What's Happening in the Asian American Community
Summer 2007
A publication issued by the Asian American Alliance
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AAAI Promotes Unity Among Asian Communities The Second Annual APA Heritage Celebration CAtAlyst: Accelerate Your Future Building the Pipeline of Future Leaders - 2007 Scholarship Awards |
Glen Kwok, AAAI President
According to the most recent census, the Asian American population in Indiana increased by 61% while Pacific Islanders grew by 110% in the 10-year period from 1990 to 2000. As the populations continue to grow, AAAI is proud to take a leadership role in unifying the numerous Asian American ethnic communities. AAAI believes that everyone should celebrate their individual cultures but also embrace unity so that we can have a much stronger presence in the overall community.
In order to launch this initiative, AAAI hosted a meeting of Indianapolis Asian American community leaders at Shen Yang restaurant on March 25. The excellent turn out included representatives from Eli Lilly Asian American Network, Lilly Chinese Culture Club, Japanese American Citizens League, Asian Services of Indiana, Korean Seniors Association, Barangay Club of Indiana, Philippine Nurses Association, Taiwanese American Association of Indiana, Sikh Satsang of Indiana and the Indiana Association for Chinese Americans.
Leaders shared ideas about how to help each other and expressed enthusiasm about coming together in a unified way. In order to provide visibility to each of the organizations, AAAI agreed to provide links to each of the organizations' websites from the AAAI website.
AAAI is regularly contacted about a multitude of opportunities for people of all ages from scholarships for students to professional employment openings. This network is one way to disseminate information quickly to the people who can benefit the most. AAAI recognizes that there are more Asian American organizations in Indianapolis who were unable to attend that day. Please contact the alliance at 317-818-6699 if you are interested in becoming a part of this network.
The Second Annual APA Heritage Celebration
Elizabeth Jackson, 2007 Celebration Chair/Board of Director
Asian American Alliance kicked off its 2nd annual Asian Pacific American Heritage Celebration Brunch on April 28 at Garfield Arts Center. Mari Yamaguchi, WIIH, Univision Indiana served as the mistress of ceremony. The program involved an award ceremony for IPS students, recipients of scholarship money raised from AAAI's annual diversity race, "Race for all Races". Furthermore, AAAI repeated its collaboration with local elementary schools, with an essay and art contest. Its theme this year was "My Favorite Asian Country, and What I have Learned."
The essay winner this year was Taylor Condre and the poster winner was Marcus Cantrell. Both students were from grade 5 of School 107, IPS Lew Wallace School. As the winners were presented with plaques, their teacher was presented with the check, to be used towards whatever the school needed.
Local Southside restaurants generous enough to donate the Asian dishes served at the brunch included Ruchi Royal Cuisine of India, Thai Spice, Eduardo's Restaurant, Oriental Buffet and Grill and China Garden. This year's celebration also featured local Asian artists, some world and nationally renowned, who not only verbally presented an explanation of their art, but they also showcased their artwork for all to see, admire and purchase. Last, but not least, AAAI's Volunteer of the Year was awarded to our forever giving and very dedicated, Maninder Walia of the Sikh Community. All-in-all, it was a delightful way to spend an early Saturday morning as a kick-off to the congressionally delegated APA heritage month of May.
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cAtAlyst - accelerate your future
The Alliance recently launched a leadership program designed for Asian American professionals in Indiana, cAtAlyst. The last workshop was held on May 1-3, 2007 at Indiana Business Diversity Council at 2126 N. Meridian Street Indianapolis. We are planning to offer the next four-day workshop in the fall 2007.
For more information, please log on to our website, www.aaalliance.org or contact Vince Wong at vince.wong@roche.com. Here's the testimonial shared by Helen Li who attended the last program in May.
"I appreciate the opportunity to attend the Asian Leadership Workshop cAtAlyst. It is absolutely worth it.
The instructors are very insightful, knowledgeable and forth-coming. During the two days training, I gained more in-depth knowledge who I am, my strength and weakness. More importantly I gained the tools to overcome my shortcomings. The situational coaching is very instrumental, I learned how to effectively navigate a cross-functional team for a collaborative effort. When I don't have all the answers, how do I engage others and bring the best out of my team members. This training also helped me to set a concrete development plan moving forward.
This training also distinguished itself from other training I attended. It is enriched by the culture background of the instructors. The instructors are in-tuned with unique challenges that Asians are facing and are very effective on coaching and mentioning.
I would recommend this training to other Asian colleagues. Thank you for organizing such training program."
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Yiqun Li (Helen) Bioinformatics Eli Lilly and Company |
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Building the Pipeline of Future Leaders - 2007 Scholarship Awards
June Kiyomoto, Executive Director
We are pleased to announce the following list of the recipients of 2007 Scholarship Awards. Since 2002, the Alliance has awarded 105 scholarships to Indiana's best and brightest. This is certainly our milestone accomplishment and we could not have done it without the generosity of our donors and sponsors for the 2006 race for all races. These young leaders not only excel academically but also demonstrate their leadership in serving our community.
The Alliance became a chapter organization for the Indiana Dollars for Scholars in 2006. Partnering with Indiana Dollars for Scholars enables us to multiply financial resources and to access other benefits offered by the collegiate partners in the state of Indiana.
We also want to recognize our new scholarship, which will significantly help the local Asian American students. AAAI member, Teresa Shih contacted us last December to establish a scholarship in memory of her long time friend, the late Ms. May Chou. She, along with a group of May's friends grieved a sudden loss of their friend. Teresa and May's family wanted to do something that will help the community remember May's civic leadership. Within a few months, Teresa and the group approached several friends to donate money toward the May Chou Memorial Scholarship. Asian American Alliance is blessed with the opportunity to steward the fund collected towards the May Chou Memorial Scholarship. The scholarship fund has reached more than $4,100. If you would like to make a tax-deductible contribution to Asian American Leadership Development Scholarship Fund, please send your contribution to the Alliance at 1000 E 116th St, Carmel, IN 46032.
2007 Asian American Leadership Development Scholarship Awards
May Chou Memorial Scholarship: Angelica Patiņo (11th Grade/ Roncalli)
Jackson Ridgeway Scholarship sponsored by Theodore & Carla Stoneberg: Bernadette Patiņo (11th Grade/ Roncalli)
Quality Interiors Scholarship: Catherine Gao (Class of 2007/ Carmel)
Garcia Construction Group Scholarship: Cherrica Li (Class of 2007/ Carmel)
Allstate Scholarship sponsored by Allstate Lynn Sylvia Agency: Kathryn Delacruz (11th Grade/ Roncalli)
Mr. & Mrs. F.W. Chang Scholarship provided by Gloria Ku: Michelle Yun (9th Grade/Carmel)
David & Christina Wong Scholarship: Nadir Zaidi (Class of 2007/ Brebeuf Jesuit)
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2007 Asian American Leadership Scholarship Donors
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$1,000 - $1,500/year
Adam Chou Exxon Mobil Foundation Garcia Construction Group Quality Interiors Incorporated |
$500/Year
Allstate Lynn Sylvia Agency David & Christian Wong Gloria Ku Maria & Darwin Manalang Theodore & Carla Stoneberg Peter & Jessica Ho |
May Chou Memorial Scholarship Donors
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Adam Chou
Amy Cheung Dich Bill & Kathy Chen Catherine Chou Chao-Hung & Jenn-Hwa Lee Cleo & Annie Bao Daniel & Huey-Ing Lin Chou David & Christina Wong David & Lillian Wang Eddie & Irene Tao Exxon Mobil Foundation Hubert & Judy Chang Jeffrey Yu |
Josephine Yu
Norman & Rosario Potter Manhung Lou Sister of Our Lady Shanghai Lil Restaurant Stella Dawn Teresa Shih Terry & Margaret Yen Paul & Ellen YuPaulin Lee W.K. & Yen-Yu Yeh Zheng Sheng Zheng (as of April 29, 2007) |
2007 Indianapolis Public School Scholarships
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Allan Lane (Northwest)
Cynthia Perez (Arsenal Technical) Leonardo Salinas (George Washington) Stephanie Jenkins (T.C. Howe Academy) Brittany Weathers (Arsenal Technical) Jenean Cox (Broad Ripple) |
Angelica Jaramillo (George Washington)
Evaristo Palmer (Emmerich Manual) Mary Hogan (Arlington) Phillip Andrew Russell (T.C. Howe Academy) Meredith Edwards (T.C. Howe Academy) Victor Oditah, Jr. (Arlington) |
Special thanks to our scholarship sponsors and donors
2007 Indianapolis Public School Scholarships
A large portion from the 2006 Race for All Races benefits the IPS scholarship each year.
Greater Indianapolis Chamber of Commerce Foundation ($5,000)
Radio One
WISH TV
If You Believe in Diversity Join Our Team Again! - sponsorship/team information
The Fifth Annual Race for All Races will be held on Saturday, September 22nd at Indianapolis City Market. Here's your chance to connect with central Indiana on a whole new level. By becoming a sponsor of the 2007 Race for All Races, you will promote diversity in Indianapolis and reach an audience of thousands to showcase your company's commitment to diversity. You'll also help the Asian American Alliance and our partner diversity organizations raise funds for need-based students under the IPS scholarship Program. For sponsorship information please contact Mie Young Reed at mieyoung.reed@indymarriott.com.
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Race for All Races Quick Facts
Event: Fifth Annual Race for All Races - 5 Mile Run, 5K Walk or One Mile Family Walk
Date: Saturday, September 22, 2007
Time: 7:00 a.m. - 8:30 a.m. (registration) 9:00 a.m. (race)
Place: City Market, 222 E. Market Street downtown Indianapolis
Proceeds: A large portion of the proceeds will benefit IPS Scholarships in 2008
Deadline: Agreement form due on June 1, 2007 for Winner Sponsorship ($5,000+)
Click here for the following:
Sponsorship benefits (page 2)
Sponsorship agreement form (page 7)
Team information (page 3, 5, 6)
Entry form for runners and walkers will be available in early July. Please log on to Tuxedo Brother's website at www.tuxbro.com for on-line registration.
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Upcoming Events
Barangay Club of Indiana - A non-profit organization of Filipino-Americans
What: A movie titled "GAWAD KALINGA" - a trilogy of stories about GAWAD KALINGA ("to give care")
When: July 29, 2007
Where: Indiana War Memorial, 431 N. Meridian Street Indianapolis, IN
Free to the public. Donations of any amount are accepted.
Screening: 6:00pm. For more information: click here
Japanese American Citizens League
Sunday, July 15: Annual Hoosier Chapter Picnic, 1:00 pm
Eagle Creek Park, Shelter D, Indianapolis
Sunday, October 21: Halloween Hayride & Picnic, 4:00 p.m.
Fort Harrison State Park, Indianapolis
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