LETTERS FROM OUR READERS
SEA students on cultural borders
Dear Veronica,
I wanted to share with you information about a unique event that just took place in Chicago allowing students from Southeast Asia to break down cultural borders and help these them build a better understanding of the United States.
In collaboration with the U.S. Department of State and Southern Illinois University – Carbondale, more than 20 students were in Chicago as part of a five-week program, The Study of the U.S. Institute on the New Media for Student Leaders. Through this program, these students are immersed in American journalism and are introduced to a range of topics from the fields of political science and public policy, law, economics, philosophy and history – topics necessary to understand and report upon present conditions and speculate on future trends in the U.S.
Students participated in an engaging seminar on social media and then applied what they learned to tackle an interactive public affairs case-study with our team at Jasculca/Terman and Associates. The visit was a great experience for both groups and provided context on U.S. issues for the international students as they develop into journalists and business leaders in a global economy.
In addition to their stop in Chicago, the students have been/will be in Carbondale, Springfield, St. Louis, and Washington D.C. You can view more information on the program at http://institute.siuc.edu <http://institute.siuc.edu>
Ben Kuban Account Assistant Jasculca/Terman and Associates, Inc.
HELP CODA
Dear Editor,
Emi (my youngest daughter) is a professional dancer and is competing at the World Championships of Hip Hop at the end of July! Please help her and her professional company out. PLease read her email below.
CYNTHIA LAMORENA
Hello close friends and family!
As most of you know, I love dancing and have dedicated and invested several hours and days of my week doing it for the past 8+ years.
After dancing in Poms and hip hop dance troupes in high school, I went on to train professionally in LA (while studying at UCLA). There I performed at huge venues and trained with several different choreographers.
Dancing has always been the number 2 important thing in my life (after family) and it feels so good to end everyday of my life, regardless of how happy or stressed out I am, in a dance studio. Dance has given me passion and blessed me with the most incredible people in my life.
After I moved back to Chicago this past February to be closer to my mom, I joined C.O.D.A (the Chicago Onyx Dance Alliance). You can check us out at www.codaworld.com. Now the exciting part: CODA intends to compete at the International Hip Hop Championships this summer to represent Chicago. The only challenge is that we have to raise money to get there. With the trip costing about $700 per person, and with 21 members, we need to raise just shy of $15,000 in just a few months.
Also, out of our entire group, I was 1 of 8 people voted to perform to represent CODA! We have been slaving away day and night to put together this performance. You can donate any amount from $1 and up, along with a short message with your donation if you'd like. I hate asking for money when the economy is this bad, but fundraising is really the only way we'll have a chance at being able to participate.
Even the smallest donation would mean the world to me and will go a long way for my dance company, and I would be SOOOO grateful for you help, love, and support! Love always,
Emilee Lamorena
AAI NEEDS YOUR HELP!
Dear Editor,
Discrimination remains a very serious problem for Asian American business owners. Government minority contracting programs, such as the City of Chicago's Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Program, are a critical tool for leveling the playing field and remedying discrimination against minority business owners. Unfortunately, these programs are increasingly under attack and the inclusion of Asian Americans in these programs is in jeopardy.
AAI's Asian American Contractor Empowerment Project (AACEP) works to preserve the inclusion of Asian Americans in government contracting programs. Government officials and the general public need to understand that Asian Americans are not a "model minority" and that we continue to face discrimination. Therefore, it is crucial for Asian American business owners who have faced discrimination to share their stories - and they can do so anonymously if they wish.
If you are, or know of someone who is, an Asian American business owner who has faced discrimination in a business context, please contact Jennifer Chen (jchen@aaichicago.org, 773-271-0899 x105).
It is helpful for us to have even just a few bullet points stating why you think you faced racial or ethnic discrimination in a business context (in public or private contracts). Please include your full name, e-mail address, and phone number. We will not share your personal information without your consent.
