Fascinasians

NYCCC Spring Gala - Meet our Honorees

aabany-group:

Celebrate Outstanding Asian American Women in Old Shanghai Glamour Style

FRIDAY, APRIL 26, 2013 

at Bennett Media Studio, 723 Washington Street, NYC

As we bring you the fun and beauty of Chinese arts and culture, we also like to introduce you to one wonderful individual and one organization that we are affiliated with through various projects over the years. We are honored to be able to celebrate their leaderships and contributions to the community in our party.

Sue Young is an accomplished leader and trailblazer and has created many critical processes and evaluation/monitoring systems during her over 35 years of experience in Financial Services.

Sue serves as the McGraw-Hill Federal Credit Union’s Board Treasurer and Director, and member of the MHFCU Governance and Nominating Committee and Asset Liability Committee, Treasurer to Friends of Columbus Park, a not for profit based in NYC, and on the Scholarship Selection Committee for Asian Women in Business (AWIB).  

Asian Women Giving Circle (AWGC) is a group of Asian American women pooling and raising resources to support Asian American serving Asian American women - led, social change projects in New York City. Since 2005, AWGC have raised and distributed over $450,000 in grants to Asian women using the tools of art & culture to achieve their social justice goals. 



Read more about our honorees, please click here. 
Purchase tickets today before it sold out!  Tickets are available now!  

ATTIRE

Ladies, Cheongsam or festive 

Gentlemen, Business

About Us

Founded in 1974, the New York Chinese Cultural Center (NYCCC) is a performing arts and educational organization that promotes the understanding and appreciation of Chinese culture through education and the arts.

For over 38 years, NYCCC has accomplished this mission by offering professional classes, workshops, and performances in traditional dance, arts, and culture. Our assembly program serves over 10,000 public school students in New York City and over 30,000 students in New York State annually. Our resident dance company, Dance China NY has traveled to 26 states and reached over 100,000 people every year. NYCCC has been featured on nationally televised programs such as the National Geographic Today, the 73rd Annual Academy Awards and the PBS special The Chinese Americans - reaching millions of American viewers. For more information, visit www.nychineseculturalcenter.org or call 212.334.3764.

NYCCC is supported, in part, by public funds from the New York City Department of Cultural Affairs in partnership with the City Council, New York State Council on the Arts, a state agency, and discretionary fund from City Councilmember Margaret Chin.  

Meet Joey Kim!

1. Please tell us a little about yourself.

I am a Korean American born woman with many passions in life. I have always been pretty ambitious since I was a child, and would like to believe that many of those goals have been accomplished only to make many more new ones. I love to explore new experiences and enlighten the rest of the world of any new discoveries especially when it comes to food and adventures.

2. What do you do?

I am currently President of VNV short for Visualize & Voice Corporation. It is a positive street wear brand made for both women and men. Currently we have over 20 different designs for tees and tanks, but I plan to expand the brand to other types of apparel in the near future.

3. What inspired you to create VNV?

There are many things that have contributed to creating VNV. I believe there was a necessity for any clothing brand to be unique in the industry, as well as a need for attire that was able to provide our generation of trends with more positive and healthier messages on a daily basis. Our world relies on strong visual imagery from everywhere, and it made sense to create a brand that would be aesthetically pleasing and beneficial for our growing youth. It couldn’t hurt to be more exposed to something inspiring or motivating that could help plant seeds of healthy thoughts, potential aspirations, confidence, and visions of future dreams for the people who are going to be the leaders of our future.

4. You say that it’s inspired by fallen youth culture, what do you mean by that?

Since 2006 I have been able to submerge myself into a culture I had not expected to be in. It had already been almost 2 years since I graduated from Carleton College, but I had befriended many students in the capital district because Albany happened to be a college town. Although I had adapted to my new surroundings (having been originally from NYC/NJ) and met some amazing characters, I have realized there were many downfalls to the environment, vibe, and overall mood Albany had been notorious for: 1) Kegs and Eggs incident which gave Albany a bad reputation all over the nation 2) tighter police enforcement leading to cancellation of events like Fountain Day 3) deserted downtown streets 4) cold and long winters.

Basically, it was difficult to find people who were actually proud of living in Albany or going to school in Albany. It dawned on me that it might not just be Albany that may experience these sentiments in their perspective locations. All of our 18-21 years old’s all over the country some commuting from home, and some traveling far from home experience discomfort from what they are used to in their hometowns. The whole experience could only be made better by the very people living in it to change what needs to be changed if we all wanted to see any change. There were plenty of college towns all over the nation that have plenty of traditions and things to be proud of that also give their students something to be proud of when they are residing there temporarily. Hence, I observed this over the course of my time here and I wanted to be a part of a bigger movement. Possibly a positive revolution for the students here and for Albany as a city. VNV was created in Albany, and was inspired by the culture here, but it would speak for the rest of the world also.

5. Who do you name as your role models and inspirations?

I have never considered anyone specifically my role model, but there have been many individuals who have inspired me by challenging my views, and shedding light upon new perspectives that I had yet to discover. For that I thank that I have God in my heart, a mother who sacrificed everything to make sure I was educated and properly raised, a father who has supported me until I became self-sufficient, friends who are the brothers and sisters I never had, and relationships I have been in that have been a reflection of who I was at the time.

6. Where do you see VNV in five years?

In 5 years, I see VNV participating in all major trade shows, and known in NYC and other major cities in the country. I have released over 20 designs just within the 1st year, which means by then I foresee having at least 100 designs ranging in tees, tanks, outerwear, and accessories. I plan to hire employees who will be able to do administrative work, market, sell, and design for me. I also hope to be on track for my own brick and mortar store.

7. What about yourself? Where will you be in five years?

As for myself, I see myself creating new goals because I would have already knocked out all the ones I have set for myself this year, haha. I would like to be traveling a lot to market my brand, speaking at events to younger people to spread the brand’s mission and motto, and participate at fundraising and volunteering events to support organizations through VNV’s profits.

8. What has been your greatest obstacle?

My greatest obstacle has been myself. I truly believe that we all can be our worst enemies when it comes to life. There will be many people who judge and talk about you, and because of what you hear or the environment you are in you are unable to move forward or be optimistic about any tasks you have set for yourself. You have no one to blame, but yourself for not having accomplished the things you wanted to. Don’t let anyone stop you, not even yourself to go anywhere but forward. There is no point moving backwards so that is not even an option. Standing still or being stagnant will get you nowhere, so force feed yourself something positive to hurry up and get you to moving forward towards whatever you may want to do.

9. In a male-dominated business, how do you gain the upper hand?

Honestly, I used to always fight for the upper hand during my younger years. But, I have learned that it isn’t always about getting the upper hand especially against the opposite sex. I am not a feminist and I don’t quite believe in complete equality because I believe men and women are both made so differently that we both possess specific talents that we can always share.

However, the society we live in does not allow for things to be any easier for women when it is already dominated by men. For that reason, I have learned to take less risks and strive to be completely, ethically, morally, and consciously by the books. We can’t be blamed if everything was done correctly and there was no room for any criticism, but to be so rigid aka a perfectionist. Unfortunately, we might sometimes have to work harder to even gain any respect to prove that we have the strength and endurance a man would easily have over a woman biologically. I have also learned to have ownership of anything you do, which means to learn everything from the bottom up and not relying on anyone to help you. Always be professional when it comes to business, and treat everyone with the same kind of respect you would demand. Finally, to be comfortable with rejection because men probably deal with that all the time. Any kind of constructive criticism or a plain rejection of your product or even YOU should not discourage you to be who you are and believe in the things you are proud of because you will never please every single person in this world.

10. What advice do you give ambitious young Asian women?

I guess this would be a continuation from question #9 but I would like to tell our ambitious young Asian women that it is okay to feel discouraged at times because it is that much harder for a female minority who is young and inexperienced trying to be successful in this world. However, there are many advantages as well as rewards because you would have worked that much harder than the average person for your dreams. Rest assured times have gotten better, and the Asian community is more accepted if not in more demand in the media and in the workplace. Our work ethics and wits have been acknowledged even as a stereotype. Be grateful for the ambition in your heart and the fact that you possess these dreams. Embrace challenges, overcome any hurdles one by one, build bigger dreams as you achieve your goals, always be optimistic and positive enough to share the wealth of your vibes to any dark clouds around you, and have faith that no matter what you do in life that as long as you are thankful for what you already have, there will be no permanent failures in life. If anyone would like more in-depth advice please feel free to contact me and I can enlighten you to have a happier perspective on life.

You can find VNV Brand clothing and lookbooks here.

Introducing Jake Choi

A born and raised Queens boy, Jake Choi is the hottest name on everyone’s lips these days. You may have seen him in the Superbowl Best Buy commercial alongside Amy Poehler, College Humor originals, or the new show Golden Boy on CBS. Jake took the time to answer some questions for Fascinasians:

1. How would you sum up your background and childhood in less than ten words?

 I was very confused of my identity and insecure.

2. Have you always wanted to be an actor? How did your family feel about that when you told them?

No I actually wanted to be a professional basketball player. But when I stopped pursuing basketball, I didn’t know what to do. My friend actually suggested that I give acting a shot based on my personality. My family wasn’t too against it or for it. They just wanted me to be happy. 

3. What ethnicity are you? Do you think this has held you back or helped you in any way?

I’m Korean. I don’t think it has held me back or helped me. I guess it really comes down to how you play the hand your dealt.

4. Have you ever been offered a demeaning or racist role? How did you handle that?

Yes a few times. I had to politely turn them down. 

5. What are you most proud of?

Hmm…. maybe landing the Best Buy commercial since the role really was open to any ethnicity. 

6. Do you identify as more Korean-American, Asian-American, or just American? What’s shaped your sense of identity?

I identify myself as just a human being. But if I had to choose, I’d say Asian American. There’s a rich Asian history and culture here in America and I’m very proud to be a part of it. But we’re all really one and the same. It’s not about what color you are, what nationality, or religion. As long as you are comfortable with yourself, that’s all that matters. 

7. What are the five most recently played songs on your iTunes?

Lauryn Hill - Ex-factor, 2NE1 - I love you, John Legend - Coming Home, The Weeknd - Enemy, Lupe Fiasco - Hip Hop Saved My Life

8. What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment?

I think my biggest accomplishment is not quitting what I love doing even when I had hit rock bottom. 

9. What changes do you hope to make in the community?

I would just like to help mold the image of how Asian Americans are viewed and cast in the entertainment industry and media. The stereotypes have been slowly disappearing but you still see it a lot on TV and film. Which is why I refuse to audition for any demeaning or stereotypical roles. 

10. And last but not least, the question that’s on everyone’s mind: are you single?

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