The Asian Culture and Education Society USA (ACAESUSA) successfully hosted its 2024 Conference in Washington, D.C., and online on June 27–28. Themed “Bridging Cultures, Empowering Future,” the event promoted cultural understanding, empowered youth, and inspired community engagement.
Special thanks to Mrs. Sharon Chang, founding member of UCA and UCACF Executive Committee member, for her generous support and guidance throughout the event.
🎉 Honorees: Jia Qi, Nuotong Chi, Ethan Wang, Cindy Liu, Esther Zhou, Junxi Xu, Julian Liu, Howard Li, Yihan Cheng, Alex Lin, Sophia Wang, Ethan Li — recognized for their exceptional dedication and contributions in supporting AAPI youth during the 2024 Chinese American Convention and ACAESUSA Conference.
As ACAESUSA President Jan Xie expressed during her remarks:
“Your efforts have created a meaningful and inspiring experience. Thank you for your commitment to community and culture.”
On May 19th, the ACAES-GAHD Youth Chapter proved their dedication to the GAHD Dragon Boat Racing Team extended far beyond cheers at the White Rock Lake Race in Dallas.(The city of Dallas hosted its first Asian Heritage Festival and Dragon Boat race over the weekend.)Their hard work played a crucial role in securing an impressive second-place finish.
Building a Dream Together: Pre-Race Collaboration
Months before the race, a blossoming collaboration saw the GAHD Chapter, led by President Guanyan Li, delve into the world of dragon boating. Not only did they learn the sport’s intricacies, but they also actively participated in developing the GAHD Dragon Boat Team’s training program. Their after-school hours were dedicated to researching, creating a detailed and scientifically sound training schedule in collaboration with the team’s coaches.
Rigorous Training: Dedication and Support
The training itself was demanding. The ACAES-GAHD Chapter joined the dragon boaters for grueling physical conditioning and technical drills. Their support went beyond sweat and exertion. They handled essential logistics, from preparing water and checking equipment to recording training data to optimize future sessions.
Learning by Experience: Honing Skills and Building Bonds
This wasn’t just observation for the youth team members. They actively participated in paddling practice, experiencing the challenges and thrills of the sport firsthand. As they honed their own paddling skills, they learned valuable strategies and techniques from the seasoned dragon boaters, forging a strong bond between the two groups.
Race Day: Enthusiasm and Teamwork Fuel Near Victory
Race day saw the ACAES-GAHD Chapter arrive early, their enthusiastic cheers providing a welcome morale boost to the dragon boat racers as they assisted with final equipment checks. The GAHD Dragon Boat Racing Team delivered an exceptional performance, narrowly missing first place by a mere 0.01 seconds.
Celebrating Perseverance and Teamwork: Recognizing Contributions
The near victory was a testament to the power of teamwork and perseverance. GAHD Dragon Boat Racing Team Captain Jin Li praised the youth team’s unwavering support and positive energy, acknowledging their vital role in the impressive race result.
A Transformative Experience
For the ACAES-GAHD Chapter, the experience was transformative. They gained valuable insights and skills, laying a strong foundation for their future endeavors. ACAES USA President Jan Xie stated, “Guanyan Li and the youth team had a great opportunity to grow and learn, with significant improvements. We hope they continue to serve the community.”
A Shining Example: Inspiring Young People
This successful collaboration between the GAHD Dragon Boat Racing Team and the ACAES-GAHD Chapter serves as a shining example for young people. It highlights the importance of teamwork, sportsmanship, and dedication, inspiring them to embrace sports and contribute to future achievements.
In a spirit of unity and cultural celebration, the Asian Culture And Education Society USA in Dallas, Texas recently marked the observance of both Black History Month and Lunar Chinese New Year with a series of heartwarming initiatives and festive events. The society’s endeavors aimed not only to honor the diverse cultural heritage of its members but also to spread joy and inclusivity within the community.
As part of their celebrations, the Asian Culture And Education Society USA extended a hand of kindness to the special education children at a local elementary school. Members of the society prepared and distributed red envelopes filled with a delightful assortment of treats including pizzas, toys, goodies, and snacks, along with candies symbolizing the joy and prosperity associated with the Lunar Chinese New Year. This gesture of goodwill brought smiles to the faces of the children and demonstrated the society’s commitment to fostering inclusivity and compassion.
The festivities culminated in an annual celebration party hosted by the Asian Culture And Education Society USA. The event served as a vibrant showcase of Asian culture and traditions, featuring a variety of performances and activities for the community to enjoy. Attendees were treated to mesmerizing displays of traditional music, dance, and theatrical performances, which highlighted the richness and diversity of Asian heritage. The atmosphere was filled with laughter, camaraderie, and a shared appreciation for cultural diversity.
Apart from the annual celebration party, the ACAESUSA’s Youth Council special performances for the wider community, actively participating in the events by volunteering and showcasing their talents. These performances were a means to bridge cultural gaps and foster cross-cultural understanding. Through music, dance, and various artistic expressions, the society endeavored to involve and enlighten the community about the beauty and significance of Asian culture.
During these events, we’re deeply grateful for the help from Ni Hao, UCA, UCA-MA, Gendap, Dallas City Library, the Dallas Police Department, Cesar Chavez Learning Center and TC-2 Mr.Gipson’s class. We’re truly fortunate to have their support.
Several awards were presented during the event, including the Inspirational ACAESUSA Mentor Award to Gendap President Mrs. Beverly Hill, and Mr. Jay Ho. The AAPI Media Excellence Award was bestowed upon Hojun Choi and Tiffany Liou, while the Inspirational AAPI Leader Award went to Yosselin Muller and Youth Volunteer and Youth Leadership Awards were presented to Eric Wang, Jessica Wu, Amy Xu and Harris Xie.
The Asian Culture And Education Society USA’s celebration of Blank History Month and Lunar Chinese New Year exemplifies the power of community and cultural exchange. Through acts of kindness, festive gatherings, and vibrant performances, the society succeeded in spreading joy, fostering inclusivity, and celebrating the rich tapestry of Asian heritage. As the celebrations come to a close, the spirit of unity and cultural appreciation will continue to resonate within the community, leaving a lasting impact on all who participated.
On November 12, the air was filled with the resonance of loud gongs and drums, a vibrant lion dance performance, and a stirring national anthem as the Asian Cultural and Educational Society USA (ACAESUSA) hosted “ACAESUSA Mental Health Day”. They extended sincere thanks to Mayor Bob Dubey of Richardson for proclaiming November 12, 2023, as ACAESUSA Mental Health Matters Day. Dignitaries and experts from the region gathered at the Dallas Chinese Community Center for an unforgettable commemoration of ACAESUSA Mental Health Matters Day.
The celebratory occasion unfolded in two parts. A heartfelt appreciation goes out to the ACAESUSA Youth Council, UCA DFW Youth Council, and USSDFA – DFW Youth Council for their invaluable support in making this event a success. Additionally, they distributed yellow whistles before, during, and after the event.
The first part focused on local health matters and was hosted by ACAESUSA, with support from Richardson City and Dallas City, alongside several supporting organizations such as UCA, UCA-DFW team, USSDFA, USSDFA-DFW, GAHD, and DCAA. Professionals including Kimberly Richards, Hao Zheng, and Ally Wang provided insights into addressing current mental health challenges affecting children and parents.
The second part centered on national health matters and was hosted by ACAESUSA in partnership with UCA WAVES. Lily Chen, director of the United Chinese Americans UCA WAVES Youth Mental Health Collaborative, delivered a powerful Big Idea Talk, urging the breaking of silences surrounding mental illness and suicide within the Asian American community. The projects were made possible through the support of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation.
The event’s success was facilitated by the support of Texas State Rep. Matt Shaheen from District 66, Texas State Rep. Carl O. Sherman, Sr. from District 109, Cindy Tsai (Interim President of Committee of 100), Haipei Shue (President of UCA), Wang Huang (Board Chair of UCA), Jinli (President of GAHD), and Lizhi Wang (President of USSDFA).
Guiding the event were the Youth Council presidents from Highland Park High School: Jessica Wu, Vice President Amy Xu, and Eric Wang from Baylor University, who served as wonderful emcees. Molly Li led the youth group in singing “The Star-Spangled Banner.”
Mrs. Jan Xie, President of the Asian Cultural and Educational Society, expressed gratitude, saying, “Thank you all for your support and love for each other. A few weeks ago, a Chinese American friend of mine, Denial, passed away suddenly and alone in his home, and a few years ago his son, who was an Ivy League graduate student, died from suicide. In order to avoid a repeat of this tragedy, let’s all join hands and acknowledge the importance of mental health matters.”
第二部分集中讨论了全美范围内的心理健康问题,亚洲文化和教育联盟ACAESUSA与美国华人联盟UCA WAVES合作。UCA WAVES青少年心理健康合作组织的负责人陈健发表了一场极具震撼力的Big Idea Talk,打破了亚裔美国人社区对精神疾病和自杀的沉默。陈健以自己的亲身经历为例,鼓励其他人加入WAVES计划(健康、倡导、声音、教育、支持),拯救年轻人的生命。这些讲座类似于TED演讲,以医疗保健提供者合作推进健康公平为主题,得到了罗伯特-伍德-约翰逊基金会(Robert Wood Johnson Foundation)在2016-2023年期间的支持(https://ucausa.org/about-uca-waves/)。
在此次活动中,特别感谢德克萨斯州66区众议员Matt Shaheen、德克萨斯州109区众议员Carl O. Sherman,以及百人会临时主席兼执行董事Cindy Tsai、美国华人联盟主席薛海培、美国华人联盟理事长王华、和全美山东同乡总会会长王立智的支持。
The Asian American Unity Coalition (AAUC) successfully hosted the 2023 National AANHPI Unity Summit on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. from September 25-27. Over 100 AANHPI community leaders gathered to discuss key issues.
During the summit, attendees advocated for five important bills, covering topics such as discrimination, civil rights, hate crime prevention, immigration, and Asian American history education.
Video: 2023 National AANHPI Unity Summit – 5 bills
These bills are:
Teach Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander History Act (H.R. 3434 and S. 1702)
Korematsu-Takai Civil Liberties Protection Act (S. 129)
Afghan Adjustment Act (H.R. 4627 and S. 2327)
Preemption of Real Property Discrimination Act (H.R. 3697)
Eliminating Backlogs Act (H.R. 1535)
Organizations like Asian Culture And Education Society USA (ACAESUSA), Global Organization of People of Indian Origin (GOPIO), United Chinese American (UCA), The Asian Pacific Islander American Public Affairs Association (APAPA), New Portland Foundation, My Sister House, Polynesian Association of Alaska and South Asian Women’s Network…, those are members of AAUC, joined hands for the summit. The event also featured prominent guests, including Senator Richard Blumenthal and several Representatives who discussed legislative priorities, including Connecticut’s Senior Senator Richard Blumenthal, Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi (Illinois), Rep. Grace Meng (New York), Rep. Judy Chu (California), and Rep. Shri Thanedar (Michigan).
Additionally, the summit marked the launch of the online AAPI Community Hub Project, creating the largest network of AAPI nonprofit organizations, totaling approximately 15,000 members.
Several individuals received awards for their contributions, including:
US Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi, honored with the Dilip Singh Saund Political Leadership Award.
US Rep. Grace Meng, recipient of the Norman Mineta Public Service Award.
Dr. Romesh Japra, celebrated with the Community Service Award.
Mr. C. C. Yin, acknowledged as Philanthropist of the Year.
Ms. Tammalivis Salanoa, presented with the President’s Young Person Award.
Ms. Jessica Wu, recipient of the President’s Youth Awards.
From Left to Right: Lusisana Hansen (Alaska), Jack Hanna (Oregon), Angela Anand (Virginia), Mary Jin (California), Dr. Romesh Japra (California), Norman Mineta, Rep. Grace Meng (New York), Tammalivis Salanoa (Alaska), Dr. S.K. Lo (Minnesota), Dr. Thomas Abraham (Connecticut), Yen Marshall (California), and Jan Xie (Texas).
The speakers also include David Inoue, Cindy Tsai, Grace Yu, Suhag Shukla and Edgar Chen… who shared their insights and expertise. The summit concluded with a congressional reception featuring discussions on community engagement in Congress.
On September 27, a delegation of 20 community leaders attended a White House Briefing to address the issues discussed during their congressional visit. These leaders are: SK Lo, Yen Marshall, Jack Hanna, Jacob Harrer, Marsha Golangco, Angela Anand, Lucy Hansen, Grace Yu, Dani Canaleta, Elijah Matamoro, Romesh Japra, Tammalivis Salanoa, Helen Hsueh, Regina Burnley, Shaline DeGuzman, Lalita Kaul, Indrani Davaluri, Yasmine Padamesee, Shobhana Verma and Jan Xie.
It was a highly successful summit, thanks to the efforts of AAUC President Dr. SK Lo and her team. They will continue to create a community platform for all AAPI organizations and leaders to interact and collaborate on vital community issues.
美国亚洲文化与教育协会(ACAESUSA)、印度裔全球组织(GOPIO)、美国华人联盟(UCA)、美国亚太裔公共事务协会(APAPA)、My Sister House, New Portland Foundation, 阿拉斯加波利尼西亚人协会(Polynesian Association of Alaska)和南亚妇女联盟(South Asian Women’s Network)……等全美亚裔大会成员组织共同参与了此次峰会。参议员理查德-布卢门撒尔(Richard Blumenthal)和几位众议员也出席了此次活动,他们讨论了立法优先事项,其中包括康涅狄格州资深参议员理查德-布卢门撒尔(Richard Blumenthal)、众议员拉贾-克里希纳莫尔西(Raja Krishnamoorthi)(伊利诺伊州)、众议员孟昭文(Grace Meng)(纽约州)、众议员趙美心(Judy Chu)(加利福尼亚州)和众议员施里-塔内达尔(Shri Thanedar)(密歇根州)。
美国众议院议员 Raja Krishnamoorthi 荣获 “迪利普-辛格-桑德政治领袖奖”。 美国众议院议员孟昭文(Grace Meng),诺曼-米内塔公共服务奖(Norman Mineta Public Service Award)获得者。 荣获社区服务奖的 Romesh Japra 博士。 年度慈善家 C. C. Yin 先生。 Tammalivis Salanoa 女士,荣获President’s Young Person Award奖。 获得President’s Youth Awards.的 Jessica Wu 女士。
From Left to Right: Lusisana Hansen (Alaska), Jack Hanna (Oregon), Angela Anand (Virginia), Mary Jin (California), Dr. Romesh Japra (California), Norman Mineta, Rep. Grace Meng (New York), Tammalivis Salanoa (Alaska), Dr. S.K. Lo (Minnesota), Dr. Thomas Abraham (Connecticut), Yen Marshall (California), and Jan Xie (Texas).
The speakers also include David Inoue, Cindy Tsai, Grace Wang, Suhag Shukla and Edgar Chen… 峰会最后举行了国会招待会,讨论了社区参与国会事务的问题。
The Mid-Autumn Festival, a timeless tradition dating back thousands of years across Asian countries and China, coincides with the fifteenth day of the eighth lunar month, typically occurring in September. It serves as a powerful magnet, drawing Chinese families together under the mesmerizing moonlight. Among the festival’s many legends, the tale of Chang’e stands out, with her journey to the moon, accompanied by a white rabbit and a laurel tree.
The Asian Cultural and Education Society USA (ACAESUSA) dedicated volunteers preserve and celebrate this cherished tradition. They extend their love to Chinese Americans and students, enabling them to partake in the Mid-Autumn Festival, a significant event in the lunar calendar. This festival, with centuries of history, has evolved into a contemporary symbol of familial unity, marked by mooncake exchanges and collective moon-gazing, symbolizing happiness and prosperity.
The highlight of the holiday season is the mooncake, a round pastry filled with delightful toppings that embodies the essence of reuniting with loved ones, sharing and creating precious memories. Our dedicated volunteers and enthusiastic youth committee members purchase mooncakes, delicious food and beverages to distribute to families and students in need, fostering a sense of community and solidarity among the children.
We appreciate our youth volunteers for helping with the celebration: Ethan Li, Howard Li, Grace Wang, Eric Wang, Joseph Wang, Jessica Wu, Amy Xu, Andy Xu,Jake Ho, Jayson Ho and Her Man Cheung. “the Asian Cultural and Education Society USA extends warm wishes to your family. May your home be filled with mooncakes, and may your reunion be filled with happiness and tranquility. In this celebration that transcends generations and continents, we find unity, and through shared traditions, we discover the essence of community.” By the President of ACAESUSA Jan Xie.
月饼是节日的重头戏,它是一种圆形糕点,里面装满了令人愉悦的配料,体现了与亲人团聚、分享和创造珍贵回忆的精髓。我们尽职尽责的志愿者和热心的青年委员会成员采购月饼、美味食品和饮料,分发给需要的家庭和学生们,培养孩子们的社区意识和团结精神。 我们感谢为庆祝活动提供帮助的青年志愿者: Ethan Li、Howard Li、Grace Wang、Eric Wang、Joseph Wang、Jessica Wu、Amy Xu、Andy Xu、Jake Ho、Jayson Ho 和 Her Man Cheung。ACAESUSA 会长 Jan Xie说”美国亚洲文化教育协会向您和家人致以温馨的祝福。愿您家中月饼飘香,愿您团圆幸福安宁。在这个跨世纪的庆典中,我们团结起来不忘传统,为社区服务而努力!”
The 2023 AANHPI UNITY SUMMIT was successfully held in Washington, D.C., the capital of the United States, from September 25 to 27, 2023. This conference was organized by the Asian American Unity Coalition (AAUC) on Capitol Hill. Mrs. Jan Xie, President of the Asian Cultural and Educational Society USA (ACAESUSA) and Secretary of AAUC, led ACAESUSA team to attend this conference.
Several distinguished individuals received well-deserved recognition for their outstanding contributions:
US Rep. Raja Krishnamoorthi was honored with the Dilip Singh Saund Political Leadership Award.
US Rep. Grace Meng received the Norman Mineta Public Service Award.
Dr. Romesh Japra was celebrated with the Community Service Award.
Mr. C. C. Yin was acknowledged as Philanthropist of the Year.
Ms. Tammalivis Salanoa presented with the President’s Award for Young Asian Pacific Island American.
Ms. Jessica Wu from Highland Park High School received the President’s Special Award for Youth.
The hard work of the organizing team, led by Dr.Lo, President of the Asian American Unity Coalition, was instrumental in the success of the conference. The event garnered significant support from various dignitaries, including Senator Richard Blumenthal from Connecticut, Congresswoman Grace Meng from New York, Congresswoman Judy Chu from California, Congressman Sri Tanada from Michigan, and numerous House and Senate staffers who attended the Capitol Hill reception.
A small delegation from the conference attended a White House briefing in the Dwight D. Eisenhower Executive Office Building. During the briefing, they established connections with senior administration officials and explored opportunities for future collaborations, demonstrating the government’s concern for Asian and Pacific Islander communities. Jan Xie emphasized the contributions of Chinese Americans in the United States. Chinese Americans are not spies in the U.S., nor are they the COVID19 Virus; Chinese Americans work hard in the U.S. and contribute to the U.S., not come to get U.S. benefit without working for it.
亚洲文化和教育协会参加这次国会山团结峰会的还有来自达拉斯大学的邵创,以及程振刚,熙诚,Shiv, Sofia, Shivalika and Shivya。在大会上参与并且走访了参议员和议员办公室。感谢华盛顿的朋友们的热心帮助,包括山东同乡会的孙强先生,不辞辛劳接送的孙远帆女士和美国华人联合会主席薛海培先生的帮助。加入到美国亚洲文化和教育协会的义工队伍中,可以联系info@acaesusa.org
On September 16, 2023, ACAESUSA participated in Denton, Texas’s Hispanic Heritage Month Celebration at the Martin Luther King Jr. Recreation Center. Volunteers distributed gifts, including yellow whistles, handmade lantern materials, notebooks, candies, and toys. A set of Chinese history books was also donated. Dr. Rudy shared a compelling story about his advocacy for bilingual education for immigrant minorities as a Latino representative.
Hispanic Heritage Month, originally Hispanic Heritage Week in 1968 and later expanded by President Ronald Reagan in 1988, commemorates the rich history, resistance, and triumphs of Hispanics and Latinos. The event celebrated this history through stories, music, and art, honoring their contributions.
ACAESUSA President Jan Xie expressed gratitude to Denton City and Center Director Muller Yosselin for promoting cultural awareness, traditional culture, and youth education while serving the local community.
The event thanked Mayor Gerard Hudspeth and Brian Beck, Brandon McGee, Center Director Muller Yosselin for their support, as well as the Committee of 100 and the Yellow Whistle Project for donating yellow whistles to combat hate against Asians. ACAESUSA’s Mental Health Program, in partnership with UCA-WAVE, addresses mental health issues among young people and Asians. They invite participation in their November event: Event Sign-up. https://forms.gle/UVG22ChK4QrJpHyt9
ACAESUSA participates in Hispanic Heritage Month activities –
亚洲文化和教育协会参加西班牙裔传统月活动
在中秋佳节来临之际,2023 年 9 月 16 日,周六上午在德克萨斯州丹顿的马丁-路德-金休闲中心,亚洲文化和教育协会ACAESUSA 参加了西班牙裔传统月的庆祝活动 + La Vida Denton 2023.
William Sun, DC Beaming Family Chiropractic 600 W Campbell Rd, Suite 4 Richardson, TX 75080 Tel/Txt: 972-246-8823
Tui-Na, widely known as the Chinese manual hands-on therapeutic technique, commonly used to treat from exterior joints/musculoskeletal conditions, to revitalize inner life energy, or Qi「氣」in traditional terminology, the skill is treasured by the Eastern culture for millenniums. In the West, such therapeutic roles are held by chiropractors, physiotherapy specialists and massage therapists. Each practice has their strong point on treating certain conditions, yet many still like to take in new ideas from the ancient wisdom. In the States some claims to perform Tui-Na, but without knowing in China Tui-Na is a subject of Traditional Chinese Medicine schools— only doctors with thorough knowledge of the human body, along with Chinese medical philosophy, can perform the true essence of the technique. Dr. William Sun, D.C., L.Ac, is a licensed Chiropractor, acupuncturist and also studied Tui-Na in Shanghai Chinese Traditional Medicine University. He practices in DFW area for 12 years and has integrated the East and West technique into an unique method of treatment, giving patients a different direction to improve health. Many Dr. Sun’s patients are delighted by his focused and lengthy in-person approach at each session, which is what truly Tui-Na is about, the one-on-one attention.