ATG is proud to announce the extension of their efforts to support orphanages in Asia to Bangkok, Thailand. Last month, our ground representative, Ewe Wee, gathered a group of friends and visited Baan Fuengfah Orphanage to deliver lunch and lots of love. We served lunch, dessert and milk to 272 boys and 160 girls. We look forward to continue our support to more orphanages in Bangkok in the near future. We had a volunteer photographer capture the afternoon.
Check out our photo gallery on Facebook, click here.
Many thanks to Ewe Wee and her amazing team for making this all happen.
To support our orphanage aid efforts and make a donation, visit our Donate Page.
ATG is proud to announce the winners of the 2012 ATG Heritage/Culture Camp Scholarship Contest. Many thanks to all of our campers who submitted this year. Check out how our winners go against the grain and what going against the grain means to them. Congratulations to our winners!
Olivia Thompson
How do you go ‘against the grain?’
I go against the grain by wearing different colored socks and mixing and matching them. I am doing things in my own way by dressing differently. I also have different interests than others people. And I don’t change my interests just because other people are interested in other things. Also at school, I don’t do things and hang out with certain people because others categorize them as “cool,” I hang out with people who I think are nice and trustworthy. I believe that going against the grain is important, and it is important to learn that it isn’t bad. I believe this because later in life, it will allow you to feel more comfortable speaking out and even fighting to get your opinion heard.
What does against the grain mean to you?
“Going against the grain” means many things. I believe that going against the grain means you do things in your own way. For example, if Bob, Sally, Joe, Steve and Fred all decide that wearing green is super cool, but you hate green, you decide to wear red. This would be going against the grain. Going against the grain can be difficult, thanks to peer pressure and sometimes bullies. Thankfully, most of the time, going against the grain isn’t too hard because there are always people who follow and help you along the way. Believe it or not, the way the cool new trend got started was by somebody going against the grain! Way cool, right?
Noelle Hemphill
How do you go ‘against the grain?’
I go against the grain by being who I am. I am an energetic, outgoing, incredibly talkative musician who just happens to be an Asian Adoptee.
“All children have the to right be children: to be safe, to attend school, to play, to be treated with respect, to be heard, to be understood and to be loved.”
What does against the grain mean to you?
Against the grain means being who you are without people telling you you’re supposed to be, pursuing things you love like music, art, writing, sports, whatever it may be that you love, listening to the kind of music that you like, even if it’s not what all the people at school like, because so what if I like classical music or jazz more than most 14 year-olds might like.
Maria Kremer
How do you go ‘against the grain?’
Maria is a Vietnamese adoptee adopted at 14 months-old. She was born in Hanoi, VN and now lives with her adoptive parents and sister in Colorado. She is five years-old and getting ready for kindergarten.
Since we started the adoption process, we had heard that international adoptees have a foot in both their home country and their birth country. However, I would argue that if that’s true, Maria seems to have a finger dipped in a lot of other cultures and countries. That’s one way that she goes against the grain.
What does going against the grain mean to you?
Maria truly is a global citizen and what makes her really go against the grain is her ability to make friends in all of these countries and cultures while being proud of being Vietnamese. At age five, she has the beautiful ability to notice the differences in peoples’ appearance, dress and language. Yet, it’s not a bad difference but a fascinating, adventure-giving difference. She is looking forward to going to the ESL so that she “can help the other kids learn some English and learn what they eat.” I believe this attitude of hers can really change the world if given the opportunity to do so!
Thomas Anh Huy Morton
How do you go ‘against the grain?’
Some kids are bullies, and they hurt other kids, but I don’t hurt other kids. When kids bully me, I get mad. I don’t like it. I walk away and tell my Dad.
What does going against the grain mean to you?
Going against the grain means that I do what is right instead of doing what the other kids are doing. I don’t turn into a bully. I get help when I’m being bullied.
Liz Boyle
How do you ‘go against the grain?’
I go against the grain by saying words like carmel, aunt, data , etc., the other way than my parents do.
What does going against the grain mean to you?
I think of against the grain as something you do that is not very normal, but, I like doing this because it makes me feel unique.
Allison Foust
How do you go against the grain?
We are open to those around us and embrace our differences. We limit our consumption of unnecessary items, get outside and enjoy nature as a family, ride our bikes instead of taking the car when we can and encourage kindness. Our youngest daughter, Allison, is very out-going and quick to make friends wherever she goes. Like her sisters, she likes to recycle and re-use anything that seems as though it might have another purpose. Allison has a very strong opinion about what is fair and what is not fair, and she is not afraid to speak up when things just don’t seem quite right. At six, her opinions have room to develop, but her sense of fairness and outspoken nature will serve her well.
What does it mean to go against the grain?
Going against the grain means living in a way that maintains our personal integrity, regardless of whether or not it is the “popular” thing to do. We make choices every day that require us to think about what the right thing to do is versus what we think we may want. Our choices affect the environment and the people around us and there is a great responsibility on our shoulders to make a decision that has a positive impact.
Sarah Foust
How do you go ‘against the grain?’
We are open to those around us and embrace our differences. We limit our consumption of unnecessary items, get outside and enjoy nature as a family, ride our bikes instead of taking the car when we can and encourage kindness. Our oldest daughter Sarah was just awarded the Good Citizenship Award in her 5th grade graduation for the kindness that she showed to other kids in her class, especially those kids who have trouble making friends with other members of the class and kids who were picked on by other members of the class. She went out of her way to give comfort to those kids, choosing them to help with special activities and sitting with them when no one else would. Her example inspired other kids in the class to start doing the same.
What does mean to go against the grain?
Going against the grain means living in a way that maintains our personal integrity, regardless of whether or not it is the “popular” thing to do. We make choices every day that require us to think about what the right thing to do is versus what we think we may want. Our choices affect the environment and the people around us and there is a great responsibility on our shoulders to make a decision that has a positive impact.
Hannah Foust
How do you go ‘against the grain?’
We are open to those around us and embrace our differences. We limit our consumption of unnecessary items, get outside and enjoy nature as a family, ride our bikes instead of taking the car when we can, and encourage kindness. Hannah is the Queen of recycling and re-using things that might otherwise be considered trash. She diligently reminds us when we are about to throw something away that might be recyclable and many times she insists that she can re-use bits of paper and wrappers, old clothes, etc. for different projects, and she then does. Hannah prefers to bike when she can, and she proudly sports any clothing that she has requested be re-made from old dresses even if her wardrobe differs greatly from her comrades.
What does it mean to go against the grain?
Going against the grain means living in a way that maintains our personal integrity, regardless of whether or not it is the “popular” thing to do. We make choices every day that require us to think about what the right thing to do is versus what we think we may want. Our choices affect the environment and the people around us and there is a great responsibility on our shoulders to make a decision that has a positive impact.
Emily Morgan-Tracy
How do you go ‘against the grain?’
I stir things up by being funny and hyper. I make up funny songs and parodies. I make up games for my friends and me. If I didn’t go against the grain, I wouldn’t be myself.
What does it mean to go against the grain?
Stirring things up and making them exciting and fun.
After a nationwide call for applicants, Dallas-based non-profit ATG Against The Grain Productions is proud to announce its 2012 Scholarship Winners. After receiving nearly 150 applications, the scholarship committee culled down the pool to a short list of top finalists, who were then interviewed to select the final winners.
Director of Community Outreach Lily Yang, who was in charge of spearheading the search, said, “It has truly been an honor and privilege, on behalf of myself and the rest of the scholarship team, to have the opportunity to review so many wonderful and inspirational submissions from a such diverse group of artists all across the country. Though their medium of art is different, we were blown away by everyone’s passion for the arts as well as involvement as leaders in their school and community. It was a very tough decision. We believe our winners not only show potential in their field, but also truly embrace our organization spirit of ‘going against the grain.'”
2012 Artistic Scholarship Winner Britt Espinosa
Candidates were scored based on GPA, an artistic portfolio, essay, demonstration of leadership/community involvement and letters of recommendation. The finalists were interviewed to see who would be the best representative of ATG and the organization’s values. There were two 2012 ATG Artistic Scholarship Winners, each of whom will receive $1,000 towards tuition and education expenses. Both candidates were articulate, energetic and showed exceptional academic prowess, dedication to community involvement, artistic talent, as well as leadership ability. The first winner is Britt Espinosa, an 18 year-old from Kingston, Washington who will attend Northeastern University to study Music Management and performance. Espinosa said, “I feel incredibly honored to be chosen out of all the very impressive entries, and participants! It humbles me to see so many young people like myself making beautiful art, and giving back to the community.”
The second Artistic Scholarship winner is Thoa Nguyen, who graduated from Juan Seguin High School in Arlington and
2012 Artistic Scholarship Winner Thoa Nguyen
will go on to study Radio/Television/Film at the University of Texas at Austin. Said Nguyen on winning her award, “It means the most to me spiritually. It is a sign or reassurance that what I am doing will be worth it in the end because someone out there believes in me.” Nguyen will be one of the seven exhibiting artists at this year’s Fashion for a Passion event that takes place on Saturday, October 13th at the Dallas Contemporary Museum.
For the first year, ATG offered the Sunna Lee Leadership Scholarship, a result of a generous donation from marketing executive Sunna Lee. The goal of the scholarship was to find a student who was moving to change the Asian American stereotype as a passive, showed strong leadership and ability to affect change in the community. The winner is awarded with a $5,000 scholarship towards tuition and education expenses, $1,000 of which will be donated to a 501(c)(3) non-profit of their choosing to allow them to give back.
President/Founder Tammy Nguyen Lee was honored to have the opportunity to expand the organization’s outreach efforts through this new leadership scholarship. 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.”
Regarding the Leadership Scholarship winners, Yang continued, “We had high expectations for applicants of our Leadership scholarship and wanted to hear from Asian American leaders across the country. The diversity and caliber of applicants far exceed even our highest expectations. The submissions truly touched us and affirms the goal of our scholarship to support outstanding Asian American leaders to make a difference in the world around them. The winner has demonstrated not only leadership skills, but also the talent, knowledge, passion, commitment and charisma to make a difference.”
The winner of the Sunna Lee Leadership scholarship is Rebekah Kim of Fullerton, California. She will be awarded a $5,000 scholarship — $1,000 of which will be donated to a 501(c)(3) non-profit charity of her choosing. Kim the first Korean American to make the U.S. Olympic Synchronized Swimming Team and competed in the 2008 Beijing Olympics. She is currently pursuing her Masters in Teaching at the University of Southern California. Kim said, “It is extremely encouraging to know that an organization such as ATG, that is truly making a difference in the Asian American community, is supporting me in my endeavors to be who I want to be and do what I want to do. It definitely makes a special mark in my heart and impact my life in a way that I would like to do for others.” Kim will join Sunna Lee on the Groundbreakers Speak panel event on July 28th, hosted at the Crow Collection of Asian Art.
2012 Sunna Lee Leadership Scholarship Winner Rebekah Kim
Another year has passed. I packed my bags and came back to Vietnam on another mission to visit the orphanages. Because of my new job, I scheduled this trip later in the year as compared to the last one. The weather in June is quite hot and humid in Vietnam, but I was so ready as ever.
Danang Red Cross-Orphan Center:
From the guidance of my friends in Vietnam, I paid my first visit to “Danang Red Cross Association-The Orphan Center.” This center used to be supported by the American Adoption Agencies. As the relationship between the government of U.S. and Vietnam deteriorated on the adoption issues, this center was mostly abandoned by the agencies and left with a small funding from the Red Cross.
The children at this center are mostly severely handicapped and/or affected by illnesses and therefore were left unwanted by potential adopted parents. Some children are in their teenage years yet have never left their crib. The child in this below picture is ten years-old. He is blind and could not walk. He has a certain illness that causes his stomach to be really big, but his legs are bared bone. He is as big as a four year-old child.
There are thirteen children that are bedridden like this child. The director told me that some were affected by Agent Orange. I visited each of the children, and thought of my granddaughter back home. I thought of all of the love and attention that she receives every day and felt sad for the children. Most people will not know his name or remember his face. He is not a cute, chubby, bubbly, or talkative and not a baby anymore. What is the chance for him to be touched, loved, and hugged by an adoptive parents or anyone? In fact, when I slightly touched his hand (which was wrapped in a piece of cloth, because he constantly scratched his eyes with it), he seemed to be scared until I spoke to him softly.
The child at the bottom in the below picture is seven years-old. Her head is abnormally big because of a rare neurological disease. The child next to her is four years-old. She also suffers a neurological disease that caused her body to bend like a shrimp.
The Director told me that she was left at the hospital where she was born. Her parents, who live in the countryside, used to come and visited her when she was little. They stopped coming a few years ago. May be they have other children and have gone on with their life. Or may be they could not afford the visits anymore. Whatever the reasons, the child did not choose to be born and abandoned this way. Again, I thought of my grandchild, and my heart sank.
To the right is a happy child, though. I could not hold my tears when I saw her smiling face.
There are seven other children with Down syndrome. One girl, who was born with one ear missing and has no speech. She kept following me everywhere and wanted to be hugged. Her face was slightly defected, but she kept smiling. She would not let go of my hands when I was leaving.
We brought milk, treats, foods, and supplies of approximately VDN$9,000,000 or US$430 for The Orphan Center. The Director of the Center was very appreciative of our help. This was our second time helping the center. My friends brought supplies and treats on behalf of ATG in March.
Uu Dam (Hue)
My friend and I left Danang for Hue around 5 am the next day to avoid the heat. We contacted PT, the nun who is the director of the Center and met up with her and the older children at Co-op Mart to shop for the foods and supplies for the center. After spent almost two hours at the market, we drove the car filled with foods and supplies back to Uu Dam.
The center has finished with the library and filled it up with the books purchased with the fund from ATG last year. The center still has around forty children. I am happy to see the baby boy who was only eight months when I first met him. He is now a healthy five-year old boy.
I also learned that the center now has 4 children who have completed high school and will compete for entrance to University this year. XT and TX, the twin girls, are now in their second year in University. They go to the University during the day and come back to the center to live and be the big sisters for the younger children. The center now has 3 younger children ages 4, 3, and 2 years-old. Besides food and supplies, we have helped Uu Dam with funds for tuition and books. Every year when I come back, I look forward to see the progress that the center has made and the impact of our help. I was so happy that I was able to see the baby boy who was eight months and the twins, the youngest and oldest children of the center when I first met them. They represent the progress and the impact that ATG has made to this orphanage. I felt encouraged and joyful when I looked at the boy’s eyes. PT really does a good job of raising these children.
We bought foods, treats, and supplies for Uu Dam in a total of VND$9,861,700 or USD$473. We also gave the cooks and other poor helpers of the center USD$50 to encourage them to continue to help PT and the children.
Center for Disabled Children Hoa Khanh
We visited this center in the past. Like the Red Cross Orphan center, this one used to be sponsored by the American adoption agencies. Once the adoption from America stopped, so was the funding. The center has several severely handicapped children (about 30) and a few mentally challenged young adults who need a lot of support on their daily lives. The center heavily relies on assistance from volunteers and private donors/charitable foundations like us. Most of the children without disabilities were able to be adopted by foreign and Vietnamese parents. However, the children with severe disabilities were not adopted by anyone. In fact, the nuns told me that some of the physically challenged children had parents to begin with, but they were ultimately abandoned by their own parents for lack of economical means.
These two children, though alert at times, were born without the ability to walk.
This one could not either.
This seventeen year-old boy, who has been in the center since he was seven, has severe epilepsy.
So does this one…
Too many for me to remember their names….
This baby was born blind and without one hand.
Will he ever be able to see and feel the touch of a loving parent?
We spent VND$15,106,000 ($725) on food and supplies for this center.
Thanh Tam Center for Disabled Children
This place has about 70 children, half of which came from poor families, but they get to go home to their parents at night. Most of the children were born without the ability to hear or speak, thus the school teaches them sign language. Some children were born with Down Syndrome.
For some reason, Danang has many children who were born with neurological birth defects. These children cannot walk. Some have severe epilepsy problems. Some also could not even talk or hear. Their families were not well-to-do to begin with, ultimately forced to abandon the children to the center because they could no longer afford the costs to care for the children. The center, headed by a Catholic nun, aims at providing them with special education that enable these children to follow academic programs as much as they can. However, most of the children who stay in the center were not able to pass the middle school or high school graduating exam, thus the center has been looking for the alternative vocational careers so that these children may be able to find the way to make their own living once they reach adult age. The center received some funding from the Catholic Diocese. However, because of the special needs for these children, the center has to hire a lot of caregivers to look after them. Thus, our support came in handy.
We purchased VND$10, 233,000 (USD$491) of foods and supplies for the center.
SPC-Danang
I contacted the Danang center for the Street children and learned that the children were allowed to visit with their relatives during the second and third week of June, thus we could not visit with them. Since I have to go back to the US, I left USD$300 for my friends to purchase foods and supplies for these children.
On the long flight back to Dallas, I remember the voice of the child that sat next to me on the last trip to Vietnam who asked her Mom what did an orphan look like. I could not help but felt very sad that most of the orphans I saw on this trip could not function normally like the children of Uu Dam or Son Ca orphanages. Being without parents and/or without the appropriate economic means are difficult enough for anyone. However, the orphans with disabilities will have even lesser chance to be loved and cared for by the adopted parents or other guardians. They will have a lot less chance to have an independent lifestyle as they become adults. Their journeys in life will be difficult, if not short. I am glad that ATG could lend a hand to provide them with the much needed support on their journeys. We hope to be there along the way to ease their pains. I am also very glad to have friends in Vietnam likes HP to help me with transportations and deliveries of the goods to the orphanages on this trip.
To support ATG’s orphanage aid program and make a donation, visit our Donate Page.
Against the Grain does more than produce films about the Asian-American community. Founded by Tammy Nguyen Lee of Dallas in 2006, the organization is also a nonprofit that uses media projects to raise funds for international orphanages. And last year, ATG added scholarships to support Asian-Americans.
A first-generation Vietnamese-American, Lee has long held an interest in orphans. In 2009, she made the documentary Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam.
Donations to ATG provide food and medical supplies to needy orphanages in Vietnam. ATG has volunteers in the country who distribute aid on a quarterly basis.
Lee’s mother, Aileen Nguyen of Dallas, just returned from her annual summer trip to the country. While there, she distributed nearly $2,500 in aid and supplies on behalf of ATG. This year alone, ATG plans to give $13,600 to orphanages.
ATG is also reaching out to help orphans in Thailand for the first time, with plans to expand to other Asian countries.
Back in the States, ATG just awarded $7,000 in scholarships. U.S. Olympian Rebekah Kim of Fullerton, Calif., received the 2012 ATG Sunna Lee Leadership Scholarship. The 2012 ATG Artistic Scholarship went to Thoa Nguyen of Arlington and Britt Espinosa of Kingston, Wash.
To learn more, visit againstthegrainproductions.com.
DALLAS, TX – For the first time, Dallas-based non-profit ATG Against The Grain Productions brings together influential and successful Asian American leaders to host an engaging and educational event called Groundbreakers Speak: A Conversation with Asian American Movers & Shakers. The panel is comprised of dynamic and influential industry leaders who will speak on their inspiring path to success. The family-friendly event will take place from 2-4 pm at the Crow Collection of Asian Art in Dallas, TX on Saturday, July 28th. In addition to the panel, event guests will get an opportunity to enjoy Asian art, champagne, coffee and dessert.
The 2012 Groundbreakers Speak panel includes leaders from areas of business, law, medicine, sports, fashion, the arts and philanthropy. They include NASCAR/Formula One Racer Nur Ali, U.S. Olympian Rebekah Kim, judge and activist Ramey Ko, plastic surgeon/entrepreneur Dr. Sam Lam, marketing executive Sunna Lee, fashion designer Khanh Nguyen and filmmaker Patrick Wang. The panel will be moderated by ATG President/Founder Tammy Nguyen Lee.
Admission to Groundbreakers Speak: A Conversation with Asian American Movers & Shakers ranges from $10-15 and can be purchased online at www.againstthegrainproductions.com/events.
The “Groundbreakers Speak” Panelists:
Nur Ali
“I am honored to be part of the first Groundbreakers event, highlighting Asian-American Movers and Shakers in the community. I look forward to the panel’s conversation and their insight.”
Nur Ali grew up in Germany surrounded by Formula One Racing. Ali developed his passion for racing at a very young age. Through his fourteen year career, Ali has amassed two Championships in the Southwest Formula Mazda Regional Series and a second place finish in the Legends Series. He has also raced in twelve countries for the A1 Grand Prix Series – The World Cup of Motorsport, with a top ten finish in Durban, South Africa. By 2011, he received his NASCAR Camping World Truck Series license and later on in 2012, Ali was sanctioned and licensed by the NASCAR Nationwide Series and hopes to make his debut in the current season.
Rebekah Kim
“I feel extremely honored and excited to be attending ATG’s very first “Groundbreakers Speak” event. I’ve been impressed by reading about all of the things ATG has been doing for the Asian American community, and I am hoping that I can be a positive addition in supporting their vision and purpose.”
Rebekah “Becky” Kim is currently attending the University of Southern California pursuing a M.A. in Teaching. In 2004, she she led Ohio State’s Synchronized Swimming Team to win a National Collegiate Championship, winning gold in all three events (duet, trio, team). The eight-time national team member helped the U.S. win gold at the 2006 World Trophy Cup in Moscow, Russia, which marked the first victory over the Russians who have been reigning champions for the past ten years. In the following year, Rebekah participated in the 2007 Pan Americans Games, where the U.S. finished gold, securing their spot in the 2008 Olympic games. She is the first Korean American to have ever made the U.S. Olympic Synchronized Swimming team. Kim made her Olympic debut in Beijing, 2008 where the U.S. placed fifth. Following the Olympic games, she returned back to OSU to complete her schooling where she led the team, as team captain, to win another National Championship in 2009. That same year she was named Athlete of the Year.
Currently, Kim gives back to the sport by raising and coaching the next generation of synchronized swimmers. She is involved in the governing body of USA Synchro. She was selected as the United States Olympic Committee Athlete Advisory Council Representative, where she was one of five officials who selected members of team USA for the 2012 London Olympic Games. To help her community, she partners with the Southern California Committee for the Olympic Games (SCCOG), is a speaker for Ready, Set, Gold! (RSG!) and serves on the leadership team at Sarang Community Church in Anaheim . Kim is the winner of the 2012 Sunna Lee Leadership Scholarship.
Ramey Ko
“I am honored and humbled to be included in the very first leadership event organized by Against the Grain. As the U.S. Census and numerous recent polls, studies, and news reports have indicated, Asian Americans are now the fastest growing racial group in America. We have also achieved unprecedented levels of success, whether it’s the groundbreaking appointment of three AAPIs to President Obama’s cabinet, the more than doubling of the number of AAPI federal judges since 2009, or the increasing visibility of Asian Americans in entertainment and arts from Hollywood to YouTube. With new opportunities also come new responsibilities, so it is more critical than ever that Asian Americans rise to the challenge of becoming the leaders, the innovators, and the agents of change in a diverse and changing America.”
Ramey Ko is a partner with Jung Wakefield PLLC, an immigration and business law firm, and an Associate Municipal Judge – the first Asian American judge in Austin. Ko is also an adjunct lecturer in Asian American Studies at the University of Texas and serves on the Austin Public Safety Commission and the Advisory Board of the Greater Austin Asian Chamber of Commerce. In September 2010, President Barack Obama appointed him to the President’s Advisory Commission on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, which advises federal agencies on how to better serve the AAPI community.
Dr. Sam Lam
“I am honored to be part of this distinguished group of Asian community leaders and hope to inspire the next generation of entrepreneurs, leaders, movers, and shakers.”
Dr. Sam Lam graduated from Princeton. He is an entrepreneur, triple board-certified facial plastic surgeon and author of 6 major medical textbooks and over 150 scientific articles and book chapters. Dr. Lam lectures nationally and internationally throughout the year and has given over 150 lectures to date. He is national course director for a Hair Transplant Workshop in St. Louis each year as well. He is the current owner and operator of the 27,000 square-foot Willow Bend Wellness Center in Plano that houses his other two businesses, The Spa at Willow Bend and the Jose Eber Salon. Dr. Lam’s newest venture is a skincare line named Ova that features plant-derived stem cells and has taken him two years to develop.
Sunna Lee
“I am thrilled and honored to be part of ATG’s first leadership forum as this speaks to which I am most passionate. The need for promoting, developing leadership among the Asian community is what drove me to create the Sunna Lee Leadership scholarship. We need to understand what this means today and in the future for all generations to come. Leveraging the talent, intelligence and vision of Asians to drive strategic thinking, innovations, creativity that change the way we live is the ultimate step in assimilation to American society where the focus is not in rebuilding a life here but influencing other lives. Leadership comes in various ways. I am very excited to hear others’ perspective and most importantly, to create a meaningful dialogue that will build a foundation for years to come.”
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 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.
Khanh Nguyen
“I am honored to be a part of Groundbreakers Speak for its first year. It is a great opportunity to voice what I have learned throughout my years in the industry and to learn what others have experienced as well. Everyday, we are thankful to be asked to be a part of such great events and to help make aware to the community all the organizations out there that make a difference.”
Khanh Nguyen has been surrounded by fashion and art throughout her life. Nha Khanh’s designs focus on modern glamour, inspired by art, architecture and most importantly, nature. “Nha,” in Vietnamese, is a feminine word implying ‘light’, whereas “Khanh” is a masculine word, meaning celebration. The fusion of the words creates a balance of unison between what is feminine and what is masculine. Nguyen attended the University of North Texas and obtained a Bachelor’s degree in Fine Arts in Fashion Design. During her education, Khanh’s most notable recognition was the “Top Achievement Award at the Dallas Career Day Design Competition,” allowing her the opportunity to embark on an internship in Paris, France. Upon her return to Dallas, Nguyen started her own fashion firm, Nha Khanh. The company was officially established in January 2010. Design and production of the line are all based in Dallas, Texas, while the sales, marketing and public relations of the collection are based in New York City.
Patrick Wang
“I’m very much looking forward to the conversation that will come out of such a diverse panel. Our individual paths have been unusual and unpredictable, so who can guess where this dialogue will go.”
Patrick Wang is a graduate from MIT with a degree in Economics and a concentration in Music and Theatre Arts. Wang has become a well-known theatre and film director. He recently released his first feature film, In the Family, to critical praise. 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).
Tammy Nguyen Lee
“This is the first time ATG has hosted a speakers panel for the sole purpose of community outreach and education. Bringing together Asian American leaders of this caliber and diversity from all over the country to come to Dallas to share their experiences, perspective and insights is a rare opportunity. They are all groundbreakers in their own right and have amazing stories to share. We can learn so much from them and walk away inspired by what we can achieve as a community. ATG is also so excited to partner with the wonderful team at the Crow Collection of Art to give a beautiful backdrop to our event.”
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.
ATG Against The Grain Productions, a Dallas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to producing films, media, programs and events that promote awareness and unity of Asian American culture, artistry and identity. Signature events are Cocktails for a Cause and Fashion for a Passion, as well as the Artistic Scholarship fund. 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.
18 year-old Thoa Nguyen was born in Hue, Vietnam. In 1996, her family (including herself, her parents and older sister) immigrated to America when she was three years-old. After living in Arkansas with her grandparents for six months, the family moved to Arlington, Texas. The family experienced culture shock, but the opportunity to pursue the American Dream was a dream come true.
Although the language barrier was initially an issue, school quickly became one of Thoa’s strengths. She challenged herself, taking advanced classes whenever possible, as well as courses that interested her artistically. After stints in choir, band and theatre, she found her passion for studio art. She served as Vice President and then President of her school’s National Art Honor Society, Vice President of the National Honor Society, Historian of the Drama Club, was a Project SOAR mentor and part of the International Thespian Society, Environmental Club and Future Business Leaders of America. She recently graduated from Juan Seguin High School ranked number three in her class. Thoa plans to study Radio/Television/Film as well as Studio Art at the University of Texas at Austin.
Full name:
Thoa Thi Kim Nguyen
Hometown:
Born in Hue, Vietnam but I consider my ” hometown” to be Arlington, Texas
Current City:
Arlington, TX
Ethnicity:
Vietnamese
What does ‘going against the grain’ mean to you?
To me, ‘going against the grain’ is synonymous to swimming against a current, doing what your heart tells you to do, despite what is expected. By pushing yourself to reach your goals no matter the circumstances or resistance, you are going against that opposing force. We would not be where we are now if minorities throughout history had not conformed and sparked revolutions. Like they say, ‘if there’s a will, there’s a way,’ even against the grain.
How do you go against the grain?
I believe that the most important characteristic to be able to go against the grain would be courage. It takes a lot of courage to STAND UP for your ideals when everyone else is sitting. I’d also have to say that it has taken me my entire life so far to earn that courage. I go against the grain by putting full faith and spirit into what I have realized I want to do for the rest of my life: incorporate my art with my love for film(making). Any person with traditional Asian parents can agree that they want the best for their children’s futures, which means they expect us to be in high paying career like medical or engineering fields. Having come from an immigrant family, I was expected to earn outstanding grades, then pack my bags for medical school. To my parents dismay, I had no interest in such fields… I had my heart set on being an art director for film. Although it may not seem like much, it took me my entire life to figure that out. To stand behind what I was passionate about, even if it was not what was expected of me. To have courage.
On the importance of art to a community: (excerpted from scholarship essay)
“If there were a few imperishable and infinite things in this world, art would be one of them. Art takes so many forms and is perceived by so many perspectives that it can never be nonexistent. Lucky for us, as human beings, we need it in our world to survive. It is a wonder that something that can be seen as trivial and even unnecessary and impractical, is so embedded into ourselves, we almost forget it is there, if it were not for the people who express it so well. Art is soul, and life, and presence, and void. It is what adds color to our world, our community, and our being.”
What made you decide to pursue a career in film (art direction)?
Film production has always been interesting to me, and I believe that you should pursue a field that provokes your curiosity and interest for it. And with my art skills and creativity as a precursor, I want to associate that with film production to be an art director for film.
What have been some of the challenges you faced/lessons you learned as an Asian American in this field?
It is not a common field for an Asian American (especially an Asian American with traditional parents) to pursue, so the toughest challenge is proving myself based on my passion and skill, not my race, to every one else. Something that I’ve learned is to do what suits me, no matter what any one else says, and do it well to the best of my ability, because it does reflect on my culture and where I come from.
What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment, and why?
My greatest accomplishment would probably be making it in my graduating class’ Top 2 % and being ranked number three. I know how proud that makes my parents and that all the hard work I have put into my studies for the past four years in high school was with that goal in mind.
What’s up next?
The great, scary, life changing experience called ”college” is next for me! I’m so excited to be in a new city, surrounded by the immense creative atmosphere that UT will offer me!
Quote to live by:
”It is every man’s obligation to put back into the world at least the equivalent of what he takes out of it.” – Albert Einstein
Sign (Eastern Animal Sign & Western Zodiac): Rooster/Scorpio
Passionate about: All forms of visual arts; learning
Favorite food: Barbecue chicken!
Can’t live without: My best friend and future roomate, Alexa Harrington
What it means to you to be named the 2012 ATG Artistic Scholarship Winner:
“It means the most to me spiritually. It’s a sign of reassurance that what I am doing will be worth it in the end, because someone out there believes in me.”
Britt Espinosa graduates this June after being homeschooled with a variety of academic courses through public school, online, community private courses and self-directed learning. His community service and leadership experience includes a month long service trip to South Africa with Global Expeditions, Food packaging and shipping (Children of the Nations), Sharenet Christmas Shop volunteer, Small Group Leader and Kairos Youth Group Leadership Team. Britt is an Awana Citation Award winner after serving for 10 years with Awana International.
Britt studied classical piano for 10 years and had formal voice training for 2.5 years. He quickly discovered he loved music and found himself on various musical groups singing and playing; not only piano, but also guitar, bass, and the occasional drums. Britt is actively involved in leading a musical ministry team, teaching younger and newer musicians. He has received multiple artistic awards, including Superior Ranking in Male Vocal Solo and Superior Ranking in Christian Band. In the past two years, Britt has performed and toured regionally throughout the West Coast with his band, The Exchange, playing about 100 events during that time. Whether it is through singing with fellow team workers in South Africa, performing for youth on stage or leading a team of young musicians, Britt values the power of music. “When words fail, music speaks. – Hans Christian Anderson Britt will attend Northwest University this coming fall, with his anticipated major being Music Business Management and Performance.
Full name:
Britt Larson Espinosa
Hometown/Current City:
Kingston, Washington
Ethnicity:
Filipino/Caucasian
What does ‘going against the grain’ mean to you?
To me ‘going against the grain’ means having the discipline and drive to pursue a dream in the midst of hardship, stigma, and setbacks. Discipline includes dedication to education, working when you don’t think you can go anymore, and having foresight. Having a ‘drive to pursue’ means to make the most out of every opportunity, and to also hold onto to the dream when things are slow and require patience.
How do you go against the grain?
I live to pursue and accomplish. When I set my sights on a goal, I will do everything to accomplish that goal. I go against the grain because I know that education, foresight and patience are essential to success.
On the importance of art to a community: (excerpted from scholarship essay)
“A man named Thomas Merton once said, ‘Art enables us to find ourselves and lose ourselves at the same time.’ Art plays a huge role in culture, community, relationships and everyday life. In my opinion, a society without art is a society that has no identity or soul. Art is an expression of the soul, like Thomas Merton said, it pushes us to ‘find ourselves’ and lose ourselves’…Art affects much of our culture and the way we identify with our culture. From branding to movies, art is the aspect that our souls react and respond to. Art is important in our society and community because it gives meaning, purpose and identity to individuals and groups. Without art, the world would be a bland place, full of people without an identity and without the desire to find one.”
What made you decide to pursue a degree in music/music management?
I’ve always loved music, and musical performance. I started the band, The Exchange, in 2010. Over the next two years, we went on to perform almost 100 events, playing shows, youth camps and conferences throughout the West Coast. As we gained more experience and play time, I started to fill the role of managing the business and road management aspects of the band. Through this and also my years of leading young musicians on a musical team, I came to find that I greatly enjoyed and was challenged by the business aspects of leading a band/team. I want to sharpen my skills as an artist in my college years. Additionally, I believe an artist can be much more effective and influential if combined with skills of leadership and management expertise. A possible outcome of my combined education would be to become an artist developer and manager.
What have been some of the challenges you faced/lessons you learned as an Asian American in this field?
As an Asian American, I have always been aware of the undercurrent that exists, that I may not be given the “benefit of the doubt” as to my abilities or education. Sometime during my middle school years, I read a book entitled Do Hard Things – A Teenage Rebellion Against Low Expectations. I came to realize I may not be able to change people’s initial perceptions about me based on their first impression. However, if I personally pursue excellence and not make excuses, in the end, I would become the best I could be and would eventually earn the trust and confidence of those I am working with. Serving overseas in South Africa as well as through the various countries that I have traveled has also allowed me to apply this same principle of acceptance and openness to others, no matter what culture I may find myself in.
What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment, and why?
While I could initially say it could be my band, grade point average or even my overseas service project, as I truly reflect on a personal accomplishment, I would say it would be completing 10 years of classical piano training. This is my biggest accomplishment, not because of the years or even the hours of practice, but because there were several times I wanted to quit. During my 8th and 9th year of piano lessons, I doubted whether sticking with piano was even worth it. What kept me going was simply my personal discipline and knowing that even though it was not always easy or enjoyable, I wanted to finish strong with my piano training. Now, looking back, I can see how my piano training has opened so many doors and possibilities, even allowing me to learn other instruments more quickly. I learned perseverance. I learned that hard work can pay off and that reaching for excellence, even when there is no motivation, is truly the most rewarding after all.
What’s up next?
I will be attending Northwest University, where I will be working towards obtaining a degree in Music Business Management and Performance. I also plan to continue touring with my band, The Exchange. Recently, I was asked to be in Northwest University’s choir called Choralons. This is an innovative choir comprised of 110 vocalists and a 7 piece rhythm section, of which I will be the piano player.
Quote to live by:
“He is no fool who gives, what he cannot keep, to gain that which he cannot lose.” – Jim Elliot
Sign (Eastern Animal Sign & Western Zodiac): Rooster/Capricorn
Passionate about: Music, Jesus Christ and Rock-n-roll!
Favorite food: Lumpia
Can’t live without: Listening and playing music on a daily basis
What does it mean to you to be named the 2012 ATG Artistic Scholarship Winner?
I feel incredibly honored to be chosen out of all the very impressive entries and participants! It humbles me to see so many young people like myself making beautiful art and giving back to the community. To be chosen out of this group is a very great honor!
ATG was honored to offer a new Leadership scholarship this year, thanks to benefactor Sunna Lee. The winner will receive a $5,000 scholarship — $1,000 of which will be donated to a 501(c)(3) non-profit of his/her choosing to give back.
We received applications from worthy candidates around the country, all of whom impressed us with their exceptional leadership skills, talent, knowledge, passion, charisma and commitment to make a difference. Candidates were scored based on their GPA, leadership/community involvement, letters of recommendation, presentation and essay that demonstrated his/her ability to change the perception of the Asian American stereotype. The top finalists were selected based on these criteria:
1. Fearless and not influenced by what others say. Stays true to his/her vision and open to learn.
2. Has chosen a medium in which to influence change.
3. Charismatic enough to influence and deliver change.
After interviews, one winner will be selected and announced soon, so stay tuned! We proudly announce the…
2012 ATG Sunna Lee Scholarship Finalists
Cindy Dinh (Houston, TX)
2012 Sunna Lee Leadership Scholarship Finalist Cindy Dinh
Age: 23
GPA: 3.95
About: Graduate from Rice University (Magna Cum Laude B.A. Sociology; Health Policy Studies) and currently attending Harvard Kennedy School of Government pursuing a Master’s of Public Policy (MPP)
Honors/Community/Leadership Experience highlights: Bill Gates Millennium Scholarship, Harry S. Truman Scholar, Board Member and Student Affairs Liaison (OCA), Volunteer teacher for Huong Vuong Vietnamese language school, External Vice President of Rice University Vietnamese Students Association, Volunteer Deputy Voter Registrar, Leadership Rice
On “What makes a good leader?”
“Leadership inevitably happens at the crossroads of opportunity and dilemma. Great leadership adds in the vision, charisma, organization and ability to inspire others.”
What does ‘going against the grain’ mean to you?
“Going against the grain is a personal decision. It’s deciding to take initiative and act based on your beliefs and values. The status quo should not be a limiting factor, but the catalyst to changing the world for the better. “
A Haiku for Asian Americans:
Count us in, not out
We need seats at the table
Go against the grain
How do you go ‘against the grain?’
“Through grassroots initiatives and my future career in public policy, I hope to empower the Asian American community and debunk the stereotypes of an apathetic youth, an unprepared woman in politics, or an uncultured second-generation Asian American. I truly believe that bicultural, bilingual individuals are in the best position to connect the immigrant generation to mainstream America and include them into the fabric of our community. With this in mind, I have led groups of high school and college students to increase the dismally low number of voter registration, to inform people about how to register as a bone marrow donor, and to educate individuals on the importance of filling out the Census 2010 and how this affects our community.”
Rebekah Kim (Fullerton, CA)
2012 ATG Sunna Lee Leadership Scholarship Finalist Rebekah Kim
Age: 27
GPA: 4.0
About: Graduate of Ohio State University (B.A. Korean) and currently attending the University of Southern California pursuing a M.A. in Teaching
Honors/Community/Leadership Experience highlights: United States of America Olympian (Beijing Olympics Games), 2 Time Athlete of the year, OSU Scarlet and Gray Leadership Award, 7 Time USSS All-American Award; Leadership Team at Sarang Community Church, Bay Area Rescue Mission
On “What makes a good leader?”
“Every leader must be raised and taught and must therefore, be teachable…A leader with a teachable heart, regardless f the shortcoming she may have, will in the end bear life lessons which can transform and make great impact on people’s lives…A good leader must know exactly where she is coming from…must know where she is going…is aligned with her passion and goals. She knows where she is effective and where she is not…Furthermore, a good leader knows when and how to say ‘no.’A leader should have a giving and servant-like heart, [but] is not merely a slave to be pushed around…and knows the boundaries of her own and those of others….A good leader never ceases to motivate and encourage others, especially when people are lost without hope. [A leader is ] a seeker of the truth [who] not only accepts herself, but accepts the society she lives in. She holds true to what is right and just in her own heart through her actions, as well as her actions in life. Therefore, it can never be the title, rank or position that makes a good leader, but rather the character of the person that does.”
What does ‘going against the grain’ mean to you?
“A person ‘going against the grain’ is not only a trailblazer, but is also someone who dares to thrive on unfamiliar grounds. Their drive is passion, empowerment, and a whole lot of “everything is possible” attitude.”
How do you go ‘against the grain?’
“I think I go against the grain by believing in the truth that I’ve been entrusted with certain talents and abilities to dream and to be a part of something that is bigger than myself. I am teaching, equipping and empowering our younger generation to conquer their own dreams and fears – not letting them justify their shortcomings or circumstances – and doing it all so that they can do the same for others. The other week I was invited to a school dance (one of the schools I’ve been speaking at) and I had a fifth grader come up to me and thank me because I helped her overcome her fear of dancing in front of people. It forced me to bust out some of my special moves that I thought were long gone, but it did the trick!”
Jeffrey Sun (Cambridge, MA)
2012 ATG Sunna Lee Leadership Scholarship Finalist Jeffrey Sun
Age: 26
GPA: 3.64
About: Graduate of Yale University (B.A. Political Science) and plans to pursue a MBA at MIT Sloan School of Management
Honors/Community/Leadership Experience highlights: Yale Topol Fellow, National Sigma Chi Leadership Award; Program Associate of One Acre Fund; President of Silliman College Council, Founder of Yale Club Sports Advisory Board, Elected Representative of Yale College Council, Elected Representative of Yale Alumni Association
On “What makes a good leader?”
“A leader must know oneself. Without having an understanding of one’s identity – and being confident in it- one cannot hope to succeed…A good leader must have a vision and goals…A good leader will work for the change he or she wants to see…Good leaders are individuals who draw from their internal strength to motivate themselves to work hard to achieve a vision.”
What does ‘going against the grain’ mean to you?
“To me, ‘going against the grain’ means questioning the status quo. It means having the vision to innovate and see the world not for what it is, but for what it could be.”
How do you go ‘against the grain?’
“As an aspiring social entrepreneur, I’ve spent much of my life trying to understand how we can solve some of the world’s greatest challenges. To this end, I’ve traveled the world as an ambassador for my Asian-American heritage, living and working in seven countries across four continents. These experiences have shown me the ways in which humanity lives in an unsustainable imbalance with the natural world.
I go against the grain by questioning this status quo. I truly believe that the issue of environmental sustainability will be the defining issue of this century. Thus, after business school, my goal is to one day launch a social venture that partners with governments to bring to scale innovations that address these environmental challenges. Through this, I aim to continue to represent the Asian-American community in the social entrepreneurship field.”
Yvonne Tran (Oakland, CA)
2012 ATG Sunna Lee Leadership Scholarship Finalist Yvonne Tran
Age: 26
GPA: 3.04
About: plans to pursue a MBA in Design Strategy at California College of the Arts in the Fall
Honors/Community/Leadership Experience highlights: California State Assembly Recognition of Leadership, University Service Award, Cross-Cultural Bridges Award, Senior Co-Excellence Award; Member of ReWrite Collective, Member of Oakland Sisters Collective, Board Member of Californians for Justice, Intern for USAction, Co-Facilitator of Students for a Progressive Asian American Movement
On “What makes a good leader?”
“A strong leader needs to laugh often and at themselves frequently. A capable and accountable leader is important but not sustainable if they do not harbor also compassion. It is a sense of loving kindness for themselves when they make mistakes and for others when they do the same. It is not about excusing poor behavior but also to see it for what it is and moving forward without creating a worse situation. It is the ability to see the connections we all have with each other so that when we lead, we lead from our hearts and not from our ego. Our character is defined by our actions, so we must move in the world as leaders in ways that we would be proud of.”
What does ‘going against the grain’ mean to you?
“Going against the grain means being aware that the conventional and the expected never leads to greatness. It is the passion to re-imagine the way we can relate to each other and convey the possibility of another perspective, view, or world that creates impact. That new world is going against the grain of the old, established, and institutional.”
How do you go ‘against the grain?’
“I go against the grain by not only the work I do in the community, but I’ve also learned that how one moves in the world can be just as impactful. I struggle everyday to live true to the selves I’ve discovered within around my politics, my gender, my queerness, the stories I want to tell, and the type of change I want to make in this world. Re-imagining the communities we live and work in and cultivating vision to follow through with it is the ultimate symbol of going against the grain.”
For more information on the ATG Sunna Lee Leadership Scholarship, visit the Scholarship Page.
ATG is proud to announce the extension of their efforts to support orphanages in Asia to Bangkok, Thailand. Last month, our ground representative, Ewe Wee, gathered a group of friends and visited Baan Fuengfah Orphanage to deliver lunch and lots of love. We served lunch, dessert and milk to 272 boys and 160 girls. We look forward to continue our support to more orphanages in Bangkok in the near future. We had a volunteer photographer capture the afternoon.
Olivia Thompson
Noelle Hemphill
Maria Kremer
Thomas Anh Huy Morton
Allison Foust
Sarah Foust
Hannah Foust
Emily Morgan-Tracy
We bought foods, treats, and supplies for Uu Dam in a total of VND$9,861,700 or USD$473. We also gave the cooks and other poor helpers of the center USD$50 to encourage them to continue to help PT
and the children.
DALLAS, TX – For the first time, Dallas-based non-profit ATG Against The Grain Productions brings together influential and successful Asian American leaders to host an engaging and educational event called Groundbreakers Speak: A Conversation with Asian American Movers & Shakers. The panel is comprised of dynamic and influential industry leaders who will speak on their inspiring path to success. The family-friendly event will take place from 2-4 pm at the Crow Collection of Asian Art in Dallas, TX on Saturday, July 28th. In addition to the panel, event guests will get an opportunity to enjoy Asian art, champagne, coffee and dessert.
Nur Ali
Ramey Ko
Dr. Sam Lam
Sunna Lee
Khanh Nguyen
Patrick Wang
Tammy Nguyen Lee
