at the Year in Asian America - NBC News.com

My article for NBC News Asian America:

As the holidays approach, from Diwali to Christmas to Lunar New Year's to Songkran, gifts are on everyone's minds. Below, a look back at some of the stories and people we've covered in 2014, and the holiday gifts they've inspired. 

Shout outs to Nina McConigley Dominic Pangborn Grace Lee American Revolutionary: The Evolution of Grace Lee Boggs Awesome Asian Bad Guys Samurai Bike Messengers Penn Masala Jet Tila Angry Asian Man Blacklava The Sikh Coalition Center for Asian American Media Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF)

Holiday Gift Guide Looks Back at the Year in Asian America - NBC News.com

Chinese-Americans Find Love on Specialty Dating Site - NBC News.com

my article in NBC News Asian America

Founded in 2010, and modeled after JDate, a dating site for Jewish Singles, 2RedBeans is an online dating site for the Chinese diaspora or "Overseas Chinese." It boasts almost 500,000 members, of whom 70 percent use simplified/traditional Chinese as their default site language, 30 percent were born in North America, and only 2 percent are non-Asian. It also has an algorithm that weeds out "Asianphiles" and accounts for Chinese cultural values such as date of immigration and highest level of education.

Chinese-Americans Find Love on Specialty Dating Site - NBC News.com

Arrests Made After Series of Indian-American Home Invasions - NBC News.com

Follow up to my earlier article by my good friend Emil Guillermo. I recognized the MO and had a hunch they were related.

Arrests Made After Series of Indian-American Home Invasions - NBC News.com

Millennials Are Increasingly Non-White, Foreign-Born, and Bilingual - NBC News.com

My article in NBC News Asian America

"One day - and soon - large portions of the earth will look and behave like New York," said International Cultural Strategist Jie-Song Zhang in response to new Census data describing millennials in New York City as increasingly non-white, foreign born, and bilingual. "A multitude of ancestries sharing the same trains and parks and grocery stores."

Millennials Are Increasingly Non-White, Foreign-Born, and Bilingual - NBC News.com

16 Important Publishing Tips I Picked Up at a Writers Conference | BlogHer

good advice re publishing

16 Important Publishing Tips I Picked Up at a Writers Conference | BlogHer

Ann Arbor Community Messiah Sing - Ann Arbor Observer

Had a lot of fun writing this article in the December issue of the Ann Arbor Observer about this weekend's 50th anniversary Ann Arbor Community Messiah Sing - Ann Arbor Observer

Ann Arbor Russian Festival - Ann Arbor Observer

Just found this article in the October Ann Arbor Observer about the

Ann Arbor Russian Festival - Ann Arbor Observer

Write An Award Winning Essay at Chelsea District Library

Teaching an essay writing workshop tomorrow at Chelsea District Library, December 13, 2014, 10-12. So much fun!

Write An Award Winning Essay

Submission Tip #36: Avoid These In the many... - The New York Times - Modern Love

Great writing tips for your next (for every) love story. From the editors of the NYT Modern Love column:

Submission Tip #36: Avoid These In the many... - The New York Times - Modern Love

Indian Americans Targeted in Spate of Home Invasions - NBC News.com

I just found out there have been 4 similar home invasions also targeting Indian Americans in my county. What about where you live? My article for NBC News Asian America
Indian Americans Targeted in Spate of Home Invasions - NBC News.com

Update: Follow up by Emil Guillermo December 17, 2014: Arrests Made After Series of Indian-American Home Invasions - NBC News.com

Should Mark Wahlberg Be Pardoned for 1988 Assault? - NBC News.com

Asian Americans respond to Mark Wahlberg's application for pardon and 1988 court documents say race did have something to do with it. My article for NBC News Asian America.

But his assault conviction was accompanied by another, for contempt for court. That stemmed from a series of attacks he committed two years earlier, chasing and hurling rocks and racial epithets at African-American school children. A court prohibited him from assaulting, threatening, or intimidating anyone because of race or national origin; the 1988 investigation found him in violation of the order, meaning the court believed race did play a role in the attacks on Lam and Trinh.

Should Mark Wahlberg Be Pardoned for 1988 Assault? - NBC News.com

Chelsea District Library - Winter 2014-2015_Chelsea District Library Newsletter

Teaching "Write an Award Winning Essay" this Saturday at Chelsea District Library, 10-12. Pre-registration required.

Chelsea District Library - Winter 2014-2015_Chelsea District Library Newsletter

Asian-American Activists Attack Anti-Discrimination Suits - NBC News.com

from Emil Guillermo for NBC News Asian America, quoting Cynthia Liu of K12 News Network and Jenn Fang of Reappropriate

Asian-American Activists Attack Anti-Discrimination Suits - NBC News.com

Sing Along with Santa - Ann Arbor Observer

Sorry to miss Sing Along with Santa this year, everyone knows I can't resist a man who sings. here's an article I wrote in 2009 for Ann Arbor Observer Sing Along with Santa - Ann Arbor Observer

Why Walking Helps Us Think - The New Yorker

Why Walking Helps Us Think - The New Yorker

Eric Garner Case Resonates Among Asian Americans - NBC News

My article for NBC News Asian America

"While we do not experience racism in the exact same way as Blacks, Latinos, and Native Americans," said Minneapolis-based poet and activist Bao Phi, "I think we should look at cases of state-sanctioned violence and police brutality against Asian Americans, Fong Lee being one example, to engage our communities."

Eric Garner Case Resonates Among Asian Americans - NBC News

Hawaiian Palace Launches Worldwide Search for Lost Artifacts - NBC News.com

My article in NBC News Asian America:

"Palace objects have been recovered from 36 states and four foreign countries," including, "porcelain plates returned from Australia and a table found in the Governor's mansion in Iowa, to a chair in a local thrift store."

Hawaiian Palace Launches Worldwide Search for Lost Artifacts - NBC News.com

Civil Rights Groups Prep to Ensure 2020 Census Reaches All - NBC News.com

"We cannot afford to go backwards." my article for NBC News Asian America:

Civil Rights Groups Prep to Ensure 2020 Census Reaches All - NBC News.com

Sikh-American Student Challenges ROTC Rules - NBC News.com

My article for NBC News Asian America:

"Ever since the army changed its grooming regulations back in the 1980's," said Manmeet Singh, staff attorney for United Sikhs, "it led to a presumptive ban on devout Sikhs from serving in the armed forces."

Sikh-American Student Challenges ROTC Rules - NBC News.com

White House's New LGBT Liaison Also Ambassador to Asian America - NBC News.com

my article at nbc news asian america

"As a daughter of Indian immigrants," said Hardikar, "I'm proud to serve this President, who has shown time and again that inclusion of and more participation from Americans of diverse backgrounds only makes our nation stronger."

White House's New LGBT Liaison Also Ambassador to Asian America - NBC News.com

Alumni of A Cappella Group Fund Scholarship for Future Students - NBC News.com

my article at nbc news asian america re Penn Masala at University of Pennsylvania

"Penn Masala was the defining experience for all of us during college, and it remains a huge part of our lives post-college," said Penn Masala alum Samir Sheth, "The support of the University made a lot of that possible. We had been thinking about ways to give back for a while."

Alumni of A Cappella Group Fund Scholarship for Future Students - NBC News.com

A New Thanksgiving Tradition, Born of a Family's Separation - NBC News.com

An Essay--first in a long time--for NBC News Asian America about Thanksgiving Eve without half the kids:

Our guests bring tandoori chicken, vegetarian pulao, Sri Lankan chicken curry, Chinese red-cooked duck, Taiwanese oiled rice, sushi, sashimi, kimbap, mochi, Thai butternut squash, hummus and baba ghanoush. We don't even bother with turkey.

A New Thanksgiving Tradition, Born of a Family's Separation - NBC News.com

Asian Americans Show Solidarity, Support for Ferguson - NBC News.com

My article for NBC News Asian America:

More than three decades after Vincent Chin's death, the decision not to indict Darren Wilson reminds us that our justice system is still broken,” said Emma Chen, president of American Citizens for Justice/Asian American Center for Justice. Chen was recalling the 1982 beating death of Chinese-American Vincent Chin, whose killers were fined $3000 and never spent a night in jail.

Asian Americans Show Solidarity, Support for Ferguson - NBC News.com

Language Barriers Persist in Affordable Care Act Enrollment - NBC News.com

My article in NBC News Asian America

“In the first enrollment, we had NO support or resources in terms of bilingual navigator assistance for the Asian-American community,” says Dr. Tsu-Yin Wu, Director of Michigan’s only AHJ member Healthy Asian Americans Project (HAAP). But this year, she received a federal grant to hire additional help, and is hiring bilingual navigators who speak Mandarin/Cantonese, Bengali, Vietnamese, Tagalog, Hindi, and Gujarati.

Language Barriers Persist in Affordable Care Act Enrollment - NBC News.com

Hawaii's Patsy Mink Honored with Presidential Medal of Freedom - NBC News.com

My article at NBC News Asian America:

“What you endure is who you are. And if you just accept and do nothing, then life goes on," said Mink. "But if you see it as a way for change, life doesn’t have to be so unfair. It can be better. Maybe not for me, I can’t change the past, but I can certainly help somebody else in the future so they don’t have to go through what I did.”

Hawaii's Patsy Mink Honored with Presidential Medal of Freedom - NBC News.com

Teaching two writing classes at Chelsea District Library

Teaching two writing classes at Chelsea District Library Sat. Dec. 13 and Mon. Jan. 19:

Chelsea District Library
221 S. Main St.
Chelsea, MI 48118

Write an Award Winning Essay |Saturday, Dec. 13 | 10:00am-12:00pm | McKune | High School Only

Learn to write essays that can win you money for college, and much more. Join college instructor Frances Kai-Hwa Wang as she leads a workshop that will help you take your essay writing skills into the next level. Participants will practice writing essays for the Profile in Courage Essay Contest. This national contest offers a top prize of $10,000 as well as a trip to Boston. Please bring a notebook and pen.

Write Award Winning Creative Non-Fiction | Monday, Jan. 19 | 1:00am-3:00pm | McKune Grades 6 - 12

Creative nonfiction is another way to say true stories, well told. Learn to write great true stories with the help of Frances Kai-Hwa Wang, a creative writing instructor at Washtenaw Community College. Participants should come prepared to write, and will be working on submissions for several creative nonfiction contests. Please bring a notebook and pen.

You must register with the Chelsea District Library on the library's website or by phone to attend.

King Elementary students celebrate rare honor |

“King has had a big impact on my life,” he said. “In other schools, I might not have gotten the opportunity to dance in front of an audience … and I might not have had as many great experiences. It’s so much fun, and there are so many unique after-school events and activities, King proves itself to be much more than just a school. It’s a community.”

King Elementary students celebrate rare honor |

Writing Workshop today: English Special Workshop: Dare to Dream

Teaching an all-day writing workshop today: English Special Workshop: Dare to Dream (the midlife crisis writing workshop) at Washtenaw Community College 9:30-3:25. Info at wccnet.edu.

White House Launches Bullying Prevention Task Force - NBC News.com

my article for nbc news asian america

A professional football player is a surprising spokesman for bullying prevention, but Pittsburgh Steeler Hines Ward is drawing from his own childhood to bolster his advocacy.
“I was a bullied kid,” says Ward, a former member of the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, in a White House video. “I used to get talked about and teased all the time. The black kids didn’t want to hang out with me because I was Korean, the Korean kids didn’t want to hang out with me because I was black, and the white kids didn’t want to hang out with me because I was both black and Korean.”

White House Launches Bullying Prevention Task Force - NBC News.com

Creative Writing Class: Dare to Dream this Saturday at Washtenaw Community College

I'm teaching an all-day writer's workshop this Saturday that I jokingly call my mid-life crisis writing workshop: Dare to Dream this Saturday, November 21, 9:30-3:25, at Washtenaw Community College.

Sign up at wccedu.net under Lifelong Learning (I can't find the link for some reason, but everyone else tells me that it is there).

Spring 2015 Creative Writing Classes - Washtenaw Community College

Classes coming this spring:

Beginning Writers Workshop ENG 4290 Start 03/21/15 Mandatory Fees: $0.00 Rm. TBD
1 session Sat Tuition: $69.00 Location: Main Campus Instructor: Wang

English Special Workshop- Dare to Dream ENG 4055 Start 04/18/15 Mandatory Fees: $0.00 Rm. TBD
1 session Sat Tuition: $69.00 Location: Main Campus Instructor: Wang Please read: Students should bring a pen and a notebook ...More

Creative Writing Classes - Washtenaw Community College Division of Economic & Community Development

Dozens of Groups Sign Letter Demanding Justice for Chaumtoli Huq - NBC News.com

My article for NBC News Asian America:

“The Mayor has snubbed over 60 community-based organizations representing a diverse cross-section of New Yorkers calling for a town hall meeting and basic reforms to community policing,” said Chaumtoli Huq, “In doing so, he has failed New York in his simplest obligation to us."

Dozens of Groups Sign Letter Demanding Justice for Chaumtoli Huq - NBC News.com

Literary Journals Featuring Writers Of Color - Writer's Relief, Inc.

Literary Journals Featuring Writers Of Color - Writer's Relief, Inc.

Actress, Director, Producer Joan Chen's New Role: Food Blogger - NBC News.com

My article for NBC News Asian America

“Not only am I a lover of food but I enjoy sitting around," said Chen. “This is also a way to share my journey as a Chinese American. Memories of my early life in China and my current life in America -- through food.”

Actress, Director, Producer Joan Chen's New Role: Food Blogger - NBC News.com

Midterm Elections: How Did Asian-American Candidates Fare? - NBC News.com

My article for NBC News Asian America:

"The 2014 November Election marked another milestone for AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) candidates at all levels of government,” said Floyd Mori, CEO/President of Asian Pacific American Institute of Congressional Studies (APAICS). “AAPIs continue to show they are electable in any kind of political climate.”

Midterm Elections: How Did Asian-American Candidates Fare? - NBC News.com

Lava Flow Threatens Century-Old Japanese-American Community - NBC News.com

"I've had to help my friend’s parents move out of their home in Pahoa...I have great memories there, so sad to think of what will happen.” Did you know 100 years ago Pahoa was a largely Japanese American town? Check out the historic photos. Thanks Sam Horiuchi! My article for NBC News Asian America.
Lava Flow Threatens Century-Old Japanese-American Community - NBC News.com

Post-Typhoon Recovery Predicted to Continue "For Years" - NBC News.com

Thanks to Rotary International for making the reporting for my article in NBC News Asian America possible. The Philippines has come a long way after Typhoon Haiyan (aka Yolanda) but it still has a long way to go. Thanks to all who are helping with the recovery. Thanks to all who shared their stories and their time with me.

“We were housed in a proper building, but you could feel the walls shaking. By the end of the day, we didn’t have a roof," said Sumaylo.

“I was born in a storm path. I know storms. If all the banana trees are blown away, all are blown the same way,” explains heritage interpreter Ka Bino Guererro, “But there was not a single tree standing, even in the forested areas. The coconut trees fell in opposite ways, there was no pattern.”

Post-Typhoon Recovery Predicted to Continue "For Years" - NBC News.com

Voices of Chinese-American Veterans from WWII to Afghanistan - NBC News.com

my Q&A with Victoria Moy, author of oral history of Chinese American vets from WW2 to Afghanistan:

What changed for me that year at the parade was seeing veterans my own age. I wanted to understand how and why someone my age, from my community, would decide to serve. I saw older and younger Chinese American veterans coming together to pose for a photo. Phil Eng, a Korean War vet said, "We're four generations of Chinese American vets here! If you're a writer, you should write a book about us!"

Voices of Chinese-American Veterans from WWII to Afghanistan - NBC News.com

Refugee Daughter Returns Home With Climate Change Battle Plan - NBC News.com

My article for NBCNews Asian America about Tibetan American Brower Youth Award winner Tsechu Dolma: #tibet #nepal #mustang #climatechange #sustainability

“Communities like Mustang have existed for centuries,” said Dolma, “It has a very rich history. These communities are vulnerable and endangered by the effects of climate change. The only way these communities can move forward is if we build sustainable models of local ownership and expansion of community rights over resources.”

Refugee Daughter Returns Home With Climate Change Battle Plan - NBC News.com

Mobile Library Brings Back Books to Typhoon-Affected Children - NBC News.com

My article for NBC News Asian America

“A sparkly, Pinoy-pride colored light bulb,” is how Filipina-American teacherMarcie Dunham describes her initial idea for Beep Beep Books. “Buy a jeepney. Fill it with books. Make learning magical. Inspire children.”

Mobile Library Brings Back Books to Typhoon-Affected Children - NBC News.com

Postponing launch of Third Space Salon

Sorry all, postponing launch until spring. But remember this name and this space! 

Third Space Salon is an Asian/Pacific Islander American (A/PIA) literary and performing arts nonprofit dedicated to creating community, celebrating the arts, with a side of cultural and educational exchange.

http://www.franceskaihwawang.com/p/third-space-salon.html

Inaugural Literary Festival of the Indian Subcontinent

What an amazing literary festival--First Annual Indo American Arts Council Literary Festival--why do i always live so far away from everything?

Inaugural Literary Festival of the Indian Subcontinent

Teaching at WCC today

My friend The Poet challenges me to write again and finally, haltingly, in the writing class that I am supposed to be teaching today, it comes...

Terry Park's class today

Chatting online with Vanessa Teck for Terry Park's class at the University of Miami in Ohio today about the Vincent Chin case.

Check it out today at 2:30 https://plus.google.com/u/1/events/c3ve8o09i22r859ssll6jfec6r8

Group Releases Preliminary Results of Asian-American Exit Polls - NBC News.com

My article at NBC News Asian America on AALDEF's 2014 Asian American Exit Poll preliminary results

"Asian-American voters continued to support Democratic candidates in 2014, but their support has declined since the 2012 presidential election,” said Margaret Fung, Executive Director of Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF).

Group Releases Preliminary Results of Asian-American Exit Polls - NBC News.com

Nakedness in a Digital Age

LOVE Richard Rodriguez! I followed him--floated out after him, really--once out of lecture hall and out to the subway...and then i wrote to him about it afterwards...and he didn't find me completely insane, lol. No better writing teacher than reading this piece. How does he do it?

"You will recall that when King Lear takes off his clothes, he offends majesty. The scandal of Lear’s abrogation is that, without raiment, a king is a frail, poor creature, indistinguishable from a groundling; his kingdom is disarmed."

Nakedness in a Digital Age

Tibetan Photographer Shares Lonely Stories of Fellow Exiles - NBC News.com

beautiful lonely photos...

 "The great tragedy of my life is not being separated from my family, but being separated from the sensibility of missing them, after living without them for decades." 

Tibetan Photographer Shares Lonely Stories of Fellow Exiles - NBC News.com

Here's Why Pho Is Really Pronounced 'Fuh'

Here's Why Pho Is Really Pronounced 'Fuh'

Legal Group Mobilizing Monitors, Exit Pollsters Across America - NBC News.com

my article for nbc news asian america

“Mainstream media mostly ignored Asian American voters and did not do surveys in Asian languages. But now that Asian Americans are the fastest-growing racial group in the country, elected officials and candidates in close races can't ignore the Asian-American vote any longer."

Legal Group Mobilizing Monitors, Exit Pollsters Across America - NBC News.com

Asian-American Groups Tackle Language Barriers to Get Out Vote - NBC News.com

My article for NBC News Asian America

“Why are we using 17 different languages?” asks Ahmed, “Because we are in Los Angeles.”

Asian-American Groups Tackle Language Barriers to Get Out Vote - NBC News.com

Also, for any registered voter who might have difficulty with English, you can bring a helper!

Section 208 of the Voting Rights Act, added in 1982 by Congress, allows any eligible voter who needs assistance at the polls because of blindness, disability, or inability to read or write to bring a person of his or her choice into the voting booth to assist with the voting process.

Writing Classes at WCC Today

Teaching today. Lots of activists in my "jumpstart your memoir" class this am. Still time for you to join our afternoon class "writing with style finding your voice"

America's Only Thai Town Celebrates 15 Years in Los Angeles - NBC News.com

Happy Birthday Thai Town! My article at NBC News Asian America:

“Thai Town is the Thai-American community's cultural embassy to the U.S.,” said Chanchanit "Chancee" Martorell, Executive Director of the Thai Community Development Center. “It allows Thais to showcase their culture while giving them a voice in public affairs. Without this synergy, the Thai community could easily be overlooked and ignored.”

America's Only Thai Town Celebrates 15 Years in Los Angeles - NBC News.com

Enthusiasm High Among Young Asian Americans, But Outreach Is Low - NBC News.com

My article for NBC News Asian America:

with significant voter outreach, Asian-American youth voter turnout has the potential to rise significantly above previous levels for midterm elections, growing from a mere 37 percent to as high as 63 percent.

Enthusiasm High Among Young Asian Americans, But Outreach Is Low - NBC News.com

Chinatown Tour Guide Apologizes for Racist Rant - NBC News.com

“I intended to do it as a satirical comedic portion of the tour," begins the tour guide's apology. What do you think? My article on NBC News Asian America

Chinatown Tour Guide Apologizes for Racist Rant - NBC News.com

One Year After Typhoon, Filipino Fishermen Struggle to Recover - NBC News.com

My article for NBC News Asian America, reporting made possible by Rotary International.

After Typhoon Haiyan (also known as Yolanda) slammed into the Visayas region of the Philippines on November 8, 2013 -- the deadliest typhoon on record to hit that country -- people from across the Philippines and around the world sent relief in the form of food, clothing, shelter, and money. Now, a year later, the Rotary Club of Cebu Port Center (RCCPC) is one of many local organizations still working to help neighbors with reconstruction efforts.

“Instead of giving clothing or food,” said RCCPC President Romeo Toledo, “Because there are a lot of NGO’s [non-governmental organizations] giving away clothing and food, we wanted to do something with long term impact for the community.”

As business people, they knew the importance of empowering communities to support themselves. So they decided to help the local people to get back on their feet with livelihood projects instead of charity.

One Year After Typhoon, Filipino Fishermen Struggle to Recover - NBC News.com

Survey Reveals How Asian Americans Feel About Death Penalty - NBC News.com

My article in NBC News Asian America:

This issue is of historic importance to the Asian/Pacific Islander American community. “One of the first national pan-Asian movements was the campaign to free Mr. Chol Soo Lee who was wrongly convicted of a killing in 1973,” said Jung. “Due to the investigative reporting by K.W. Lee and Asian-American organizing that led to the Free Chol Soo Lee Defense Committee, Mr. Lee was freed from death row in 1983.”

Survey Reveals How Asian Americans Feel About Death Penalty - NBC News.com

Third Space Salon

I have a new idea, come be a part! Third Space Salon

Third Space Salon is an Asian/Pacific Islander American (A/PIA) literary and performing arts nonprofit dedicated to creating community, celebrating the arts, with a side of cultural and educational exchange.

A/PIA Poetry and Literary Readings third Sunday of every month 6:00-7:30 pm
at Sweetwaters Cafe, 123 W Washington St, Ann Arbor, MI 48104,
Format: Invited poets and writers read, then Open Mic, pop-up bookshop
A/PIA clubs and organizations invited--makes a great bonding event or field trip!

Upcoming Dates 2014: November 16, December 21,
Upcoming Dates 2015: January 18, February 15, March 15, April 19, May 17

A/PIA Cultural Heritage Performances in the spring (April, May, or June)

Writing Workshops (coming soon)


*Official nonprofit status paperwork in process

Creative Writing Classes - Washtenaw Community College Division of Economic & Community Development

This weekend! Jumpstart your Memoir 10-1 and Finding your Voice 1:30-4:30

Writers Workshop -Jumpstart Your Memoir  ENG 4006  Start 11/01/14  Mandatory Fees: $0.00  Rm. LA 158

2 sessions  Sat  Tuition: $69.00  Location: Liberal Arts & Sciences Bldg   Instructor: Wang    Please read: Students will need to bring a notebook and ...More Writing With Style- Finding Your Voice  ENG 4004  Start 11/01/14  Mandatory Fees: $0.00  Rm. LA 150 2 sessions  Sat  Tuition: $59.00  Location: Liberal Arts & Sciences Bldg   Instructor: Wang    Please read: Students should bring to class a notebook ...More

Creative Writing Classes - Washtenaw Community College Division of Economic & Community Development

Grammar Girl : The Oxford Comma, in Pictures :: Quick and Dirty Tips ™

Infographical love for the Oxford Comma:

Grammar Girl : The Oxford Comma, in Pictures :: Quick and Dirty Tips ™

The Oxford Comma Is Extremely Important And Everyone Should Be Using It

for love of the Oxford Comma. (Shared with my Sunday morning writing class)

The Oxford Comma Is Extremely Important And Everyone Should Be Using It

Asian Americans in Michigan | Wayne State University Press

Cool! Coming this April: Asian Americans in Michigan--Voices from the Midwest

With a Foreword by Frank H. Wu and an Afterword by Bich Minh Nguyen

My chapter: "Going Back to Chinese School"

Asian Americans in Michigan | Wayne State University Press

Li-Young Lee - Poet coming to Concordia

Can't believe I almost missed this. Li-Young Lee is coming to town! Tuesday 10/28 7:30 pm Concordia. 

Li-Young Lee - PoetWhen: Tuesday, October 28, 7:30 p.m. 
Where: Kreft Center Black Box Theater
Free and open to the public.
Li-Young Lee is the author of four critically acclaimed books of poetry, including, most recent, Behind My Eye. His earlier collections are Book of My Nights; Rose, winner of the Delmore Schwartz Memorial Award; The City in Which I Love You, the 1990 Lamont Poetry Selection; and a memoir entitled The Winged Seed: A Remembrance, which received an American Book Award from the Before Columbus Foundation and was reissued by BOA Editions in 2012. Lee's honors include fellowships from the National Endowment for the Arts, The Lannan Foundation, and the John Simon Guggenheim Memorial Foundation, as well as grants from the Illinois Arts Council, the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, and the Pennsylvania Council on the Arts.

CUAA: Lectures

2014 Leadership Summit | CAPA

Today: Council of Asian Pacific Americans' annual Leadership Summit, with keynote speaker Joe Grimm!

2014 Leadership Summit | CAPA

Diamond Magnate Gifts Employees Jewelry, Houses, Cars for Diwali - NBC News.com

What are you giving as diwali gifts? Can't compare to this dude. “Had I been highly educated, I may not have given away so much.” My article at NBC News Asian America

Diamond Magnate Gifts Employees Jewelry, Houses, Cars for Diwali - NBC News.com

Meet Moana: Disney Announces Its First Pacific Islander Princess - NBC News.com

my NBC News Asian America intro to Moana, but more importantly to hapa Maori screenplay writer Taika Waititi who also wrote the 2003 play, “Untold Tales of Maui,” a clever updating of the many legends of the trickster demi-god Maui (which portends well). 

Meet Moana: Disney Announces Its First Pacific Islander Princess - NBC News.com

happy divali!

divali love letter from long ago (hopefully coming out in book form soon): 

Tonight, I turn off the computer, stuff my pockets with marigolds, and light the lamps from my room out my door down the path towards the river where the Canadian Geese take pause. If I float a diya down the river, I wonder if it will find its way to you by the sea.

Then all you have to do is follow the trail of lights on this dark night, and walk with me until the moon returns.

It is as simple as clay, mustard oil, wick, and spark.

Congratulations Mike Cullinane!

Hurrah for our friend Professor Mike Cullinane, who has just been named Adopted Son of Cebu.

Changing Lives by Saving Smiles in Post-Quake Philippines - NBC News.com

"Missions to other countries are no less important, but coming home to my country, my people, with the same black hair and same brown skin, has a special place in my heart. Because I grew up here, I know how hard it can be." Thanks to Rotary International for sending me on this reporting trip, and thanks to Rotaplast Intl. Rotaplast International for letting me be a part of the team, and thanks to Rotary Club of Cebu Port Centre for taking such good care of us all. My article for NBC News Asian America:

Changing Lives by Saving Smiles in Post-Quake Philippines - NBC News.com

Pangborn Collection Grand Opening Celebration October 23!

Philippines' 'Crisis Mappers' on a Mission to Save History - NBC News.com

Check out the first of many stories from this reporting trip (made possible by Rotary International) about the Handsome Crisis Mappers of the Philippines on this first anniversary of the Bohol earthquake which devastated the Visayas region October 13, 2013, 8:12 am.

Philippines' 'Crisis Mappers' on a Mission to Save History - NBC News.com

Language Remains 'Top Challenge' to Asian American Enrollment - NBC News.com

My article at nbc news asian america

“Language access was and remains a top challenge to educating and enrolling Asian Americans about their health care obligations and options under the Affordable Care Act,” said Jeff Caballero, executive director of the Association of Asian Pacific Community Health Organizations, an Action for Health Justice partner organization.

Language Remains 'Top Challenge' to Asian American Enrollment - NBC News.com

Study Finds Asian American Voices Missing From Sunday Talk Shows - NBC News.com

My article in nbc news asian america:

In a study of "The Big Five" Sunday television news shows, Asian-American think tank, ChangeLab, found that Asian Americans are simply missing from the conversation, even when the shows are discussing issues that are of interest and relevance to Asian Americans.

Study Finds Asian American Voices Missing From Sunday Talk Shows - NBC News.com

Rep Judy Chu Fights State Bans Based on Racial Stereotypes - NBC News.com

Hurrah for Rep Judy Chu! My article at NBCNews Asian America:

“A woman’s constitutional rights should not depend on her zip code,” said US Representative Judy Chu about the patchwork of state laws eroding women’s access to legal abortion and other reproductive health services. Chu is the House lead sponsor of the Women’s Health Protection Act (HR 3471), a bill that would outlaw the restrictive state laws that target abortion services and shut down clinics across America.

Rep Judy Chu Fights State Bans Based on Racial Stereotypes - NBC News.com

New Study Shows Asian American Support for Affirmative Action - NBC News.com

My article at NBC News Asian America:

“We can't just let the loudest voices in the room represent what our community thinks, and needs.” --Karthick Ramakrishnan, Prof. UC Riverside and AAPIData.com

New Study Shows Asian American Support for Affirmative Action - NBC News.com

Ann Arbor Russian Festival - Ann Arbor Observer

My article in the October Ann Arbor Observer about the

Ann Arbor Russian Festival - Ann Arbor Observer

Muslim Teens Find Their Voices as First-Time Filmmakers - NBC News.com

My article in NBC News Asian America

“On a very broad level, I learned the basics of filmmaking. I learned how to write a proper script and dialogue, how to storyboard, how to work with a partner to come up with a good, developed, story,” said Jannah Sellars. “On a deeper level, I learned some things about myself.”

Muslim Teens Find Their Voices as First-Time Filmmakers - NBC News.com

White House Launches Online Resource for Asian American Data - NBC News.com

My article at NBC News Asian America:

“The launch of Data.gov/AAPI marks an important milestone for better understanding and responding to the complex needs of AAPIs, now the fastest growing racial group in the country,” said Kiran Ahuja, Executive Director of theWhite House Initiative on Asian American and Pacific Islanders (WHIAAPI).

White House Launches Online Resource for Asian American Data - NBC News.com

Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School - Ann Arbor, MI The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program

Congratulations King School!

The school enjoys a diversity of 31 different spoken languages and is comprised of 46% Asian, 35% Caucasian, and 19% of a mixture of several other cultural groups. International Night and other traditions showcase this diversity through collective stories and is an expression of the roots and values of the school community as global citizens. The tradition of respect honors the school’s namesake Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. His philosophy that all people count, all people matter - permeates the daily lives of staff and students.

Martin Luther King Jr. Elementary School - Ann Arbor, MI The National Blue Ribbon Schools Program

Frustration Switches to Sarcasm with 'Muslim Apologies' Hashtag - NBC News.com

Sorry for collecting the best Asian responses. My article for NBC News Asian America:

"In true South Asian fashion, I apologize for apologizing. #MuslimApologies "

Frustration Switches to Sarcasm with 'Muslim Apologies' Hashtag - NBC News.com

The Food Lab: Make Your Own Just-Add-Hot-Water Instant Noodles (and Make Your Coworkers Jealous) | Serious Eats

Brilliant idea.

The Food Lab: Make Your Own Just-Add-Hot-Water Instant Noodles (and Make Your Coworkers Jealous) | Serious Eats

Detroit Power Diva | Networking Divas

Apparently I'm a Detroit Power Diva, lol, I didn't know.

There's a video, too: Networking Divas Magazine

Eclipse Poetry Journal launch Saturday

Reading today at 4:30 at Eclipse Poetry Journal launch at Siena Heights University in Adrian, MI.

Eclipse Release Party

Dominic Pangborn Finds Artistic Evolution through Revolution - NBC News.com

My article in NBC News Asian America about hapa Korean American adult adoptee Detroit-based artist Dominic Pangborn:

"Then I discovered that art didn't require English, and Heaven’s gate opened."

Dominic Pangborn Finds Artistic Evolution through Revolution - NBC News.com

Native Hawaiians Don't Want to Divert Lava Flow from Homes - NBC News.com

My article at NBC News Asian America on Big Island lava flow:

“We will never own our land; this is Pele’s home,” said Native Hawaiian Ihilani Niles. “And if she feels she needs to clean her house, then let her clean her house.”

Native Hawaiians Don't Want to Divert Lava Flow from Homes - NBC News.com

Asian-American Voter Registration Not Matching Population Growth - NBC News.com

My article for NBCNews Asian America on #celebrateNVRD:

"Today APIAVote-Michigan staff and volunteers successfully registered over 100 voters on University of Michigan and Michigan State University campuses,” said Theresa Q. Tran, Executive Director of APIAVote-Michigan. Her group was one of over 2,000 groups across the country—including 317 Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) groups—participating in National Voter Registration Day, the largest single-day effort of the year to register voters. Despite their success, experts say there is much work to be done.

Asian-American Voter Registration Not Matching Population Growth - NBC News.com

AARP Film Asks, Are Families Ready to Care for Their Elderly? - NBC News.com

my article at nbc asian america:

According to a 2001 AARP multicultural survey, 73 percent of Asian Americans feel that children are expected to take care of their parents in their old age, as opposed to 57 percent of Hispanic Americans, 52 percent of blacks, and 47 percent of whites.

AARP Film Asks, Are Families Ready to Care for Their Elderly? - NBC News.com

'Hapa-palooza' Celebrates Canada's Mixed-Heritage Residents - NBC News.com

My article at NBC News Asian America:

“Growing up there was little to no awareness about the experiences of being mixed,” says festival co-founder Zarah Martz. “Canada prides itself on being a multicultural country, and Hapa-palooza explores the blending of various cultures and backgrounds.”

'Hapa-palooza' Celebrates Canada's Mixed-Heritage Residents - NBC News.com

FCC Deadline Passes But Debate Rages On Over Net Neutrality - NBC News.com

My article at NBC News Asian America

“The FCC deadline has passed, but that doesn't mean the fight is over,” said leaders from Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) activist group, 18MillionRising, who hosted a #Fight4NetRights Twitter Chat this week on net neutrality to continue to push for minority voices to be considered as the FCC considers public opinion.

FCC Deadline Passes But Debate Rages On Over Net Neutrality - NBC News.com

Ray Rice Video Prompts Asian Americans to Break Silence on Abuse - NBC News.com

I noticed that there were not that many Asian American voices in the #whyistayed #whyileft convo so I went out to find them. My (very short) article at NBC News Asian America. So many more sad stories out there... Thanks to all the activists who do this work, I couldn't...

Ray Rice Video Prompts Asian Americans to Break Silence on Abuse - NBC News.com

Jack Ma, Malala Among Asia Society's 'Game Changer' Honorees - NBC News.com

This article took so long to research because the projects these folks are doing are all so interesting I kept getting distracted! My article for NBC News Asian America on Asia Society's Asia Game Changer awards

Jack Ma, Malala Among Asia Society's 'Game Changer' Honorees - NBC News.com

International Basketball Relaxes Religious Headgear Rules - NBC News.com

my article for NBC News Asian America:

"FIBA has taken a step towards change, but this policy alteration will continue to lead to an unequal playing field," said Jasjit Singh, executive director of the Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF). "We hope that FIBA will soon recognize Sikhs, Muslims and Orthodox Jews can freely play with their respective articles of faith and not require process or paperwork to play beyond their home countries.”

International Basketball Relaxes Religious Headgear Rules - NBC News.com

How to Write with Style: Kurt Vonnegut’s 8 Keys to the Power of the Written Word | Brain Pickings

from the master...

How to Write with Style: Kurt Vonnegut’s 8 Keys to the Power of the Written Word | Brain Pickings

Report: Asian American ACA Enrollment 'Disproportionately High' - NBC News.com

Great data from Karthick Ramakrishnan and AAPI Data as always. My article for NBC News Asian America on Asian American Affordable Care Act Enrollment:

“Linguistic and cultural barriers are very significant problems for Asian Americans in the health care context,” say Ramakrishnan and Ahmad, “And our understanding of the prevalence of this problem and its effects are limited by the lack of good administrative data on the provision of language assistance and culturally competent care.”

Report: Asian American ACA Enrollment 'Disproportionately High' - NBC News.com

The Thing Said: Ten Thoughts on Writing Dialogue in Memoir | The Least You Need to Know

Some great thoughts from Lee Martin on writing dialogue in memoir:

1. Accept the fact that you’ll never remember exactly what someone said. Trust me. You may think you will, but you won’t. The thing said is lost to time; all that remains is the shape you give it as you do your best to call it back.

The Thing Said: Ten Thoughts on Writing Dialogue in Memoir | The Least You Need to Know

21st Century Interviewing Techniques for Journalists

This could be useful, too.

21st Century Interviewing Techniques for Journalists

How To Write A Press Release That Doesn't Completely Suck | Fast Company | Business + Innovation

This could be useful:

How To Write A Press Release That Doesn't Completely Suck | Fast Company | Business + Innovation

Nonprofit With Balls / Nonprofit with Balls

and you gotta love a nonprofit blog with a name like this...

Nonprofit With Balls / Nonprofit with Balls

If You Give a Board Treasurer A Cookie . . . | Blue Avocado

for all my nonprofit friends: Brilliant, hysterical, children's books about nonprofit work. "If you give a board treasurer a cookie, he may ask who's paying for the cookie. When you answer that you're using funds he approved on the budget, he's probably going to ask to see a copy of the budget...." and so much more, each one painfully true.

If You Give a Board Treasurer A Cookie . . . | Blue Avocado

Chinese Level: 1 - Washtenaw Community College Division of Economic & Community Development

Ann Arbor! Still a few more spaces in my WCC Conversational Chinese class--Wednesdays 6:00-8:25 Sept 17-Nov 19. Register Today!

Chinese Level: 1 - Washtenaw Community College Division of Economic & Community Development

Forty Years Since Bilingual Education Ruling, Challenges Remain - NBC News.com

My article for NBC News Asian America:

US Supreme Court ruled in Lau v Nichols, “There is no equality of treatment merely by providing students with the same facilities, textbooks, teachers, and curriculum; for students who do not understand English are effectively foreclosed from any meaningful education.”

Forty Years Since Bilingual Education Ruling, Challenges Remain - NBC News.com

Jeremy Lin Punks, Dunks On Fans in Latest Prank at Wax Museum - NBC News.com

Oh Jeremy...but don't think you can get anything past your mom... NBC News Asian America

Jeremy Lin Punks, Dunks On Fans in Latest Prank at Wax Museum - NBC News.com

Human Rights Lawyer Sues NYPD After Arrest For Blocking Sidewalk - NBC News.com

“It was so public, and so humiliating," said Chaumtoli Huq. "No one should experience that.” My article at NBC News Asian America

Human Rights Lawyer Sues NYPD After Arrest For Blocking Sidewalk - NBC News.com

Immigration Activists Won't Back Down from Demands for Reform - NBC News.com

My article in NBCNews Asian America:

In the last few days, immigration advocates responded with new campaigns -- virtually and in the real world -- to keep up pressure on the administration to act: on Twitter with the hashtags #WeCantWait, #NoMoreDelays, #GoBigObama,#Not1More, and #FightForFamilies; in Twitter Town Halls; at rallies and press conferences; with postcard campaigns; and by occupying spaces such as Senator Harry Reid’s office.

mmigration Activists Won't Back Down from Demands for Reform - NBC News.com

Taboo Topics in China Shown on the Big Screen in the U.S. - NBC News.com

(Check out baby Bruce Lee’s first film role in the trailer below at the 1:44 mark). My article at NBCNews Asian America on DC Chinese Film Festival in Washington DC.

Taboo Topics in China Shown on the Big Screen in the U.S. - NBC News.com

Car Crash Claims Second Member of K-pop Group Ladies' Code - NBC News.com

so sad, RiSe of K-pop group Ladies' Code passed away, too. My article at NBC News Asian America. #RIPRiSe #RIPEunB #prayforladiescode

Car Crash Claims Second Member of K-pop Group Ladies' Code - NBC News.com

Awesome Asian Bad Guys Reunite to Save the Day in Film Project - NBC News.com

btw I am not the one who put in the word, "self-described," my editor added that in. LOL. My article at NBCNews.com Asian America.

Awesome Asian Bad Guys Reunite to Save the Day in Film Project - NBC News.com

27 Reasons Singapore Is The Most Delicious Place On Earth

Yes. Singapore. Someday.

27 Reasons Singapore Is The Most Delicious Place On Earth

Cambodia Cracks Down on Cheating, 75 Percent Fail Final Exam - NBC News.com

My article at NBC News Asian America:

Although disappointed that the results were even worse than the predicted 30 percent pass rate, Education Minister Hang Chuon Naron told The Phnom Penh Post that the good thing is that students who did pass, passed on merit.

Cambodia Cracks Down on Cheating, 75 Percent Fail Final Exam - NBC News.com

K-Pop Stars, Fans Mourn Death of Singer EunB in Car Crash - NBC News.com

My article on NBC News Asian America on the social media reaction to death of K-pop girl band Ladies' Code singer EunB in car crash.  #RIPEunB #PrayforLadiesCode #StayStrongLadiesCode

K-Pop Stars, Fans Mourn Death of Singer EunB in Car Crash - NBC News.com

Book Helps International Students Acclimate at MSU

So after I wrote about MSU Journalism's "100 Questions and Answers about Americans" guidebook that the students write under the supervision of Joe Grimm, a Lansing, Michigan TV news station called them up to do a segment on the evening news.  Neat to see how the story spreads.

Book Helps International Students Acclimate at MSU

For Influx of Foreign Students, A Guide to Understanding America - NBC News.com

My article for NBC News Asian America on MSU Journalism's book, “100 Questions and Answers about Americans,"

“People have some basic questions about Americans that we forget about,” said Grimm. “What does it mean when an American asks, ‘How's it going?’ How do Americans feel about personal space? Why do we smile at strangers? What is included in a date? Why do Americans eat so fast?”

For Influx of Foreign Students, A Guide to Understanding America - NBC News.com

Star of 'Samurai Bike Messengers' Is Smart, Female, and Digital - NBC News.com

My article at NBC News Asian America:

“Rather than creating Mona as a superhero,” said Pop-Post founder and CEO Kathleen Hiraga on her main character in "Samurai Bike Messengers," “I wanted to address the idea that everyone has untapped strengths to pull from, and that a girl on a bike who uses strategy and teamwork to save NYC from a Guzzle Thug takeover – never underestimate her!”

Star of 'Samurai Bike Messengers' Is Smart, Female, and Digital - NBC News.com

Register now for AnnHua Chinese School's ACT/SAT Writing | 安华中文学校

Register now for my  class: AnnHua Chinese School's ACT/SAT Writing

Ann Hua Chinese School at Washtenaw Community College
Sunday mornings 11:00 am - 12:00 pm
LA263
$210

Course Description

Writing is a skill, and best improved by practice. In this class, you'll learn simple but powerful methods to get the ideas out of your head and onto the page: how to analyze a topic, create a thesis statement, organize your writing, support your claims, add humor and style, and other tips and tricks to become a better writer. We will do some work on vocabulary and grammar building. But mostly we will practice writing. Short writing exercises will increase your skill, confidence, and speed as you face the ACT and SAT essay exams, as well as other writing projects. Bring a notebook and pen. *No class on 2/23/2014.

| 安华中文学校

TEAter-Totter: Human Betweens with Artist Jung Ran Bae - YouTube

Jung Ran Bae, the artist who made a very similar art installation which inspired my prose poetry piece, “Poignant Truth, Precarious You (and preparing for the Sriracha Apocalypse)” at Asian American Women Artists Association EATING CULTURES: Literary Sriracha - A Spicy Mix of Poetry, Mini-Memoirs, and Flash Fiction last May in San Francisco.




TEAter-Totter: Human Betweens with Artist Jung Ran Bae - YouTube

Basketball Federation Refuses to Rule on Turban Ban - NBC News.com

My article at NBCNews.com Asian America on FIBA non-decision on religious headgear:

"It is a shame that FIBA has decided to let bureaucracy stand in the way of religious freedom,” said Sona Simran Kaur, Sikh American Legal Defense and Education Fund (SALDEF) Communications Director, after the International Basketball Federation declined to make a decision at its Central Board meeting about players wearing religious headgear, deciding instead to defer to further study.

Basketball Federation Refuses to Rule on Turban Ban - NBC News.com

Data Shows Duality of Asian America: High Income, High Poverty - NBC News.com

Karthick Ramakrishnan breaks down the data in my article for NBCNews Asian America:

“On the one hand, you have high-skill immigrants and their children who are doing very well in terms of income. At the same time, we also have many others, particularly refugee populations and many Pacific Islander communities, that continue to struggle in terms of poverty.”

Data Shows Duality of Asian America: High Income, High Poverty - NBC News.com

South Asian Street Style: Artist Photographs Fashionable Aunties - NBC News.com

What else is there to say but...

“South Asian aunties rock to their own beat.”

(My article for NBCNews Asian America on Meera Sethi's street fashion photography project, "UppingtheAunty.")

South Asian Street Style: Artist Photographs Fashionable Aunties - NBC News.com

Historic Sam Kee Laundry Building Damaged in Napa Earthquake - NBC News.com

My article at NBCNews Asian America. Check out the photo on the landing page to see what the building looks like now, post earthquake.

“It's a memorable part of California history when Chinese immigrants faced virulent discrimination and were denied a livelihood,” said Margaret Fung, Executive Director of the Asian American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF), “Kee stood up for his rights and successfully challenged the town's discriminatory ordinance creating a ‘laundry-free’ zone in 1887."

Historic Sam Kee Laundry Building Damaged in Napa Earthquake - NBC News.com

Coconut, Vinegar, and a Whole Lotta Pork: An Introduction to Filipino Cuisine | Serious Eats

Serious research needed here

Coconut, Vinegar, and a Whole Lotta Pork: An Introduction to Filipino Cuisine | Serious Eats

Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce Women's Leadership Conference Women Who Lead: Emerging Cultural Successes

Coming up in November with the Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce (APACC):

Women's Leadership Conference
Women Who Lead: Emerging Cultural Successes

Event Sponsors:
DTE Energry and General Motors Company, LLC

APACC's premier Women's Leadership Conference is a half day of inspiration and empowerment designed with ALL Women in Mind.

Thursday, November 13, 2014
1:00 PM - 6:00 PM
Networking, Break-Out Sessions, Panels, and a Keynote Address
Dr. Betty Chu
Cheif Medical Officer, Henry Ford Hospital

Inn at St. John's
4405 5 Mile Road
Plymouth Township, MI 48170

Tickets:
Member Rate/Strategic Partners* - $30.00
Future Member Rate - $40.00

Sponsorship and Underwriting Opportunites Availiable
For more information click here
*Strategic Partners call APACC for the discount code

Location: The Inn at St. John's 44045 5 Mile Road, Plymouth Township, MI 48170

For more information:
Contact: Sarah Lalone
Phone: 248-430-5855
Email: Sarah@apacc.net

Register for this event: APACC Women's Leadership Conference "Women Who Lead: Emerging Cultural Successes"

Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce - Event Details

Detroit Asian Youth Project Celebrates 10 years of Mentorship - NBC News.com

Congratulations DAY (Detroit Asian Youth) Project on your 10 Year Anniversary Celebration today! 

“The program was started in response to questions being raised at the 20-year anniversary of the Vincent Chin incident,” said Detroit Asian Youth (DAY) Project co-founder and coordinator Soh Suzuki, referring to the beating death of a Chinese American man in a Detroit suburb in 1982. “Where has the Asian American community in Detroit gone? What does it mean to organize Asian Americans in Detroit today?”

Detroit Asian Youth Project Celebrates 10 years of Mentorship - NBC News.com

Reading Friday night at Brewed Awakenings

I'm reading some new material tomorrow, Friday 8/22/14, at 7 pm, at Brewed Awakenings Cafe in Saline if you are interested. I wrote an email last week but forgot to send it. 

7025 E Michigan Ave, Saline, MI 48176

Seattle's Mikado Theater Outrage Turned Into Arts Opportunity - NBC News.com

My article on the Race and the Arts forum post Seattle Mikado:

“You have artistic freedom, but the audience can also tell you what they think of it," said panelist Roger Tang of the Asian American Theater Review. "If you do a half-ass job directing, you will hear about it. And you should.”

Seattle's Mikado Theater Outrage Turned Into Arts Opportunity - NBC News.com

Alice Wong Sets Out to Chronicle Disability History - NBC News.com

My article in NBCNews Asian America

“The motto of the Disability Visibility Project is really simple,” says founder and Project Coordinator Alice Wong. “‘Recording disability history, one story at a time'”

Alice Wong Sets Out to Chronicle Disability History - NBC News.com

Nina McConigley's Book 'Cowboys and East Indians' Wins PEN Award - NBC News.com

My interview with hapa writer and author of "Cowboys and East Indians" Nina McConigley for NBCNews Asian America with shoutouts to Ravi Shankar May-lee Chai Bich Minh Nguyen We Need Diverse Books #weneeddiversebooks. Now raise your hand if you were in 4H too...

“Nina's short stories embody the complex, richly textured and unexpected stories of being an outsider in the wildness of the American west and her compelling collection ‘Cowboys and East Indians’ is impossible to put down,” said Asian-American poet and editor of Drunken Boat, Ravi Shankar.

Nina McConigley's Book 'Cowboys and East Indians' Wins PEN Award - NBC News.com

Detroit Vincent Chin mural caught in the crossfire of a turf war

The Detroit Vincent Chin mural is caught in the crossfire of a turf war.

Previous media articles:

Popular Detroit artist defaces tribute to Asian American icon Vincent Chin | Motor City Muckraker

Muckraker: Well-Known Local Artist Defaces Vincent Chin Mural On Grand River  –  Deadline Detroit

Update: Chin Mural 'Defacing ... Saddens All Of Us,' Sponsoring Group Says –  Deadline Detroit

Statement from Grand River Creative Corridor:

Defacing of Vincent Chin Memorial mural in Detroit's Grand River Creative Corridor

Earlier this year we contacted international street artist Andrew Pisacane also known as "GAIA" about creating a mural in the Grand River Creative Corridor (GRCC) in Detroit, Michigan. We were attracted to GAIA's talent and his ability to create large scale murals that shed light on deep-rooted civil rights history. GAIA suggested doing memorial mural of Vincent Chin and provided an in depth history of his life and eventual death. Below outlines the series of events from the organization, creation, defacing, and removal of the Vincent Chin Memorial Mural:

May 2014- Details of the mural were organized and confirmed. GAIA requested that we make contact with Vincent Chin's family to approve and provide their blessing of the mural. We were led to the "American Citizens for Justice", "a nonprofit 501c3 organization serving the Asian Pacific American (APA) communities of Michigan and fighting for the civil rights of all Americans. It was founded in 1983 after the baseball beating death of Vincent Chin." Details and imagery were sorted out then mutually approved. Artist travel itinerary, accommodations, supplies, equipment and mural location were confirmed.

June 18, 2014- GAIA arrived to Detroit.

June 19, 2014- GAIA met building owner, created conversation, and building owner gave his blessing. The building owner respected the idea of a memorial mural and related to the challenges Vincent Chin faced. GAIA met Detroit graffiti artist SINTEX, who had previously had a mural on the wall. (All of the GRCC walls rotate artists every 1-3 years. Several other walls have been successfully rotate without any conflict.) GAIA explained his mural concept and SINTEX gave his blessing by saying "I've had my mural on the wall for a couple years now and now it's yours".

June 19- June 23, 2014- GAIA created the Vincent Chin Memorial Mural.

June 23, 2014- GAIA departed Detroit.

August 6, 2014- Over 100 Girl Scouts visited and toured the GRCC and were educated on the history of Vincent Chin. (see attached photo)

August 9, 2014 at 6:37am- Derek Weaver, founder and curator of the GRCC, received a text message from Detroit graffiti artist "SINTEX" that stated "The mural in the parking lot got hit..looks like justo...blk buff line all thru it..signature justo ..or justd". Derek living only 15 minutes, away drove to the mural to find that the black paint was still wet and dripping. Derek decided to try and save the mural and washed 90 percent of the black paint off with a water hose. From there, several Detroit artists offered to help fix the mural and plans were scheduled to do so.

August 11, 2014- SINTEX told Derek that the wall needed to be repainted. Derek then explained the plans to restore the mural. SINTEX expressed frustration and disapproval.

August 12, 2014- Derek received a phone call in the late afternoon from SINTEX demanding he purchase a 5 gallon of black paint to cover the mural. SINTEX stated that he spoke with the building owner and received his permission to repaint the wall. Derek told SINTEX not to repaint the wall until Derek had an opportunity to speak with the owner directly and reminded him that the wall was scheduled to be fixed.

August 13, 2014 at 7:35am- Derek received a text message from another artist that said "Omg 1/4 of the gaia mural is buffed". Derek arrived shortly thereafter and discovered that SINTEX had “buffed” the mural overnight. SINTEX accepted responsibility via Facebook posts/messages.

August 14 to Present- Several claims and threats have been made by SINTEX via Facebook, Instagram, in-person, and Phone/Text. SINTEX removed and painted over the remaining wall and started painting his own mural. He made several mentions that it was his wall and Detroit is a “No Fly Zone” and GAIA never had the right to paint it.

RESOLUTION

The Grand River Creative Corridor and the 4731 Arts Incubator will no longer support SINTEX financially or personally, his art, housing, or work space.

ABOUT SINTEX

SINTEX currently resides in the 4731 Art Incubator, located within the Grand River Creative Corridor. SINTEX was one of the lead artists in the early-age of the GRCC and painted 4 or 5 murals. SINTEX was provided a 6,000 square foot loft free of charged for 2 years. Recently, the City of Detroit inspected the loft and deemed it unsafe and uninhabitable for residential use. SINTEX was given notice in May of 2014 that his occupancy would be ending. SINTEX has made no indications of moving out of the loft.

ABOUT GAIA

GAIA is an international street artist based in Baltimore Maryland. He was invited to participate in the Grand River Creative Corridor and agreed to donate the mural to the community. GAIA visited Detroit at the end of 2013 to create a mural inside well-known Detroit business man Dan Gilbert’s parking garage. The mural was painted inside the “Z Garage” and organized by Matt Eaton of the Library Street Collective. GAIA has also participated in many other mural projects including Miami’s “Wynwood Walls”, Atlanta’s “Living Walls”, and GAIA also organizes a mural project in Baltimore called “Open Walls”. (GAIA’s full statement can be found at http://instagram.com/gaiastreetart)

STATEMENT FROM GRCC FOUNDER & CURATOR- DEREK WEAVER

“Public art is for anyone and everyone. It’s not restricted to the elite or confined inside the walls of an institution. It’s not about fighting over walls, murals, or creating conflict. It’s about creating a dialogue with the community…creating emotion, energy and positivity. The defacing of the recent Vincent Chin mural saddens all of us and is an indicator that the community in Detroit has some work to do. It shows that the “No Fly Zone” mentality still exists today and hinders the growth and the resurgence of the great city of Detroit. Our sincerest apologies to Vincent Chin, his family, the Asian American Center for Justice, and GAIA. We are happy we were able to provide the local community dialogue and enlightenment on the death of Vincent Chin during the short time the mural was up. We look forward to creating many more beautiful murals that help the community move forward.” -Derek Weaver

ABOUT THE GRAND RIVER CREATIVE CORRIDOR (GRCC)

The Grand River Creative Corridor, also known as “GRCC", is an art corridor and neighborhood revitalization project concentrated on Grand River Avenue between on a half-mile stretch just outside downtown Detroit, Michigan. Founded on July 15, 2012 by Derek Weaver, the project features over 100 murals on 15 buildings; an outdoor fine-art gallery at a bus stop; free-standing art installations; a cleanup of overgrown vegetation, trash, and vandalism; and an economic stimulus project for local businesses. The project involves over 100 local and international volunteer-artists and is an ongoing effort to transform Detroit’s infamous Grand River Avenue into a creative hub that attracts: tourists, artists, small businesses, entrepreneurs, and investors alike.