Autumn 2012 | Alist-mAgAzine.com

AsiAn AmericAn leAdership

yul kwon revealedThe renaissance man on facing fears, career, and leadership

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IN THIS ISSUE

2 | EDITOR’S NOTE

3 | we are Vincent Chin

4 | wHAt’s happening

5 | Technology

6 | Dan Kim: The Man

Behind Red Mango

EMPOWERING WOMEN | 10

ENTREPRENEURS

fashion with a twist | 14

JAKE CHOI’s silver lining | 18

Yul kwon | 22

Revealed

NAAAP 100 | 28

published for nAAAp by Weiss & hughes publishing, inc.

www.weissandhughespublishing.com

Publisher: cyndy yu-robinsonexecutive editor: chuAn tsAy

ediTorialManaging editor: debbie choy grAgeManaging editor: christine mcFAddenresearch editor: AndreW Jung

alisT-magazine.comdigital editor: AngelA JuentertainMent: elAine WAngarts/lifestyle: rAchel Kuofood: Jenny lucontributors: JenniFer ho Juliet shen cAlvin sun

businessdir. of oPerations: cAtherine lAWdir. of Marketing: John zhAngsales Manager: troy lu pungsales Manager: Amy shedigital ad Manager: brie mAnAKuloutreach Manager: uyen le KryPr Manager: teresA chungMarketing coordinator: KJ pArKexec. general counsel: peter Wooexecutive assistant: JessicA phAn

creaTivePhotograPhy editor: eric bothWellPhotograPher: JAcKie hoPhotograPher: elysiA sugraPhic design Mgr: thAi nguyen digital design Mgr: zethus suen

wriTersdorothy he lAurA liKristen lu peArle lundiAnA tAo sAmuel tsoiJenniFer yAmAdA uyen le Kry

Special thanks to: Bill Imada, Anna Phommavong, Greg Chang, Chris Twellman. Cover photo by Eric Bothwell.Fonts provided by The League of Moveable Type.

copyright © 2012 Alist magzine. All rights reserved. title is protected through a trademark registered with the U.S. Patent & Trademark Office. Printed in U.S.A.

Autumn 2012 — volume 1, issue 1

A nAAAp publication

2 | aUgUst 2012

EdITor’S NoTE

starting a publication is always a difficult task. starting a non-profit publication with a focus on asian americans in both print and digital formats, with a team of unpaid volunteers spread across the globe certainly doesn’t make things easier. But with alist magazine, those were challenges that propelled us towards the finish line.

in just a few short months, we’ve taken an idea and built a world-class team of diverse volunteers with a passion i’ve never witnessed before. i’ve worked with teams of all sizes in different environments, but the motivation and quality of work behind alist is something i’ve rarely seen. what makes the alist brand so great is the common bond it represents between all of us—our team, our audience, and our community. alist is about celebrating success and leadership, some of which goes unnoticed by broader publications. in doing so, our hope is that doors open

and stay open for asian americans in all professions. it’s our hope that alist will serve as the platform to catapult rising stars into long-term success and provide a channel for interactive dialogue throughout the professional community.

if you’re unconvinced about why we’re launching alist, take a moment to recall the story of Vincent chin, whose unfortunate and unjust death 30 years ago spurred the formation of groups like the national association of asian american Professionals (naaaP), our parent organization. chin’s death and the lack of justice for his murderers have helped define the identity of the asian american community in north america. as we remember the 30th anniversary of chin’s death this year, we’re also celebrating naaaP’s 30th anniversary and the launching of alist, a magazine with a mission over 30 years in the making.

in the following pages you’ll find stories of people who have shaped our world and people who are about to make a huge impact. i’m reminded of a man who once advised building a team of only a players because B players attract only B and c players. that is the alist ethos. we believe in the a player.

i hope you’ll join us as we grow from a small pilot issue to something larger. Be sure to visit alist-magazine.com to interact with the alist staff.

chuan tsay executive editor

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oNWArd by sAmuel tsoi

We Are Vincent Chin

He was the aPi community’s trayvon martin, the aPi’s Rodney King: a terrible reminder of the failure

of the justice system that galvanized the first significant pan-asian movement for solidarity, advancement and civil rights. “i want justice for my son,” said lily chin thirty years ago, and every day until her death in 2002. lily chin’s wishes were echoed on June 23, 2012 when 30 cities across the country commemorated the 30th anniversary of her son’s tragic beating death in a series of coordinated town halls called “Vc30: standing Up then and now”. in 1982, while out for his bachelor’s party, Vincent chin was attacked by Ronald ebens and michael nitz, laid-off Detroit autoworkers. “it’s because of you little m—f—s we’re out of work,” the assailants yelled while beating chin. they mistakenly assumed chin was Japanese. after the initial scuffle, ebens and nitz hunted for chin and beat him with a baseball bat until his skull cracked.

neither ebens nor nitz denied the actions in court. However, without notifying the police officers at the scene or chin’s lawyers, the prosecutors struck a plea bargain, which reduced the second-degree murder charges to manslaughter. the judge sentenced the perpetrators to a lenient three years of probation and $3,000 fine.

later, under public pressure, charges were brought to federal court against ebens and nitz for killing chin based on his race, thus violating his civil rights. after a civil rights trial in Detroit, an overturned conviction, and a botched re-trial in cincinnati, the two men were cleared of all charges.

they never spent a day in prison. “i could see in [lily chin’s] eyes that

she had lost everything,’’ recalled stewart Kwoh, one of the lawyers who advocated for a civil rights trial, and the current executive Director of the asian Pacific american legal center. “what happened was not just a tragedy for her and her family, but an indictment of the U.s. justice system.”

out of the ashes of that historic miscarriage of justice, thousands of activists marched and worked together

across ethnic lines to create one of the first substantial asian american movements. it was the Vincent chin case that inspired many to start civic and advocacy organizations, including the national association of asian american Professionals (naaaP). naaaP was established in 1982 as many asian american professionals identified with Vincent chin’s story and were inspired by the civil rights activism.

From the Chinese Exclusion Act to Private Danny Chen

chin, a 27-year-old engineer, could not escape the discrimination and scapegoating that many of his ancestors endured a century before. in 1882, exactly a 100 years before chin’s death, discrimination and vilification of asians was institutionalized in the first and only race-based restriction law passed in the nation, banning entry of chinese and denying citizenship rights to those already here.

it would take 130 years for congress to pass a resolution apologizing for the chinese exclusion act. the resolution was championed by Representative Judy chu (ca-32), who was a panelist on the Jun 23 Vc30 virtual town hall. “Vincent was a tragic victim of the perpetual foreigner stereotype and the rampant xenophobia,” chu said.

the virtual panel and local discussion groups denounced the “orientalist” and fear-mongering political ads that framed chinese as job-stealers in the 2012 elections.

the Vc30 event also addressed the recent release of The Rise of Asian Americans report by the Pew Research center. it reported that asians replaced latinos as the country’s fastest-growing ethnic group and that asian-americans in aggregate have higher incomes and better educations than whites, blacks or latinos—they are even the “happiest” group. “what’s worse, this report pits asians against latinos, implying latinos lag behind and asians have made it—and the resentment that can create,” chu said. “when those realities are hidden beyond the

model minority myth, the challenges remain unmet.”

Painting such a monolithic picture of the fastest growing demographic begs the question of how much the media and other public institutions have critical aPi professionals and perspectives. “we need to jump into the mainstream media,” urged zahra Billoo, executive director of the council on american-islamic Relations in san Francisco. she challenged the audience to imagine whether a report like this would have been more accurate if there were asian americans throughout the process. “we also need to control our narrative, and create our own media and report; we need to put out our own ideas,” Billoo added.

Vincent chin’s killing led to an unprecedented alliance-building within the aPi community. “Hate crimes affect not just one person, but an entire community,” Billoo said.

others on the panel discussed how they are taking grassroots initiatives to address hate crimes and bullying in their own communities, from bullying of asian students at a Philadelphia high school to ending military hazing that has led to the suicides of asian american soldiers such as Private Danny chen and Rep. chu’s own nephew, lance corporal Harry lew.

Vincent Chin’s LegacyFrom professional advancement, to

addressing the needs of those who are discriminated or disenfranchised in the asian american community, to building political power across ethnic and racial lines, there is plenty of work ahead.

Vincent quickly assimilated in his adopted family and homeland, but that did not matter in the eyes of those who were resentful in the backdrop of economic hardship. a whole new generation has sprung up since 1982. as the aPi community continues to grow, diversify and unite, remembering Vincent chin will always be the focal point for not just the asian american experience but for the entire nation to learn and chart a more inclusive and just path ahead.

4 | aUgUst 2012

WHAT’S HAppENINg

ATL BOS CLT CHI CI CO COL CT DFWHIHOU KC LA MN NASH NY OC PHL PHXPIT RTP SD SF SEA TO VAN DC

chopstix For charity, an annual fundraiser, will take place on october 20, 2012. cFc raises funds through a charitable event and distributes 100% of corporate donations to small, non-profit organizations that promote cultur-al awareness and education, or provide social services for the Atlanta Asian Pacific Islander community. www.chopstixforcharity.org

open to nAAAp boston members and corporate sponsors, the leadership on september 10, 2012 will provide an opportunity for sponsors to connect with the Asian American professional community to address key topics that matter to the Asian American professional community. it’s an evening to network, share, learn, and grow. www.naaapboston.org

career development workshops, leadership seminars, and employee re-source group networking. www.naaapchicago.org

the successful parents in nAAAp (spin) pilot program has produced a fam-ily picnic, mom’s night out, a blog on Asian family issues, and a cyber safety workshop. www.naaaprtp.org

Annual coastal clean-up in san Francisco is planned for september 15, 2012. www.naaapsf.org

nAAAp seattle has partnered often with microsoft corporation for career development, software training, a panel on entrepreneurs, and a Women in nAAAp summit. www.naaapseattle.org

nAAAp socal will host a regional leadership symposium: leading the West on october 20, 2012. leaders from three southern california chapters will learn from today’s leaders and build a network of support for one another. www.naaapsocal.org

Where east meets West under a moonlit summer night sky, the WaterFront night market is a multicultural festival sponsored by nAAAp toronto and corporations. two entertainment stages, 125 ethnic food vendors, and 60,000 spectators. July 20-22, 2012. www.naaaptoronto.org

www.alist-magazine.com | 5

TEcHNology

social network narcissists. we all know who they are. in a world of mobile phones and always-on connections, photos of what someone just ate, tweets from pseudo-professionals on this or that, and self-pitying Facebook updates about things we want are all too familiar. let’s face it. most social network posts add no value to society at all.

skillshare is a network on a course to change all that plus the way we learn. imagine posting about a skill or profession you actually know instead of retweeting an article that you never actually read. Founded by michael Karnjanaprakorn,

ceo, and malcolm ong, cto, in 2010, skillshare could seriously disrupt both education and social networking. according to the company’s website, they exist “to make everyone the greatest possible version of themselves.” that’s a tall order. But with Karnjanaprakorn and ong at the helm, it’s very possible.

Before skillshare, Karnjanaprakorn led the product team at Hot Potato, a location-based startup that was acquired by Facebook in 2010. He was named a teD2012 Fellow and is active in philanthropy and investing in other startups.

after co-filing four patents during his

time at iBm, ong left for smaller pastures. with a stop at Razorfish, the famed interactive marketing agency, he then served as a product manager at omgPoP. He’s also heavily active with sXsw interactive conference.

skillshare hopes to encourage more people to share and learn knowledge by creating an open marketplace with lessons ranging from “the art of listening—chopin” to “get Paid to write about Your Favorite topic—Yourself”—had to please the narcissists, right? couple this with Khan academy and you’ve got a disruption in the field of education.

BriAn Wong CEO, KIIPafter helping Digg.com become a dominant social site, wong left to start Kiip, a company that’s fast changing the way rewards are given in mobile gaming. wong skipped four years of school to graduate from the University of British columbia at the age of 18. He’s known as the youngest person ever to receive venture capital funding after securing $4.4 million for Kiip. He turned 21 this year.

DAniELLE FongCHIEF SCIENTIST, LIgHTSAIL ENERgYForbes 30 Under 30. thiel Fellow. middle school dropout. Yes—that’s right. Fong dropped out of middle school at age 12 and began her Ph.D. at Princeton by the time she was 17. she co-founded lightsail energy when she was only 20 years old. the company is innovating power grid technology and laying the groundwork for renewable sources of energy to become commercially sustainable.

MiChAEL KArnjAnAPrAKorn CEO MALCoLM ong CTO SKILLSHARE

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Written by peArle lunphotogrAphed by JAcKie ho

Dan Kim:The man BehinD

ReD mango

How a corporate number-cruncher

turns to creativity to become one of

the top entrepreneurs in the nation.

Dan Kim:The man BehinD

ReD mango

8 | aUgUst 2012

FEATUrE

With mouthwatering flavors like “Peppermint Dark chocolate,” “caribbean coconut,” and

“tangomonium,” it is no wonder that Red mango has become a national sensation.

the popular frozen yogurt and smoothie brand offers a wide selection of flavors and toppings in addition to yogurt parfaits and probiotic iced teas. since launching the first Us store in July 2007 in los angeles, Red mango has rapidly expanded to over 180 stores across the nation. in 2011, the franchise was voted the #1 zagat rated chain for smoothies and frozen yogurt, as well as #1 for Healthy options.

For Dan Kim, the company’s founder and current chief concept officer, it is Red mango’s commitment to healthy eating and all-natural ingredients that have catapulted the franchise to success. while various frozen yogurt chains have emerged as strong competitors in the industry, Kim remains confident in the uniqueness of Red mango’s product quality. Red mango’s emphasis on natural ingredients “allows us to create a healthier yogurt and delivers a flavor profile that doesn’t taste artificial or chemically created. that really gives you authentic, true, clean flavor.”

From Finance to Frozen Yogurt

after graduating from Berkeley’s Haas school of Business in 1998, Kim was not planning to enter the frozen yogurt business. He worked first as an investment banker with Donaldson lufkin & Jenrette, then as a financial analyst for Deloitte. while Kim was comfortable in the financial industry, he admits, “i didn’t want to spend the rest of my life adding value to corporations. i needed a forum to really create things, do things that had a much more direct impact on people.” the financier-turned-entrepreneur worked at a number of start-up companies before settling on the idea of Red mango.

why frozen yogurt? with a chuckle, Kim says that he’s always been an ice cream and frozen yogurt lover, but

www.alist-magazine.com | 9

the main reason was because he saw an opportunity. “i thought there was a tremendous opportunity to create a brand that met not only the product needs of consumers, but also their emotional needs,” he recalls.

For Kim, the lack of social ambiance and connection with customers was a major problem in frozen yogurt stores. “none of the companies out there really delivered that,” says Kim. “all they cared about was delivering a product that was presumably better than ice cream, but not going beyond that even though people expected it.” today, Red mango is focused on creating a casual atmosphere and welcoming space for family and friends to enjoy their frozen treats, rather than a grab-and-go quality. the experience matters as much as the frozen yogurt itself.

From the start, Kim has been dedicated to creating “a brand that is aspirational and means something other than just a product.” to that end, Kim has made substantial use of social media channels in marketing the brand and reaching out to customers. through Facebook and twitter, Red mango has been looking for ways to strengthen its relationships with customers. “i feel that fans believe an authentic Facebook message from a company that speaks about something that their friends are validating over a tV commercial, where you know their only goal is to try to convince you to buy their product,” he muses.

harvesting More red Mangoesalthough Kim’s business savvy

has been recognized in Dallas Business Journal’s “40 Under Forty” and as one of the “outstanding 50 asian americans in Business for 2010,” he recently returned to his creative roots. serving as company ceo until august 2011, Kim decided to transition to chief concept officer in order to focus on branding and product development.

“i just found myself not being able to focus on what i’m good at and passionate about,” says Kim. His latest project is a healthier version of the starbucks Frappuccino® with lower calories and no artificial ingredients, which will be released in a month or so.

that is not to say, though, that Red mango has not had its share of difficulties. specifically, Kim pinpoints real estate as a concern for the growing franchise, especially in california. “Picking the wrong location can really set

you back,” he explains. “it’s something that took a lot of trial and error for us before we finally got it down.” Despite originating in los angeles, several stores in the area have closed down, compared to successful openings in the east coast.

However, Red mango’s future remains bright as the company plans to at least triple its stores in the Us over the next couple years, as well as tap into international markets. in may 2012, the Dallas-based company entered into an agreement with mexican theater chain cinemex to introduce Red mango products to mexico. Kim is currently hard at work developing products that will resonate with consumers in el salvador, Uruguay, and Brazil as well as they have been in the Us. and from there, who knows?

with relish, Kim describes his perfect flavor combination as “our peanut butter frozen yogurt mixed with our ‘Honey Badger’ frozen yogurt, then topping that with bananas and chocolate chips.” and in this summer weather, a refreshing taste of Red mango may be just the healthy treat to enjoy.

“I didn’t want to spend the rest of my life adding value to

corporations. I needed a forum to really create things, do

things that had a much more direct impact on people.”

empowering women

enTrepreneurs

written by uyen Le Kryphotographed by eric bothweLL

Angie Chang of Women 2.0 left the

corporate world to help other women

start their own corporations. She's

helped some of Silicon Valley's most

well-known startups blossom into

established players.

12 | aUgUst 2012

FEATUrE

In December 2011, angie chang, 29, got laid off from her job as product manager at a startup company, her

sixth startup in six years. chang packed her things and moved to another san Francisco startup, but this time it was not anyone else’s but her own—women 2.0—which she co-founded in 2006 with three other twenty-something women, shaherose charania, shivani sopory, and wen wen lam.

“at every tech conference, we were the only women in the room,” chang said. “and we all wanted to meet role models—women who had started their own companies.”

charania, now ceo of women 2.0, had a colleague who matched the four founders and tossed them into a room at

Facebook where he worked. the women came up with the name ‘women 2.0’ and set out to create a conference specifically for women.

about 100 women attended the first women 2.0 conference and discovered a sort of intrinsic connectedness that led to a demand for more. chang said, “we were flooded with questions such as when is the next one, where’s your sign-up list, what’s your website, and how do i get more information?”

that was how, like many successful startups that originated with one simple concept, women 2.0 was born. it is now an emerging global media company and business network supporting women in technology and startups. its mission is to inform, inspire and educate a

“At every tech

conference, we were

the only women in

the room,” Chang

said. “And we all

wanted to meet role

models—women who

had started their own

companies.”

www.alist-magazine.com | 13

new generation of females who are entrepreneurial and successful.

this past February, chang delivered women 2.0’s fifth annual conference. “it was our biggest and best event to date,” chang shared. “our events usually sell out, so it was no surprise. But we had well over 1,000 women [attending this conference].”

Featured at the event were celebrated entrepreneurs including caterina Fake (Flickr), Robin chase (zipcar), and Danielle Fong (lightsail energy), as well as venture capitalists such as aileen lee (Kleiner Perkins caufield & Byers) and sukhinder singh cassidy ( JoYUs), who served as judges for women 2.0’s annual startup competition.

aside from organizing sold-out conferences, chang also produces women

2.0’s other signature events including the PitcH startup competition (with one in nYc inaugurating this fall), startup workshops, and monthly networking events called Founder Fridays that are in 11 cities in the United states, spain and latin america and, according to chang, “growing every month.”

as editor-in-chief, chang also bears responsibility for women 2.0’s dynamic web platform (www.women2.org) that on any given day teems with news, information, and resources for and by women entrepreneurs, realized through a blog network that carries the voices of tech women and writers from all over the world. chang also manages the company’s network—30,000 members via a weekly email newsletter, 22,000 via twitter, 10,000 via Facebook, and 28,000 via linkedin.

with results such as these, it is no wonder that chang and charania were named in 2010 among Fast company’s most influential women in technology.

so why did it take chang so long to really take the plunge and fully immerse herself into women 2.0? “a lot of the guys at my job would leave and start their own companies—and they didn’t even have a concept. i already had my own company, but as a woman i wanted to wait until my ducks were lined up in a row.”

chang confessed, “everyone knew i had this thing on the side. i would take really long lunches and sit there thinking about what i would post for women 2.0 that night. i was gently pushed out the door and was so happy because now i got

to do what i love all day long.”it probably didn’t hurt that in october

2011, women 2.0 received a second round of corporate sponsorship from the ewing marion Kauffman Foundation, one of the thirty largest foundations in the United states.

once operating out of coffee shops, chang now rents a co-working space in the soma neighborhood, where she met with us to chat about her journey as a social entrepreneur. From being an english and social welfare major at Uc Berkeley who loved computer science but couldn’t get the grades, to being rejected more than once in applying to work at Facebook and google, to becoming enamored with the concept of running her own startup (despite shunning business as a career choice in college), chang also shared some thoughts on asian americans in entrepreneurship.

“asian americans need to develop and hold an entrepreneurial mindset and consider entrepreneurship as a viable career option. even if you’re not personally entrepreneurial, look twice at entrepreneurs and support them. Recognize them for their role in creating businesses and form alliances with them.”

To read Angie Chang’s full interview with ALIST and mini-profiles of Asian American women start-ups, go to our website at www.alist-magazine.com

“In just six years, Angie Chang has helped

Women 2.0 become the dominant go-to

resource in Silicon Valley for women

starting their own tech companies.”

story | rAchel Kuophotos | eric bothWell

"Three young designers turn

adversity into ambition with style

and good cause to boot."

retrofit republic

Fashion with a TWIST

Finding a Style of Their Own

16 | aUgUst 2012

FEATUrE

Retrofit Republic is a sustainable style and vintage retailer in san Francisco that recycles and

curates used clothing. the small business, run by an intimate team of three, offers commercial and personal styling and shopping, wedding and bridal services, and aesthetic support for special events. their carefully selected clothing collection features vintage pieces, as well as pre-owned and refurbished garments and accessories that represent diverse lifestyles. they look to complement the many shapes and sizes of their customers through different forms and expressions of beauty. through fashion, Retrofit aims to express beautiful narratives about communities of color and engage community activism and social justice.

humble Beginningsco-Founders and executive stylists

Julia H. Rhee and Jenny ton tell alist the story of how Retrofit started with a yard sale.

over two years ago, friends Julia and Jenny moved to the lower Haight neighborhood of san Francisco to work in the non-profit world. Faced with the space limitations of urban dwellings, they cleaned out their closets to make room for new beginnings. the popularity of their small yard sale sparked the idea to create a vintage clothing and styling shop committed to the vision of doing good and looking good.

Jenny started thrifting at a young age in order to find clothes for herself. in an immigrant, working class family of six kids, necessity was the only reason to own or buy anything. not wanting to let people know she got her clothes from the local thrift store, she found creative ways to conceal the true nature of her hand-me-downs.

similarly, Julia also grew up in an immigrant household. Her parents worked full-time and she spent a lot of time with her grandmother, who gave her early lessons in sustainability. “my grandmother reused, recycled, and reduced everything. she wore the same pants for 30 years!” says Julia.

Jenny caught the bug for grassroots organization in middle school when she participated in a protest at Baldwin Park against the police department’s treatment of immigrants. when she attended college at the University of california, Berkeley, she began to connect her upbringing in

a disenfranchised neighborhood with socioeconomic and racial disparities. Her social justice work, particularly around organizing southeast asian youth, was linked directly to her awareness of gaps in resources in lower-income communities of color. For Julia, her political identity

“I grew up in a predominantly white environment

and did whatever I could to fit in. It wasn’t until these

women of color came into my life … that I realized my

experiences weren’t isolated.

www.alist-magazine.com | 17

revolved around her coming into her racial and ethnic identity. “i grew up in a predominantly white environment and did whatever i could to fit in. it wasn’t until these women of color came into my life … that i realized my experiences weren’t isolated. there was a historical condition that validated my experiences of racism.”

“when i started college in new York, i went from being unable to tell people i was asian american to being so proud of my identity,” said Julia.

Daniel tran joined the Retrofit family later as a graphic designer. He also grew

up in a large immigrant family, and from elementary school to junior high, he helped his family at a flea market. “we’re really fortunate to have Daniel come through,” says Julia. “we were blown away by his work as a designer. when you start a small business, you’re doing it yourself. Daniel really boosted the brand by making us look really professional.”

Linking With Their Communities

Retrofit’s business model is based upon socially responsible foundations and initiatives that support lower-income

populations, communities of color, and the lgBtQ community. they work with a wide range of clients, including community members, personal friends, and hip- hop and performance artists. they also style fashion shows for non-profit organizations.

“it’s exciting to be able to link with our community. we wanted to have a fashion company and still do good at the same time. we’re fortunate to have a strong and large community of

organizers and people working in the non-profit sector. it’s important for us that in selling vintage and pre-owned clothes, we make sure style is always affordable in our community,” says Jenny.

to show support for the community, their Fall 2011 community Heroes look book featured local leaders in a variety of fields and representing many different identities. another recent Retrofit community collaboration is with thick Dumpling skin, an initiative by writer and publisher lisa lee and actress lynn chen to highlight diverse body types and lifestyles for asian americans. the joint project, Real Bodies manifesto, is a photo-shoot and look book focusing on real people with real bodies that represent the asian american community in terms of body size, skin color, and heritage. “we teamed up with them to reclaim space for asian american women. so much of the media gets to prescribe how we’re supposed to look and talk. all the models we use are people of color.”

“growing up, there was a trauma of not having asian Barbies or asian gi Joes or asian american role models in media or politics. we see more of it now but we’re trying to make up for lost time,” says Julia.

Retrofit has more projects on their calendar that will be both creative and engaging. one of them will be a queer wedding styling look book in response to current legislation and the political discourse around lgBtQ communities. stay updated with Retrofit Republic by visiting their website at retrofitrepublic.com, where you can book a complimentary styling session online to check out their incredible collection and talent firsthand.

For a sneak peak at their new summer wedding and engagement look book and more, visit our website at www.alist-magazine.com

“It’s exciting

to be able to

link with our

community.

We wanted to

have a fashion

company and

still do good at

the same time.

the

silver lining

story | lAurA liphotos | JAKe choi

Jake Choi strives to join the scarce ranks of Asian American actors in the American entertainment industry. With heartfelt passion and a laser-like determination, this budding actor undoubtedly has what it takes to make his dream come true.

silver liningwriTTen by laura li

20 | aUgUst 2012

FEATUrE

At six feet tall with alabaster skin and cropped hair, Jake choi cuts an impressive figure. His muscular

physique, toned from years of basketball, puts him in the same category as other up-and-coming asian american actors who are known for their good looks and athletic builds, as well as acting talent.

the new York native grew up surrounded by hip-hop culture and

idolized tupac as a result. “He was my first role model,” choi recollects. “He had a very strong personality. He respected women and made a song for his mom; on the flip side, he was very gangster, so that whole image was very appealing, especially when you’re a young asian american kid growing up in Queens.”

the rapper also inspired choi to start getting tattoos, which decorate his arms

and chest. there are nine total: one for every year from when he turned 18 until he decided to pursue acting. “the first one i got was my grandmother’s name, date of death, and date of birth,” choi says. “i told myself it’s very addicting to get ink, so i’ll stick to one a year. i have a whole bunch, but they mean a lot to me.” when playing a clean-cut character on camera, he covers up with a crew neck or button-down shirt.

“I don’t have a backup

plan. Acting is my plan A

and my plan B and C, and

I am running with my

plan A until the wheels

fall off,” Choi declared.

courtesy oF JAKe choi

www.alist-magazine.com | 21

another inspiration for choi was basketball, which has been a huge part of his life. He tried many sports as a kid, but started playing basketball at the age of 11, partially inspired by watching michael Jordan on tV. “Before i started playing basketball, i was a good golf player,” choi says, describing how his mother, a semi-pro golf player, took him to practice every day. “i had a lot of potential, but it was

just so boring.” Basketball quickly became choi’s primary pursuit—he played for his high school’s varsity team as well as the Brooklyn college team before accepting a basketball scholarship to attend Yonsei University in seoul, south Korea.

A Taste of Acting it was in Korea that

choi got his first taste of being in front of the camera. Having done some modeling since high school, choi had never considered being on tV until his friend urged him to audition for cuisine tour, an english-language show that featured different chefs. “it was difficult,” choi recalls. “i was just being myself, and people found me amusing, so i was very grateful.”

cuisine tour was a growing experience as well as a turning point. “i learned the technicalities of being on camera and playing to an audience,” choi says. “there was some acting involved; it gave me a taste, and first i went back to basketball, but i kind of lost the passion. i was like, you know what, i like being on camera.” shortly afterward, he made the decision to switch from basketball to acting, a

path he’s pursuing with an all-or-nothing attitude. “i don’t have a backup plan. acting is my plan a and my plan B and c, and i am running with my plan a until the wheels fall off,” choi declares.

two and a half years ago, choi moved back to new York city, where he currently lives with his mother and younger brother.

“my home is here, and i figure i can try to get more training here in new York, and then when i’m ready to make the move to la, i can,” he explains. He’s open to the idea of returning to work in Korean media but prefers to focus on the american market for now. “First of all, i have to be fluent in Korean, which i’m not,” he says, labeling his Korean speaking skill as proficient. “Korea’s a small country, and they have a lot of people pursuing a career in acting, so it’s very difficult. and i feel like in america you get way more freedom as an artist.”

although he’s not based in Hollywood, there certainly hasn’t been a shortage of work—choi has appeared in a slew of projects in the past two years, from solemn short films to Jeremy lin parodies (the two have not yet crossed paths in person).

Asian Americans in the Acting Business

now in his mid-20s, choi is determined to succeed for himself as well as for others. “You get a chance to tell a story in your own way,” he says of what he finds rewarding about acting, “and you can give inspiration to aspiring actors

and actresses; if you’re doing good, it can really inspire them to work harder. even for yourself, it’s rewarding because you can express yourself in a way you probably can’t when you’re out in the real world.”

as for his own inspirations, choi cites Brad Pitt, who famously left college just a few credits shy of graduation in order to pursue acting. “george clooney,” he adds. “He slept in his friend’s closet for a few months!” their perseverance has clearly rubbed off on choi, who concedes that it’s harder to succeed in the industry as an asian american. But there are positive aspects as well.

“it’s easy to say, because i’m asian american, it’s going to be close to impossible to book any big leading roles, but at the same time, you have less competition because you have less people pursuing the same career,” he points out. “i think when an asian american actor does something big, it’s blown up to a higher scale, and that could be good.” He refers to Jeremy lin’s rapid fame as an example. “He’s very good for any point guard, but people hype him up because he’s asian american, and it can give him and other asian americans confidence.”

currently, choi is concentrating on auditioning for roles and has a few projects in the works, including a feature-length film that he and his friends are working on. Honestly, i don’t have a specific goal that i set for myself,” choi says. “it’s just to keep doing the best work i can, and when i do reach a certain level, use that to help others.”

“You get a chance to tell a story in your own way,”

he says of what he finds rewarding about acting,

“and you can give inspiration to aspiring actors

and actresses; if you’re doing good, it can really

inspire them to work harder. Even for yourself,

it’s rewarding because you can express yourself

in a way you probably can’t when you’re out in

the real world.”

story | sAmuel tsoiphotos | eric bothWell

Yul Kwon Revealed:Asian America’s renaissance man on facing fears, career, and leadership

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Today, i’m going to raise my hand in class,” the young Yul said to himself.

Renaissance man Yul Kwon recalled his turning point during a miserable adolescence when he dealt with psychological disorders, bullying, and depression. looking at his accomplishments today, it is hard to imagine that the Survivor winner was not born to be in front of a camera or behind a podium. “leadership is very much a learned skill,” Kwon says. in fact, Kwon’s successes in law, government, business, and media are all fruits of many painstaking years of overcoming fears and constantly improving himself.

sitting down with alist, the 37-year-old conveys an unwavering sense of who he is, exuding confidence you would expect for one of the ‘sexiest men alive’ according to People. at the same time, Kwon exhibits a refreshing authenticity, disarming humility, and deep intellect as he talks about challenges and responsibilities in his life and in the world.

A True Survivor the breakout moment came for Kwon when he won the hit

reality show Survivor in 2006, after already filling his résumé with names such as google, mcKinsey, and the U.s. senate.

in the controversial cook islands season featuring tribes divided by ethnicity, Kwon garnered legions of fans through his sportsmanship, articulate negotiation skills and collaborative strategies. as the first asian american champion, Kwon demonstrated emotional intelligence and leadership that shattered stereotypes of asian men and exemplified the possibilities of transcending racial barriers.

Kwon’s modus operandi of taking risks, advancing a cause, and constantly challenging himself has become not only a vindication for the years of hard work, but also a metaphor for his career leading up to and after Survivor.

“For much of my childhood, i felt like i was a freak,” Kwon recalls, describing his constant fear of getting beat up, sweating uncontrollably in front of people, and self-deprecating isolation and silence after developing a lisp, ocD, and paruresis (“shy bladder syndrome”). “i spent most of my life thinking that i was the only one who felt this way.” Kwon remembers mourning his brother’s close friend who committed suicide, which became a wake-up call. He questioned how a person can cut his life so short. “actually, i think i know,” Kwon thought then. “He probably felt like how i was feeling. if i didn’t change myself, i will live a life of loneliness or just give up hope.”

in a process of incremental but steady change, Kwon took small and tangible steps, such as answering a question in class and greeting a stranger every day. “a lot of times people don’t

“

“For much of my childhood, I felt like

I was a freak.”

www.alist-magazine.com | 25

try because it leads to failure. what matters is the process.” Kwon also sought community and support structures, taking on drama lessons and team sports. “You have to find support structures and to put yourself in an environment where other people can help you.” eventually, Kwon entered a virtuous cycle—success breeding confidence and in turn breeding further success.

“when i was younger, it never occurred to me that i’ll do something like tV; i just wanted to be normal.” Kwon

admits he is still an introvert at heart and gets nervous when he is in front of crowds. “what i‘ve learned is that you can’t let it beat you, you have to confront your anxieties and your fears.”

in addition to challenges of self-worth, there were pressures from family and society. Kwon’s parents immigrated to Queens, new York, where Kwon was born with big dreams but little assets. growing up in northern california, Kwon felt an unrelenting need for his parents’ approval. “my parents made so many sacrifices to

give me opportunity that they didn’t have. i feel like i owe them this debt.”

as Kwon went on to achieve what appeared to be the asian american dream, graduating from stanford University and Yale law school, he wrestled with reconciling happiness with success.

when Kwon decided to go on a reality show, it caused a rift with his parents. “what the hell are you thinking? throwing away your career like that?” Kwon remembered his dad shouting. going against his parents’ wishes, Kwon’s

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performance ultimately erased their doubts and even brought them closer together.

“my dad came up to me and said something i’ve never heard him say before: ‘Yul, i’m sorry.’” through the show, Kwon’s parents witnessed the man of character he had become and were genuinely proud. “i think that’s true for most asian parents—a lot of them are skeptical. But if you’re successful and happy at what you do, they’d ultimately come around and accept it.” Kwon then leveraged his fame for a variety of causes, including bone marrow drives, motivated by losing his best friend in college to leukemia.

Trailblazing on TV: revealing America

Kwon now speaks regularly to young people, candidly and openly sharing his struggles with parental expectations and social phobias and his path to success. He even published a biography in Korean, hoping to reach south Korean youth, a group with one of the highest rates of suicide in the world. “my parents could care less about [my celebrity],” Kwon says. “But as soon as they see a tiny blurb in a Korean newspaper, they go crazy and send it to all their friends.”

Kwon is once again making headlines, being the first asian american male host of an epic-scale documentary series about the United states. the PBs show, America Revealed, celebrates the massive networks and infrastructure that we take for granted. it taps into Kwon’s expertise in technology, his lifelong fascination for systems, and his vision of using media to spur important national conversations.

Using state-of-the-art mapping visualizations and stunning aerial photography, the series explains the marvelous inner-workings of systems, such as food production, manufacturing, transportation, and energy that power our modern lifestyle. Kwon, who has a fear of heights, is often seen narrating atop tall structures and in open-door helicopters. there are even scenes of him sky-diving and rappelling down a giant wind turbine. “i spend half of the show scared to death.

when you see me screaming, i’m not acting.”leaving an influential post as the

Deputy chief of the consumer and governmental affairs Bureau for the Federal communications commission (Fcc), Kwon thought the PBs opportunity was too good to pass up. while he was at the Fcc, Kwon was instrumental in pushing for broadband internet access to underserved communities, one of the aspects of infrastructure development that he believes is critical for america’s future.

“one of the reasons we became the most economically and militarily powerful country in the world is because we built these large systems that became a platform for economic growth, but a lot of them are now facing stress; they are overcapacity.” Kwon also expresses his appreciation for public television, which was the primary way he learned english as a child. “my parents couldn’t afford to send us to day care…shows such as sesame street and noVa helped expand the world for me.”

now as a grown-up geek, Kwon is revisiting his sense of wonder for the intricate details and the big picture. “i didn’t realize how enormously complex these systems are that we rely on every single day—all the different things that had to happen in order for the light to turn on and the pizza to be delivered when you order it.” in the energy episode, Kwon described the massive 2003 northeast blackout that was caused by one overgrown tree in ohio. “it’s a minor miracle every time these systems work. But if something goes wrong, the entire system can go down.”

Kwon, who became a father during the show’s production, believes the ability for the next generation to enjoy the same living standards and compete in the global economy hinges upon how we invest in these systems. “we’re facing some daunting [infrastructure] challenges, and people are being misinformed.”

the show also chronicles the innovators and everyday unsung heroes who keep our systems working and the surprising aspects that counter the pessimistic outlook the media often portrays, such as america being the leading high-value inventor and manufacturer in the world that attracts the most creative people and investment dollars. Kwon hopes the show will be a platform for the public to engage in civil and critical dialog about important topics. “media is the most powerful way to take substantive content and wrap it in an entertaining veneer that causes people to pay attention.”

the food episode spawned the most impassioned debate, which shows the incredible amount of water and energy used for our agriculture system and the unprecedented scale in food production that makes enough food to feed all seven billion mouths on the planet. it also covers the emerging local and organic food movement, such as urban farmers in Detroit that are repurposing abandoned lots into oases of nutritious vegetables for residents who often lack access to healthy food choices. some viewers point to the absent critique on the inequitable distribution of and dependency on chemicals, highly-processed foods, and genetically-modified crops that are creating problems for nature and human health. “[the producers] are not trying to teach people what to think. it’s really about how these systems work.” still, Kwon believes solutions lie somewhere in the middle. “can we harness the system that uses scale to produce food cheaply—in service of coming up with foods that are actually healthy and free of pesticides? i’m optimistic that we will get there.”

asked which one of the systems he would improve first, Kwon laments the need to repair our political system. “From all the things i have seen, it’s the most dysfunctional right now.” Kwon goes on to

“I spend half of the show scared to death. When you

see me screaming, I’m not acting.”

www.alist-magazine.com | 27

describe the controversy surrounding the debt ceiling crisis, among others, and the focus of politicians on the next election cycle instead of the next generation.

on the other hand, Kwon believes in the democracy that brings people together to solve problems, as the nation has done in the past. “these challenges that our country faces—whether it’s food, energy, transportation, et cetera—are solvable.” Kwon remains bullish as he sees the market responding to consumers’ changing demands, whether for healthier foods, sustainable energy choices, or more efficient machines. in the same way, Kwon hopes citizens will stay engaged and demand sound policies and investments from their elected officials.

on increasing civic influence and political power, Kwon urges asian americans to not only do things well functionally, but to take initiative and step up in leadership in their respective fields. “in order to fully honor and respect the contributions and sacrifices [our parents] made, it’s imperative for us to take advantage of these opportunities our parents did not have,” he says.

one of the ways the current generation is departing from the previous is the increasing solidarity among the diverse ethnic and linguistic groups.

“what’s encouraging to me is the increased interest in politics and media in the last few years—a lot of [asian americans] coming together … we now need to work together with other groups.”

A Leadership Call to Asian Americans

throughout his diverse career, Kwon recognizes a common pattern. “asian americans are somewhat hesitant in terms of aggressively networking, putting themselves out there to be considered for leadership positions.”

in his report for cnn on the “bamboo ceiling,” which describes the lack of asian americans in executive-level management despite being among the most educated and affluent demographic groups, Kwon recalled asking a partner in his law firm why there are so few asian american partners. the firm discovered, alongside another study by Harvard Business school students, that asian americans have not reached the upper echelons in the american workplace based on internal and external factors.

First, the studies link the phenomenon to the experience that asian americans are socialized within their communities to show deference to authority and to devalue self-promotion. second, the persistent stereotypes of asian americans being smart but missing charisma or social skills perpetuate the view that asian americans do not aspire to be leaders.

lastly, the most crucial ingredient is mentorship, which Kwon has experienced throughout his career.

among the asian american professionals surveyed, many do not have other seasoned colleagues who can become internal champions for them within the organization to get promoted. Kwon also notes that asian americans often do not integrate themselves with the

broader professional networks. without mentors and networks, they start to feel disconnected, unable to be promoted and eventually leave.

Kwon has had crucial mentors throughout his career, both asian and non-asian. “as long as you have someone who can help guide you and challenge you … i also try to be thoughtful in mentoring those who are younger than me.”

as Kwon inspires other asian americans to shatter the perpetual foreigner myth and rise up as leaders, he continues to break new ground. in his latest project,

Kwon acts as a bridge between america and asia. He is currently the anchor for linkasia, which presents current events from asian points of view. it aggregates material from mainstream and social media outlets in asia, presenting a unique and fresh way in understanding world affairs.

“the coverage of asia in america is often viewed through a Us-centric lens—it can be biased or filtered.” indeed, some of the fears and misunderstandings of asia have profound effects on perceptions of americans of asian decent. asia’s development feats, from manufacturing to transportation, are directly fueling the anxiety of what many observe as an american decline in the global community. “what you see is that developing countries are able to leapfrog in technology ... cherry-picking best designs and technology, and build from scratch,” Kwon says, citing the impressive high-speed rail and broadband infrastructure in china, Japan, and south Korea.

Just as asian american success is not one-dimensional, huge deficits still exist in the economically resurgent asia Pacific region. “some of [the asian countries] are far behind in areas such as human rights, environmental pollution, transparency, a lot of which are being sacrificed in pursuit of growth.” Kwon also points to the massive income and wealth disparities that exist in asian societies, a phenomenon that is also plaguing america and impedes sustainable growth. “it’s incumbent upon people in america to really understand what’s going on in asia, rather than living with a complacent point of view—feeling we’re the best in the world,” he adds.

By opening global channels of understanding, blazing the trail for asian men in the media, and overcoming the stigma of mental illness, Yul Kwon continues to reveal what makes any nation or society remarkable: thoughtful individuals like him who are willing to self-invent and take risks for the betterment of something far greater than the self.

“if i do these things well, maybe it’ll create more opportunities for others.”

“The coverage of Asia in America is often viewed

through a US-centric lens—it can be biased or filtered.”

“I spend half of the show scared to death. When you

see me screaming, I’m not acting.”

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NAAAp 100

dr. doris ching | photo courtesy doris ching vivienne poy | photo courtesy vivienne poy

www.alist-magazine.com | 29

each summer, the national association of asian american

Professionals (naaaP) recognizes a group of asian leaders for

their commitment and contributions to society. since 2008, the

prestigious naaaP 100 award has been presented at naaaP’s

national convention, where leaders from all around the world

gather. Past honorees have included David lum of motorola,

former U.s. secretary of labor elaine chao, Bill imada of iw

group, actor John cho, and architect i.m. Pei among others.

things come full circle this year as the naaaP convention finds

itself in new York city, where the organization was founded 30

years ago. on the following pages, you’ll find this year’s naaaP

100 honorees—another cast of incredible leaders that provide

inspiration for generations to come. hines WArd | photo nbc viA getty

iKe song | photo courtesy iKe song richArd lui | photo courtesy richArd lui

30 | aUgUst 2012

NAAAp 100

Ike Song

courtesy oFFice oF iKe song

When it comes to the motivation that was instrumental in guiding ike song’s future, a

singular event in his dad’s teenage life proved to be a defining moment behind ike’s distinguished 27-year career marked by global milestones. today ike is vice president of situational awareness systems, navigation systems Division, northrop grumman corporation, world leader in the design, development and manufacture of advanced electronics for military, civil and commercial applications.

ike’s father was a 17-year-old english major at Korea University when the Korean war broke out. U.s. marines stationed there went to the university to recruit english majors to become interpreters. ike’s dad told a visiting colonel that though english was his major, he was not especially conversant. the colonel assured him he would be able to study in the United states at ohio state University. Unfortunately the

colonel was killed in combat, and the dream of a U.s. education died with him. ike’s dad promised himself that when he had children they would be educated in america. ike’s father worked in the U.s. embassy in Korea, aiding the song family’s immigration to the U.s. ike was eleven years old.

the family overcame financial challenges and eventually bought a small grocery store when ike was in junior high school. working alongside his father at the store was ike’s first foray into management. there he gained more real-world financial aptitude—from working capital, cash flow, operating margin, and inventory to managing employees—than his Ucla mBa or his Harvard business management program provided decades later. ike’s solid work ethic, drive, and time management skills resulted from the long hours worked at the store after school.

ike had always been interested in learning how things worked, so studying

engineering was a natural fit. while still in Korea, ike had been inspired by watching the apollo 11 moon landing in July 1969. the family had no television, however every neighborhood had a corner comic book store where for an entry fee you could read comic books and watch the black and white tV. seeing astronaut neil armstrong walk on the moon is an image ike still vividly recalls after all these years. with the vision of neil armstrong walking the moon imprinted in his mind, ike worked hard to master the english language and matriculate at m.i.t. He had an immigrant’s drive to succeed.

as his aspirations grew more tangible and great successes followed, he gave back to the community. He emerged from the asian american community a born leader at a young age. ike made director at age 36 and went on to execute the role of general manager of two companies before assuming his current position. in conjunction with his professional successes in leadership, ike established himself as a forerunner in both the los angeles and asian american communities. several events in his life shaped his ambitions, leadership skills, and

Inspiring, dedicated, and hardworking are the words commonly used to describe Dr. Doris ching, who served as

the first woman Vice President of student affairs at the University of Hawaii at manoa (UH) from 1987 until her retirement in 2005. Dr. ching is a tireless advocate of excellence, equal rights, diversity, and success for all students. throughout her career, Dr. ching has blazed the way for other student affairs leaders (especially women) to make a difference in their schools. she has achieved many accolades for her accomplishments, both nationally and locally.

Dr. ching served as the national association of student Personnel administrators’ (nasPa) president

(she is the first woman of color to serve this position) from 1999-2000. she also received the Fred turner award for outstanding service to nasPa in 2004. at UH, Dr. ching has received numerous awards including the UH manager of the Year award in 1994 and the UH college of education Distinguished alumna award in 1995. more recently, she received the UH college of education award of Distinction in 2006.

Dr. ching’s accomplishments in her career can be divided into two categories: local and national. at the local level, she elevated attention to students throughout the UH system, and increased the resources of student affairs which enabled greater and more sophisticated services to students. For instance, she helped to

develop the Queen liliuokalani center for student services, bringing all student affairs programs under one roof. Dr. ching and her staff created many of the programs that are in the center, including the women’s center, service learning Program, Kua’ana native Hawaiian student services, and geaR UP. many programs were also expanded, such as career services and financial aid. additionally, her research and training grants have secured UH millions of dollars.

at the national level Dr. ching increased the visibility and leadership of asian americans and Pacific islanders in nasPa, giving voice to a growing community. Dr. ching has consulted in education and strategic planning at other universities across the United states, making her an invaluable influence helping to shape the nation’s student affairs programs. she also mentors professionals of all types, helping to groom the next generation of leaders.

Dr. Doris Ching

story | JenniFer yAmAdA

www.alist-magazine.com | 31

Politician, fashion designer, philanthropist, author, entrepreneur, and historian—these are all full-time

careers in themselves, yet senator Vivienne Poy balances them all with style and grace. Before Poy was appointed the first asian canadian in the senate of canada, she founded Vivienne Poy Mode in 1981, and is currently chairwoman of lee tak wai Holdings limited. she has degrees in history and fashion and has authored five books to date. she also served as chancellor of the University of toronto from 2003 to 2006. she says, “it’s always been my desire to learn. i love challenges. every so many years, i start something quite new or totally new and try to achieve my best at it.”

of her appointment to the senate in

Vivienne Poy

story | Diana Tao

strong sense of duty to his communities.Upon the announcement of the

disappointing Rodney King verdicts, riots ensued on the streets of los angeles on april 29, 1992. the media transformed the racial tension into african-american verses Korean american, specifically the small grocery owners in south central. with tensions between the minority communities at an all time high, ike’s father set out to establish the african-american Korean-american church association (aKca), an organization devoted to reconciling the fractured relationship of the communities. ike collaborated with his father to provide bi-directional cultural exchange in the effort to promote understanding and awareness. they were instrumental in procuring scholarships to african american students to

expose the next generation to opportunities for success. Racial tensions lessened when students were sent to Korea to learn about samsung and the Korean culture. solidarity between the minority communities ensued. ike’s father fostered a strong appreciation for the african-american community—he acknowledged that it was the african-american community that paved the way for immigrants with respect to equal rights in the United states. this framed ike’s perspective and enforced his sense of responsibility to pay back to the los angeles community.

the recipient of three patents, numerous trade secret and merit awards, ike attributes his inner drive to rising from humble beginnings and being rewarded for his talent and hard work, thanks to his father, who motivated him to reach

for the stars. His leadership inspires and influences others to move with him to proactively make positive changes. He is widely acknowledged as a person to follow. ike sponsors professionals of all backgrounds with the desire to succeed. ike learned the difference between a “mentor” and a “sponsor” is that a mentor guides and suggests routes of learning, whereas a sponsor tells you what needs to be done while actively pulling you up. He believes in not only mentoring, but also in sponsoring capable and deserving people. ike’s innate leadership ability and hard earned professional skills coupled with his respect for the people who have led the way before him and his compassion to serve the community make a powerful figure to emulate.

H ines ward is a commissioner for the white House initiative on asian americans & Pacific

islanders (appointed to post by President Barack obama in 2010), a humanitarian, and a former professional football player for the Pittsburgh steelers (1998-2012).

During his 14-year stint as wide receiver for the steelers, ward notably achieved: two super Bowl championships; super Bowl Xl mVP; 4 Pro Bowl selections; all-time team leadership in receptions, receiving yards and receiving touchdowns; and steelers’ 2008 walter Payton man of the Year award.

ward’s leadership on the field carries over to his humanitarian efforts off the field. in april 2006, 2 months after being named super Bowl mVP, ward returned to seoul, his birthplace, for the first time in thirty years. His Korean mother and african american father had brought him to the U.s. with them when he was one year old. meeting in person with the children who endure discrimination in Korea due to their biracial identity, ward has since pledged $1 million to help

establish the Hines ward Helping Hands Korea Foundation whose mission is to foster social and political reforms and help improve the lives of these children.

the Foundation has since extended its work to serving underprivileged and inner city youths in the U.s., in particular through literacy programs in Pittsburgh (where he lived and worked as a professional) and in atlanta (where he grew up with his Korean mother, who raised him on her own, with limited english skills, and while holding down three jobs.)

as a youth, ward struggled with his mixed-race identity but decided to channel all the negative energy into something he was good at—sports. at Forest Park High school in georgia, ward demonstrated skill in both baseball and football, but opted to pursue football at the college level. ward started out playing various positions for the University of georgia Bulldogs, including quarterback, tailback and receiver. He became full-time receiver his junior year and finished his senior year with all-sec honors and a record as georgia’s second highest all-time receiver.

ward has become an ambassador of hope for biracial children in Korea. His message to them: “if the country can accept me for who i am and accept me for being

Korean, i’m pretty sure that this country can change and accept you for who you are.” through his strong ties with the steelers and his work with wHaaPi and the Helping Hands Foundation, ward is delivering the same message to suffering children all over.

Hines Ward

story | uyen le Kry

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NAAAp 100

Richard lui is an american journalist and dayside news anchor on msnBc, where his focus is

politics. lui is also a rotating news anchor for nBc’s weekend today show and contributes reports for nBc news

investigations Unit and nBc weekend nightly news. He’s based at nBc’s offices at 30 Rockefeller center.

Before joining msnBc, lui was a news anchor at cnn worldwide. Duringhis five years there, he solo-anchored the 10am edition of morning

express and led morning political reporting during the 2008 Presidential election as a show member of morning express with Robinmeade. He also anchored and reported for cnn Domestic and cnn international. when lui joined cnn Headline news in 2007 he became the first asian american male to anchor a daily, national cable news show in the U.s. mediaite has ranked lui #101 in news Buzz on its Power grid influence index of

tV anchors / Hosts.lui developed a passion for politics in

the 70s, debating california’s controversial Proposition 13 on bus rides to school. that interest turned into a job at the age of 19: campaign manager for san Francisco college Board incumbent alan wong. after the election, lui returned to college. His plan was to write on policy and the affairs of state, subscribing to the washington Post when it had to be mailed to the west coast.

in the 1990s, lui reported for news radio KalX during a unique time incalifornia politics. He was assigned to stories such as Dianne Feinstein’s first successful U.s. senate campaign and the Rodney King verdict and riots.

later in the 2000s, lui reported from asia during an increasingly heated political climate. two muslim countries in southeast asia transformed: indonesia’s sukarno family was defeated after rule spanning over half a century; and malaysia’s prime minister, after almost a

quarter of a century handed over power. lui also reported on taiwan’s controversial election between pro- and anti- china political parties. He was at channel newsasia, an english-only news network in 20 countries and territories.

in addition to his political and journalism work, lui spent 15 years in business with Fortune 500 and technology companies. this included work at oliver wyman and patenting and launching the first bank-centric payment system in a citibank carve-out he founded with fellow University of michigan mBa alumni.

lui has been active in community leadership for 25 years in africa, asia, and the U.s. He leads pro bono strategy consulting teams and is a board member for non-profits in homeless and affordable housing. lui speaks frequently, including events for the U.s. state Department, Harvard, and the aspen institute.

a first generation american, lui has a twist in his background—wong is his real last name, part of an immigration wrinkle because his grandfather, an illegal immigrant, filed false “Paper son” papers.

lui graduated from Uc Berkeley and earned an mBa from the Ross school of Business at the University of Michigan.

Richard Lui

story | courtesy oFFice oF richArd lui

1998, she says: “it was a huge challenge and responsibility because when i was first appointed, i did not have a political background so that was a surprise when it happened. i thought it was about time ... asians have been in canada since 1788.” she adds, “i feel asian canadians are a shadow to the mainstream. we are there, but we are often not recognized.”

Poy brought this and other asian canadian concerns to the canadian senate. For instance, she proposed the motion to make the month of may “asian Heritage month”. in 2001, this motion was passed by the senate of canada. Poy considers this her biggest achievement as senator. “Because there was federal recognition, different levels of government also recognized it; and all of a sudden, asian canadians were proud of being asian,” she says, “and they had a voice”. to make

the motion enduring, Poy ensured that there was an official declaration for asian Heritage month to be celebrated annually. she has since traveled around the country to raise public awareness on the issue.

one of Poy’s current priorities is education. when she refers to ‘education’, she is not just referring to asian canadian education in the typical sense, which is of course important. she is also referring to educating the general public about asian canadians’ socio-political and economic contributions to canada.

in turn, Poy emphasizes that asian canadians need to be loyal to canada and have pride in their heritage.

apart from her professional accomplishments, Poy also speaks glowingly of her personal achievements. she is the proud parent of three sons, and grandparent to three grandchildren. Poy and her husband

recently celebrated their 50th anniversary. more significantly, whereas the passage of the motion to recognize asian Heritage month may have been the high point of her professional career, she considers the most important event of her personal life to be the donation of her kidney to her son. she says, “i have done a lot in my life but that was the most important. He is happy and in good health. there is nothing more a mother would want.”

Poy is a dedicated community activist, particularly in the areas of education and health. she is the honorary patron of many asian heritage societies and chinese canadian professional associations across canada.

although Poy has chosen to retire from the senate this coming september, she will continue learning and writing. Her book entitled, Passage to Promise Land, published by mcgill / Queen’s University Press, is due to be released later this year.

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