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Our Voice in Action: Council of Korean Americans

California (Fall 2015) | The Council of Korean Americans (CKA) is a nonprofit organization of Korean American leaders. From business, medicine, and law to the arts, academia, and government, we had the opportunity to sit down with three Korean American leaders, who shared with us what drives them to leverage on their successes to give back to the Korean American community especially to empower the next generation. 

Featuring Prof Jerry Kang (UCLA Vice Chancellor), Joanne Kim (President & CEO of CBB Bank) and Bill Kim (Fashion Entrepreneur & Philanthropist), this video was showcased at the CKA Summit in October 2015. CKA’s vision is to assert a strong, clear voice on issues vital to Korean Americans while helping them engage in American society to achieve meaningful success.

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The Unsung Story of Colonel Young Oak Kim

Riverside (Summer 2015) | It was an incredible privilege for us to be able to produce a mini documentary of Colonel Young Oak Kim. Col. Kim was a highly decorated U.S. Army veteran of World War II and the Korean War. As the only Korean American officer in a mostly Japanese American unit in the Army at the time of World War II, his unsung story is one that reeks of war heroism, fearless leadership and compassion. Narrated by Professor Edward Chang of UC Riverside, whom we sat down with for a day to learn all about Col. Kim, this mini documentary was produced for the Council of Korean Americans as part of their campaign to recognize Col. Kim with the U.S. Medal of Freedom in 2016. If successful, this would make Col. Kim the first Korean American to receive this award.

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It all started with an unexpected email.

It came from an organization called World Vision, a humanitarian aid, development and advocacy organization that intervenes on behalf of those in urgent need around in the world. It included an invitation to go on a trip to Zimbabwe and join a group of thought leaders in learning about the pandemic around Maternal, Newborn and Child Health (MNCH).

From the onset, Jan and I knew that being on this trip was no accident. Yet as a young couple, we were curious what role we could possibly play for a cause such as this.

When we arrived in Zimbabwe, we went into the communities, going from village to village. We visited hospitals where expecting mothers would stay. We visited churches that would gather under trees. We went to schools to listen to the children.

It quickly became apparent to us that the health of mothers and their newborns were inextricably linked with global poverty alleviation. Any well-meaning global development plan and strategy will struggle to advance if generation upon generation of babies continue to be born with preventable health conditions.

And one by one, they shared their stories. Stories of families losing their newborn babies, because there weren’t enough medical resources for expecting parents. Stories of mothers having to walk 12 hours at a time to get to the nearest hospitals, so that they can have a fighting chance at having a healthy birth. Stories of young children who caught preventable diseases because doctors and vaccines are sadly limited.

We listened, and we learned. Then one evening as Jan and I were reflecting on our trip, things started to become clear. I began to realize there was more that connected me to the stories I had been hearing than I thought.

You see, about ten years ago, I learned that I had a chronic disease called Hepatitis B. It’s a liver condition that was passed down to me when I was born. In the case of my grandmother, my uncle, and more recently my cousin their Hepatitis B exacerbated to cancer and cirrhosis and ultimately took their lives.

What makes this situation so noteworthy is that this is a condition that can easily be avoided. If my parents had been given adequate medical testing, or if I was given a vaccine as a child, mother-to-child transmission can be prevented. A difference that would mean I may not have to live with this disease today.

The same thing is happening to children around the world. Over 1.5 million children die every year due to vaccine-preventable diseases. Here in the first world, I have access to routine check-ups and treatment to manage the disease — but millions of children and mothers around the world, especially those in developing countries, do not.

Check out World Vision’s ‘Beyond 5’ campaign here where you can learn the facts and stunning statistics about preventable child deaths and the solutions that are helping save lives. And you will also find inspiring success stories, read about the progress being made, and discover the roots of biblical social justice and how it motivates us to act.

Indeed, our trip to Zimbabwe convicted Jan and I about the role of the Church to be agents of justice in our communities and societies. How encouraging it was to see Zimbabwe’s local church live out its calling to be the light in its community. When Zimbabwe faced a devastating political crisis in 2008, it was the Church that stepped up and took the lead in ensuring that the immediate needs of the community were accounted for. They set up health clinics that were otherwise missing. They taught workshops so that mothers were equipped with the knowledge and resources to have safe deliveries. They built schools to ensure that the children were given a decent education. And it was a refreshing picture of a Church that understood what its purpose was and touch them where they needed it most.

And it inspired Jan and myself to use whatever platform and abilities we have to do what we were each called to do. To live out the faith and be an encouragement to those who need it. It’s why I decided to finally share my story. And it’s why I have committed to do all I can to stand in the gap for this important cause.

How incredible it is for God to turn the things meant to discourage us, to instead fuel our connection and compassion with those who are suffering around the world. Ten years ago, when I found out about my condition, I remember feeling helpless and confused. I couldn’t understand why God would allow such a thing to happen. Now it’s given me new purpose to advocate on their behalf.

I would love for you to join me in this cause.

This year, the US Senate introduced a bill that would coordinate US Government strategy to end preventable maternal, newborn and child deaths by 2035. If you feel compelled to do something about this particular cause, there are ways for you to take action. Click here to find out who your congressman or congresswoman is and send them an email urging them to sponsor the Reach Every Mother and Child Act.

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APA Heritage Month 2015: What Legacy Will You Leave?

San Francisco (Spring 2015) | This Asian Pacific American (APA) Heritage Month, we honor the pioneers who have given us the opportunities we have today. Through their contributions in government, civil rights, technology and business, their legacies are a reminder that we have a responsibility to leave a legacy that will better the next generation. 

This is a video about the stories of four APA pioneers: Dalip Singh Saund, Patsy Mink, An Wang, and Philip Jaisohn. The stories of their courageous contributions to our society have often been left forgotten, or "untold" at best. I had the opportunity to collaborate with The Heritage Series to create this vignette, and we want to invite you to join us in our mission to celebrate our community. At a time where the APAs are experiencing tremendous growth and impact as a community today, will you join us in sharing this video and encouraging young APAs to consider the impact they can leave in our community? This video was commissioned by McDonald's as part of their #MyInspirasian campaign and won Gold at the 2015 TIVA Peer Awards. 

Watch it on myinspirasian.com HERE.

Executive Producer: Samantha Cheng (The Heritage Series) Director/Actor/Editor: Edward Young Lee Director of Photography/Animator: Tiger Souvannakoumane Press Contact: Jan Lin Lee - pr@edwardyounglee.com About The Heritage Series: The Heritage Series produces programs, which preserve the history and contributions of Asian Pacific American (APA) public servants while creating an archival record of their service and contributions to society. Many of the stories about APA history have not made their way into the textbooks for they are not the proudest moments in the nation’s past.

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Out of the Shadows: An Undocumented Story

Washington DC (Spring 2015) | This is Esther's story. Esther arrived in the United States as a young child with her mother to escape from a domestic violence situation in Taiwan. Her undocumented status not only forced her to live from paycheck to paycheck but most of all, to live in constant shame, due to the stigma that was associated with undocumented immigrants. 

When President Obama announced an executive action granting Deferred Action for Childhood Arrivals (DACA) in 2012, Esther sensed an important turning point for her life even as she was held down by cultural bondages. And here, is where the White House Initiative on AAPIs intervened. This video was commissioned by the Initiative to be screened at its annual WHIAAPI Summit in 2015. Attended by the most prominent leaders in the AAPI community, it was an absolute privilege we do not take lightly to deliver this piece of success story for the Initiative, and also spotlight how Esther is paying it forward.

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Starting the discourse: The strength of the AAPI community

Washington DC (Spring 2015) | The Asian American and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) community is the fastest growing ethnic community in the country. It has been projected that by 2044, the US population will become “majority minority”, with the AAPI population expected to more than double to over 47 million by 2060. This video was commissioned by the White House Initiative on AAPIs.

Through a combination of business, political and media lenses, this video serves as a needed and timely conversation starter of what this growth means for AAPI leaders in these fields and and how may this translate into lasting impact for the broader community. This video was first screened at the 2015 White House AAPI Leaders Forum attended annually by thousands of established AAPI leaders from across the country. 

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Regional Network: Bridging the gap

San Francisco (Spring 2015) | Ever felt like the federal government is ever so out of your reach? Think again. We had the opportunity to work with the White House Initiative on AAPIs to communicate and spotlight their exciting vision of bringing the work of the White House to the local communities around the country. 

The “Regional Network” was created as a strategic response to the grassroots-level frustration with the lack of access to the federal government, especially in areas where the AAPI presence is not as prominent. With the help of federal workers strategically located in 10 regions across the country, the Initiative has since held 50 events and trainings in over 25 cities, equipping and empowering over 100 AAPI organizations and 3000 community leaders with federal resources and skills. This video was shown at the Initiative’s annual Summit in 2015 attended by thousands of AAPI community leaders.

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Reimagine Church, Reimagine the Tenderloin

San Francisco (Winter 2015) | We were engaged to communicate the mission and vision of SF City Impact, an established non-profit and church in the Tenderloin district in San Francisco. We went around gathering transformational stories in the Tenderloin district in San Francisco and learn how City Impact had pioneered sustainable change for San Francisco’s most vulnerable community and its forgotten people. 

These are some of their impact stories of over thirty years of hard, hard work pioneered by Roger Huang. City Impact is a leading voice in mobilizing people to intervene on behalf of others in the inner city. This video will be screened at their annual summer conference attended by 2,000 people at the historic Warfield Theater. “Reimagine Church” is the conference theme this year. Besides learning from Matthew Barnett and Francis Chan, conference attendees will also get the chance to join up one of the 30 inner-city outreaches to tangibly intervene for the Tenderloin community.

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CACF: Youth Voices For Change

New York City (Fall 2014) | We were connected with the Asian American Student Advocacy Project (ASAP) - a Pan-Asian youth advocacy group run by the Coalition for Asian American Children and Families (CACF). For two days, we worked with some of these AAPI youth leaders, from across various boroughs in NYC, to spotlight their passion in advocating for better education policies. 

This mirrors CACF’s broader work, empowering community leaders to advocate for lasting change. CACF believes that children of all backgrounds should have an equal opportunity to grow up healthy and safe, and should live in a society free from discrimination and prejudice. CACF’s unique strength is bringing together many diverse voices to speak with one, compelling advocacy voice. This video was screened at CACF’s Caring for Children Awards Gala in NYC in 2014.

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Benjamin Barker: Man on the Move

Los Angeles (Fall 2014) | We worked with Preston Pollard, a professional skateboarder, speaker and an inspiring African American young leader, to tell his story. Preston regularly goes on school tours to share his story encouraging others to find courage to be who they are in a world that dictates for us otherwise. Melbourne-based fashion label, Benjamin Barker, commissioned us to capture his story for their 2014 “Man On The Move” fashion campaign and leading up to the 2015 Singapore Fashion Week. This video was also chosen to be screened at the 2015 aTVfest where this production’s talented Director of Photography, David Kim, is a student at SCAD.