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

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

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

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

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

My article for NBC News Asian America:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

My article in NBC News Asian America:

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

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

Third Space Salon

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

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

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

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

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

Writing Workshops (coming soon)


*Official nonprofit status paperwork in process

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

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

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

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

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

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

Infographical love for the Oxford Comma:

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

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

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

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

Asian Americans in Michigan | Wayne State University Press

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

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

My chapter: "Going Back to Chinese School"

Asian Americans in Michigan | Wayne State University Press

Li-Young Lee - Poet coming to Concordia

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

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

CUAA: Lectures

2014 Leadership Summit | CAPA

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

2014 Leadership Summit | CAPA

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

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

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

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

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

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

happy divali!

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

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

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

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

Congratulations Mike Cullinane!

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

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

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

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

Pangborn Collection Grand Opening Celebration October 23!

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

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

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

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

My article at nbc news asian america

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

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

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

My article in nbc news asian america:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

My article at NBC News Asian America:

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

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

Ann Arbor Russian Festival - Ann Arbor Observer

My article in the October Ann Arbor Observer about the

Ann Arbor Russian Festival - Ann Arbor Observer

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

My article in NBC News Asian America

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

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

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

My article at NBC News Asian America:

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

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