2021 Events

25th Annual Historymakers Awards Gala

The Chinese American Museum proudly hosted our 25th Annual Historymakers Awards Gala on Thursday, December 16, 2021. The gala’s theme, Collective Resilience: Rising in Unity highlighted our honorees’ achievements in amplifying the voices of the Asian American communities through representation and advocacy in media and civic engagement. To view the virtual presentation, please visit: https://camla.org/historymakers202

Kid’s Story Time Featuring Asian American Children’s Authors

 

Join us on Wednesday, November 17th at 4pm PT for this month’s second Kids Storytime! This week, Ms. Rita will read Lala’s Words by Gracey Zhang. Lala’s wild nature and quiet compassion enchant in this evergreen story about the power of kind words and the magic of being loved for who you are.  Thank you to the sponsor Panda Express.

This book is suited for children 4-8 years old, though we welcome children of all ages with parental supervision.

Kid’s Story Time is hosted in partnership with the Chinatown Branch Library with stories read by Children’s Librarian, Rita Law.

About the author Gracey Zhang:

Gracey Zhang is an illustrator and animator with a love of storytelling and verse. She was born and raised in Vancouver, Canada, and received her degree in Illustration from RISD. She is now based in Brooklyn, New York, where she can be found window watching from the train when she’s not scribbling away at her desk.

Kid’s Story Time Featuring Asian American Children’s Authors

Join us for a Kid’s Story Time featuring guest author, Michelle WangAs autumn is coming to a closeMichelle will read her book“It Must Be Autumn. A fun-loving family is out to discover all the wonderful signs of the beautiful Fall season.

This book is suited for children 4-8 years old, though we welcome children of all ages with parental supervision.

About the author Michelle Wang: 

One autumn Monday, Michelle Wang couldn’t find a book to read aloud to her Grade One class, so she wrote one!  It Must Be Autumn is the first book in her Seasons series.  Look for: It Must Be Winter coming out Fall 2021 and It Must Be Spring to be released in the winter.

Michelle lives in Toronto, Canada with her husband, four children, and a couple of jokester squirrels outside her kitchen window.  When not cheering on her favorite hometown sports teams or playing random songs every time she walks by a piano, Michelle can be found reading a book to avoid cleaning her very messy house.  Michelle and her family are excellent leaf pile jumpers.

 

The Commemoration of the 150th Anniversary of the Chinese Massacre of 1871

Sun., Oct. 17th | 2pm-3:30pm  PDT

A Multi-Dimensional Performance 

A livestreamed performance that chronicles the history of the Chinese Massacre of 1871 through music, movement, and spoken narrative. In partnership with UCLA Asian American Center, UCLA Asia Pacific Center, and Scripps College. Narrated by Hao Huang.

Mon., Oct. 18th | 5pm-6:30pm PDT

From Past to Present: Remembering 1871 

This virtual panel discussion introduces the history of the Chinese Massacre of 1871 and how it resonates today. Moderated by Dr. Gay Yuen.

Tues., Oct. 19th | 5pm-6:30pm PDT

How to Teach the History of the Chinese Massacre of 1871 

A specially curated workshop for educators to introduce new curriculum created to teach the themes and impact of the Chinese Massacre of 1871 to students in grades 3-12. Facilitated by Stewart Kwoh and Prabhneek Heer of the Asian American Education Project.

Weds., Oct. 20th | 5pm-6:30pm PDT

Collective Memory: An Unpacking of Racially Motivated Tragedies Throughout US History 

A virtual panel discussion addressing the shared histories of racially motivated acts of violence in the United States such as the 1921 Tulsa Race Massacre, the burning of Chinatown in Antioch, CA, and the genocide of Native Americans. Moderated by Jason Chu.

Thurs., Oct. 21st | 5pm -6:30pm PDT

Buried History: Retracing the Chinese Massacre of 1871 

This pre-recorded tour will take you through history by retracing forgotten sites of the Chinese Massacre of 1871.  Hosted by Mike Woo.

Fri., Oct. 22nd | 5pm-6:30pm PDT

Shaping a Memorial: Civic Memory and the Effort to Honor the Victims of the Chinese Massacre of 1871 

Hear the latest details about the City of Los Angeles’ plans to develop a memorial for the victims of the Chinese Massacre of 1871 and the links between that effort and the Mayor’s Office Civic Memory Working Group. Moderated by Christopher Hawthorne.

Sat., Oct. 23rd | 2pm-3:00pm PDT

Post-Production Discussion: A Theatrical Conversation into the Chinese Massacre of 1871 

Viewers are invited to first preview excerpts from the play The Chinese Massacre (Annotated) by Tom Jacobson and directed by Jeff Liu will be available to stream online for a limited time from Oct 22nd – 24th.

Join us we host a virtual panel discussion to explore how this history is retold on stage. In partnership with Artists at Play.

Sun., Oct. 24th | 5pm-6:30pm PDT

The Commemoration 

This commemoration week will culminate with a virtual ceremony in remembrance of the victims of the 1871 massacre. The program will include the reading of the victims’ names, the laying of the wreaths, and a bowing ceremony to honor their souls.

 

Tea Talk: Teas of Japan

 

Guest Speaker: Rika Iwasaki – Japanese Tea Instructor (leader rank), Tea Coordinator 岩﨑里香

CAM is excited to announce the return of “Tea Talk” on Saturday, September 25, 2021 from 2 – 3:30pm PDT. Host, FCAM board member, and Managing Director of @winghopfung Lan Ong welcomes Japanese Tea Instructor (Leader Rank) @rika5tea to share the history and cultural practices of Japanese tea.  Join us to learn about the many varieties of tea grown in Japan, tips on brewing green tea, and how to enjoy matcha at home.

The virtual “Tea Talk” series welcomes audience members to learn about the many facets of tea from renowned experts from around the world. 

“Tea Talk: Teas of Japan” is the fourth installment of this series. To watch previous programs, please visit our YouTube channel at https://www.youtube.com/chineseamericanmuseum.

 

Special Mid-Autumn Festival Story Time

Join us for a special edition of “Kid’s Story Time” featuring guest author, Grace Lin, for a drawing demonstration and reading of “A Big Mooncake for Little Star”!

In celebration of Mid-Autumn Festival, Grace Lin will be leading a drawing demonstration and reading “A Big Mooncake for Little Star,” a gorgeous picture book that tells a whimsical origin story of the phases of the moon. Little Star loves the delicious mooncake that she bakes with her mama. But she’s not supposed to eat any yet! What happens when she can’t resist a nibble?

Thank you to our sponsor Panda Express.

About the author Grace Lin:

Grace Lin grew up in Upstate New York with her parents and two sisters. While the other sisters became scientists, Grace became an artist. Surprisingly enough, being an artist was not Grace’s first choice. She first dreamed of being a champion ice skater, and drew many pictures of herself twirling and dancing on the ice. Unfortunately, Grace had neither the talent nor coordination to make it to skating stardom. However, the pictures she drew of herself held much promise and quickly became Grace’s career focus. After attending the Rhode Island School of Design, Grace quickly set out to achieve her dream of creating children’s books. 

 

Kid’s Story Time Featuring Asian American Children’s Authors

 

Join our next “Kid’s Story Time Featuring Asian American Children’s Authors” on Wednesday, September 15 @ 4pm PDT. Miss Rita will be reading “The Bear in My Family,” a gently humorous story about how an older sibling can really be a bear, but the younger sibling finds out that they can have their advantages, too. This book is written by Maya Tatsukawa.

This book is suited for children 4-8 years old, though we welcome children of all ages with parental supervision.

Kid’s Story Time is hosted in partnership with the Chinatown Branch Library with stories read by Children’s Librarian, Rita Law.

About the author Maya Tatsukawa:

Maya Tatsukawa is a children’s book illustrator and designer residing just outside of Boston. When she’s not designing, illustrating, or thinking about children’s books, you can find her baking desserts, eating ice cream, or searching for the perfect scone.

 

Family Ties 2.0 A Virtual Workshop

The Chinese American Museum and the Chinese Family History Group of Southern California are collaborating on “Family Ties 2.0.” This virtual workshop will take place on Saturday, August 28, 2021 from 10am – 5pm PDT.

Sessions include:

  • “Navigating NARA Plus with Marisa Louie Lee” – Marisa will share strategies to achieve optimal results while navigating the National Archives databases.
  • “Identifying and Locating Your Ancestral Village with John Wong” – John will advise on how to avoid common pitfalls of research and how to best identify the correct location of your family village.
  • “Sharing Stories, Building Community with the Chinese American Museum” – CAM Executive Director Michael Truong and FCAM Board Chair Gay Yuen will share the museum’s mission of preserving Chinese American history and how we work to strengthen our community.

Registrants will also have the opportunity to make appointments with experts to have family documents translated.

Go to https://chinesefamilyhistory.org/inspire_events/family-ties-2-0-a-virtual-workshop/ to register and learn more, including requirements for translation services.

Members of the Chinese American Museum and Chinese Family History Group of Southern California receive a discounted ticket option!

Please note, the recording of this workshop will be made available only to registrants.

 

Kid’s Story Time Featuring Asian American Children’s Authors

Join us in celebrating the one year anniversary of “Kid’s Story Time Featuring Asian American Children’s Authors” on Wednesday, August 25, 2021 @ 4pm PDT. Miss Rita will be reading “I Dream of Popo,” an emotionally rich picture book that celebrates a special connection that crosses time zones and oceans as Popo and her granddaughter hold each other in their hearts forever. This book is written by Livia Blackburne and illustrated by Julia Kuo.

This book is suited for children 4-8 years old, though we welcome children of all ages with parental supervision.   

Kid’s Story Time is hosted in partnership with the Chinatown Branch Library with stories read by Children’s Librarian, Rita Law.

About the author Livia Blackburne:

Livia Blackburne is a Chinese American New York Times bestselling author who wrote her first novel while researching the neuroscience of reading at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology.  Since then, she’s switched to full time writing. Livia was born in Taipei, Taiwan and moved to Albuquerque, NM when she was five. After a twelve year stint at Harvard and MIT, where she earned a AB in Biochemical Sciences and a PhD in cognitive neuroscience, she moved to Los Angeles, where she now lives with her husband and daughter. In her free time, Livia likes to karaoke, dance, and dabble in martial arts.

Thank you to our sponsor Panda Express

Doodle Over Your Own Photo With LIUCID

 

Join CAM and the artist LIUCID for an exciting digital artmaking workshop on July 30, 2021 @3pm PDT! LIUCID will be demonstrating how to doodle on your selfies or portraits of your friends and family. This follow-along workshop is designed for kids and teens (with adult supervision), though all are welcome to get creative with this unique activity!

To prepare for the workshop, download the free Let’s Draw app on your phone or tablet and select the photos you’d like to doodle on. A stylus is best for doodling on a device, but your fingers can work too!

About the artist:

The meaning behind LIUCID is two folds: 1) Clarity through connection (which is the basis of creativity). 2) Light- keep shining, your spark sparks others. LIUCID is all about living, creating, and teaching with the above mission statement in mind as well as sparking it in others!

Register now at camla.org/doodleworkshop to join the fun! 

 

Kid’s Story Time Featuring Asian American Children’s Authors

 

Join our next “Kid’s Story Time Featuring Asian American Children’s Authors” on Wednesday, July 28 @ 4pm PDT. Miss Rita will be reading “Amy Wu and the Perfect Bao,” a fun children’s book that introduces the funny, fierce, and fearless Amy Wu, who is determined to make a perfect bao bun today. Amy loves to make bao with her family but it takes skill to make the bao taste and look delicious! Tune in to find out if Amy will ever make the perfect bao!

This book is suited for children 4-8 years old, though we welcome children of all ages with parental supervision.

Kid’s Story Time is hosted in partnership with the Chinatown Branch Library with stories read by Children’s Librarian, Rita Law.

About the author Kat Zhang:

Kat Zhang loves traveling to places both real and fictional–the former have better souvenirs, but the latter allow for dragons, so it’s a tough pick. A graduate of Vanderbilt University, she now spends her free time scribbling poetry, taking photographs, and climbing atop things she shouldn’t.

 

An Untold Past: Chinese Americans in the Midwest

 

CAM’s ‘An Untold Past’ series is returning on July 20, 2021 from 5 – 6:30 pm PDT with a discussion about the Chinese American experience in the Midwest. Moderated by multimedia artist and art history Lecturer, Larry Lee, the discussion welcomes the voices of three artists, Chien-An Yuan, Frances Kai-Hwa Wang, and Jave Yoshimoto. The program offers a brief examination of how early Chinese Americans settled in Midwest states and a discussion into how descendants hold on to community and heritage today. The artists will share their experiences living and working in places that offer limited ways to connect to Asian American culture and how they have carved space to create opportunities and communities of their own.  

“An Untold Past” is a series developed by the Chinese American Museum to tell the often unknown history of Chinese diasporas in the US and around the world.

Kid’s Story Time Featuring Asian American Children’s Authors

Join our next “Kid’s Story Time Featuring Asian American Children’s Authors” on Wednesday, July 14 @ 4pm PDT. Miss Rita will be reading “Also an Octopus,” a fun children’s book that emphasizes the beauty and importance of imagination! This book begins by explaining that every story starts with nothing, and goes on to elaborate all of the exciting and imaginative things that Octopus wants to do!

This book is suited for children 3-7 years old, though we welcome children of all ages with parental supervision.

About the author Maggie Tokuda-Hall:

Maggie Tokuda-Hall has a BA in Studio Art from Scripps College, and an MFA in Writing from University of San Francisco. She lives in Oakland, California with her husband, son, and objectively perfect dog.

Kid’s Story Time Featuring Asian American Children’s Authors

Join our next Kid’s Story Time Featuring Asian American Children’s Authors on Wednesday, June 30 @ 4 pm PDT. Miss Rita will be reading, Mixed: A Colorful Story by Arree Chung. This vibrant, thought-provoking picture book is a story about the reds, the yellows, and the blues believing they’re the best; which in end, provides a beautiful message of acceptance and unity.

This book is suited for children 4-8 years old, though we welcome children of all ages with parental supervision.

Kid’s Story Time is hosted in partnership with the Chinatown Branch Library with stories read by Children’s Librarian, Rita Law.

About the author Arree Chung:

Arree Chung has worked in video games as a designer and art director. He is an award-winning author, illustrator, international speaker, and founder of Storyteller Academy. He began his career in consulting where he made lots of spreadsheets. Arree left the consulting field for an opportunity at Pixar where he learned the secret to success: loving what you do. To pursue his passion, Arree enrolled at the Art Center College of Design where he learned to draw, paint, and think differently.

Commemorating the Legacy of Vincent Chin

Date: Wednesday, June 23, 2021

Time: 5 – 6:15 pm PDT

Join CAM on June 23, 2021, @ 5 pm PDT for our annual commemoration of Vincent Chin, a Chinese American draftsman from Detroit brutally murdered in 1982 in an act of racism. His death sparked an outpouring of unity across the Asian American community and a call for justice nationwide as his murderers never received any jail time. During the COVID-19 pandemic and rise in anti-Asian hate, Chin’s story has resurged to the forefront.

This year’s panel discussion will pay tribute to Chin’s legacy in the Asian American Movement by igniting an important conversation about telling our stories with authenticity and reverence. In a year and a half filled with increased anti-Asian hate, the need to tell these stories has become direr. The panelists will discuss more suitable ways to respectfully honor historic Asian American stories.

The Chinese American Museum is honored to host Commemorating the Legacy of Vincent Chin by welcoming the following speakers:

Moderators
Helen Zia, activist, author, and former journalist
Annie Tan, special education teacher, writer, activist, and cousin of Vincent Chin

Panelists
Paula Madison, FCAM 1st Vice-Chair, former NBC executive, CEO of Madison Media Management LLC

Lisa Ling, journalist, author, and TV/film producer

Renee Tajima-Peña, co-filmmaker of the film, Who Killed Vincent Chin? and UCLA professor

Donald Young, TV/film producer and Director of Programs for the Center for Asian American Media

*  *  *

Moderator Bios

Helen Zia is a writer, activist, and Fulbright Scholar. The daughter of immigrants from China, Zia’s groundbreaking journalism and community organizing was crucial in bringing federal civil rights charges against the murderers of Vincent Chin. The landmark civil rights case is featured in the documentary film Who Killed Vincent Chin? In 2002 Zia was appointed to serve as executor to the Chin estate. In 2010, she was a witness in the case for marriage equality that went to the Supreme Court. A graduate of Princeton University’s first coeducational class, Zia has received two honorary doctorates. After attending medical school, she became a community organizer, construction laborer, autoworker, and after which she discovered her life’s work as a writer. Her first book, Asian American Dreams chronicled the emergence of AAPIs in contemporary America; her second book, My Country Vs. Me, about physicist Wen Ho Lee who was falsely accused of being a spy. Her latest book is Last Boat out of Shanghai.

Annie Tan is a special education teacher, storyteller, writer, speaker, and activist based in Chinatown, New York. Her work focuses on growing up Asian American and as a kid of immigrants, teaching, teachers unions, and public education, and organizing for a better world. Tan’s work has been featured in The New York Times, Huffington Post, The New Republic, PBS’ Asian Americans, and twice on The Moth Radio Hour. She is currently working on her first book, a memoir, and hopes one day to write an epic book about her family and Asian American history. Tan keynoted the Museum of the City of New York’s “Teaching Social Activism” Conference in May 2019, and has performed as a storyteller and speaker with the Moth Mainstage and other shows, including hosting shows and fundraisers. Tan is also a cousin of Vincent Chin and great-grand-niece of Lily Chin.

Speaker Bios

Paula Williams Madison is Chairman and CEO of Madison Media Management LLC, a Los Angeles-based media consultancy company with a global reach. In 2011, Madison retired from NBCUniversal, where she had been Executive Vice President of Diversity as well as a Vice President of the General Electric Company (GE), then the parent company of NBCU. Honored for corporate leadership and community outreach, Madison was named one of the “75 Most Powerful African Americans in Corporate America” by Black Enterprise Magazine in 2005 and included in the Hollywood Reporter’s “Power 100.” In 2014 she was recognized as one of the Outstanding 50 Asian Americans in Business and honored by the East West Players and AARP with their Visionary Award. Madison is currently the First Vice-Chair of the Friends of the Chinese American Museum.

Renee Tajima-Peña is an Academy Award-nominated documentary filmmaker whose previous films include Who Killed Vincent Chin?, My America…or Honk if You Love Buddha, No Más Bebés. Tajima-Peña is the series producer of Asian Americans, the ground-breaking 5-part docuseries on the Asian American experience that aired on PBS in May 2020. The first-ever television history of its kind. Her company, Tajima-Peña Productions produced the series in association with the Center for Asian American Media, WETA, the Independent Television Service, and Flash Cuts. She is co-founder/executive producer of the May 19 Project a social media campaign that centers the legacy of AAPI solidarity with other communities at www.seeusunite.org/unite.

Lisa Ling is an award-winning journalist, host, and executive producer of the CNN Original Series, This is Life with Lisa Ling. Previously, she was a reporter on Channel One News, a co-host on the ABC daytime talk show The View (1999–2002), the host of National Geographic Explorer (2003–2010), and a special correspondent for The Oprah Winfrey Show. She is the co-author of Mother, Daughter, Sister, Bride: Rituals of Womanhood and Somewhere Inside: One Sister’s Captivity in North Korea and the Other’s Fight to Bring Her Home, which she penned with her sister, Laura. In 2014, President Obama named Ling to the Commission on White House Fellows.

Donald Young is the Center for Asian American Media’s Director of Programs. He oversees CAAM’s program areas and specifically develops and implements CAAM’s national productions and national PBS strategies. In public television, Young has supervised the national broadcasts of over 150 award-winning projects. As a producer, he has worked both in documentaries and independent feature films. Key projects include the epic five-hour PBS history series Asian Americans, a co-production with WETA and produced by Renee Tajima-Peña; Family Pictures, USAby Thomas Allen Harris; and a feature film adaptation of Chang-rae Lee’sComing Home Againdirected by Wayne Wang.

Kid’s Story Time Featuring Asian American Children’s Authors

Join our next Kid’s Story Time Featuring Asian American Children’s Authors on Wednesday, June 16 @ 4 pm PDT. Miss Rita will be reading Bear and Chicken, a funny and clever friendship tale that teaches kids that things are not always as they seem, while learning a thing or two about making soup with a friend.

This book is suited for children 3-5 years old, though we welcome children of all ages with parental supervision.

Kid’s Story Time is hosted in partnership with the Chinatown Branch Library with stories read by Children’s Librarian, Rita Law.

About the author Jannie Ho:
Jannie Ho has a BFA in illustration from Parsons The New School of Design and has been an in-house graphic designer at Nickelodeon and Scholastic, as well as art director for TIME Magazine for Kids. Since 2006, she has been doing illustration work full-time. Jannie lives in Boston, MA.

Chinese American World War II Veterans Congressional Gold Medal Presentation

Date: Monday, May 31, 2021

Time: 10 – 11 am PDT

This Memorial Day, we will honor Chinese American World War II Veterans with a Congressional Gold Medal Presentation.
This virtual ceremony is hosted by the Chinese American Citizens Alliance as part of the Chinese American WWII Veterans Recognition Project. All registered veterans in the SoCal region will be honored in a roll call and will be awarded their Congressional Gold Medals at a future event.
You can watch the presentation by clicking here

Join Us as We Celebrate the Life of Renown Photojournalist, Corky Lee

Date: Sunday, May 30, 2021

Time: 6 pm ET / 3 pm PT

One can not celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage month without thinking of Corky Lee whose photos for the past five decades captured the movement and moments of the APIA community. Corky was a fixture at APIA events and he used his camera to bring Asian American stories to the mainstream consciousness. His untimely passing from COVID has been devastating because we lost a real treasure in our community.

Known as the “Undisputed Unofficial Asian American Photographer Laureate,” Corky Lee was a great friend to many and well-loved by the community. Because of the pandemic, many were unable to attend Corky’s funeral service so we’re having a virtual interfaith memorial service featuring Christian and Buddhist prayers along with special performances to celebrate and pay tribute to Corky’s life.

Performances include:

Chen Dance Center
Cynthia Lin
Diane Phelan
Joann Lee
NAAP
Nobuko Mikaymoto
NYCCC
Pan Asian Repertory Theater
Slant
Soh Daiko
Taiyo Na
Taka Kigawa

There will be an interactive portion of the program, so please have a blank paper and pen ready.

We look forward to seeing you there!

Kid’s Story Time Featuring Asian American Authors

Happy Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! In celebration, join our next Kid’s Story Time Featuring Asian American Children’s Authors on Wednesday, May 26 @ 4 pm PDT. Miss Rita will be reading Crab Cake, a story about taking care of yourself when the mistake is not your own, written by Andrea Tsumuri.

This book is suited for children 3-5 years old, though we welcome children of all ages with parental supervision.

About the author Andrea Tsumuri:

Andrea Tsumuri is an illustrator and cartoonist born and raised in New York. Andrea has a passion for history, an MFA from the School of Visual Arts, and a Society of Illustrators Silver Medal. She now lives and draws in Philadelphia alongside her husband and their dog, Spatula.

Year of the Ox Artist Showdown

Date: Tuesday, May 25, 2021

Time: 5 – 6 pm PDT

Join CAM and four featured artists from our first-ever online exhibition, Year of the Ox, for an Artist Showdown on May 25, 2021 @ 5 pm PDT! Artists include Annie Wong, Mark Wang, Michael C. Hsiung, and Rose Wong and hosted by Year of the Ox curator, Albert Chau.

This Artist Showdown will task our dueling friends to tap into their improvisational skills for friendly and unpredictable challenges. Watch and listen as we get to know these four incredible artists and see what works of art they’ll create!

The Year of the Ox online exhibition is available to view until June 6, 2021. Follow the link to check out all 14 featured artists! http://exhibitions.camla.org/yearoftheox

Kid’s Story Time Featuring Asian American Children’s Authors

Date: May 14, 2021

Time: 4:00 – 4:30 pm PST

Happy Asian and Pacific Islander Heritage Month! In celebration, join our next Kid’s Story Time Featuring Asian American Children’s Authors on Friday, May 14 @ 4 pm PDT. Miss Rita will be reading Outside, Inside,  a story celebrating essential workers and the community coming together to face the challenges of the global COVID-19 pandemic, written by LeUyen Pham.

This book is suited for children 3-5 years old, though we welcome children of all ages with parental supervision.

Kid’s Story Time is hosted in partnership with the Chinatown Branch Library with stories read by Children’s Librarian, Rita Law.

About the author LeUyen Pham:

LeUyen Pham is the award-winning and critically acclaimed illustrator of more than one hundred books for children. Born in Vietnam, LeUyen and her family fled Vietnam in the final days of the Vietnam War. Growing up in Southern California, LeUyen always loved to doodle and draw. LeUyen got an interview at the prestigious Art Center College of Design in Pasadena and earned a degree in illustration. Following school, LeUyen worked as a layout artist for DreamWorks Feature Animation and illustrated books on the side. She adores traveling and speaking, but given her way would spend all her time making Star Wars-themed birthday cakes.

Tea Talk: Exploring the History and Diversity of Indian Teas

Date: May 11, 2021

Time:  6 – 7:30 pm PDT

The much-anticipated return of Tea Talk is here! Join us on May 11, 2021, from 6 – 7:30 pm PDT for Tea Talk: Exploring the History and Diversity of Indian Teas. We are honored to welcometwo Indian tea experts, Husna-Tara Prakash and Shalini Prakash Agarwal who are members of one of India’s pioneering tea planting families at the Glenburn Tea Estate located high in the Himalayas.

The two will share the history of tea in India as well as glimpses into the cultivation and rituals of tea production from their own tea estate. Accompanying the program will be Tea Talk host Lan Ong, FCAM board member and Managing Director of Wing Hop Fung.

The virtual Tea Talk series welcomes audience members to learn about the many facets of tea from renowned experts from around the world.

Thank you to our community sponsors:

Wing Hop Fung

Glenburn Fine Indian Tea

Chinese American Citizens Alliance, Los Angeles

Grand Park

It Matters: Revisiting Vincent Chin and His Historic Impact on the Asian American Movement

 

The program has been recorded and archived.
You can watch the full video by clicking on the link here.

Date: Tuesday, May 4, 2021

Time: 5pm – 6pm PDT

CAM invites you to take a seat with Paula Yoo and Pam Ng on May 4, 2021, @ 5 pm as they discuss themes explored in the timely release of Yoo’s YA nonfiction book, From a Whisper to a Rallying Cry: The Killing of Vincent Chin and the Trial that Galvanized the Asian American Movement. Listen in as Paula and Pam talk about the tragedy of Vincent Chin, the resonating wounds of racial injustice, and the present call to end discrimination towards Asian Americans so many years later.

From a Whisper to a Rallying Cry, releases April 20, 2021. Order your copy of the book at Eso Won Books – An Independent Black-Owned Bookshop in Los Angeles here.

Thank you to our community partners:
Norton Young Readers
Eso Won Bookstore
Act To Change
Artists at Play
Chinese Historical Society of Southern California
Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association – CCBA 羅省中華會館
East West Players
Grand Park
Japanese American National Museum
NextShark
Visual Communications

Kid’s Story Time Featuring Asian American Children’s Authors

Date: April 30, 2021

Time: 4:00 pm PDT

Join our next Kid’s Story Time Featuring Asian American Children’s Authors on Friday,  April 30 @ 4 pm PDT. Miss Rita will be reading ‘“Could You Lift Up Your Bottom?”,’ a story about creative problem solving by differentiating, naming, and combining shapes written by Hee-Jung Chang with illustrations by Sung-Hwa Chung.

Register for free now by following the link camla.org/storytime. This book is suited for children 3-5 years old, though we welcome children of all ages with parental supervision.

Kid’s Story Time is hosted in partnership with the Chinatown Branch Library with stories read by Children’s Librarian, Rita Law.

About the author Hee-Jung Chang:
Hee-Jung Chang majored in psychology at Ewha Woman’s University in Seoul, South Korea, and studied developmental psychology at the university’s graduate school. An active member of a children’s book group for professional authors, Hee-Jung has written many books for children.

A Chinese American Giant: The Y.C. Hong Story

Post Film Panel Discussion with Director Rick Quan 

The program has been recorded and archived.
You can watch the full video by clicking on the link here.

Date: Tuesday, April 20, 2021

Time: 5:00 pm PDT

Join us for a screening of the documentary film, “A Chinese American Giant: The Y.C. Hong Story” followed by an insightful panel discussion.

Film director Rick Quan joins the panel to discuss the significance of Y.C. Hong’s contribution to American society. Panelists include the son of Y.C. Hong, Nowland Hong, community historian, Eugene Moy and curator of the Pacific Rim Collection at The Huntington Library, Li Wei Yang. Panelists will discuss Hong’s life and legacy as one of the first Chinese American lawyers in the U.S. whose advocacy helped unite thousands of Chinese families during the period of the Chinese Exclusion Act.

You can screen the documentary from the comfort of your home; all registrants will receive a link to view the documentary a week before the event. We will reconvene on April 20 for the discussion at 5 pm.

This program is presented by the Chinese American Citizens Alliance in collaboration with the Chinese American Museum, the Chinese Historical Society of Southern California & the Chinese Consolidated Benevolent Association, Los Angeles

Kid’s Story Time Featuring Asian American Children’s Authors

Date: April 14, 2021

Time: 4 PM PST

Book: Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas by Natasha Yim

Join our next Kid’s Story Time Featuring Asian American Children’s Authors on Wednesday, April 14 @ 4 pm PDT. Miss Rita will be reading Goldy Luck and the Three Pandas, written by Natasha Yim and illustrated by Grace Zong. The book is a fun and festive story that retells the tale of Goldilocks and the Three Bears.

This book is suited for children 3-5 years old, though we welcome children of all ages with parental supervision. 

Kid’s Story Time is hosted in partnership with the Chinatown Branch Library with stories read by Children’s Librarian, Rita Law.

About the author 

Natasha Yim is an American Chinese children’s and young adult author. When she was in 7th grade, an English teacher gave her the assignment to create her own island, makeup names of lakes, mountains, cities, with interesting characters and write a story. She had so much fun using her imagination, she wanted to be a writer ever since. Most of her career has been in counseling or social work. It was there, reading and telling stories to kids who were away from their families, that she discovered the power of stories to soothe, comfort, and inspire children.

Family Ties: Adventures in Finding My Family Stories

The program has been recorded and archived.
You can watch the full video by clicking on the link here.

Date: April 13, 2021

Time: 5 – 6pm PDT

On April 13, 2021 @ 5 pm PDT, the inaugural program, Adventures in Finding My Family Stories, welcomes moderator Michael Ho who will ask panelists Marisa Louie Lee, Bo-Gay Tong Salvador, and Brian Yee to share their personal experiences with their genealogy adventure. The panelists will share what motivated them to uncover pieces of their family history, their most meaningful discoveries, and what inspires them to continue searching for answers.

CAM and the Chinese Family History Group of Southern California are collaborating to present Family Ties, a series of virtual programs made to inspire viewers to start exploring their own family history. Throughout the series, each program will feature a diverse group of speakers who can offer different perspectives and ideas to approach the genealogy journey.

Thank you to our community partners:

  • Visual Communications
  • Chinese Historical Society of Southern California
  • The China Society of Southern California
  • Bay Area Chinese Genealogy Group

Kid’s Story Time Featuring Asian American Children’s Authors

Date: March 24, 2021

Time: 4:00 – 4:30 pm PDT   

Host: Kevine Ecliserio   

Speaker: Rita Law – Children’s Librarian Chinatown Branch Library 

Book: Drawn Together by Minh Lê

Join our next Kid’s Story Time Featuring Asian American Children’s Authors on Wednesday, March 24 @ 4 pm PDT. Miss Rita will be reading Drawn Together, a story about the struggles of communication between generations and language divides written by Minh Lê with illustrations by Dan Santat.

This book is suited for children 3-5 years old, though we welcome children of all ages with parental supervision.

Kid’s Story Time is hosted in partnership with the Chinatown Branch Library with stories read by Children’s Librarian, Rita Law.

About the author Minh Lê:

Minh Lê is the author of many award-winning picture books such as “Lift,” “Let Me Finish!” and “The Perfect Seat.” “Drawn Together” was honored with several awards including the 2019 Asian/Pacific American Award for Literature – Picture Book Winner. Lê earned a bachelor’s degree in Psychology from Dartmouth and a master’s in Ed Policy from the Harvard Graduate School in Education. He is a federal early childhood policy expert who has worked in education at the national, state, and local level – both in and out of the classroom. Lê also serves on the Board of We Need Diverse Books and has written for a variety of publications, including the New York Times, The Horn Book, NPR, and HuffPost.

Kid’s Story Time Featuring Asian American Children’s Authors

Date: March 12, 2021

Time: 4:00 – 4:30 pm PST   

Host: Kevine Ecliserio   

Speaker: Rita Law – Children’s Librarian Chinatown Branch Library 

Book:  Fortune Cookie Fortunes by Grace Li

Join our next Kid’s Story Time Featuring Asian American Children’s Authors on Friday, March 12 @ 4pm PST. Miss Rita will be reading Fortune Cookie Fortunes, by Grace Lin.

This book is suited for children 3-7 years old, though we welcome children of all ages with parental supervision.

Kid’s Story Time is hosted in partnership with the Chinatown Branch Library with stories read by Children’s Librarian, Rita Law.

A little bit about the author Grace Lin:

Before Grace Lin was an award-winning and NY Times bestselling author and illustrator, she was the only Asian girl (except for her sisters) going to her elementary school in Upstate NY. That experience, good and bad, has influenced her books and caused Grace to persevere for diversityIn addition to her many children’s books, she is an occasional New England Public Radio commentator and gave TEDx talk, “The Windows and Mirrors of Your Child’s Bookshelf,” confronting representation in kid’s literature. She continued this mission with a hundred episodes of the podcast kidlitwomen* and now currently hosts two other podcasts: Book Friends Forever and Kids Ask Authors. In 2016, Grace’s art was displayed at the White House and she was recognized by President Obama’s office as a Champion of Change for Asian American and Pacific Islander Art and Storytelling.

20th Anniversary Los Angeles Lantern Festival

 

Visit our site here to watch the recording!

The Chinese American Museum presents the 20th anniversaryof the Los Angeles Lantern Festival on Saturday, March 6, 2021 starting at 12:00 noon PST. CAM is excited to host this milestone by inviting you to a virtual celebration as we welcome the ‘Year of the Ox’ with lion dancing, family-friendly activities, and much more!🐂🐉

The Silent Auction will run from 11:00 am to 2:00 pm PST on the day of the event. For a sneak peek of itemsgo toone.bidpal.net/lanternfestival2021/preview

Featuring performances from:
– Immortals Lion Dance Troupe
– Kayamanan Ng Lahi
– Perfect Harmony Cultural Exchange Association
– Purple Silk Music Education Foundation
– Yuujou Daiko
– Wangbao He 何王保 / Xiaoqing Chu 楚小青
– Ballet Folklorico “Y Arrìba Mèxico”
– Korean Classical Music and Dance Company
– Connie Lim as MILCK
– Chinese American Dancing Group
Arts & Crafts demonstrations led by:
– Felt Dumpling Making by Miss Rita
– Red Envelope Making by Jessica Wong
– Peach Blossom Branch by Fiona & Rachelle Shumard
– Spring Character Cutting by Dora Quach
– Money Folding by 黃翠媚Tsui Mee Wong
– Chinese God of Fortune by Evelyn Wong
– Cut Paper Oxen by Bovey Lee
– Pellet Drum by Kera Ung
– Abacus Making by United Abacus Arithmetic Association
– Year of the Ox by Liucid

For twenty years, the Los Angeles Lantern Festival has captured the spirit of this 5,000-year-old Chinese tradition of bringing in a new beginning and hope for the upcoming year. The festival showcases a broad spectrum of arts, performances, folk crafts, literature and lanterns. The event has engaged multi-generational families in the sharing of Chinese American culture, building of community relations, and celebrating our city’s diversity.🏮

The Los Angeles Lantern Festival is generously sponsored by:

– The Friends of the Chinese American Museum
– Los Angeles County Arts & Culture
– City of Los Angeles Department of Cultural Affairs 
– El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historical Monument
– FCAM Board President Dr. Gay Q. Yuen
– Lantern Festival Event Producer, Jaclyn Kalkhurst

 

Story Time with the Chinatown Branch Library Series

Date: February 24, 2021

Time: 4:00 – 4:30 pm PST   

Next up on Kid’s Story Timewith CAMfeatures a special Lunar New Year story by author Ying Chang Compestine titled The Runaway Rice Cake onFebruary 24, 2021, @ 4 pm PST.

Ying Chang Compestine is a Chinese-American author of over 20 booksHer keen interest in cuisine has led her to weave food into all of her writing— including cookbooks, novels, and picture books for young readers. She has been named as one of the 50 Great Writers You Should Be Reading by the Author’s Show.

This book is suited for 5-8 years old, though we welcome children of all ages with parental supervision.

Kid’s Story Time with CAM is hosted in partnership with the Chinatown Branch Library featuring AAPI authors with stories read by Children’s Librarian, Rita Law.

Book Talk and Drawing Demonstration

The program has been recorded and archived.
You can watch the full video by clicking on the link here.

Date: February16, 2021

Time: 5 – 6 pm PST

CAM is pairing up with the Friends of the Chinatown Library to present a family-friendly program on February 16, 2021 @ 5 pm PST.

Join co-authors, Oliver Chin and Phil Amara, and illustrator Juan Calle, as they present their latest collaboration, Awesome Asian Americans, which spotlights 20 trailblazing Asian American individuals. The two authors will share their inspiration behind the children’s book and read some of their favorite excerpts. The program will include a special live drawing demonstration of the vibrant, graphic novel style illustrationsby Calle.

Attendees will receive a special promo code during the live event for 10% off anautographed copy of the book.

Awesome Asian Americans: 20 Stars Who Made America Amazingoffers short biographies and unique artistic depictions of individuals whose remarkable contributions helped shape America including some of CAM’s past Historymaker Honorees such as Tyrus Wong, Helen Zia, and Judge Dolly Gee.

Story Time with the Chinatown Branch Library Series

The program has been recorded and archived.
You can watch the full video by clicking on the link here.

Date: February 10, 2021

Time: 4:00 – 4:30 pm PST   

Guest Speaker: Oliver Chin

Join Miss Rita for a special edition of Kid’s Story Time with CAM featuring guest author, Oliver Chin on Wednesday, February 10, 2021 @ 4pm PST!

In celebration of Lunar New Year Oliver Chin will be reading his book, “The Year of the Ox.”

This book is suited for 4-8 years old, though we welcome children of all ages with parental supervision.

Kid’s Story Time with CAM is hosted in partnership with the Chinatown Branch Library focusing on Asian American-themed stories shared by Children’s Librarian, Rita Law.

Tea Talk part 2 – Stories of a Leaf: Journey into the World of Tea, Focus: Korean Tea Culture

The program has been recorded and archived.
You can watch the full video by clicking on the link here.

Date: February 9, 2021

Time: 5pm – 6:30pm PST

Host/Moderator: Lan Ong

Guest Speakers: Yoon Hee Kim, TeaClassics, Global Tea and Culinary Educator 김윤희金允姬

Take a journey into the world of Korean tea culture, with global tea and culinary educator Yoon Hee Kim, on another installment of CAM’s “Tea Talk” series.

In part 2 of “Stories of a Leaf,” tea master Yoon Hee Kim will guide the audience into the foundations of Korean tea, including tea rituals, uses, steeping and beyond. Kim will also perform a demonstration of a traditional Korean Tea ceremony.

Yoon Hee Kim is an internationally renowned and sought-after tea educator, artist, and expert with over 20 years of research and practice. For decades, Kim has guided students and professionals through tea and food experiences in the United States, Europe, and Asia. Kim, a lifelong learner, a classically trained chef, and a chef instructor of Korean cuisine, continues to research, source, and study tea, while also teaching and performing in the U.S. and abroad.

The virtual “Tea Talk” series is hosted by FCAM board member and Managing Director of Wing Hop Fung, Lan Ong, and welcomes audience members to learn about the many facets of tea from renowned experts from around the world.

Thank you to our community partners:

Wing Hop Fung

An Untold Past: Chinese in the Caribbean

The program has been recorded and archived.
You can watch the full video by clicking on the link here.

Date: February 2, 2021

Time: 5:00 – 6:30 pm PST

Panelists
Alexandra Chang, Associate Professor of Practice – Rutgers University-Newark
Evelyn Hu-DeHart, Ph.D., Professor – Brown University (Hu Qi-yu胡其瑜)
Kathleen López, Ph.D., Associate Professor- Rutgers University-New Brunswick
Martin A. Tsang, Ph.D., Cuban Heritage Collection Librarian and Curator of Latin American Collections – University of Miami

Moderator
Paula Madison

An Untold Past returns by delving into the experience of Chinese in the Caribbean on February 2, 2021, at 5 pm PST. Join FCAM 1st Vice President Paula Madison along with four scholars as we take a look into the history of the Chinese diaspora in the region. Each will share their knowledge about the many facets of Chinese Caribbean culture and what makes their immigration history so compelling.

Topics include the formation of intermixed families, syncretism, and art. Together, the fascinating complexities of Caribbean culture make for a unique Chinese diaspora.

An Untold Past is a CAM program series revealing the often-unknown history of Chinese diasporas in places across the nation and around the world.

Tea Talk part 1 –  Stories of a Leaf: Journey into the World of Tea and Korean Tea Culture


The program has been recorded and archived.
You can watch the full video by clicking on the link here.

Date: January 12, 2021

Time: 5pm – 6:30pm PST

Host/Moderator: Lan Ong

Guest Speaker: Yoon Hee Kim, TeaClassics. Global Tea and Culinary Educator 김윤희金允姬

Take a journey into the world of tea and Korean tea culture, with global tea and culinary educator Yoon Hee Kim, on CAM’s second installment of Tea Talk.

In Stories of a Leaf, tea master Yoon Hee Kim will guide the audience into the foundations of tea, uses, traditions, steeping, and beyond. Kim will further discuss the early development of Korean tea and Korean tea rituals and give an overview of the various types of Korean tea.

Yoon Hee Kim is an internationally renowned and sought-after tea educator, artist, and expert with over 20 years of research and practice. For decades, Kim has guided students and professionals through tea and food experiences in the United States, Europe, and Asia. Kim, a lifelong learner, a classically trained chef, and a chef instructor of Korean cuisine, continues to research, source, and study tea, while also teaching and performing in the U.S. and abroad.

The virtual Tea Talk series is hosted by FCAM board member and Managing Director of Wing Hop Fung, Lan Ong, and welcomes audience members to learn about the many facets of tea from renowned experts from around the world.

Thank you to our community partners:

Wing Hop Fung

Grand Park’s NYELA Countdown Celebration

Join the countdown to 2021 with Grand Park for their New Year’s Eve celebration on Fuse.

The festivities will kick off on Thursday at 11 p.m. PST.

The Chinese American Museum, represented by FCAM Board President Dr. Gay Q. Yuen, will be featured along with other community organizations in a Fuse broadcast on Dec. 31st. You can also watch via streaming channels through Fuse’s YouTube Channel, Grand Park’s YouTube channel, and the NYELA website.