#CAF2019CLEPoster design by H

ien Nguyen

ClevelandAsianFestival.org#CAF2019CLE

A park reimagined

... WITH INVESTMENT BY CUYAHOGA ARTS & CULTURE

Cuyahoga Arts & Culture uses public dollars approved by residents to bring arts and culture to every corner of our County. Public investment helps extend this experience to everyone, from grade schools to senior centers to large public events to educational outreach and small neighborhood art projects.

Visit cacgrants.org/impact to learn more.

Your Investment: Strengthening Community

Perk Park in downtown ClevelandPhoto by Lisa DeJong

2

5

6 7

Welcome to the 10th Annual Cleveland Asian Festival! The tenth annual Cleveland Asian Festival highlights Cleveland’s growing Asian

community and its commitment to Greater Cleveland.

After 10 years, Cleveland Asian Festival continues to strengthen the identity of

AsiaTown and establish it as a vibrant neighborhood in Cleveland. For all the

organizations and individuals involved, creating CAF has been a truly rewarding

experience that has united us as a community and provided us with a vehicle to

collectively voice our opinions. We are proud of the Asian community’s growing

engagement and will continue to look after the interest of AsiaTown and its

people and to work collaboratively with all interested parties to create a brighter

Cleveland future.

Finally, a heartfelt thank you to our wonderful sponsors, vendors, performers,

volunteers, and supporters who have helped make this event possible. We could

not have reached this milestone without you! Over the previous nine years, the

Cleveland Asian Festival has drawn an estimated 285,000 people to our event

and introduced over 70,000 to AsiaTown for the first time. The majority return

to AsiaTown year-round.

Enjoy the sounds and sights of the Asian performers, the aroma and sampling of

Asian cuisine, the many family-friendly hands-on activities and games, the world

marketplace booths and the health screenings and educational opportunities at

the health pavilion. We are so appreciative of the wonderful support from all of

you. Enjoy the 2019 Cleveland Asian Festival! CAF Executive Committee

8 9Cleveland Asian Festival

2999 Payne Avenue, Cleveland, OH 44114 216.539.4634 www.clevelandasianfestival.org

Cleveland Asian FestivalStrengthening the identity and Supporting Economic Growth of AsiaTown

Educating and promoting Asian culture and traditions - Celebrating Asian Heritage Month

AsiatTown @ Payne Avenue & E.27th StreetMay 18-19, 2019 / 11am – 7pm, No Pets/Free Parking @CSU

• Embracing and Educating Cleveland’s Culture, and Diversity• Provide Economic Growth to AsiaTown

• Strengthen the identity of AsiaTown• Celebrate Asian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month

• Unite Cleveland’s AsiaTown Neighborhood

Cover Design by Hien Tran Nguyen, postcard design by Dorothy Li, and all others by Jessie Ng, Jesse Smith with photos taken by volunteers at previous Cleveland Asian Festivals

About 2019 Cleveland Asian Festival

Welcome to the Tenth Annual Cleveland Asian Festival! The Cleveland

Asian Festival is a collaborative effort by the organizations and communities in

Greater Cleveland. The Cleveland Asian Festival that brings economic growth

to the neighborhood while highlighting Cleveland’s AsiaTown, Asian Culture,

and Diversity, while celebrating Asian American Heritage Month.

Cleveland Asian Festival is a landmark undertaking to unite the community

through recognition of its culture, diversity, and people. The event is a pioneer

grassroots festival with participation of many diverse and ethnic groups

including: Chinese, Taiwanese, Korean, Japanese, Filipino, Indian, Vietnamese,

Laotians, Indonesian, Malaysian, Thai, and others. In addition, committed

organizations such as the OCA Greater Cleveland, Friendship Foundation of

America, Federation of India Community Association, Vietnamese Community

of Greater Cleveland, MotivAsians for Cleveland, Asian Services in Action,

Cleveland Contemporary Chinese Culture Association, Cleveland Chinese

Women Association, Chinese Professionals and Entrepreneurs Association,

Midtown Cleveland, Koko Bakery, Korean American Association, Japanese

Americans Citizens League, Cleveland Chinese Benevolent Association,

Filipino Associations, St. Clair Superior Development Corp., Asia Plaza Inc.,

and AsiaTown Neighborhood Merchant organizations have enthusiastically

committed to this festival.

The Festival features food and merchandise vendors, local and national

performing artists, an activities area, games, competitions such as Egg Roll

eating, Asian Pop Dance Competition, a health pavilion that focuses on

diseases and medical conditions that affect Asian Americans. The festival is the

first to bring recognition and economic growth to the AsiaTown neighborhood

by introducing this ethnic neighborhood to tens of thousands of Clevelanders.

The Cleveland Asian Festival (CAF) is the fastest growing festival in Ohio celebrating 10 years in 2019!

• 10,000 people attended the 1st Annual CAF in 2010 (one day)• 31,060 people attended in 2011.• 42,240 people attended in 2012.• 38,380 people attended in 2013• 38,000 people attended in 2014• 45,000 people attended in 2015• 48,800 people attended in 2016, over $2 million spent• 38,000 people attended in 2017• 32,000 people attended in 2018

10 11

10th Annual Cleveland Asian Festival579111516-1721-2326-2728282930-3132-3334-35353637383944-4546-48

Welcome – Cleveland Mayor Frank G. JacksonWelcome – Cleveland Councilman Basheer JonesWelcome from the Cleveland Asian Festival Executive CommitteeAbout the Cleveland Asian FestivalFestival Committee MembersSponsorsProclamations & Letter of RecognitionRecognitionsInternational Act : Shaolin Gong Fu Performance Team - from ChinaAsian-Pop Cover Dance CompetitionSpecial Guest EmceesFestival MapPerformance ScheduleExhibitors ListingHealth PavilionActivities PavilionOther AttractionsLocal Heroes / AsiaTown Path FindersAsiaTown DirectoryAsian American & Pacific Islander Heritage Month Facts & FiguresOrigin of Asian American & Pacific American Heritage Month

o 95% were very satisfied with the overall experienceo 96% vendors of all kind had generated high sales volumeo 96% would visit AsiaTown in the near future, 4% increase from 2017o 97% returned in 2017 CAF, 4% increase from 2015o 98% believed the festival would benefit Clevelando 75% spent over $20, 10% increase from 2015

14 15

Cleveland Asian Festival Committees

Executive CommitteeVi Huynh

Deborah Yue

Michael Mendoza

Wayne Wong

Co-ProducersLisa Wong

Johnny Wu

Finance & Compliance CommitteeDeborah Yue

Vi Huynh

Logistic CommitteeEd HomSteve Hom

George Kwan

Security CommitteeGeorge KwanJohnny Wu

Lisa Wong

Debbie Yue

Vendor CommitteeLisa WongMinh DangMala Augoustidis

Ivan Ho

Marketing / Media CommitteeJohnny WuLisa Wong

Dan Hanson

Dorothy Ly

Loresa Novy

Debrarh Willis

Sobeyda Schiling

Health Pavilion CommitteeMichael MendozaMaemie Chan

Michael To

Yvette Obias-Muscatello

Volunteer CommitteeAaron BakerAlissa Berman Kristen McDonough

Brian Iorio

Melyssa Martin

Kyle Znamenak

Wanda Finley

Barbara McQueen

Sara Kennedy

Tony Louie

Sarah Gouch

Steve Jung

Activities & Games CommitteeDavid (Wensheng) HuangOanh Loi-Powell

Jennifer Feierabend

Vera Boggs

Dorjan Scott

Siu Yan Scott

Wayne Wong

Performance CommitteeWayne WongOanh Loi-Powell

Jennifer Luu

Tim Goodwin

Rohit Shastry

Asim Datta

Gabriel Kramer

A-Pop Sub-CommitteeRaymond BondadLauren Puljic

Matt Soos

Colors of Asia Sub-CommitteeOanh Loi-PowellTim Goodwin

1716

Please thank our sponsors & donors for their support!

Presenting Sponsors: Sponsors:

Partner Sponsors:

Please thank our sponsors & donors for their support!

Associate Sponsors:

Media Sponsors:

CPeahinese

rofessional

ntreprenuer

ssociation

19

20 21

23

25

Li Wah combines a contemporary atmosphere with traditional Chinese design to create a unique place to relax and savor your meal.

LI WAHRESTAURANT

• Our menu samples cuisine from the Szechwan, Hunan and Canton provinces of China and all of Asia

• We take great pride in using only the freshest ingredients to create dishes that are balanced with color, taste, texture and aroma.

• Dim Sum is served from 10am to 3pm daily

Catering and Gift Certificates Available

WE DELIVER!

COME SEE US INSIDE ASIA PLAZA

A Hom managed restaurant

OPEN DAILY ■ 2999 Payne Avenue, Clevelandliwahrestaurant.com ■ 216.696.6556

Chester Avenue

Superior Avenue

Payne Avenue

E. 30th St.

✫

LIWAH

Recognitions

2019 Festival Volunteers: Cleveland Asian FestivalSt. Patrick’s Day Parade Volunteers:

Special thanks to Asia Plaza, Li Wah Chinese Restaurant, Ed Hom, Imagelab Media, OCA Greater Cleveland, Rising Star Acrobatics, Thomas Gee and the following volunteers:

CAF PhotographersArt Biagianti

Sarah Burgett

David Ciborek

John Dunlavey

Dennis Glazer

Gayle Norris

Joshua Rose

Jene Wilson

Ed Wong

All subject to change.27

Allen ChenSakura FazlBrenda GeeErn GerardoAnjan GhoseEric GuoWensheng HuangSteven JungJai’na KincyMartin KingLuke Kuang Chris MitchelChanisara NetsuwanYing PuChinja ScottDorjan ScottSiu Yan ScottRohit ShastryMavis WilliamsAlex WongLisa WongWayne WongYu XieCharley Yan

Additional thanks to:AFSCME

Allegheny Technologies Incorporated

Asian Town Center

Business Volunteers Unlimited (BVU)

Cleveland 3rd District Polic Department

Commander Dorothy Todd

Cleveland Chinese Benevolent Association

Cleveland Chinese Women Association

Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Department

Dave’s Supermarket

Friendship Foundation of America

Li Wah Chinese Restaurant

MAGNET

Peaks Assoc. Ltd. And Peaks Assoc. No. 1 Ltd.

Rumpke

Steve Leopold

TDY Industries

United Way

W. 78th St. Partners

Recognitions

26

Mariela AndradeDawn AndrewsBrenda BarbarinoBarbara BeresJoanne BlanchardCassandra Campbell Leola CarterJoey Cayabyab (Nunez)Donald ChanDorothy Chan CentarJezea ChislerEvvie ChislerVincent CononicoSheryl DajkoAnya EdmondsonArreyneke EtongweEva FongMike GibbonsAnjelica GraceYuanhao GuoSteven HeintelRaquel Hernandez

Ivan HoKen HoltVan JacksonDenise L. JenkinsMaria KaiserKanami KawaichiAnita KazarianJai'na KincyMartin KingAnjelica Lagliva Barbara LangfordTresa LavelleDevlin LesterShenghan LiGene MarkLois MillmanColleen MoranChanisara NetsuwanPatricia PearceLea PettyAnna PettyLisa Raber

as of 4/22/2019

Jocelyn RadonVashty Rivera RodríguezShelia Robinson TaylorDiane SchmenkDavid SchmenkHerBrina Shepherd Samantha Shucofsky popaJo Ann SolnickMargo Strowder Alonzo TatumJeannette ThorpeWalter WagnerLynette WalkerTraci WalkerBei WangKathryn ( Kitty ) Wil-liamsAlex WongLalaya WrightHarvey YanLotus YeeYuwei Zhang

Following the success of 2017’s Cleveland Asian Festival K-Pop Cover Dance competition, and the 2018 Asian Pop Dance competition, the community has called for its return. Dancers from throughout the region submitted video dance entries in the categories of Bollywood, C-Pop, J-Pop, K-Pop, and Nepali Pop.

After Round 1 of screenings by CAF, the favorites went on to Round 2 of Online Voting. The top five A-Pop finalists will compete live in Round 3 on Saturday May 18, 5:30 at the Lantern (Raised) Stage. Prizes at stake are 1st Place = $2000, 2nd = $1000, 3rd = $500.

Chris Tanaka anchors the 5 p.m. and 11 p.m. newscasts on Cleveland 19 as well as the 9 p.m. and 10 p.m. on CLE43. Chris joined the Cleveland 19 news team in July 2016, after a five-year stint as anchor and reporter in Honolulu, Hawaii. While Chris moved to Cleveland to further his career, the move was also an opportunity to discover his roots as Chris’ father was born and raised in Lakewood, OH. Chris is half Japanese and was born in Taipei, Taiwan. He is happily married with two young boys. Chris can be found on Facebook and Twitter @Chris_Tanaka.

28 29

Asian Pop Cover Dance Competition

Special Guest Emcees

Lead MC Wayne Wong is the recipient of the Asian American Engineer of the Year Award. Wayne is the Chief of the Thermal Energy Conversion Branch, Power Division, at the NASA Glenn Research Center where he is helping to develop future high-efficiency space power systems and was awarded the NASA Exceptional Achievement Medal for his work. Wayne was born in Hong Kong and raised in Cleveland, Ohio and is a graduate of Case Western Reserve University. Wayne is also an artist, actor, and scriptwriter, having pursued comic book illustration in the past and more recently wrote or acted in several films. He is the OCA Asian Pacific American Advocates, Greater Cleveland Chapter V.P. of Administration, and leads the OCA Dragon Dance Team. He enthusiastically volunteers his time and energy to further the goals of the Cleveland Asian Festival as Executive Committee member, Performance Chair, and Lead MC.

Wayne Wong

Chris Tanaka

Homa Bash

International Act: China Shaolin Gong Fu Performance Team

Directly from Henan, China. The Shaolin Huiguang Martial Arts Major Institute will be celebrating at our 10th annual Cleveland Asian Festival!

This team consists of world renown Master Zhang Shijie, Headmaster of the Shaolin Huiguang Martial Arts Major Institute in Henan, China, home of the Shaolin Temple and Shaolin Gong Fu (Kung Fu). Master Zhang and his team are all National & International Champions and have performed all over the world and are of the highest caliber of Martial Artists.

They will be performing Traditional Shaolin Gong Fu showcasing various fighting routines, weaponry and martial athletic skills that have been passed down in the traditions of the famous Shaolin Temple for hundreds of years. Seminar will be available right after at 6pm at the Shaolin Kung Fu Institue!

Learn Traditional Shaolin Lohan Form Workshop on May 18 at 6pm at Shaolin Kung Fu Institute, 28142 Shardon Rd, Willoughby Hills, OH 44092. More information, visit booth #87 (corner booth by the Dragon Stage - flat) or call 440.715.5346, Workshop is $50/person, spectators at $5/each.

Born in Calcutta, India, Homa Bash is a reporter at WEWS-TV Channel 5 in Cleveland, Ohio. Previously, she worked at KTVZ in Bend, Oregon; KTAB in Abilene, Texas; KTUL in Tulsa, Oklahoma; WEWS in Cleveland, Ohio; KXAS in Dallas. Homa has a B.A. in Journalism, Middle East Studies & Political Sci-ences from the University of Arkansas; M.S. in Journalism from Northwestern University. Homa is happily married to her husband Daniel Ball and fans can read more about her and their Indian-American fusion wedding in the January issue of Cleveland Magazine. She can be found on Facebook and Instagram

Lynna LaiLynna Lai joined Channel 3 News in April 2012 and anchors the weekend edi-tions of Channel 3 News at 6 p.m. and 11 p.m. She can also be seen reporting weeknights. Lynna brings to the job her broadcasting experience in major mar-kets across the country. Her aggressive career pursuits began as a reporter at WMBD-TV in Peoria, Ill., which was quickly followed by a year at KGW-TV in Portland, Ore. She then became the first Asian-American television reporter in Cleveland at WJW-TV, but left to pursue anchoring and reporting jobs at WTSP-TV in Tampa, Fla. and WSB-TV in Atlanta, Ga. She has also served as a freelance correspondent for ABC News and the BBC. Lynna returned to Cleveland television in 2001 as an anchor for WOIO-TV. Lynna can be found on Facebook and Twitter @Lynna_Lai.

NOTE: All subject to change without notice

34

Food Court(presented by Cleveland Public Power)

World Marketplace

Health Pavilion (Free Screening)

World Marketplace (cont’d)Indoor Exhibitors

Cleveland Go ClubMargaret W Wong and AssociateNortheast Ohio Regional Sewer District (NEORSD)Cleveland Public Safety Recruitment TeamMarilyn Missler DBA Threads of Hope, Inc.

* Food Truck Lane

** Food Vendors on Payne Avenue

Exhibitors List Exhibitors List (Cont’d)

Philippine Nurses Association of Ohio: Health Screenings

Mayfield Smiles: Maemie Chan DMD, Dental Education

Rosenblitt Dental: Winnie Wong DMD , Dental Education

ASIA International Community Health Center: Health screenings

H Asia Food Co./Asian Town CenterG Banh Mi & NoodlesB Bo Loong Chinese Restaurant39, 40 Dang Good Foods21 Eastland FoodO Good Harvest Food Market22 HA!TEA Bubble TeaJ Hot Bamboo P Ice Or RiceN Indian DelightK Katie’s Premium Jerky & SnacksT KOKO Bakery Q, R Li Wah D Lotus Thai House M Map of Thailand L One Stop Drink ShopE Ono Turo TuroU Otani Japanese RestaurantI Siam Cafe 33, 34 SnowBros ShaveryA Thai Thai36, 37 Tropical Flame Food Truck

Booth # 93 5000 Years Streetwear 8 Akron Henna Art55 All Points Church at Hudson98 Amazing Flowers105 Asian Catholic Ministry, Diocese of Cleveland107 Asian Services In Action, Inc. (ASIA, Inc.)63 Bath Fitter69, 70 Blue Crimson Anime Junction54 Body Tune Plus (Jewelry with a purpose)9 Boy Scouts of America45 CAF APA Trivia/Photo Booth56, 57 Catari99 Chris Deighan Art15, 16 Cleveland Chinese Christian Church4 Cleveland Division of Air Quality 14 Cleveland Dragon Boat Association95 Cleveland Japanese MeetUp26 Cleveland Metroparks10 Cleveland Metroparks Outdoor Experiences46 Cleveland Public Library28 Cleveland Public Power31, 32 Cleveland Water

47 Confucius Institute at Cleveland State University101 CUSTOMIZE NAME60 Cuyahoga Community College48 Cuyahoga Job and Family Services39, 40 Dang Good Foods21 Eastland Food3 Equal Employment Opportunity Commission88 Escentially Inspired6 Federal Bureau of Investigation103 Financial Advising11 First Aid49 Garfield Memorial Church41 Global Ambassadors Language Academy80 GorgeousHenna 30 Gutter Logic of Ohio22 HA!TEA Bubble Tea58 Henna by Varsha 65, 66 Henna Fashions81 Hmong Ohio Of Tomorrow (HOOT) 106 Humana Insurance 1 Information Booth44.5 Instrument Discovery with The Cleveland Orchestra (Sunday only)50 Jai Originals61 Joyce Factory Direct / Bath Planet97 Kay-Em Apparel29 KeyBank62 Kitchen Saver1 Lost & Found104 Lucky's Charms and Supplies 12 MidTown Cleveland7 MotivAsians for Cleveland89 My Turquoise Kitten100 Nature Green5 OCA-Asian Pacific American Advocates72, 73 Patsiam84, 85 Peace and Love23 PNC68 Polly & Stretch Apparel43 Progress with Chess27 Progressive Insurance92 Recovery Resources53 Sabai Thai Massage67 Saladmaster87 Shaolin Kung Fu Institute20 ShelfGenie94 Shiseido-Anna Beauty Center51, 52 Siam Orchid79 Silver D's Accessories33, 34 SnowBros Shavery76, 77 Sumak Crafts102 Switch Art42 The Cleveland Museum of Art19 The LASIK Vision Institute

24 The Lubrizol Corporation25 Third Federal36, 37 Tropical Flame Food Truck64 Unique Home Solutions74, 75 Universal Windows Direct71 Vinyl Record Art2 Volunteer Check-in82, 83 VTrendz LLC13 Westlake Chinese Culture Association78 World Heritage 17, 18 WorldTrendz59 Youth for Understanding 90 Yulin

Free tour to learn about Cleveland’s Asiatown. Our expert tour guide will take you through historical Chinatown, Asian Town Center, Ariel International Center, and more! Additional Tour Shuttle provided by Cleveland Matroparks

AsiaTown Tour pick-up /drop-off is at East 27th Street and Payne Ave (behind the Lantern Stage - on Payne Avenue)

Timed tickets will be available at the trolley stop. First come,first serve.

Saturday: 1pm, 1:30pm, 2pm, 2:30pm, 3pm, 3:30pm, 4pm, 4:30pm

Sunday: 1pm, 1:30pm, 2pm, 2:30pm, 3pm, 3:30pm

The Cleveland Asian Festival will once again present the “Colors of Asia” Fashion Exhibition. Join us Sunday on the Lantern Stage as the models show off the

beautiful threads of Asian countries.

At the Lantern Stage - Sunday Only at 4PM

An emcee will explain the names and styles of the outfits. After the fashion show, there will be photo opportunities with the models.

“Colors of Asia” Fashion Exhibition

AsiaTown Guided Neighborhood Tours

2019 Activities and Games Pavilion:

36 37

Additional AttractionsActivities Pavilion & Games

Cleveland Asian Festival Photo Stations

Cleveland Asian Festival Trivia Game

Cleveland Museum of Art

Instrument Discovery with the Cleveland Orchestra (Sunday only)

Cleveland Public Library

Confucius Institute at CSU

Cuyahoga Job & Family Services/Health & Human Services

Garfield Memorial Church

The Game of Go (inside Asia Plaza)

Global Ambassadors Language Academy (GALA)

Progress with Chess

38 39

40

43

Proudly SupportsDave’s Market & eatery

CLEVELAND

FESTIVALASIAN

44 45

© 2017 DiversityInc PAGE 7

For All EmployeesDiversityInc MEETING IN A BOX

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

POPULATION

2015

2060*

100%

95%

90%

85%

80%

85%

75%

70%

65%

60%

55%

50%

45%

40%

35%

30%

25%

20%

15%

10%

5%

0%

Chinese 3.8 million (1.2% of total)

Asian Indian 3.3 million (1% of total)

Filipino 2.7 million (0.9% of total)

Vietnamese 1.7 million (0.5% of total)

Korean 1.5 million (0.5% of total)

Japanese 779,637 (0.2% of total)

Other Asian 2.4 million (0.8% of total)

16.2 million (5.2% of total)

38.9 million (9.3% of total)

*Projected

U.S. Population Largest Ethnic Populations

Facts & Figures

EDUCATION

Percentage of Population Age 25 and Over Who Completed At Least High School

Asi

an/

Pac

ific

Isla

nder

Bla

ck

Whi

te

Lati

no

Am

eric

an I

ndia

n/A

lask

a N

ativ

e

Tota

l Pop

ulat

ion

85

.2 88

.9

81

.48

7.7 90

.19

3.3

58

.56

6.7

75

.28

3.8 85

.2 88

.4

Asi

an/

Pac

ific

Isla

nder

Bla

ck

Whi

te

Lati

no

Am

eric

an I

ndia

n/A

lask

a N

ativ

e

Tota

l Pop

ulat

ion

49

.3 52

.9

17

.6 22

.9

30

.63

6.2

12

.0 15

.5

14

.5 19

.8

27

.7 32

.5

Asi

an/

Pac

ific

Isla

nder

Bla

ck

Whi

te

Lati

no

Tota

l Pop

ulat

ion

17

.5 22

.8

2.6 5.0 7

.5 10

.1

2.1 3.2 6

.3 8.7

20

05

20

15

20

05

20

05

20

15

20

15

Percentage of Population Age 25 and Over With At Least a Bachelor’s Degree

Percentage of Population Age 25 to 29 With At Least a Master’s Degree

Facts & FiguresFacts & Figures

© 2017 DiversityInc PAGE 8

DiversityInc MEETING IN A BOX

Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month

For All Employees

Buying Power

2015

$825 b

illi

on

2015

1.2

tri

llio

n

2015

$1.3

tri

llio

n

2015

90.4

bil

lion 2015

14.1

tri

llio

n

2018

$962 b

illi

on

2018

1.6

tri

llio

n

2018

$1.6

tri

llio

n

2018

123 b

illi

on 2018

16.2

tri

llio

n

FINANCES

EMPLOYMENT

Median Household Income (2015)

Participation Rate Asian Executives/Senior Level Officials & Managers

Asian First/Mid-Level Officials & Managers

$80k

$70k

$60k

$50k

$40k

$30k

$7

7,3

68

$3

6,5

44

$3

8,5

30

$4

4,7

82

$6

1,3

94 $5

5,7

75

Asian

White

Black

Hispanic

American Indian

Hawaiian:

Two or More Races

6.16%

62.8%

14.8%

14.11%

0.55%

0.45%

1.66%

Percent Projected Change in BuyingPower (2014-2019)

35%

30%

25%

20%

15%

10%

31

.5

29

.2

23

.4

32

.1

21

.3

Asian Latinos Blacks American Indians Total Population

SOURCES: U.S. CENSUS, EEOC, NATIONAL CENTER FOR EDUCATION STATISTICS.

Asian Buying Power

$1 T

$800 B

$600 B

$400 B

$200 B

2000 2010 2014 2018*

$2

74

.9

$6

15

.5

$7

55

$9

62

Asi

an

Bla

ck

Am

eric

an I

ndia

n/A

lask

a N

ativ

e

Lati

no

Whi

te

U.S

. M

edia

n H

ouse

hold

Inc

ome

Asi

an

Am

eric

an I

ndia

n

Bla

ck

Lati

no

Tota

l Pop

ulat

ion

Private Industry

DiversityInc Top 10

5%

7.9%

Private Industry

DiversityInc Top 10

6.61%

14.8%

46 47

A national celebration established in 1977 with the participation of civil rights organizations such

as the Japanese American Citizens League and Organization of Chinese Americans.

May is Asian Pacific American (APA) Heritage Month—a celebration of Asians and Pacific

Islanders in the United States. Much like Black History and Women’s History celebrations, APA

Heritage Month originated in a congressional bill.

Congressional Bills Establish Celebration In June 1977, Representatives Frank Horton of New York and Norman Y. Mineta of California

introduced a House resolution that called upon the president to proclaim the first ten days of

May as Asian/Pacific Heritage Week. The following month, senators Daniel Inouye and Spark

Matsunaga introduced a similar bill in the Senate. Both were passed.

On October 5, 1978, President Jimmy Carter signed a Joint

Resolution designating the annual celebration.

APA Becomes Month-long Celebration In May 1990, the holiday was expanded further when President

George H. W. Bush designated May to be Asian Pacific American

Heritage Month. May was chosen to commemorate the

immigration of the first Japanese to the United States on May 7,

1843, and to mark the anniversary of the completion of the transcontinental railroad on May 10,

1869. The majority of the workers who laid the tracks were Chinese immigrants.

Asian Pacific American Heritage Month is celebrated with community

festivals, government-sponsored activities, and educational activities for

students. This year’s theme is “Lighting the Past, Present, and Future.”

Asian-American History: From Chinese laborers in the 1800s to millions of U.S. citizens today by David Johnson

When they first arrived in the United States, Asian (usually Chinese) immigrants were welcomed,

or at least tolerated. After the California gold rush brought thousands of Chinese to California,

however, Asian immigrants faced restrictive laws and occasional violence.

In the late 1800s Chinese, and eventually other Asians, were excluded from citizenship. These

laws were repealed during World War II, followed by further immigration-law changes, making it

easier for Asians to enter the United States.

Today, Asian immigrants have a high rate of assimilation and participation in the American

mosaic.

Gold Rush Boom

The Chinese were the first Asians to arrive in large

numbers. By the 1830s Chinese were selling goods

in New York City and toiling in Hawaiian sugarcane

fields.

Gold was discovered in California in 1848,

eventually attracting thousands of Chinese miners

and contract laborers. In 1850, just over 1,000

Asian immigrants entered the U.S., but ten years later, the figure had jumped to nearly 37,000,

mostly Chinese.

Violent Protests

In some quarters, Chinese workers were welcomed. The

Central Pacific Railroad recruited Chinese to work on the

transcontinental railroad in 1865. Three years later the

Chinese and the U.S. ratified the Burlingame Treaty which

facilitated Chinese immigration.

However, many people feared being “overwhelmed” by

the influx, which had swelled to nearly 65,000 in 1870, and over 107,000 in 1880. Some cities

passed laws against Chinese and other Asians, often referred to as “Mongolians.” Anti-Chinese

riots erupted in Chico, California, in 1877 and in Rock Springs, Wyoming, in 1885.

Japanese Arrive

Meanwhile, increasing contact with Japan prompted Japanese to move to Hawaii and California

to work in agriculture. In 1869 the Wakamatsu Tea

and Silk Colony was established in California.

Contact with the Philippines

In 1899, following the Spanish-American War, the

Philippines came under U.S. control, prompting

increased immigration. In 1902 the pensionado

program, which allowed Filipinos to study in the U.S., was implemented.

Because most Filipinos are Roman Catholic, their integration into American life was somewhat

easier than for other Asians. Though Filipinos faced the same prejudices as Chinese and

Japanese laborers (as described in Carlos Bulosan’s book America is in the Heart), Filipinos

arrived with English skills, making assimilation easier.

Origins of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month Origins of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

48 49

Congratulations to Cleveland Asian Festivalbringing the AsiaTown community together!

Japanese Internment

During World War II, more than 100,000 Americans of Japanese

ancestry were placed in internment camps. Even though many

did not speak Japanese or have close ties to Japan, they were

nonetheless regarded as wartime threats. Although the U.S. was also

at war with Germany and Italy, Americans with ancestors from those

countries did not face internment.

In 1988 Congress passed a measure giving $20,000 to Japanese

Americans who had been interned during the war. President George

H.W. Bush signed it the following year.

Increasing Numbers

Although Asian immigration increased steadily through much of the 20th century, the region still

contributed fewer newcomers than Europe, Latin America, and North America.

The McCarran-Walter Act of 1952 eliminated race as a barrier to immigration, and in 1965

national quotas were ended, thus facilitating Asian immigration.

A More Diverse Group

In 1979 the United States and China resumed

diplomatic relations, making immigration easier

for Chinese. But, new arrivals came from other

Asian countries as well, including India and

Pakistan. And in 1975 following the Vietnam War,

more than 130,000 refugees fleeing from the

Communist governments of Vietnam, Cambodia, and

Laos arrived on U.S. shores. Million of Asians arrived in

subsequent years.

Origins of Asian Pacific American Heritage Month

50 51

52 53

Serving the Asian Community for over 30 years!

At Zak Funeral Home, we are very proud to be a part of this great neighborhood for 125 years;

We are privileged to specialize in Traditional or Non traditional Asian Customs and Funerals.

(Translators available) Zachary A. Zak - Licensed Funeral Director

Call for details, or any questions! 6016 St Clair Ave, Cleveland, 44103 Ph (216) 361-3112 - Fax (216) 361-2540

www.zakfuneralhome.com Like us

clevelandorchestra.com

CLEVELAND PROUDCLEVELAND’S SOUND

54 55

56

Performing LIVE at the ASIAN FESTIVAL

China Shaolin Gong Fu Performance Team PLUS! YOU are invited to the Shaolin Kung fu Institute TONIGHT (18th)

28142 Shardon Rd. Willoughby Hills, OH 44092 for a Kung Fu workshop TONIGHT at 6:00PM

A very rare opportunity! Bring the kids!

CALL NOW: 440-715-5436

Performing LIVE at the Cleveland Asian Festival!