Hoang-Kim Cung is a reporter and fill-in anchor at WTKR News 3, a CBS affiliate in the Virginia Beach area. She is a former Miss Nebraska USA and was the first Vietnamese-American woman to compete at Miss USA in 2015. When she’s not reporting in the newsroom, she’s working on her fashion & lifestyle blog colorandchic.com. She believes in helping men and women find clothes they feel confident and powerful in and living an elevated, positive lifestyle. At WTKR News 3, Hoang-Kim has been able to affect change through her stories. She also had the honor of flying in an F/A 18 Hornet with the U.S. Navy Blue Angels. She is also passionate about raising money for wounded South Vietnamese Veterans living in communist Vietnam.
Tag: Going Against The Grain
Going Against The Grain: Andrew D. Nguyen
Like all kids that enjoy dancing, Andrew D. Nguyen started by learning from music videos at home and with his friends. At the time, he was not aware with many other genres of dancing or that being a dancer would be a possible career path for him. In 2007, he saw dance team Wyldstyl perform at a date auction event and immediately became interested.
He later on eventually auditioned and became a member of Wyldstyl himself. From there after many years of training and being on the team, he built his way up to be director and opened up Soundbox Studios, a place for anyone with the desire to dance.
Going Against The Grain: Sophie Chien
Eighteen-year-old 2015 Against The Grain Bruce & Pat McRae Scholarship Winner, who is attending the Rhode Island School of Design and majoring in Architecture, was born and raised in Charlotte, North Carolina. She grew up surrounded by critiques and discussions about design, as her parents are both architects. From this influence, she was drawn (literally) to take IB Visual Art for three years in high school, specifically focusing on expressing her ideas through sculpture and photography. Read more
Going Against The Grain: Angry Asian Man (Phil Yu) & Ben Smithee
Phil Yu is the founder and editor of the popular Asian American news/culture blog Angry Asian Man. He is also co-host of the web talk show Angry Asian America on ISAtv, and host of Sound and Fury: The Angry Asian Podcast. Building a steady, loyal readership since 2001, Angry Asian Man has been called “a daily must-read for the media-savvy, socially conscious, pop-cultured Asian American.” – Jose Antonio Vargas. Mixing humor with criticism, Phil’s commentary has been featured and quoted in the Washington Post, New York Times, National Public Radio, CNN, Wall Street Journal and more. He also appears in the Sundance documentary Linsanity, about the rise of NBA superstar Jeremy Lin, and is executive producer of the action/comedy web series Awesome Asian Bad Guys.
Going Against The Grain: Caren Lock
Caren K. Lock is the Regional Vice President and Associate General Counsel of TIAA-CREF, a full-service financial services company, where she is the primary interface for the company on all legislative, executive, administrative, and regulatory matters in the southwest region. She also directs all legislative lobbying and regulatory advocacy in her states. At TIAA-CREF, Lock is active in gender and racial diversity initiatives, having served as the Corporate Co-Chair of the Women’s Employee Resource Group. Read more
Going Against The Grain: Larry g(EE)
We are excited to include Dallas-based soul singer-songwriter Larry G(ee) on our 4th Annual Groundbreakers Speak panel August 8th! His career has taken him from LA to New York and back here to Dallas for audiences to enjoy locally. Most recently, he released his highly anticipated single “Days Like This” with a video release party on March 5 at Three Links in Deep Ellum. Chosen to be one of Red Bull Sound Select’s emerging artists, a Chevy Music Showcase artist for North Texas and the “Best Funk/R&B Act” at the 2013 Dallas Observer Music Awards, Larry released his four-track album “Weekends,” backed by his 10-member band of bass, percussion and horn.
Going Against The Grain Tiffany Hendra
We are so excited to have the fabulous Tiffany Hendra join us this year as a guest emcee at our 7th Annual Fashion for a Passion on November 7! From the trailer park to Beverly Hills and now back to Texas, Tiffany Hendra teaches women from all walks of life how to style their life. She is a Wife, TV Host, Beauty & Style Expert, Lifestyle Mentor and creator of the blog & webseries Sanctuary Of Style. Tiffany is on a mission to guide women toward living their most fabulous, healthy and spiritually-conscious life. Her vision is for women all over the world to overcome their past circumstances and stand confident in their power. Tiffany believes confident women are World Changers! Read more
Going Against The Grain: Grace Wu
Grace Wu serves as Executive Vice President, Casting, NBC Entertainment since 2009. After receiving a Bachelor of Arts degree in History from the University of California at Berkeley, Wu began her career in entertainment casting as an assistant on the feature film “In & Out,” starring Kevin Kline. She transitioned into television when she joined Liberman/Hirschfeld Casting, where she worked on casting for the critically acclaimed “Seinfeld,” “MadTV” and “The Larry Sanders Show.” While at NBC, Wu supervised the casting of such network series as “Freaks & Geeks,” “Friday Night Lights,” “Parenthood” and “The Black List.” She is responsible for overseeing the day-today casting on current scripted series as well as pilot productions.
Full name:
Grace Wu
Hometown:
Los Angeles, CA
Current City:
Los Angeles, CA
Ethnicity:
Taiwanese-American
What does it mean to you to “Go Against The Grain?”
Lately, it means to speak up when I feel the most scared.
What made you decide to pursue a career in this industry?
I like being around creative people, getting into their heads and helping execute their vision.
What have been some of the challenges you faced/lessons you learned as an Asian American in this field?
I can’t think of any challenges, but as the daughter of immigrants, it’s in my DNA to work hard and not whine or complain.
What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment, and why?
My biggest accomplishment is picking the right guy to marry because I’ve created the family I always wanted.
What’s up next?
Finding time to shop Zappos.
Quote to live by:
You get what you get and you don’t get upset.
Sign (Eastern Animal Sign & Western Zodiac):
I’m a Rooster/Scorpio
Passionate about:
Keeping my iPhone and iPad charged at 100%.My kids think I’m crazy, but it must be!
Favorite food:
Sushi and fried egg sandwiches
Can’t live without:
Thinking about my next great meal.
I Go Against The Grain #beCAUSE:
It doesn’t seem as much fun to be regular and conventional.
Going Against The Grain: Quan Phung
Quan Phung | President, Scripted Programming | Slingshot Global Media
Quan Phung is President of Scripted Programming at Slingshot Global Media, an independent television studio backed by private equity and based in Santa Monica, California. Established in 2014, Slingshot’s mission is to build a talent-friendly, forward-thinking 21st century studio that develops, produces, finances and distributes television series with a global focus and reach.
Prior to Slingshot, Quan spent close to two decades as a producer and an executive at companies such as Bluegrass Television, Twentieth Century Fox Television Studios, Fox Broadcasting Company (FOX) and the National Broadcasting Company (NBC). He has been involved in the development and production of many acclaimed series including House, How I Met Your Mother, My Name is Earl and Arrested Development. In 2002, he was named one of Hollywood Reporter’s Top 35 Executives Under 35.
Full Name: Quan Luong Phung
Hometown: San Diego, California
Current City: Los Angeles, California
Ethnicity: Vietnamese
What does it mean to you to “Go Against The Grain?”
To me, “Going Against The Grain” is always striving to be your authentic self. It is continuing to evolve and recognizing your strengths and shortcomings. It is not being afraid of failure and looking at those moments as opportunities to engage with the world, and get to know yourself better. It is leading anything but a life of quiet desperation.
Going Against The Grain: Vatana Watters
Vatana Watters, bridal designer and CEO of Watters Bridal and first-time bridal presenting designer at Fashion for a Passion
We are proud to highlight Vatana Watters of Watters Bridal for this month’s Going Against The Grain feature. For the past three years, Watters has been a generous supporter of ATG and Fashion for a Passion, donating gorgeous dresses for auction to the delight of brides-to-be. In addition to providing new looks for auction, audiences at FFAP will get to see highlights from Watters’ bridal, bridesmaid and even flower girl collections float down the runway for the first time ever in her debut as an FFAP (and our first-ever bridal!) presenting designer.
Check out one of our wonderful FFAP media sponsors DFW Style Daily‘s feature on Watters Bridal, too!
Full Name: Vatana Watters
Hometown: Bangkok, Thailand
Current City: Dallas, Texas
Ethnicity: Thai
What does it mean to you to “Go Against The Grain?”
When I started making bridesmaids gowns in the mid ’80’s, I offered an alternative solution to the big puffy sleeves and bows. I decided to ‘go Against The Grain,’ and it paid off in a great way, due to hard work, determination and staying true to my vision.