Tag: ATG Against The Grain Productions

Asia World Media: Asian Celebrity Groundbreakers Speak 2013, Featuring Dat Nguyen, Kent Takano, Lily Jang And More

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Asian Celebrity Groundbreakers Speak 2013, Featuring Dat Nguyen, Kent Takano, Lily Jang And More

By Asia World Media

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Left to Right: Kent Takano, Tanya Pinto, Karin Oen, Dat Nguyen, Tammy Nguyen Lee, Lily Jang, Ha Mai, Richard Jung

In honor of Asian American Heritage Month, Tammy Nguyen Lee of Against The Grain Productions (ATG) and Amy Lewis Hofland of the Crow Collection of Asian Art Museum partnered up to host the 2nd Annual Groundbreakers Speak: A Conversation with Movers and Shakers in Dallas, TX. The family-friendly event brought together an amazing and diverse panel of Asian American professionals and celebrities, including Dat Nguyen (ESPN Radio Host & Former NFL/Dallas Cowboy Linebacker), Kent Takano (Executive Producer of Branded Entertainment for HGTV), Richard Jung (Attorney/Advocate/Politician), Tanya Pinto (Founder of Baal Dan Charity), Karin Oen (Director of Education at the Crow Collection of Asian Art), Ha Mai (Founder/CEO of Fur Face Boy) and Lily Jang (TV Host and News Anchor at KHOU). Each speaker has a unique experience to share his/her inspiring, personal and success story.

Over 100 guests crowded into the Crow’s Bronze Circle Room surrounded by exquisite works of art from China, Japan, and India. While enjoying champagne and dessert, guests have the special opportunity to engage with Asian American movers and shakers on important issues affecting the Asian American community.

“Being a groundbreaker has to do with pushing asides fears and embracing new challenges, ” said Richard Jung, managing partner of Jung Ko, PLLC. A passionate advocate for the Asian American community, Richard Jung believed, “As Asian Americans, we must overcome the cultural inhibitions about standing out and standing our ground. Our elders, our children, our communities need leaders who willing to stand out and stand up for their interests.”

Elsewhere Dat Nguyen’s speech at NFL and Dallas Cowboy’s Day was pretty legendary, giving the other amazing speech a run for its money. An inspiration to many Asian NFL enthusiast, Dat Nguyen is the first Vietnamese American to play in the NFL as a Dallas Cowboy linebacker during the late 1990s. After a successful career in the NFL, Dat Nguyen is currently with Sports talk Radio at ESPN San Antonio. Dat Nguyen articulate, “I would like [for you] to walk away from the event knowing don’t let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. There’s nothing wrong with dreaming big, but you have to put time and effort in order to gain an edge. It’s all about attitude!”

“Everyone can be a groundbreaker – they simply have to figure out what their unique talent is and then follow that passion to create something, … Then watch the magic unfold, ” said Tanya Pinto, Founder of Baal Dan Charity.

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Going Against The Grain: Sylvia Komatsu

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Sylvia Komatsu is executive vice president and chief content officer for KERA/KXT.  She started her career as a reporter and documentary producer covering a wide range of social, political and cultural issues.  She now oversees a content division that includes radio, television, digital media and educational services.  Sylvia conceived and developed the national Emmy Award-winning series, The U.S.-Mexican War (1846-1848).  As executive and series producer, she oversaw this multimedia project, including a companion book, classroom materials and a bilingual website, which received multiple honors.  Among her many national public television credits as program executive are Sweet Tornado: Margo Jones and the American Theater, JFK: Breaking the News, Matisse & Picasso, For A Deaf Son and After Goodbye: An AIDS Story.  A native of Fort Worth, Sylvia is a graduate of HarvardUniversity and the Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism.  She and her husband, George, live in Dallas.

Full name:

Sylvia Lynn Komatsu

Hometown:

Fort Worth

Current city:

Dallas

Ethnicity:

Japanese American

What does it mean to you to “Go Against The Grain?”  

Standing up for what you believe in.  Doing the right thing and staying true to yourself, even if it goes against social conventions.

What made you decide to pursue a career in public television?

I believe passionately in public media’s mission to create content that educates, informs and inspires.

What have been some of the challenges you faced/lessons you learned as an Asian American in this field?

Diversity matters.  It’s essential that our newsrooms reflect the communities we cover.  And while diversity includes race, ethnicity and culture, it also includes gender, age, class, sexual orientation, life experiences, points of view and more.

What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment, and why?

Helping to build a workplace with an incredibly talented team dedicated to excellence and public service.

What’s up next?

Expanding our local journalism.

Sign (Eastern Animal Sign & Western Zodiac): Sheep/Sagittarius

Passionate about: History, the arts, travel and being outdoors

 Favorite food: I love so many different foods it’s hard to single out a favorite. Plus it depends on my mood!

Can’t live without: Family and friends

Groundbreaking Asian American Leaders to Speak at Crow Collection of Asian Art

groundbreak-smallDALLAS, TX – After the success of last year’s event, non-profit Against The Grain Productions has partnered with the Crow Collection of Art once again to host the 2nd Annual Groundbreakers Speak: A Conversation with Movers and Shakers, a diverse panel of remarkable Asian American industry leaders brought together to share their inspiring personal stories and paths to success. In honor of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, the family-friendly event takes place from 2:00 pm to 4:30 pm on Saturday, May 11th at the Crow Collection of Asian Art in Dallas. Guests will have the opportunity to enjoy a guided tour of Asian art, champagne, coffee and dessert at a reception preceding the event at 1:00 pm, then listen as the speakers share their insightful stories, engage in heavy hitting issues affecting the Asian American community and even chat with the panelists in one-on-one round table conversation. Tickets range from $10-$25 and go on sale starting April 15th at www.AgainstTheGrainProductions.com/Events.

Introducing the 2013 Groundbreakers Speak Panelists:

dat-nguyenDat Nguyen – Often told he was simply too small to play football, Dat Nguyen went on to be one of the most decorated college football players and the first Vietnamese American to play in the NFL as a Dallas Cowboy. The Cowboys drafted him in the third round (85th overall) of the 1999 NFL Draft. Dat made an impact with the Cowboys from the very beginning, leading the team in special-teams stops as a rookie and becoming The Cowboys’ starting middle linebacker in his second season. Dat is currently with Sports Talk Radio at ESPN San Antonio.

“I would like [for you] to walk away from the event knowing don’t ever let anyone tell you that you can’t do something. There’s nothing wrong with dreaming big, but you have to put time and effort in order to gain an edge. It’s all about attitude!!”


karin-oenKarin Oen – From modern works of art to the classics, Karin has studied many types and in places all around the globe. As the new Director of Education at the Crow Collection of Asian Art, Karin is an art historian, curator and museum director who has a strong commitment to building community through art institutions.

“Learn to rethink your own biases and judgments about success and accomplishment.  We have all inherited traditions and legacies of family and culture, but the real value of those legacies is to feel bolstered to the point where you are confident enough to make decisions that are truly your own. The arts are fundamental to the health of any community or individual’s body, mind and heart.”


kent-takanoKent Takano – More than 10 years have passed since Kent Takano was Executive Producer of a Dallas-area morning show, and since then, he’s had a hand in producing television shows for some of the largest major cable networks. He is now the Executive Producer/Vice President of Branded Entertainment for HGTV and the DIY Network.

“Talk to your peers. Encourage them. Break the stereotype that Asians are the ‘quiet minority.’ But make sure WHAT you say means something. My dad once told me that there will always be people smarter than me, but you can always out-work them. He was right! So lead by example and take chances. My favorite passage is ‘Go to the end of the limb. It’s where the fruit is.’ – unknown author” 


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Ha Mai – Most of his fans know him as Fur Face Boy, and with such a unique moniker, there’s no doubt he likes to pave his own path. Fur Face Boy walked away from working for design studios, agencies and in-house design groups to focus on his independent apparel line, blogging and living life on his own terms. 

“I’d like [you] to walk away inspired, motivated and realizing that anything is possible as long as you are passionate, hardworking and ready to roll with the punches. [You become a groundbreaker] by not following trends, trusting your own thoughts and simply being yourself.”


lily-jangLily Jang – An Emmy nominated journalist, TV host and news anchor who broken some major barriers, including being the first Asian American in television news in Amarillo, Texas and Birmingham, Alabama. Now, Lily  is back in her hometown of Houston as a morning news anchor for KHOU and was honored twice by the Huffington Post as a Twitter Powerhouse.

“It starts from within. If you THINK YOU CAN or you THINK YOU CAN’T, you’re right. I want [you] to never take no for an answer. Persevere. Believe. Achieve.”


richard-jungRichard Jung – Representing his Asian American community is just one of Richard’s top priorities. After holding different positions in different parts of the country, Richard is now an advocate, politician and the managing partner of Jung Ko, PLLC, a boutique immigration firm focused primarily on business immigration matters.

“Being a groundbreaker has to do with pushing aside fears and embracing new challenges.  As Asian Americans, we must overcome the cultural inhibitions about standing out and standing our ground.  Our elders, our children, our communities need leaders who will stand out and stand up for their interests.  Our cities, our counties and school districts need those same leadership skills to represent the interests of all residents.  Just be willing to take that first step!” 


tanya-pintoTanya Pinto – After working at one of the nation’s largest advertising agencies, Tanya’s heart took her elsewhere. She founded Baal Dan (which means “Donation to Children”), a charity that helps children around the world, and for more than six years, has run her own consulting firm, Shakti Consulting.

“Everyone can be a groundbreaker – they simply have to figure out what their unique talent is and then follow that passion to create something, help someone or just live a more fulfilling and happy life, which in turn has positive ripple effects on the lives of everyone around them. Being a groundbreaker starts with knowing yourself and then giving your time and energy to your passion. Then watch the magic unfold!” 


tammy-nguyen-leeTammy Nguyen Lee – Tammy Nguyen Lee is a passionate producer, filmmaker and actor who founded ATG with her family as a result of her own experience as an American actor and filmmaker, fueled by the determination to give other Asian Americans a creative outlet, while raising awareness for Asian American issues and aid for worthy causes. Nguyen Lee graduated with a B.A. in Cinema from Southern Methodist University and earned a M.F.A. from the elite UCLA Producer’s Program. She produced/directed her first feature documentary, Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam, an independent passion project that took nearly 5 years to produce and won the Audience Choice Award at the 2009 Vietnamese International Film Festival and Philadelphia Asian Film Festival. She has worked extensively in film/television production and has overseen the development and marketing of a heavy slate of non-fiction television series and documentary programs for major cable networks. In 2010, she was honored with SMU’s prestigious Distinguished Alumni Emerging Leader Award. Now, as a new mom, Nguyen Lee’s focus is on her family, growing ATG and continuing to work as an actor, film/television producer and development consultant.

“Being a groundbreaker requires passion, courage, commitment, innovation, faith and knowledge. You have to take the time to learn and understand the rules of the game, and then break them…or make up an entirely new game. The ability to be a groundbreaker is in all of us, and I hope this event inspires more Asian Americans to believe in themselves and educates them with the tools they need to take action.”  


ATG Against The Grain Productions, a Dallas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, promotes Asian American cultural awareness through compelling media projects and raises funds for international orphanages. In addition to hosting outreach events, it also awards an annual scholarship to exemplary Asian American student artists and leaders. ATG produced the feature documentary, Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam, which has screened at over a dozen film festivals nationwide and received the Audience Choice Award for Best Feature Film at the Vietnamese International Film Festival and the Documentary Audience Choice Award from the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival. For more information, visit www.AgainstTheGrainProductions.com or www.TheBabylift.com.

WHAT: ATG Against The Grain Productions hosts Second Annual “2013 Groundbreakers Speak: A Conversation of Movers and Shakers” panel
WHO: Dat Nguyen – 1st Vietnamese American NFL Player/ESPN Radio San Antonio Host, Karin Oen – Director of Education at the Crow Collection of Asian Art, Kent Takano – VP Programming, Brand Integration at HGTV and DIY Network, Ha Mai – Founder/CEO of Fur Face Boy, Lily Jang – Emmy nominated Journalist, TV Host and News Anchor at KHOU, Richard Jung – Lawyer/Advocate/Politician, Tanya Pinto – Founder of Baal Dan Charities, Tammy Nguyen Lee – Film/TV Producer, Director, Actor & Philanthropist
WHERE: Crow Collection of Asian Art, 2010 Flora St. Dallas, TX 75201
WHEN: Saturday, May 11th from 2:o0 PM – 4:30 PM

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Going Against The Grain: Joey Guila

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“If laughter is medicine, comedian Joey Guila has your prescription. A complete entertainer on stage he takes you through a journey of Old School and New School with his act outs and accents.”
 

His multicultural style of comedy hits home for all audiences, whether you watched his show in Hawaii or Hong Kong you left crying and his mission was complete. In 2003 Joey won the regional “Kings Of Comedy” competition ran by Latham Entertainment who is the founder of “The Original Kings Of Comedy” which include, Bernie Mac,Cedric The Entertainer, D.L. Hughley and Steve Harvey. Joey was invited to perform with Latham Entertainment at the MGM Grand in Las Vegas and the Universal Amphitheatre in Hollywood. Before Comedy he was a licensed cosmetologist working at the worlds famous Jose Eber Salon in Beverly Hills. He still laughs at the fact that he was the only straight Filipino Hairdresser on Rodeo Drive. Joey has been featured on VH1, G4 Tech TV, Showtime and on HBO with P Diddy’s comedy special.

Joey has hosted two TV shows on Myx TV called “Thats My Jam” and “Myx Rated,” which recently won a Telly Award. His past guests on his shows have been Justin Bieber, PitBull, Boyz II Men, Naughty By Nature, Jason Derulo and Amerie, to name a few. He is currently the headliner on “The Filipino Kingz” Comedy Tour and also will be on the Verizon’s APAHM tour, which will be at Club Nokia in LA, The Regency in S.F. , The Fillmore Silver Theatre in Washington D.C. and in New York at The Best Buy Theatre. Lookout for his latest project coming soon, www.gearaddix.com with cohost Keiko Alingas.

 To Laugh is to Live, so Live Long and Keep Laughing….

Full Name:

Joseph Guila, Jr. or “Captain Adobo”

Hometown:

San Francisco, CA

Current City:

San Leandro, CA

Ethnicity:

Filipino, Burmese, Spanish, English, Irish and Italian

What does it mean to you to “Go Against The Grain?”

It is like driving the wrong way on a one way street and giving the peace sign at everyone that calls me crazy.

What made you decide to pursue a career as a comedian?

For the chicks..Hahaha j/k! Since I was a kid, I always loved to entertain my family and friends. The thought of spreading healing laughter to strangers and possibly getting paid to do so brought me excitement.

What have been some of the challenges you faced/lessons you learned as an Asian American in this field?

I learned that my material must be universal and to being able to adapt to all audiences. The biggest challenge with standup is finding your own voice, it took years to finally find out to just be me.

What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment, and why?

Seeing my parents in the audience of a comedy show I headlined laughing hard and having their support. Catholic school definitely paid off.

What’s up next?

I’ll be on The Filipino Kingz Of Comedy Tour and Hosting a Tech Show called “Gear Addix.”

Quote to live by: Love Thy Neighbor but turn your alarm on

Sign (Eastern Animal Sign & Western Zodiac):

My Eastern Animal Sign is the Pig…I’m on the cusp Libra/Scorpio

Passionate about: My Facebook status updates and trimming my goatee

Favorite food: Anything with “Chow” in the name

Can’t live without: Baby Wipes and Pho

“Operation Babylift” screened at Pepperdine University

By: Jacklyne Rodriguez, Pepperdine University Graduate Student

Bert Ballard with his son, who was adopted in 2010. The journey to adopt the boy is highlighted in the film.
Bert Ballard with his son, who was adopted in 2010. The journey to adopt the boy is highlighted in the film.
Lyly Koenig Mendez and Ross Meador respond to questions from the audience. Mendez was evacuated during Operation Babylift and Meador was an orphanage volunteer during the Babylift. Both are featured in the film.
Lyly Koenig Mendez and Ross Meador respond to questions from the audience. Mendez was evacuated during Operation Babylift and Meador was an orphanage volunteer during the Babylift. Both are featured in the film.

On Saturday, February 9th, Pepperdine University screened  Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam. The screening was part of the School of Law’s annual conference on Law, Religion, and Ethics, which focused on intercountry adoption this year.

The audience, about forty, consisted of Pepperdine faculty, students, friends and various cast members from the film as well as conference attendees.

The documentary film featured volunteers, activists, and orphans who were brought to the United States as a result of the government sponsored “Operation Babylift,” which evacuated nearly 3000 orphans from war-torn Vietnam in April 1975.

The film highlighted activists’ memories of the overcrowded orphanages and featured stories of the adoptees who grew up in the U.S. enduring feelings of separation and experiences of racism.

After the film, a question and answer discussion commenced with updates from two of the orphans featured in the film. Bert Ballard, a communication professor at Pepperdine and adoptee, and Lyly Koenig Mendez, adoptee and small business owner, shared their reflections and personal stories.

Orphanage volunteer, Ross Meador, also joined the discussion and explained why he felt leaving the young orphans behind was never an option.

The film also focused on the Ballard family’s attempt to adopt a son from Vietnam. His wife, Sarah Ballard, also a Pepperdine communication instructor, was present and shared about the journey.

Although the film concluded without the audience having a definitive ending regarding the Ballard’s adoption, the audience met the Ballard’s adopted son who was adopted shortly after the film was released in 2010.

With active participation from audience members during the discussion, it was clear that the film and the journeys shared left a strong impact for all those in attendance.

The screening was also sponsored by Pepperdine University’s Center for Entertainment and Media, who also moderated the discussion.

Orphanage Update: A Letter to wish everyone a “Happy New Year” and “Thank You”

Below is a letter from one of the students who received a scholarship from ATG.  Each student was given  approximately $48 USD.  Because of this girl ‘s hardship, an ATG friend also gave her extra $1M VND from her own money.

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Dear Co,

I am LTNG, a student from Hoa Vang high school, who received the scholarship presented on behalf of ATG.

That day, I had left early, not knowing that you reviewed my file and recognized my hardship. To my surprise, ATG decided to give me an additional scholarship.

When I learned this news and received the additional funds, I was very touched.  I wanted to meet you in person to say thank you, unfortunately I could not, so I am writing you this letter.  I would like to thank you (again and again) and send my thanks to ATG very very much.  Wishing you all have a Happy New Year, filled with healthiness,  joy and happiness.

LTNG

PS.  Because of the scholarship money, our family’s hardship was lessened a lot this new year.  This is the first time in my life that I have received this much money. My mom is very happy too. Thank you!

Going Against The Grain: Lily Jang

Lily Jang grew up in northwest Houston and feels so blessed to finally be back at work in her hometown. She attended Lowery Elementary, LaBay Jr. High and Langham Creek High School. Lily’s first two jobs were teaching aerobics at Gold’s Gym in Bear Creek and working as a cashier at Randalls off Highway 6.

Lily is a graduate of the University of Texas in Austin with a degree in Broadcast Journalism. She landed her first on-air television news job at KFDA-TV in Amarillo. After a year there, Lily joined WIAT-TV in Birmingham, AL as anchor/reporter. In 2000, she packed her things and moved across the country to the Pacific Northwest to join Northwest Cable News as a night-time anchor. Three years later, Lily moved across the street to anchor mornings at Q13 FOX.  Lily brings to her position significant television experience in reporting and anchoring. She provided continuing coverage of the 2001 Nisqually Earthquake, 9/11, the war in Iraq and the capture of Saddam Hussein.

Lily is an Emmy-nominated journalist who leads the country when it comes to social media interaction with viewers. She is an avid social media user with a loyal following on both Facebook and Twitter. Lily has been honored twice by The Huffington Post as a Twitter Powerhouse. She is a fitness fanatic who enjoys mentoring, traveling the world, trying new cuisines and micro-blogging about her adventures on Facebook. Lily is happy to donate her time and energy to worthy charity causes in the community. On a typical weekend, you’ll find her emceeing a non-profit event in the area, throwing a tweet-up or speaking on a panel about social media. Lily is also fluent in Cantonese and Vietnamese. She began her duties as KHOU 11 News This Morning anchor in late February.

Full Name:
Lily Jang
 
Hometown:
Houston
 
Current City:
Houston
 
Ethnicity:
 Chinese/Vietnamese Texan!
 
 
What does it mean to you to “Go Against The Grain?”
It means being the voice for the minority. Asian Americans were few and far between in the first two TV markets where I worked. I was proud to put a voice to the silent minority and represent the Asian American community, even to this day in Houston where we have the biggest Asian American population in Texas and one of the biggest Asian American populations in the country.
 
What made you decide to pursue your career path?
I wanted to be a storyteller, and everyday after 16 years in the business, I still get to do that. I wanted to make sure that Asian Americans were heard and seen and that I would be a role model for younger Asian Americans that we can pursue any career path we want to.
 
What have been some of the challenges you faced/lessons you learned as an Asian American in this field?
I feel very fortunate because being Asian American early on in my career made me different. I was the first Asian American to work in Amarillo, TX and also Birmingham, AL.  I can’t say I’ve had many struggles because of my ethnicity. I’ve been pretty blessed.
 
What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment, and why?
My biggest professional accomplishment is coming full circle and working in my hometown where my parents can watch me everyday. But the most important thing about my life is the network of love and friendship I’ve made. I still have best friends from 2nd grade whom I talk to on a daily basis. That’s pretty special!
 
What’s up next?
I just moved back to Houston in 2012, so I hope to continue to emcee events throughout the community and be someone they can count on to represent them.
 
Quote to live by: My religion is simple. My religion is kindness. – Dalai Lama
 
Sign (Eastern Animal Sign & Western Zodiac): Ox and Sagittarius
 
Passionate about: paying it forward
 
Favorite food: Korean BBQ
 
Can’t live without: My iPhone!

2012 FFAP: Words of Praise

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Presenting Designers (left to right): Sophia Wu of Leprosy, Jerry Matthews, Joanne Hong of JOLYNN, Danh Ta, Hanh Dang of Lucy Dang, Lizzi Cook of Lizzi London, Khanh Nguyen of Nha Khanh
Photo © Chi Tran

“This was my first time being involved with FFAP, and I was so impressed! It was great to meet so many creative people, and the fashion was amazing. I’m glad I could be a part of it!” – Melissa Woodbridge (Exhibiting Artist)

“I thought the event was self-evident of all the hard work and effort put into it. I was honored to have been a part of it. It was incredible to be around so many inspiring artists coming from so many different perspectives and meet the amazing people who make ATG Productions what it is. Thank you immensely for the opportunity!” – Thoa Nguyen (Exhibiting Artist)

“Being part of Fashion for a Passion was such a great experience. I loved meeting the ATG team as well as the other designers and artists. It was an amazing event that really exceeded my expectations. Sharing my love of fashion while helping others is what following my passion is all about. I couldn’t have asked for a more organized and successful show.” Joanne Hong of JOLYNN (Presenting Designer)

“Bam! it was an AMAZING experience!”Danh Ta (Presenting Designer)

“I would like to give my hearty congratulation to ATG on hosting such a successful and meaningful event, and to thank everyone who played a part in organizing this project. It is such an honor to be one of the presenting designers this year,  and words cannot express how grateful I am for the opportunity to be able to invest my time and effort to help lessen the suffering of orphaned children. Looking forward, I hope that ATG will continue to provide this unique venue to both give new talented artists a platform to shine, and at the same time to help improve the educational opportunity and living condition of orphaned children.” – Sophia Wu (Presenting Designer)

 “The Exchange had an incredible time at ATG’s fashion for a passion event! The immense support, work, and dedication surrounding the event was very inspiring, and uplifting to see!”– Britt Espinosa ( Musical Entertainer)

“I am so proud to have been a part of Tammy’s wonderful work.  Way to go, Tammy!” – Sam Lam, Facial Plastic Surgeon

“As always, this event as a huge success! The designs were beautiful, staff was amazing and professional, and the event was a blast 🙂 We always feel so privileged to be a part of such an amazing cause” – Damaris Grogan, Page Parkes Management

 

 

 

2012: A Year in Review

2012 has been a year to celebrate. With the start of the Year of the Dragon, we welcomed a new Board and Creative Team. We hosted several events to educate and inspire, including the return of Cocktails for a Cause, a new panel event called Groundbreakers Speak: A Conversation with Asian American Movers and Shakers hosted at the Crow Collection of Asian Art and the ever popular 2012 Fashion for a Passion hosted at the Dallas Contemporary that broke new attendance and fundraising records of nearly 400 guests and nearly $30,000 net!

Throughout the year, we partnered with California Pizza Kitchen, Cindi’s NY Deli, Yogurtland and Pho is for Lovers for “dine for a cause” fundraisers, which allowed us to have fun, eat, and raise money for our organization and others in need. Many thanks to our generous Year-Round Sponsors Lam Facial Plastics | Ova Skin Care, Saigon Block, Cindi’s NY Deli, Pho is for Lovers, W Dental, and Tiny Prints. Because of them and to folks like you, we were able to accomplish and give so much in 2012, including more than $13,000 in aid to our supported orphanages in Vietnam and Thailand. We reviewed more than 150 scholarships applications and awarded the $5,000 Sunna Lee Leadership Scholarship to Becky Kim, two $1,000 Artistic Scholarships to Britt Espinosa and Thoa Nguyen and nine $100 camp scholarships to young adoptees! With your support, we have done so much for our community. Thank you for your support of our mission and being a part of this worthy effort.

We created new partnerships with Asian Film Festival of Dallas, Kollaboration Dallas and NAAAP-DFW to expand our outreach and strengthen our community relations. Our documentary, Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam, continues to receive accolades and screen at events across the world. And as always, we participated in local and national community festivals, including the GDAACC May Festival and DFW Dragon Boat, Kite and Lantern Festival.  We are so blessed to have a hard working Board and team of volunteers who devote their time unpaid to our organization.  Even though we are a small group, we hope we can and are making a big difference.

Thank you for your support to help us achieve these goals. Please continue to be an active participant in our mission to achieve “One Voice. Many Stories.” We welcome your suggestions and feedback. On behalf of the entire team, ATG wishes you and yours the happiest of holidays and all the best in 2013!

Cheers!

Tammy Nguyen Lee

President/Founder

Going Against The Grain: Ha Mai (aka Fur Face Boy)

Ha Mai is the mind, soul and heart behind Fur Face Boy, an independent apparel line based out of Dallas, TX. He studied and received a BFA in Graphic Art / Design from the University of Texas at Arlington. After years of working for design studios, agencies and in-house design groups, he decided to leave the comforts of a settled career to concentrate on his brand and to fully have 100% control of his life. Fur Face Boy is found in a handful of boutique shops around the U.S. and Canada and has been featured in the Dallas Morning News, D Magazine, The Angry Asian Man Blog, The Hundreds Blog and G4TV. His fan base grows by the day via his designs, the Fur Face Boyblog, social media and simply living his life the way he wants to.

Full name

Ha H. Mai

Hometown

Grand Prairie, TX

Current city

Dallas, TX

Ethnicity

Vietnamese

What does it mean to you to “Go Against The Grain?”

Going against standards, boundaries and specifics to go about things your way.

What made you decide to pursue a career in art?

Simple…I just like it.

What have been some of the challenges you faced/lessons you learned as an Asian American in this field?

Make sure to speak up and speak your feelings, no matter how idiotic others AND yourself will think of you.

What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment, and why?

Starting my own T-shirt brand, Fur Face Boy. It allows me to completely, totally and 100% be me.

What’s up next?

Zero clue. I’m so spontaneous and random with plans and scheduling, that whatever happens just happens.

Quote to live by:

I don’t live by quotes, but I just like this one…”I’d rather be hated for who I am, than loved for who I am not.” – Kurt Cobain

Sign (Eastern Animal Sign & Western Zodiac): Cock (heh-heh) / Libra

Passionate about: Breathing

Favorite food: Tie between Lobster and Ice Cream

Can’t live without: Opcon-A eyedrops