Against The Grain’s latest orphanage expedition at the end of 2014 took our team, led by Against The Grain co-founder Aileen Nguyen, to Quan Chau, which provides a home for about 120 orphans, many of whom are babies aged two to six months. Read more
The 2015 Against The Grain Artistic and Groundbreaker Leadership Scholarship applications are now available! These scholarships, funding for which is provided by generous sponsors and donors as well as special fundraising events that ATG produces each year, honors a select group of amazing Asian American high school seniors, college undergraduate and graduate school students who exemplify the true meaning of “Going Against The Grain” as leaders in their communities (Groundbreaker) and those pursing a degree or career in the arts (Artistic). All scholarship applications are available at www.AgainstTheGrainProductions.com/scholarship and must be postmarked by April 15, 2015 for consideration. Read more
Quan Phung | President, Scripted Programming | Slingshot Global Media
Quan Phung is President of Scripted Programming at Slingshot Global Media, an independent television studio backed by private equity and based in Santa Monica, California. Established in 2014, Slingshot’s mission is to build a talent-friendly, forward-thinking 21st century studio that develops, produces, finances and distributes television series with a global focus and reach.
Prior to Slingshot, Quan spent close to two decades as a producer and an executive at companies such as Bluegrass Television, Twentieth Century Fox Television Studios, Fox Broadcasting Company (FOX) and the National Broadcasting Company (NBC). He has been involved in the development and production of many acclaimed series including House, How I Met Your Mother, My Name is Earl and Arrested Development. In 2002, he was named one of Hollywood Reporter’s Top 35 Executives Under 35.
Full Name: Quan Luong Phung
Hometown: San Diego, California
Current City: Los Angeles, California
Ethnicity: Vietnamese
What does it mean to you to “Go Against The Grain?”
To me, “Going Against The Grain” is always striving to be your authentic self. It is continuing to evolve and recognizing your strengths and shortcomings. It is not being afraid of failure and looking at those moments as opportunities to engage with the world, and get to know yourself better. It is leading anything but a life of quiet desperation.
Against The Grain was saddened to learn of the passing of a very special member of the ATG family Lyly Koenig Mendez. Lyly was an orphan brought to the United States through Operation Babylift and whose story is highlighted in ATG’s documentary feature, Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam.
A great supporter of ATG and the arts, Lyly grew up in Festus, MO, graduated from Crystal City High School in 1993 and earned degrees from the University of Missouri at St. Louis and the Miami International University of Art and Design. She worked in TV and film production, was a skilled graphic designer and fashion designer who also had her work featured in ATG’s 2010 Fashion for a Passion. In addition, she was a cheerleader for the St. Louis Rams in the 1990s as well as the San Diego Chargers from 2000-2001.
She died on January 20, 2015, near Houston, TX, at the age of 40, after an eight-year fight against breast cancer. Throughout, she never let the disease take her joy, humor, creativity, compassion, humanity and passion for family, friends and life. A shining example of what it means to “Go Against The Grain,” this memorial artistic scholarship was created in her name specifically to support talented emerging graphic/fashion design students like her and dedicated with love as a reminder of her unique spirit and legacy…to #LiveLikeLyly.
The St. Louis Post-Dispatch featured a special article on Lyly on February 2, 2015.
DC Wolfe, an actor and writer, is one of the adoptees who is featured in the film. Although very private by nature, he openly shared his intimate and painful story to help others better understand the unique situation that adoptees face. He has supported Operation Babylift by attending numerous screenings and even speaking at Asian American Leadership and Educational Conference (AAALEC) panel at Southern Methodist University to discuss the film and his personal story.
The ATG family was saddened to learn that DC is currently battling cancer. In an effort to return the love and support that he has shown for many years in sharing his powerful journey and raising awareness about adoption, Tammy and the ATG Board would like to donate 100% of all proceeds from sales of Operation Babylift DVDs during the entire month of February to help offset DC’s medical costs.
If you would like to show your support, please click here to purchase your own copy of Operation Babylift. As you reflect on the message of love throughout the month of February, we encourage you to share the love and spread the message of hope that is embodied in the film by also considering copies of Operation Babylift for family and friends. We thank you so much for your continued support of our mission and hope that through our programming and community outreach efforts, you are not only enlightened and educated about Asian American culture, arts and issues but also inspired to do your part, in any measure, to make life better for others. #beCAUSE.
Read more Against The Grain posts featuring DC Wolfe and Operation Babylift:
Yasmeen Tadia is a 32 year-old single mother, with more than 10 years of Human Resources and Business Management experience. In her last role, she was the Corporate Director of Human Resources for the largest hotel management company in New York City, where she managed hotels all over the world from an HR perspective.
Yasmeen Tadia has transformed standard-issue, carnival cotton candy into a completely new and gourmet, flavor-packed experience—and a low-calorie, vegan and gluten-free one, at that. The entrepreneurial vision behind the sweet Fluffpop pouf was actually born out of her desire to provide a healthier candy alternative for her sugar-loving young son Zain—which also instantly made this single mom the CEO of fun for her son. Read more
The Ingredients of an ATG Leader and the Team that Makes It Happen!
Are you looking to make a difference? Want to get more involved with the community? Want to make amazing friends and have life changing experiences?
ATG is currently recruiting skilled, enthusiastic, dedicated and experienced leaders who have the necessary time to join our 2015 Board of Directors and Creative Team! Read more
Thanks to your support, we were able to expand our assistance to orphanages in Cambodia this year! Many special thanks to Rev. Sy Seng Ouk and his wife Mrs. Esther Ky (parents of ATG advisor and long-time friend Thear Suzuki) who recently visited our supported orphanages and gave us the report below. Read more
Cynthia Yung, Executive Director of The Boone Family Foundation
Cynthia Yung currently serves as Executive Director of The Boone Family Foundation, a resource for social change. In this role, she is responsible for identifying and recommending grants for nonprofit organizations that focus on supporting programs which advance equity for women and girls, improve quality of life for children and promote environmental stewardship.
Ms. Yung also serves on advisory boards for The Real Estate Council Community Fund and Texas Women Ventures, Austin College GO! Forum Advisory Council, Dallas ISD Literacy Campaign Committee and steering committees for the Zero to Five Funders Collaborative and Commit! Early Childhood Council. More than a decade of volunteer work on international mission trips and serving on nonprofit boards have paved the way for Ms. Yung’s transition from the corporate world to the nonprofit world.
A Telecom industry veteran, her previous corporate career includes roles in sales, strategic marketing, manufacturing operations and finance for Nortel Networks. Ms. Yung earned a Chartered Professional Accountant designation at Ernst & Young and a Bachelor of Commerce degree in Canada.
Check out news on Ms. Yung’s latest work:
Full Name: Cynthia Yung
Hometown: Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Current City: Dallas, Texas
Ethnicity: 34th generation Chinese
What does it mean to you to “Go Against The Grain?”
Journey outside your “lines” be it gender, culture, tradition, stereotype, etc.
by Anthony Tran, Asia World Media | November 3, 2014
The Three Three Three First Avenue was the place to be on Saturday night, November 1, 2014. Dallas Fashion enthusiasts flocked to the sixth annual ‘Fashion For A Passion,’ eager to bid on a line-up of designer dresses up for auction in support of Against The Grain Productions (ATG), a non-profit organization raising awareness for orphanages in Asia, scholarships for Asian American students and brings together the talents of emerging Asian American fashion designers, artists and musicians. In its sixth year, ‘Fashion For A Passion’ event provided a place for the community to celebrate up and coming talents and at the same time, raised money for a worthy cause. Some designers have launched careers with the event, including Khanh Nguyen of Nha Khanh, who started as a UNT graduate and within a few short years, her brand has been featured in Saks Fifth Avenue and Neiman Marcus. Another talented designer, Hanh Dang of Lucy Dang, went on to win the title of ‘Texas Next Top Designer’ and is currently at retail giant Belk, with the potential of landing a million dollar contract with Belk.
