Leadership in Bloom. This August, we highlight the flourishing of leadership. Through events that embody the values of the Council of Korean Americans (CKA) – Amplify Voice, Build Community, Celebrate Identity, and Develop Leaders – we celebrate the achievements of our recently graduated 2023 Emerging Leader Scholars and NetKAL XII Fellows.
The August 3 Emerging Leaders Graduation celebrated the completion of the 2023 Emerging Leaders Scholarship. With inspiring remarks from CKA Member Timothy Hwang and an engaging Fireside Chat with Meroë Park, Deputy Secretary & COO of the Smithsonian, this event exemplified our commitment to nurturing the next generation of Korean American leaders. Meanwhile, the NetKAL XII Shark Tank & Reception in San Francisco showcased the culmination of NetKAL XII Fellows’ Community Projects, fostering connections and innovation. With expert judges and enriching networking opportunities, this event underlines CKA’s dedication to empowering leadership and innovation in the Korean-American community.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to those who have contributed to our efforts this month, shaping the path of our community’s growth. Special thanks to Timothy Hwang, Erica Lee, and their team at FiscalNote for their gracious hosting and commitment to fostering emerging leaders. A special thank you to CKA Member Michelle Rhyu and her team at Cooley LLP for their expertise and support in guiding innovation within our community. Additionally, we thank CKA Members Susan Kim and David J. Lee for hosting the NetKAL XII Reception and enriching the connections among our members (and Dokkabier for donating delicious beverages)! Lastly, a warm acknowledgment to JP Morgan for their generous donation toward the NetKAL XII Seed Money, contributing to the empowerment of future leaders.
As we continue to amplify voices and nurture connections, we carry forward the legacy of leadership that blossoms, enriching the future of our vibrant community.
Sam Cho is Inducted into the Asian Hall of Fame
CKA Member Sam Cho will be honored with a 2023 Asian Hall of Fame induction for his exceptional contributions. He is the son of immigrants who came from South Korea to the United States through the Port of Seattle in the 80’s. Today, he is the youngest and first person of color to become Commission President since the founding of the Port in 1911.
As Port of Seattle Commissioner President, Sam’s visionary leadership sets him apart. His priorities as a commissioner include creating economic opportunity, promoting environmental sustainability, equity, diversity, and inclusion, and ending human trafficking.
Sam Cho’s Asian Hall of Fame induction celebrates his leadership and impact. The induction ceremony will be held on October 21 in Los Angeles. The Seattle Founders Gala honoring Pacific Northwest Inductees will be on September 29. Cheers to Sam’s achievements and continued journey!
The Hon. Kay Yu Appointed Judge on the Philadelphia Court of Common Pleas
Kay Yu was nominated by Governor Josh Shapiro and unanimously confirmed by the Pennsylvania Senate to serve as a Judge in the First Judicial District, Court of Common Pleas, in Philadelphia effective July 1, 2023. Judge Yu is the first Korean-American woman to serve as a state-court judge in the history of the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania. Read more here.
Charlotte Koh joins Lionsgate Acquisitions and Co-Productions
In May, Charlotte Koh joined Lionsgate as Executive Vice President, Acquisitions and Co-Productions. She is focused on leading the acquisitions team for the wide-release theatrical slate. Congratulations, Charlotte!
Young Ahn joins Hicuity Health as Chief Medical Officer
Young Ahn, MD, joined Hicuity Health as Chief Medical Officer. Dr. Ahn will join the senior leadership team. Hicuity Health is the nation’s leader in delivering provider-to-provider telemedicine services. Congratulations, Young!
David S. Kim Appointed as Board of Trustees for Mineta Transportation Institute
Transportation executive with WSP USA, David S. Kim was recently appointed to Mineta Transportation Institute’s Board of Trustees. Congratulations, David!
CRAVE named ABL of SoCAL’s Startup of the Year
CRAVE Global’s CEO/Founder, Charles Kim, announced Asian Business League of Southern California has selected CRAVE as the 2023 Startup of the Year for demonstrating excellence in entrepreneurship, global marketing and branding, and innovation. Congratulations, Charles!
Dr. Jeff Kim launches first Korean American Ethnic Studies Course in the U.S.
Anaheim Union High School District is launching a brand-new yearlong Korean American Ethnic Studies Course, believed to be a first in the United States. With the leadership of Educator Dr. Jeff Kim, students who take this course will gain the ability to know and tell their own story of resilience, describe the experiences of Korean Americans in America and their connection between groups, and much more. This course was highlighted by NBC News. Learn more here.
Tina Kim Gallery Participates in Global Art Fairs
Tina Kim, CEO of Tina Kim Gallery, is set to make her mark at major upcoming global art fairs, including Frieze Seoul, Frieze London, and ADAA. Known for her diverse roster of international artists, Tina Kim’s presentation will showcase the works of many artists who are also being featured in major institutional exhibitions in 2023. Learn more here.
Leverage Raises $7M to Modernize Global Supply Chains
Leverage, founded by Andrew Stroup, announces a $7m investment in growth capital led by Chicago Ventures, with participation from Las Olas Venture Capital, Remarkable Ventures, Tensility Venture Partners, and Florida Funders. This fundraise will supercharge Leverage’s product growth to keep up with the growing customer base and accelerate moving things things around the globe. Read more here.
Dokkaebier’s Youngwon Lee Elevating Craft Beer to New Heights
The craft beer industry has room for improvement, but Youngwon Lee, CEO of Dokkaebier, one of the fastest-growing Bay Area breweries, is already making a difference. With a focus on diverse ingredients and innovative ideas, Lee is bringing a splash of color to an otherwise monochrome space. Read article here.
Andrew Yeo shares insights on the trilateral summit at Camp David
Andrew Yeo, Senior Fellow and Professor at Brookings Institution, was interviewed by CNN to discuss the trilateral summit at Camp David on August 18th. The summit focused on deepening trilateral cooperation on shared regional and global challenges, such as the growing threat posed by North Korea’s missile and nuclear programs, as well as strengthening ties with other regional stakeholders, such as ASEAN and the Pacific Island states. Watch interview here.
Jerry Kang on SCOTUS, Affirmative Action, and Asian Americans
Professor of Law at UCLA, Jerry Kang, has recently written an editorial about whether the Supreme Court’s recent decision in SFFA v. Harvard actually ended discrimination against Asian Americans in higher education. Read article here.
Source: Brookings Institution
Jae Kim at Aprio LLP featured on Asia Nikkei on K-Investment Wave
Aprio LLP Senior Manager Jae Kim was recently interviewed by Asia Nikkei’s Business Spotlight on the article about the current K-Investment Wave, and the discussion of how K-pop culture and current trends in U.S. – Korea commerce and exchanges are shaping the future. Read article here.
Celebrating the Release of 'Happiness Falls' by Angie Kim
We’re excited to announce a remarkable literary achievement that aligns perfectly with CKA’s mission of celebrating Korean American voices and stories. Join us in celebrating the publication of Happiness Falls by acclaimed author Angie Kim.
Released on August 29th, Happiness Falls is a captivating exploration of a biracial Korean American family’s journey through crisis and discovery. Angie Kim’s storytelling prowess shines as she navigates themes of bias, language, and the intricate dynamics of human connection.
Visit www.angiekimbooks.com to explore more about the author and the book. Let’s come together to celebrate and support Angie Kim’s impactful work, shaping a diverse literary world that resonates with our community.
KAAC HAN Exhibition: Opening Reception on September 9th!
The Korean American Artist Collective (KAAC) presents Han, the inaugural KAAC exhibition at Culture House in Washington, DC. The exhibition includes paintings, sculpture, moving imagery, multimedia installations, poetry and contemporary Korean craft from artists who represent the vast terrain of the Korean American experience. Curated by Julia Chon and He-Myong Woo, this group exhibition, composed entirely of KAAC members, explores the significance of han, a term that epitomizes the Korean ethos for those in the diaspora.
Inspired by Sandra So Hee Chi Kim’s scholarship on the postcolonial roots of han and E.J. Koh’s poem, American Han, this exhibition brings together a spectrum of Korean American voices. Participating artists represent a diverse range of identities across class, gender, and spirituality, including descendents from the many waves of American immigration, transracial adoptees, and multiethnic Koreans. This exhibition considers the intangibility of han as the key to poetic potential. Han, more than the narrow constraints of ethnic Korean identity, infuses within the artists an expansive understanding of their shared history, heritage and future. In doing so, the range of contemporary artists and art included constructs a collective narrative that will contribute to and transform the discourse around the constantly changing edges of cultural identity.
August brought a series of impactful engagements and inspiring events for CKA Executive Director Abraham Kim. The month began with a special celebration of the Emerging Leader Scholars, who successfully completed the eight-week internship, mentorship, and leadership program. During the graduation ceremony, Abe had the pleasure of personally handing out graduation certificates to the scholars. This gathering highlighted the scholars’ growth and their valuable experiences in pursuing public service.
Abe’s travels then took him across the country and back, engaging with CKA Members in NYC, Washington, DC, and San Francisco. In Washington, DC, he hosted a meeting with local CKA Members and welcomed Lee Key-cheol, the new head of Overseas Koreans Agency (OKA), previously known as Overseas Koreans Foundation (OKF). His month then rounded out in San Francisco, where Abe attended a CKA dinner hosted by CKA Board Vice Chairman Soo Venkatesan, which fostered camaraderie and collaboration among attendees.
An inspiring highlight of August was the NetKAL XII Shark Tank & Closing Dinner Reception held in the San Francisco Bay area. These events marked a significant milestone for the NetKAL XII Fellows, as they showcased their Community Projects to NetKAL Alumni, CKA Members, and key supporters. With distinguished speakers, including Abe himself, the event exemplified CKA’s dedication to nurturing leadership and innovation.
Stay tuned for more updates on Abe’s endeavors as he continues to lead and engage with our dynamic CKA network.