Harvesting Gratitude, Sowing Hope. September brings with it the spirit of gratitude and hope, much like the season of Chuseok, Korea’s traditional autumn harvest festival. This month, CKA sponsored the first-ever Chuseok event at the White House, a historic occasion that honored the contributions of Korean Americans to the United States. In this season of reflection and giving thanks, we are reminded of how far our community has come and the vital role it continues to play in shaping the future.
At the same time, we are sowing the seeds of future growth with the launch of CKA’s Regional Chapters in Atlanta, Boston, and Southern California. These new Chapters will deepen our local connections, cultivate leadership, and strengthen regional networks across the country. Just as a bountiful harvest relies on careful planting, these chapters will ensure that our mission continues to thrive at both local and national levels.
As we look ahead to the 2024 Envision Gala and Summit in November, where we will honor trailblazing leaders and innovators, we are filled with hope for what lies ahead. This year’s theme, “Building a Legacy of Hope,” reflects our commitment to empowering the next generation of Korean American leaders, who will carry forward the hard-won progress of those before them. This month, we proudly announced our honorees: Bill Kim, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement – Legacy Award; Catherine Kim, recipient of the Trailblazer Award; Paul Kim, recipient of the Lifetime Achievement – Leadership Award; and Kristen Kish, recipient of the Inspire Award. Each of these leaders is playing a critical role in shaping the future of the Korean American community.
In this month’s newsletter, you’ll find stories of gratitude and progress, as we honor the past, celebrate the present, and continue to plant the seeds of hope for our future.
Jerry Won Hosts Inaugural Asian Creator Awards
CKA Member Jerry Won made history by hosting the inaugural Asian Creator Awards on September 12, 2024, in Los Angeles. As the Founder and CEO of Just Like Media, Jerry spearheaded this groundbreaking event, which honored 15 exceptional individuals across various categories in the creator economy, including Best Gaming, Best Business Creator, Startup of the Year, Leader of the Year, and Creator of the Year.
The event, held at the Intercrew restaurant in LA’s Koreatown, brought together 68 carefully selected guests to celebrate the significant contributions of Asian creators and leaders. Jerry created the Asian Creator Awards to fill a gap in recognizing and celebrating underrepresented voices in the industry, stating, “Our impact and influence on the creator economy has been indisputable and it’s about time that we create a space for us to celebrate each other and to be celebrated.”
This event also underscored a broader shift in the creator economy: the evolving relationship between brands and creators. No longer just transactional, partnerships are now strategic efforts to uplift diverse voices and cultures historically left out of mainstream media. Sponsors like Kajabi, TDW+Co, and Adobe Express were instrumental in supporting the event, highlighting the growing power and influence of Asian-American creators.
Jerry’s dedication to building spaces for Asian creators is part of his broader mission, which began with the Always Be Creating community and the Asian Creator Summit during SXSW in 2023. With the success of the Asian Creator Awards, Jerry continues to champion opportunities for creators to thrive and be celebrated within the industry.
Grace Choi Launches Korean American Friendship Podcast
Grace Choi, along with her best friend Prisca Kim, launched the “Fighting! Club” (화이팅! Club) podcast on September 16th. The show features two Korean American women, living in New York and Seattle, discussing a range of topics from the simple to the complex. Listeners can tune in on Monday nights to join Grace and Prisca for conversations with special guests and new insights.
Monica H. Kang Unveils Exclusive Interviews on Forbes Korea with Korean American Leaders
InnovatorsBox Founder Monica H. Kang continues an exclusive leadership series with Forbes Korea, featuring in-depth interviews with fashion icon Laura Kim, entrepreneur James Rhee, and actor/activist (and CKA Board Member) Yul Kwon. Gain unique perspectives on their fields, challenges, and successes through articles available now in both English and Korean, with accompanying video interviews.
Jinyoung Lee Presents Songs of Love from Hawai’i at “Our Story, Our Voice”
Jinyoung Lee presented her latest work, Songs of Love from Hawai’i, at “Our Story, Our Voice,” an event hosted by The Bay Area K-Coalition on August 31. The gathering, aimed at empowering the Korean American community ahead of the upcoming U.S. presidential election, featured a panel discussion with prominent Korean American voices and a screening of Jinyoung’s acclaimed film. The event highlighted the importance of civic engagement and intergenerational storytelling.
FACE CEO & President Invited to Speak at Freddie Mac InspirASIAN Cultural Celebration
Faith and Community Empowerment (FACE) CEO & President Hyepin Im has been invited to speak at Freddie Mac’s InspirASIAN BRG Cultural Celebration event on November 19th, 2024. The InspirASIAN BRG at Freddie Mac supports the growth of Asian and Pacific Islander employees through networking, mentorship, and development, fostering an inclusive and supportive environment. FACE stands as a strong partner with Freddie Mac through homeownership efforts directed at the AAPI community.
Stephanie Han Featured on NPR’s Embodied Podcast and in Honolulu Noir Anthology
Stephanie Han recently spoke on NPR’s Embodied podcast about Gray Divorce, also known in Korea as Twilight Divorce. Additionally, her short story “The Swimmers” opens the Honolulu Noir anthology (Akashic Books), which Kirkus describes as “a standout” featuring a father grappling with a bitter divorce. The anthology will be available on November 5th.
Melinda White Appointed Non-Executive Director of Switch Data Center
Melinda White, an experienced corporate executive, has been appointed Non-Executive Director of Switch Data Center, one of Aware Super’s leading U.S. investments. With over 25 years of senior leadership in media and telecommunications, including her recent role as CEO of Transit Wireless, Melinda brings a proven track record of company transformation. Her appointment marks Aware Super’s first U.S.-based non-executive director, reinforcing the organization’s growing reputation as a global institutional investor managing $180 billion in retirement savings.
White House Hosts First-Ever Chuseok Celebration with CKA Sponsorship
On September 17th, The White House made history by hosting its first-ever Chuseok celebration, the traditional Korean autumn harvest festival. This landmark event, co-sponsored by the Council of Korean Americans (CKA) and the Korean American Community Foundation, celebrated the cultural heritage and contributions of Korean Americans to the United States. Over 100 Korean Americans, U.S. officials, and key figures gathered at the Eisenhower Executive Office Building to mark this significant moment.
CKA Executive Director Abraham Kim delivered heartfelt remarks during the reception, emphasizing the importance of honoring the past while building a prosperous future. The event featured performances that highlighted Korean culture, including a youth choir singing traditional Korean songs and a captivating fan dance, leaving many attendees emotional.
President Joe Biden shared a message celebrating the rich heritage of the Korean American community, and Vice President Kamala Harris praised the community’s lasting contributions to the nation. Key figures such as Rep. Andy Kim (D-NJ), Lt. Gov. Sylvia Luke of Hawaii, U.S. Trade Representative Katherine Tai, and U.S. Special Envoy for North Korean Human Rights Julie Turner attended the event, underscoring the growing recognition of the Korean American community and its impact.
It has been an exciting September for CKA Executive Director Abraham Kim! Traveling coast to coast, Abe has been engaging with members, friends, and partners while advancing CKA’s mission. In Chicago, Abe joined CKA members and local key leaders at a dinner hosted by Board Member Kate Seitz. The group connected — discussing CKA’s 5-Year Strategic Plan, Regional Chapters, and the upcoming Envision Gala & Summit. As the Midwest membership continues to grow, expect more updates from this region.
In Los Angeles, Abe participated in the KACF Nonprofit Convening and Giving Summit—the first time the event was held outside of New York City. He connected with nonprofit leaders, Impact Academy: Empower Retreat alumni, and CKA members. In San Francisco, Abe met with 2024 CKA Envision Honoree Bill Kim and local members, focusing on future initiatives and member engagement.
Following his trip across the country, Abe returned to Washington, D.C. to participate and speak at the first-ever Chuseok celebration at the White House, an event envisioned by NetKAL XIII’s Community Project Group. CKA, in partnership with KACF, co-sponsored the White House event and a special reception afterward at Mandu restaurant. He rounded out his time in the DMV by hosting a CKA luncheon with Chief Master Sergeant of the Air Force JoAnne S. Bass, the first female to hold the highest senior enlisted rank in any U.S. Military Branch, and the first person of Asian American descent to hold the highest senior enlisted position in the Air Force.
Abe is spending the end of the month in New York City, where CKA sponsored the inaugural Asian American BookCon. He’s also filming interviews with several 2024 Envision Gala honorees, which we’ll share soon. Look forward to more updates on these activities in next month’s newsletter!