We’re thrilled to spotlight filmmaker Patrick Wang as May’s GATG. Patrick recently released his first feature, the critically-acclaimed movie In the Family,which is currently making its way across theaters nationwide. In the Family is a heartfelt story woven around child custody, “two-Dad” families, parental loss, interracial relationships, the American South, and the human side of the law.
Patrick graduated from MIT with a degree in Economics and a concentration in Music and Theatre Arts. As an economist, he has studied energy policy, game theory, and income inequality at the Federal Reserve Bank, the Harvard School for Public Health and other organizations. As a theatre director, he has specialized in classical verse drama (world premiere of Diane Arnson Svarlien’s translation of Medea) and new works (Surviving the Nian, Jonathan Larson Award). He has taught and directed productions at the Stella Adler Studio and The Neighborhood Playhouse. A collection of his short drama was published as The Monologue Plays. His performance in M.Butterfly was the subject of Leah Hager Cohen’s book, The Stuff of Dreams. His film/television credits include Surveillances (Panavision Prize), Little Mary, Saturday Night Live and One Life to Live.
Full name
Patrick Wang
Hometown
Houston, TX
Current city
New York, NY
Ethnicity
Taiwanese American
What does it mean to you to “Go Against The Grain?”
To defend something you feel is missing or endangered in the world.
What made you decide to pursue a career in film?
I don’t think much about a career in film. I love the peripatetic life.
What have been some of the challenges you faced/lessons you learned as an Asian American in this field?
I have learned there is tremendous leadership in Asian American communities. And I’m not sure I could have found the confidence to choose to be in the artistic minority without my unelected experiences as a social minority.
What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment, and why?
I consider a book I wrote called The Monologue Plays to be my biggest accomplishment. The book is a collection of 75 short plays, all in monologue form and mostly unrelated. It expresses the deepest range of thoughts and emotions of anything I’ve done.
What’s up next?
Distributing this film. I love getting to see this country (and others) through the prism of its movie theaters.
Quote to live by
“Beauty is about the improbable coming true suddenly.” – Charles Simic
Sign (Eastern Animal Sign & Western Zodiac): Dragon, Virgo
Passionate about: Quality
Favorite food: Gumbo
Can’t live without: Hope
For more information about his film, In the Family, visit the Official Film Page.
DALLAS, TX – Dallas-based nonprofit ATG Against The Grain Productions will host their 2012 Cocktails for a Cause, a charity event with the purpose to raise funds for international orphanages, ATG’s community outreach programs and the ATG Artistic Scholarship fund. The event takes place from 6:30 pm – 9 p.m. on Wednesday, May 30th at LaGrange in Deep Ellum, located at 2704 Elm Street in Dallas, Texas.
The event is headlined by San Francisco-based comedian Zhangster (Mark Zhang) and is preceded by performances by emerging Asian American musical artists, including Xwansongs from Houston and local Dallas acts Twisted Optiks and Duette.
The organization has become known for their successful Fashion for a Passion event, a showcase of emerging Asian American designers, musicians and artists. ATG President/Founder Tammy Nguyen Lee explained the history behind this event. “Cocktails for a Cause was the first event our organization ever hosted. Although similar to FFAP in many ways, ‘Cocktails’ is an intimate, more casual event that helps introduce us and our mission to the community in a fun way that entertains and enlightens our audience. This year, we’re adding a comedian to the mix, and who knows what will happen. We’re fortunate to bring back CFAC to an already hefty programming slate, and it’s a great segue and kick-off for Fashion for a Passion.” This year’s FFAP takes place on October 13th at the Dallas Contemporary.
Comedian Zhangster will headline CFAC
Mark Zhang, also known as Zhangster, is praised as one of the most unique new Asian American comedic voices. His high energy comedy hits hard on social issues with clever twists. His improv is unpredictable, and his audiences are always surprised by his edgy wit. “People always say it must be great to make people laugh on stage, but to me it’s nothing compared to the people that goes out of their way to help the unfortunate,” Zhangster said. “This event to me is like a delicious hamburger…It takes many parts to make it work, and when it’s all over with, I can say I was the lettuce for that amazing burger.” Zhangster has been ripping through the comedy scene from West Coast to East Coast from Northwest to Southeast. Zhangster’s powerful stage presence has been electrifying top comedy clubs around the country and even internationally like England, Canada, Hong Kong and Singapore.
Xwansongs
Xwansongs, a trio that includes Xuan Nguyen, Stephen ‘Nez’ Nesbit and Chris Cuchapin, is known to have a steady stream of songs that were brought to life encompassing several different musical styles and moods. Nguyen said, “I am honored to be involved in Cocktails for a Cause, because it is always humbling to work with others who are so passionate about putting the needs of others before their own. I hope to pay it forward because in my life I was fortunate enough to have good people step forward in my time of need and I’d like to do the same for others.” Currently, they are performing with their close friend and fellow musician, Duane Roger Perez, as a guest guitarist for live shows, gracing stages from Houston to Dallas to Louisiana.
Duette
Duette is an indie-pop band from Dallas, fronted by Tex Sirisawat and Angela Yi. The group aims to capture hearts, while also proving that you can make it out of heartbreak alive. “It means a lot to us as artists/musicians [to be a part of CFAC], because it solidifies the hard work we put in is creating something unique and positive that ATG thinks should be presented and represented by other Asian Americans,” Sirisawat said. “We hope to reach a new audience and be able to help ATG raise money, create awareness and find solutions.” The band is influenced by everything from ’50s music, ’90s Indie-Rock to ’80s New Wave and Synth Pop, with a little dash of Motown thrown in.
Twisted Optiks
Twisted Optiks, also known as Ronnie Chea, is is a hip-hop artist who also works as an Audio Instructor/ Mentor for students at Styles of Music Productions in Oak Cliff. He explains that the program plays a big part in mentoring the youth to find who they are and to overcome the negative aspects of life. “It is an honor to take part in these events. I feel that there needs to be a greater awareness of the talented and hardworking individuals of the Asian background. Many go unappreciated and should be allowed to display their gifts that may potentially bless someone else to rise and share their unique abilities,” Chea said. He is also an audio engineer, producer, songwriter and lyricist who wants to make an impact in society with music that speaks to the mind, heart and soul with genuine sincerity. “I only hope that through the music I share, someone may receive the message and find hope and encouragement from it. I speak on my own experiences in life through my music and do my best to bring it in the most professional quality as possible. In turn, I hope that it inspires and uplifts others to let their voice be heard and their skills be shown.”
Admission to Cocktails for a Cause is $25 in advance, includes a complimentary cocktail, Asian tapas, drink specials and entertainment and can be purchased at www.AgainstTheGrainProductions.com/events starting Wednesday, May 2nd. Admission at the door is $30 as available.
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. Their premiere documentary feature, Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam, has 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.
Honored by San Diego Magazine as one of the Top 50 People to Watch in 2009, Lee Ann Kim is the founding executive director of the San Diego Asian Film Foundation, a nonprofit media arts organization best known for its annual film festival. Lee Ann also worked for nearly 12 years as a news anchor/reporter for KGTV Channel 10, where she earned numerous awards for her journalism, including a regional Emmy for investigative reporting.
Lee Ann was recently honored by the San Diego Film Critics Association with the 2011 Kyle Counts Award for her commitment to cinema; the KPBS Hero of the Month for May 2010; San Diego Metropolitan Magazine’s Top 40 Under 40 in 2007; as well as Director of Excellence from the 2008 International Film Festival Summit.
Full name
Lee Ann Yi Yun Kim
Hometown
Seoul, South Korea
Current city
San Diego, CA
Ethnicity
Korean American
What does it mean to you to “Go Against The Grain?”
Go with my gut and what I know is right, instead of what may be pleasing to others. To take risks. To be me!
What made you decide to pursue a career in journalism and then later film festival programming?
My life commitment is to be the voice… and SDAFF’s commitment is to connect those diverse voices with an audience.
What have been some of the challenges you faced/lessons you learned as an Asian American in this field?
1) We are still defining what it means to be Asian American, and so many of us still exist in silos which is never good when we’re trying to create a collective voice and collective energy. 2) And we cannot support all projects just because they’re made by or about Asians. 3) Change starts in my own home, raising my two sons to be active members of the community, to give back, vote, and serve the greater good.
What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment, and why?
Starting the San Diego Asian Film Festival and Foundation. I started it from nothing, and 13 years later we’re still around with 6 full time staff presenting 40+ events throughout the year. I’m very proud of the community in which SDAFF created and the impact we’ve had on the lives of independent artists and students. I never even went to one film festival before I started one.
What’s up next?
Creating a filmmakers fund and an experimental mobile cinema project.
Quote to live by: “Work hard, play hard.”
Sign (Eastern Animal Sign & Western Zodiac): Dog, Virgo
Passionate about: My family, friends, justice, and 80s music
Favorite food: I don’t have one. But I need dark chocolate once a day.
Can’t live without: Love… and mascara
The San Diego Asian Film Foundation will host their annual Spring Showcase April 19-26. For more information, visit the SDAFF website.
Spotlight on Tammy Nguyen Lee (B.A. Film & Media Arts, ’00)
Wanting to positively impact the world, Nguyen Lee directs a nonprofit that promotes education, cultural awareness and Asian American artists.
by Mary Guthrie
Photo credit: Kim Ritzenhaler
Tammy Nguyen Lee’s life reads like a movie script: When she was just three months old, her mother took her out of war-torn Vietnam to a Hong Kong refugee camp, where they lived for over a year, then moved to the United States. She grew up in Garland, Texas, where she graduated near the top of her class and then accepted a scholarship to SMU. She won the title of Miss Asian American Texas at age 21. Majoring in Cinema (now Film & Media Arts) at SMU, she was a campus leader in the East Asian Student Association and the SMU Asian Council. After graduating in 2000, she earned her M.F.A. from UCLA, where she began work on an award-winning documentary, Operation Babylift. Motivated by the work she could do to positively impact the world, Nguyen Lee created the nonprofit organization Against The Grain, which promotes education, cultural awareness and Asian American artists. She is a television show consultant/producer and the energy behind an annual haute couture fashion show that raises money for orphanages in Asia. She met her husband, George Lee, a West Point graduate, while playing the role of his wife on a photo shoot. In 2010, SMU presented Nguyen Lee with the Emerging Leader Award, given to young alumni who show distinguished service and extraordinary achievement in a particular discipline, organization or cause. Shortly after receiving the award, she and George had their first child, a baby girl they named Gabriella.
MPRINT magazine visited with Tammy recently to catch up on the latest adventures in her life.
Tell us what you’ve been doing since received SMU’s 2010 Emerging Leader Award.
My life has been completely turned upside-down, from being someone who is incredibly organized and had life planned down to the second, to being a first-time parent learning to go with the flow.
One of the biggest lessons about becoming a parent was being able to adapt at a moments notice, because it’s never about you anymore, it’s about someone else. And that’s a good lesson for anyone. In life you should have a vision and a game plan, but be open to reading the winds of change and be able to adapt very quickly. The people who survive the best are the people who can learn to bend when the wind is strong. And the wind was really strong for me last year! [laughs]
Your mother was a big influence in your life. How has she mentored you?
She came to the U.S. [from Saigon, in 1978] in her early twenties, having to completely start over after the war. The family had everything taken away from us because of the Communist regime, and so the only way to have a better life was to leave. We came as boat people.
Coming here to the U.S., she had me [age three months], and then 7½ years later she had my sister. With two children, she worked two to three jobs, regained a bachelor’s degree and then a master’s degree in record time, with honors. In Vietnam she was always at the top of her class, always doing extracurriculars.
She has a huge spirit of wanting more for her family. You see that a lot in first-generation refugees. She taught me that if you want something you have to work really hard for it, you have to be the best at it, you have to be prepared; you have to be willing to hear “no” and be willing to overcome it somehow. She’s always been an incredibly hard worker and overachiever and perfectionist, so I’ve learned a lot of good things from her and acquired a lot of quirks! [laughs]
After producing Operation Babylift, you were moved to create a nonprofit organization called Against The Grain Productions (ATG). What do you see in the future for ATG?
We’ll continue to create films and events to promote awareness and unity of the Asian American culture and identity.
We’re also expanding how much money we can give for scholarships. Last year we gave two $1,000 scholarships. One went to an SMU student, Meadows junior Monika Thao-Ngan Hoang (B.A. Creative Advertising, ‘13); she’s a wonderful girl. The grant helped her buy printing supplies and will help send her to the annual ONE Show ad conference in New York.
Tell us about ATG’s annual Fashion for a Passion event.
Fashion for a Passion is unconventional. The event raises funds for Asian orphanages, and we do it with designers, musicians, visual artists, singers, anyone who is involved in the arts. The spotlight is on the designers; many are from Dallas and Texas, but some are from New York and Los Angeles. In the past we had Ninh Nguyễn, now in New York, of NINH Collection, and Khanh Nguyễn of Nhã Khanh; Khanh just exploded after her first Fashion for a Passion show. Some of our designers are SMU grads, like Nikki Duong Koenig, owner of Cykochik Custom Handbags. Nikki started her collection when she was a student at SMU.
Operation Babylift was an impactful film that touched a lot of people. Looking ahead, are there other film projects you’d like to work on?
I’d love to get back into the hard issues, the issues people don’t want to talk about, like domestic violence. And children’s advocacy. As a mother you become more and more passionate about children and families and women’s issues. But it’s hard to find the time to pour into a film when raising a baby. There’s a lot I want to do. I want to find those people who have a voice but haven’t been heard.
There’s motherhood, family, Against The Grain…you also work as an independent television consultant?
Yes. Before my life as a mom, I was a full-time TV show development producer. I consulted on cable reality shows such as Girl Meets Gown (series for WE TV) and Ma’s Roadhouse (truTV). I continue to consult production companies who want to develop TV shows. I have the best of both worlds: I can stay home, set my hours, still be active doing what I’m good at, help pay the bills, and I still get to be around Gabby and ATG.
When you were a student at SMU, was there anyone who particularly inspired you or helped you on your career path?
There were always film professors who helped me grow as an artist. Professors like Rick Worland, Tom Bywaters and Kevin Heffernan always let me follow my muse and were supportive.
Raj Sethuraju was the Asian American student adviser. He was so pivotal. As Asian American students, leadership is not something that is instilled in us; we are taught to follow, not lead. He really inspired us to stand up and be heard and to come together as a group and represent.
What advice do you have for today’s SMU student?
I know that for me, I started out not being a typical SMU student. I didn’t rush Greek. I felt independent of the cultural fabric. I felt kind of like an outsider, watching to see where I fit in. I think the best way as a student, whether you feel like SMU is in your blood or you’re one of those students on the outside, is to dig in. That’s when I was able to find what I was good at, where I could give back.
While I was at SMU I was involved on campus. I was president of the East Asian Student Association and participated on Asian Council; I was Chair of the Program Council/Films Committee. That’s what plugged me into the mainstream SMU community.
A quotation I always live by is by Richard Bach, in his book Illusions. I read it when I was a senior in high school: “You’re never given a wish without also being given the power to make it come true. You may have to work for it, however.”
SMU MPrint is a magazine for alumni and friends of SMU Meadows School of the Arts. Read the original online article here.
ATG recently received this email from one of our supported orphanages in Hue, Vietnam:
Dear ATG Family,
Sister and the children really appreciate you.
We just received another orphan who was left at the hospital when she was 1 day old. We hired a wet nurse to take care of her until she was two months before we could take care of her.
Right now, we have three babies who are 19 months, seven months and two months, in addition to the other girls at the orphanage. We would like to introduce the new babies to you. We have not obtained birth certificates for them yet.
We will use your recent donation funds to buy milk and supplies for these three new babies. All three were left at the hospital. Two of them were from mountain people, and one came from the city.
On behalf of the orphans, we would like to express our gratitude to the ATG group.
– Sister T.
To help support our orphanages, please visit our Donate page. Any amount, great or small, is appreciated. 100% of your funds will be distributed to these children.
Dat Phan is the Original Winner of NBC’s “Last Comic Standing” and is a Headlining
Comedian touring live across the U.S. He has made numerous TV and movie appearances,
including “The Tonight Show with Jay Leno,” “The Family Guy” voiceover, and “Cellular.”
Most recently Dat has appeared on “The Tyra Banks Show” discussing racial diversity.
Dat Phan was born in Saigon, Vietnam and immigrated with his mother to San Diego,
CA. He suffered through financial hardships most of his childhood. After 9/11, he realized life
was short and decided to go for his dream to pursue comedy full time. Moving to LA he had to
live out of his car and even after being robbed at gunpoint, he wouldn’t stop pursuing his dream.
Dat answered phones for The Improv in Hollywood during the day and tried to get as much stage time as possible at night; this meant he often went on well after midnight when crowds were often more drunk than coherent. Later, Dat took the risk and auditioned for the experimental, comedy based show produced by NBC that would launch his career. The rest is history as he was named the funniest person in America on August 5, 2003.
Dat’s culturally insightful comedy inspects ridiculous stereotypes, and shares his
experience of being a regular American guy with a Vietnamese heritage. His youthful energy
and truly unique life experiences, including all the tough times, are combined to create the
message of living your dreams and reaching out for the stars. Dat Phan’s mission is to bring a
more positive portrayal of Asian-Americans to mainstream entertainment and Hollywood. “We
want to be seen as more than just martial artists, or bad stereotype token roles in American TV & Movies.”
Dat Phan has been included in The Smithsonian Institution’s exhibition of The Top 10
Most Influential Vietnamese-American Individuals. The DVD “Dat Phan Live” was released in
January 2010 and is available from Amazon.com. Dat’s latest CD, “You Touch, You Buy“ is
now available on iTunes.
Full name
Dat Tien Phan
Hometown
Saigon, Vietnam
Current city
Los Angeles, CA
Ethnicity
Vietnamese
What does it mean to you to “Go Against The Grain?”
Knowing who you are and taking risks.
What made you decide to pursue a career in comedy/entertainment industry?
I went through a breakup with a girlfriend and the ex-girlfriend’s mom suggested I go to college. So, I enrolled in classes and took a required speech class. I realized that most of my speeches made people laugh. After that I started performing at the La Jolla Comedy Store and then was forced to hone my craft at small coffee shops in San Diego, CA.
What have been some of the challenges you faced/lessons you learned as an Asian American in this field?
I’ve learned that there is less opportunity as a whole, but much more opportunity as a demographic.
What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment, and why?
Being voted into the Smithsonian’s Top 10 Most Influential Vietnamese in the world. Usually the list is full of doctors, lawyers, scientists, Nobel Peace prize winners. It’s an honor to be a performer and on that list.
What’s up next?
I just finished a showcase program with CBS Diversity which will help me become more active in film and I have a pretty crazy tour schedule for 2012.
Quote to live by: “If you fail to prepare, you are preparing to fail.”
Sign: Aquarius & Tiger
Passionate about: Networking, marketing, and staying fit
Non-profit to Award Three Scholarships to Exemplary Asian American Students
DALLAS, TX– Dallas nonprofit ATG Against The Grain Productions proudly announced the addition of the Sunna Lee Leadership Scholarship to its already existing Artistic Scholarship, to be awarded to Asian American students who are breaking the mold through their work in the arts and/or leadership in the community. Last year’s Artistic Scholarship winners were Texas students Monika Hoang and Dorcas Leung. Both Hoang and Leung were awarded a $1,000 scholarship for their exceptional artistic ability, talent, community involvement, leadership and academics. The addition of the Sunna Lee Leadership scholarship is a $5,000 commitment from business executive Sunna Lee, a powerhouse in the business and fashion world who previously attended ATG’s Fashion for a Passion charity event as a guest and was moved to do her part by motivating and celebrating a young Asian American leader who is changing the stereotype of Asian Americans.
ATG Founder/President Tammy Nguyen Lee is excited to include this Leadership Scholarship as an extension of the organization’s already strong commitment to community outreach. Nguyen Lee said, “We created the Artistic Scholarship as an extension of what our organization is already doing to promote and support Asian Americans in the arts, and we hope that the Leadership Scholarship continues to cultivate those in our community who are finding unique ways to express themselves and create stories for us to share.” Nguyen Lee continued, “ATG is very fortunate to partner with pioneers in the Asian American community like Sunna Lee and be the organization chosen to broaden our scope to select and promote a leader among the Asian American student population. It’s a huge honor and responsibility. Our hope is that that this will send an impactful message and continue to inspire others to affect change and leadership in others.”
Leadership Scholarship Founder Sunna Lee
Sunna Lee is a first-generation Korean American with 25 years as an executive in product development, which includes trends, design, marketing and sourcing for brands and retailers small to large, private and publicly traded companies with $7 million to $2.5 billion in revenues. She has served as Vice President of Marketing for Priss Prints and NoJo, Vice President of New Business Development for Crown Crafts Infant Products, Vice President of Merchandising for Riegel, Director of Fashion for Dorel Juvenile Group and is currently the Director of Product Development for Cracker Barrel Old Country Store. At Cracker Barrel, she leads the women’s group, Woman’s Connect, as a member of the steering committee to develop future women leaders of the organization. She previously founded her own line of high-end handmade handbags, which were sold at Stanley Korshak and Neiman Marcus. Lee said, “Being a female Asian growing up in the Deep South, I have had to overcome double the challenges of prejudice and ignorance and have chosen to convert what others may perceive as a disadvantage to a competitive advantage.”Lee is passionate about empowering others to tap into their own potential. “Teach someone to fish instead of giving them fish. Fishcan feed them for one meal. The skill to fish will feed them for a lifetime.”
Lily Yang, ATG’s Director of Community Outreach, spearheads the review process for both scholarships and highlights the principles of the funds. “The Artistic Scholarship embodies ATG’s mission of promoting awareness of art in all media and a commitment to the community. The scholarship program is not limited to only financial assistance, but also provides the winner with mentorship, exposure and a support group both within and outside of the art community.” Yang continues, “The addition of the Leadership Scholarship allows us to reach out to an even wider group of Asian American students who have demonstrated exemplary leadership skills and made a difference by challenging the conventional Asian American stereotype. We are looking for candidates who truly embody the spirit of “going against the grain.”
Both the Artistic and Sunna Lee Leadership Scholarship applications are online at www.AgainstTheGrainProductions.com/Scholarship, and the application deadline is April 15th. Scholarship winners will be invited to attend ATG’s 4th annual Fashion for a Passion charity event, to be held on Saturday, October 13, 2012, at the Dallas Contemporary in Dallas, TX, where they will be presented with their scholarship, as well as showcase their talent amongst other Asian American artists.
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 and outreach. Their first project, Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam, has 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 scholarship details, visit www.AgainstTheGrainProductions/scholarship. For more information, visit www.AgainstTheGrainProductions.com or www.TheBabylift.com.
Grace Borrero is currently the Manger of Development & New Series for cable’s fastest-growing network, Style. Her team is in charge of creating fresh content for the channel and overseeing new series from pitch to delivery. Grace constantly meets with producers to discuss the network’s needs and collaborates with them on developing new shows. She has nurtured some of the network’s highest-rated series, such as Jerseylicious, Giuliana & Bill, Ruby and Kimora: Life in the Fab Lane. Grace was also the recipient of the 2008 Ingenuity Award for the Comcast Entertainment Group.
Grace graduated from UCLA with a B.A. in English and Minor in Asian American Studies. While at UCLA, Grace proudly received the Royal Morales Prize in Pilipino Studies and created the Pilipino Organization of English Majors (POEM). Immediately upon graduation, she jumped into the production world at MTV. From 1999 – 2003, she focused primarily in production management, handling all logistical aspects of production, such as hiring crews, overseeing shoot schedules and booking locations. Grace then transitioned into producing and worked on multiple reality shows, such as Lifetime’s Instant Wedding, VH-1’sKept and MTV’s Next. As a producer, Grace developed storylines, managed talent and helped execute the creative vision of the series with the Executive Producers.
Grace is an active member of the National Association of Multiculturalism in Communications (NAMIC), Women in Cable Telecommunications (WICT), Coalition of Asian Pacific American in Entertainment (CAPE), Visual Communications (VC), FilAm Creative, Filipinos Hollywood Mafia (Co-Chair), UCLA Alumni in Entertainment, APA@NBCUniversal (Co-Chair, Professional Development Committee) and the Diversity Council for NBCUniversal. She has also participated in the NAMIC and WICT Mentorship programs and was a selected participant for the 2011 NAMIC Leadership Seminar.
Full Name
Grace Anne Flores Borrero
Hometown
Diamond Bar, CA
Current City
Los Angeles, CA
Ethnicity
Pilipino American
What does it mean to ‘go against the grain?’
‘Going against the grain’ means taking chances and believing in risks. It means not being satisfied with the status quo, but passionately initiating change for the better.
What made you decide to pursue a career in cable television/entertainment?
As a college student, my goal was to work in the media and share stories that would touch people, particularly women and ethnic minorities. The plan was to become a journalist, until I landed a Production Assistant gig at MTV, which I thought, at the time, was the coolest job ever! I discovered I had a knack for pulling together shoots, especially since my strengths were being ridiculously organized and detail-oriented. As I climbed my way up the ladder, I found that this was another way of storytelling, except it reached a larger audience than writing would. Now, my job at the Style Network allows me to connect to our female viewers by creating aspirational and entertaining content that they can relate to.
What challenges have you faced/lessons learned as an Asian American in this field?
The obstacle I have faced in this industry is being perceived as passive and weak. No matter how smart I am, or how much work I produce, some people refuse to give me opportunities I deserve because I am viewed as the “quiet little Asian girl.”
What is your biggest accomplishment and why?
Personally, my biggest accomplishment was completing two marathons (San Diego in 2004 and Las Vegas in 2005). I’m not a runner by any means, and the fact that I could finish a marathon – twice – still blows my mind. Professionally, my biggest accomplishment was being asked to be on the Diversity Council for NBCUniversal. Since I started my career in TV, it’s always been a personal priority to get more people of color in front of the camera and more executives behind the scenes. Being on the Council, I now have a bigger role in ensuring that. It’s a dream come true!
What’s up next?
I’m continuing to develop more edgy and diverse shows for Style. I’m also actively networking with the several professional groups – I love connecting people and helping them along their career path! As a Co-Chair for APA@NBCUniversal, we will be doing a Rock the Vote event in March and a mixer for Asian American Heritage Month in May.
Quotes to live by:
“Never give up, for that is just the place and time that the tide will turn.” – Harriet Beecher Stowe
“You will never change what you tolerate.” – Joel Osteen
Sign:
Snake/Sagittarius
Passionate about:
Diversity and cooking
Favorite food:
Sushi. However, my last meal on earth would be Chicken Adobo with rice, lumpia and pancit malabon.
Are you looking to make a difference? Want to get more involved with the community?
ATG is currently recruiting qualified, enthusiastic, dedicated and experienced leaders to join our 2012 Board of Directors and Committee Chairs!
Here are the current open positions:
Vice President
1. Is a member of the Board 2. Performs President responsibilities when the President cannot be available. 3. Reports to the Board’s President 4. Works closely with the President and other Board members 5. Participates closely with the President to develop and implement officer transition plans. 6.Performs other responsibilities as assigned by the Board.
Secretary
1. Is a member of the Board 2. Maintains records of the board and ensures effective management of organization’s records 3. Manages minutes of board meetings 4. Ensures minutes are distributed to members shortly after each meeting 5. Is sufficiently familiar with legal documents (articles, by-laws, IRS letters, etc.) to note applicability during meetings. 6. Participates in fund raising for the organization.
Treasurer
1. Is a member of the Board 2. Manages finances of the organization and creates monthly income/expense reports. 3. Administrates fiscal matters of the organization, including audit and tax filing. 4. Provides annual budget to the board for members’ approval. 5. Ensures development and board review of financial policies and procedures. 6. Participates in fundraising for the organization.
Director of Community Outreach
1. Is a member of the Board. 2. Plans programs and presentations that will translate the organization’s mission to the community. 3. Provide organization linkage and partnerships to other organizations and individuals (including volunteers), working with Directors of Marketing/PR in raising awareness of the organization to the community. 4. Oversee scholarship application and review process. 5. Is an active participant in the committee’s annual evaluation and planning efforts. 6. Participates in fundraising for the organization.
Director of Marketing/Public Relations
1. Is a member of the Board. 2. Spearhead campaigns to increase community awareness of organization by means of traditional methods (create printed marketing and promotional materials including postcards, pamphlets, brochures, brag book, display board) and Social Media outlets (update and maintain blogs/website, e-campaign, Facebook, Twitter, Youtube). 3. Write news stories and press releases, acting as key liaison to print and news/media organizations and individuals. 5. Is an active participant in the committee’s annual evaluation and planning efforts. 6. Participates in fundraising for the organization.
Director of Fundraising
1. Is a member of the Board. 2. Strategize and lead year-round fundraising campaigns to search for funds, donations and sponsorships through grants, public solicitation, business partnerships and annual events (including Fashion for a Passion). 3. Is an active participant in the committee’s annual evaluation and planning efforts. 4. Participates in fundraising for the organization.
Events Chair (non Board)
1. Work with President and Director of Fundraising to spearhead organization of Fashion for a Passion, Cocktails for a Cause and any other programming/charity events throughout the year. 2. Research and recruit for designers, artists, musicians. 3. Research and secure venue, vendors and volunteer team. 4. In charge of day of logistics. 5. Proven event planning experience a must.
Social Media Chair (non Board)
1. Work with Marketing/Public Relations and Community Outreach Directors to maintain active and regular presence via Social Media (Facebook, Twitter, Youtube, website/blog, etc) to increase public awareness and promotion of organization. 2. Increase search engine optimization. 3. Comprehension of all forms of social media a must.
Volunteers Chair (non Board)
1. Assist with recruitment, retention and organization of volunteers for community festivals, outreach and programming events.
Graphic Designer (non Board)
1. Design printed and online marketing collateral, including brochures, display signage, press packets, email campaigns.
Historian (non Board)
1. Photographer/videographer to document ATG’s on-going activities. 2. Create scrapbook and year-end video montage.
Street Team (non Board)
1. Assist with Marketing/PR team to help with promotion of organization and fundraising efforts through social media, community outreach and annual charity events. 2. Attend and assist with annual community festivals.
Please fill out and return the 2012 ATG Board Application along with your cover letter and resume to Tammy@thebabylift.com by Friday, December 16th. Board elections will be held end of December and announced before the New Year.
Mark your calendar also for the ATG Board Retreat, a mandatory half day introduction/training that will take place either Saturday, January 7th or Sunday, January 8th.
