Through our Scholarship Program, ATG proudly awards Artistic, Groundbreaker Leadership and #LiveLikeLyly scholarships to a select group of amazing Asian American high school seniors, college undergraduate and graduate school students who are shining examples of what it means to go Against The Grain. Since 2011, we have awarded 20 scholarships. In 2014, we awarded a record ten to deserving students across the country – and look forward to doing the same in 2015!
Author: Renae Virata
4th Annual Groundbreakers Speak Added New Flavor to NAAAP National Conference
DALLAS (Aug. 10, 2015) – Asian American leaders gathered together Saturday to share their motivating personal stories to success at Against The Grain Productions’ 4th Annual Groundbreakers Speak Event during the National Association of Asian American Professionals National Convention at the Hilton Anatole. In TED-inspired presentations, question-and-answer lightning round and round robin-style intimate audience discussions, a record 200 attendees from the Convention and the Dallas community listened to each speaker’s individual takes on the Convention’s theme “Resilience: Power of the Asian Leader.” NAAAP President Fabian De Rozario opened with encouraging remarks along with 2014 Groundbreakers panelist, Partner at Ernst & Young, ATG Ambassador and previous NAAAP 100 winner Thear Sy Suzuki, whose comment on courage as a key trait of great leaders rang true throughout the afternoon.
ATG President and Founder Tammy Nguyen Lee Recognized as a NAAAP 100 Honoree
The ATG family is excited that the NAAAP 100 committee has selected our very own President and Founder Tammy Nguyen Lee to be recognized at the upcoming National Convention in Dallas, at the evening Gala on Aug. 8! The NAAAP 100 Award, Presented by Buick recognizes the most exemplary leaders in the Asian community. NAAAP, as the premier leadership organization for Asian professionals, offers these awards annually to the most influential leaders who have made significant contributions to their profession and the Asian community. Previous award winners include the late Senator Daniel Inouye, Pepsico CEO Indra Nooyi, Superbowl MVP Hines Ward, and playwright David Henry Hwang.
NAAAP members, chapters, and members of the public nominate candidates for NAAAP 100 consideration. These nominees are reviewed by individuals and a committee in a highly-selective process with final approval by the NAAAP National Board of Directors. Typically, only three to four individuals each year are recognized as honorees, who are celebrated at the NAAAP National Convention culminating in a Saturday evening awards gala. For more information on the NAAAP 100 program, please visit www.naaap.org/programs/naaap-100/.
Tammy was inducted alongside Ronald W. Chang (President of UPS Capital and advocate for Asian Americans) and Lieutenant Commander Albert Wong (a judge, diplomat and community leader).
Orphanage/Underprivileged Children Aid Report: The Philippines
by Jennifer Devany | Co-Director of Community Outreach |After searching long and hard, the wait is finally over. On Sunday, July 15, ATG’s Philippines Aid Advisor Stephen Tan, ATG’s Vice President Renea Virata, and Co-Director of Community Outreach Jennifer Devany met and discussed making the very first disbursement to an orphanage in the Philippines. With the assistance of Jennifer’s family in the Philippines, ATG will be providing assistance to Lady Fatima Orphanage located in Iriga City in Buhi Camarines Sur, approximately 20 kilometers away, where Jennifer was raised.
Announcing Our 2015 Heritage/Culture Camp Winners!
Following our support of orphanages in Asia, ATG also provides scholarships here at home to ten young Asian American adoptees each year to attend culture camps such as Catalyst Foundation’s Heritage Camps for Adoptive Families and Vietnamese Heritage Camp. Last year, we raised $1,000, allowing ten youths to spend a few days in the summer connecting with their heritage, bonding with new friends and participating in enriching activities for this year’s Heritage and Culture Camps. Announcing our 2015 Winners! Read more
Vietnamese Heritage Camp 2015 a Great Success!
by Jennifer Devany | Co-Director of Community Outreach | Any mention of camps in relation with Vietnamese would generally conjure up images of the re-education camp in Vietnam back in 1975 after the Fall of Saigon. No. This is not the case here. On Thursday, July 23rd through Saturday July 25th, Against The Grain Productions’ board members and ambassadors Tammy Nguyen Kee, George Lee, Tien Truong, Jennifer Devany, Nikki Duong Koenig, Carol Nguyen and Hue Dao Miner packed their bags and flew to the Vietnamese Heritage Camp in Denver, Colorado to teach and present Vietnamese dances to students as well as prepare and cook banh xeo (Vietnamese crepes) for the parents. Read more
Congratulations to Our 2015 ATG Artistic, Groundbreaker Leadership & #LiveLikeLyly Scholarship Finalists!
Through our Scholarship Program, ATG proudly awards Artistic, Grounbreaker Leadership and #LiveLikeLyly scholarships to a select group of amazing Asian American high school seniors, college undergraduate and graduate school students who are shining examples of what it means to Go Against The Grain. Since 2011, we have awarded 20 scholarships. In 2014, we awarded a record ten to deserving students across the country – and look forward to doing the same in 2015!
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.
Orphanage Aid 2015 Update: The Philippines
The ATG Board is proud to announce that orphanage aid to The Philippines is moving forward at a swift pace! We are currently in the process of securing our relationship with two locations that desperately need basic-need items and school supplies. Many thanks to our Advisor Stephen Tan, a childhood friend of ATG President and Co-Founder Tammy Nguyen Lee, for spearheading our efforts our latest aid location and to our Co-Director of Community Outreach Filipina Jennifer Devany for connecting us with orphanages through her family. Get to know Stephen below and the wonderful work he is doing as a Pastor in The Philippines!
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