This May, we invite you to celebrate Asian American History Month with CKA. Next Wednesday, we are hosting an all-star panel of Korean American leaders in the NFL, organized by our Arts, Culture, Entertainment, and Sports (ACES) initiative. We encourage you and your loved ones to join us as these esteemed speakers share their stories of how they became pioneers in the field of American football.
On May 26, Dr. Stephanie Han will be leading a fascinating lecture on Korean American culture and history, detailing Korean American immigration from the 1992 L.A. Riots to Present Day. And we are grateful to have our Korean American Perspectives podcast featured on Apple Podcast in celebration of Asian American Heritage Month. If you haven’t already, please give it a listen here.
As always, we are also proud to share the work of our CKA Members. Please read about our members’ achievements in the fields of advocacy, policy, science, technology, business, government, law, and sports. If you wish to join as a CKA Member, please apply here.
Thank you all and take care.
Best Regards,
Abraham Kim, Ph.D.
Executive Director
Council of Korean Americans
So You Want to Work with the NFL?
On Wednesday, May 12 (4:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM PT), join us for a panel of all-star Korean American leaders in the NFL. Moderated by Gloria Lee, Partner at Rutan & Tucker, LLP, the panel will feature award-winning journalist and ESPN’s NFL analyst, Mina Kimes; Pro Bowler and Starting Kicker for the Atlanta Falcons, Younghoe Koo; Co-Owner and President of the Buffalo Bills, Kim Pegula; and Co-owner and Former President of San Francisco 49ers, Gideon Yu.
Mina Kimes
Journalist & NFL Analyst, ESPN
Younghoe Koo
Pro Bowler & Starting Kicker, Atlanta Falcons.
Kim Pegula
Co-Owner & President, Buffalo Bills
Gideon Yu
Co-Owner & Former President, San Francisco 49ers
Learning How Korean Americans Shaped History: Part II (Post Korean War – Present)
On Wednesday, May 26 (4:00 PM ET / 7:00 PM PT), join us for a fascinating lecture on Korean American culture and history by Dr. Stephanie Han. This lecture is the second half of a two-part series on Korean American culture and history. Dr. Stephanie Han will pick up at the end of the Korean War period and take us through the rapid changes in Korean American immigration to the LA Riots “SAIGU” and the present day.
Korean American Perspectives Podcast
We are grateful to have our podcast featured on Apple Podcast in celebration of Asian American Heritage Month. CKA launched the Korean American Perspectives podcast series to explore complex issues that shape the Korean American community and share the inspirational life stories of Korean American leaders. If you haven’t already, check out our latest season below:
From Saigu to George Floyd: Asian Americans and the Meaning of Allyship
Marking the 29th anniversary of the 1992 LA Riots, CKA hosted a distinguished panel of civic leaders to discuss the current state of race relations, the rising tide of anti-Asian American hate incidents, and the importance of allyship among communities of color. Moderated by Connie Chung Joe, CEO, Asian Americans Advancing Justice – LA, the panelists included Michael Lawson, President & CEO, Los Angeles Urban League, Angela Oh, Former President, Korean American Bar Association of Southern California, and Alvina Yeh, Executive Director, Asian Pacific American Labor Alliance. You can view the full recording here.
Learning How Korean Americans Shaped History: Part I (1800’s – Korean War)
On March 5, Dr. Stephanie Han presented the first part in her two-part lecture series on Korean American culture and history, sharing the events and personalities crucial to shaping Korean American culture and history over the last 100+ years. Part I covered the 1882 Diplomatic relations between Korea and the US, the early days of immigration, and the Korean War.
2021 CKA Women’s Mentorship Conference
CKA’s Women’s Affinity Group hosted a mentorship conference on April 24, featuring keynote speaker Suzanne Yoon and panel discussions led by Korean American women trailblazers in the sectors of law, health, nonprofit, finance, and more. You can learn more about the speakers here.
Investing In Bitcoin and Its Future
On April 27, CKA’s Investment Affinity Group held a fireside chat with Michael Saylor, Chairman & CEO of MicroStrategy, on why he is bullish about Bitcoin and the future of this cryptocurrency. Moderated by David J. Kim, Managing Director of DigiTx Partners and Co-Chair of CKA’s Investment Affinity Group.
Daniel Aum co-authored an article in The National Interest following the recent secretary-level meetings that Washington held in Tokyo and Seoul. The essay outlines the current state of play in trilateral relations, the drivers and brakes of further cooperation, and where the relationship can go from here.
Edward Chang published Pachappa Camp: The First Koreatown in the United States to reveal the story of Dosan Ahn Chang Ho and the first Koreatown in Riverside, California in early 1905. The book studies the creation of Pachappa Camp and its place in Korean American history.
Phillip Chang shares the story of the American Dream and how he came to found Yogurtland in celebration of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and Yogurtland’s 15th Anniversary.
Eugene Cho’s book, Thou Shalt Not Be a Jerk: A Christian’s Guide to Engaging Politics, was selected as a finalist for Christian Book Award under the Faith and Culture category and nominated for Book of the Year.
Juliet K. Choi was a keynote speaker at the AHIP National Health Policy Conference on Legal Protections for Access to Care and also a moderator at APAICS Health Summit session on Diversity and Equity in the Healthcare Industry Workforce. She was quoted by Politico over concerns regarding vaccination data for Asian Americans and featured as a panelist for both the APHA Alliance for Disease Prevention and Response panel and the WK Kellogg Foundation’s Racial Equity Anchors webinar.
David Choi was appointed Conrad N. Hilton Chair of Entrepreneurship in the College of Business Administration at Loyola Marymount University. Through his 18 years of exceptional teaching and his seven-year directorship of the Fred Kiesner Center for Entrepreneurship, Choi has helped propel LMU to one of the top-ranked entrepreneurship programs in the country.
Sun Choi was featured on The Korea Times and Korea Daily as the first female Korean-American and Asian American Administrative Law Judge for the State of Maryland.
Susan Cox organized a candlelight vigil in Eugene, Oregon in support of the Stop AAPI Hate movement, in partnership with the Asian American Council of Oregon and the Oregon Commission of Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs.
Hyepin Im was featured on Just Talk Live’s Faith and Justice Talk Show. On Palm Sunday, Hyepin gave a speech at the Call for Solidarity Rally with AACC and other Christian partners (ABC7 Coverage here). Hyepin also authored an op-ed, The Biden Presidency & The Continued Omission of Asian Americans, with the AACC. She spoke at White House Press Conference with VP Kamala Harris & Surgeon General Vivek Murthy on COVID-19 Community Corps and her organization FACE joined others worldwide to remember the victims of the Atlanta shooting.
Perry Ha was appointed CEO of Anoto Group. Perry has served on the Board of Anoto for the past four years and has extensive experience in investing in and managing successful technology companies.
Marie Oh Huber authored an article titled “I Never Thought of You as Asian” highlighting the importance of addressing race and sharing lived experiences and other stories as a way to create change.
Monica Kang was recognized as one of Remote’s 2021 Top Remote Influences by Remote for helping people stay online. Monica also interviewed over 90 leaders for their stories and trends in the launch of her two new podcasts, Dear Workplace and Curious Monica.
Jerry Kang was featured in the Christian Science Monitor on how America’s diverse Asian communities have united against anti-Asian hate.“If your own elders are being beaten up randomly and you can’t do anything about it… it feels like you lack power.” Two places where power makes a much bigger difference, he says, are in politics and the media.
Anne Y. Kim has been promoted to Senior Analyst for Communities with Access and Functional Needs (AFN) at the California Public Utilities Commission. In this role, she will advise on AFN related issues in addition to growin, engaging, and collaborating with communities with AFN and state stakeholders with responsibility for AFN.
Duyeon Kim authored a column in the Bulletin of the Atomic Scientists examining why North Korea’s short-range ballistic missiles recently tested are dangerous. In the column, she also offers suggestions on a proportional response while maintaining a strategy of engagement.
Elaine Kim was quoted by ABC News and The Guardian on the racialized motives of the perpetrator of the Atlanta spa shootings.
Eric J. Kim was featured on CNBC and Business Insider discussing how South Korean e-commerce giant Coupang has been taken public and become the largest foreign IPO in the US since Alibaba. Eric spoke at the global Tech for AAPI virtual rally, and his firm, Goodwater Capital, in collaboration with Zoom, Salesforce, and other organizations, raised $5 million towards fighting racism, bigotry, and hate.
Hannah Kim worked with prominent AAPI leaders to gather 326 Day of Action Resources to promote actions to #StopAsianHate. The website also features social media posts by AAPI celebrities, including Hudson Yang, Constance Wu, BD Wong, and MILCK–with quotes by Rep. Grace Meng and AAPI artists involved in the social media campaign. Hannah also co-produced the MMCA’s inaugural Sheroes in Media Awards Gala, that honored women leaders of media organizations and featured remarks by several Members of Congress, including Rep. Young Kim (R-CA) [Full Video].
Soo Kim published a RAND Corporation study on the US-Japan alliance and security issues on the Korean Peninsula and appeared on Arirang TV’s Global Insight. On North Korea’s March missile tests, she was interviewed in Bloomberg, Financial Times, and ABC6. On US-North Korea diplomacy, she was interviewed by the Financial Times and AFP/Barron’s. In Radio Free Asia, Kim was quoted on North Korean human rights, North Korea-Russia trade relations, the Biden administration’s interim national security guidance, US-South Korea joint exercises, and the South Korean government’s position on denuclearization.
Jean H. Lee spoke at The Korea Society’s event, New Developments in Inter-Korean Relations. Jean is also co-host of BBC World Service’s new podcast, The Lazarus Heist, on an attempted $1 billion cyberheist by elite North Korean hackers. She was also featured in National Geographic’s documentary, North Korea: Inside the Mind of a Dictator on the turbulent rule of North Korea’s Kim family.
Jessica Lee published articles related to US-Korean Peninsula relations in The Diplomat and Responsible Statecraft, and appeared on Bloggingheads.tv podcast. She published an article on how overly-aggressive China policy hurts Asian Americans and spoke at the Center for American Progress and Seton Hall University.
June Lee announced the launch of Esker Therapeutics, of which she is Founder, President and CEO. June was also interviewed by Spectrum News to speak upon California’s recent law aimed toward creating better diversity in the boardroom, particularly for women of color.
Don Liu was quoted by Business Wire on the launch of The Alliance for Asian American Justice, a national pro bono initiative committed to standing up for victims and preventing future acts of anti-Asian hate.
Catharina Min has been honored as a Woman of Achievement by Legal Momentum, the nation’s first and oldest legal defense fund for women, at its 16th Annual Women of Achievement Awards. The award celebrates Bay Area women of distinction in business, law, and public service.
David Namkung’s company, Clarify Partners, LLC, was recognized by Built In Chicago among 2021 “Best Midsize Companies to Work for” in Chicago. Clarity Partners was also awarded the 2020 Horizon Interactive Award for their work on Colony Display’s new website.
Sunny Park authored an op-ed, Asian Americans are tired of harassment, for The Atlanta Journal Constitution on the increasing and alarming number of violent attacks against Asian Americans. He was also quoted in The Atlanta Journal-Constitution discussing the hate crime charges facing the mass shooter in Atlanta.
Kim Pegula, Owner and President of the Buffalo Bills, announced that the Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield of Western New York will be the new naming rights partner for Highmark Stadium (formerly Bills Stadium). Under the agreement, the Bills and Highmark will work together towards enhancing regional health and wellness at Highmark Stadium
Wade Pyun wrote an article, The Asian Pacific American Lawyers of the Inland Empire – Finding a Common Ground in our Shared Heritage, in celebration of Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month for Riverside Lawyer Magazine, published by the Riverside County Bar Association.
Jenny Town has been appointed as Director of Stimson’s 38 North Program, the leading source for informed analysis about North Korea. Under her leadership, the program will continue to produce insightful research and cultivate informed public policy debate surrounding North Korea.
Salle Yoo has joined quantum computing company IonQ as their Chief Legal Officer and Corporate Secretary. She will manage IonQ’s legal and regulatory functions and help grow its global business, citing her experience expanding Uber’s operations from four to over seventy-five countries in under six years.