Washington, DC – DC Asian American Film, Inc. (APA Film) is pleased to announce the 15th annual DC APA Film Festival on April 16-19, 2015. This year’s Opening Night presentation, on Thursday, April 16th is UNDER THE BLOOD RED SUN. This is the film adaptation of Graham Salisbury’s award-winning novel of the same name, which is required reading in many …

The all-new 7th generation Sonata offers a more refined look through a new Fluidic Sculpture 2.0 design language, stiffer body structure, better ride quality, reduced noise, vibration and harshness and advanced safety and convenience features. Sonata truly democratizes the premium design and convenient technology of the Genesis sedan for the mid-size class. The new 2015 Hyundai Sonata will be built …

The 2015 Acura TLX is an all-new midsize sports sedan, the successor to the TL, and the third vehicle in Acura’s re-envisioned performance-luxury sedan lineup, positioned between the ILX entry-luxury sedan and the RLX flagship Acura sedan. Developed under the theme of ‘Red Carpet Athlete,’ the all-new TLX is designed to deliver a unique and compelling blend of sports-sedan athleticism …

Federal Asian Pacific American Council (FAPAC), a premier organization representing Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders (AAPI) managers and employees in the Federal and the District of Columbia governments, is celebrating its 30 years establishment and will hold its 30th National Leadership Training Conference from May 4 to May 8, 2015 at the Hilton Washington DC/Rockville and Executive Meeting Center, Rockville, Maryland.The Conference is approved by …

ABA’s Spring Performance: Sunday, June 14 at 2:00pm , Montgomery College Cultural Arts Center Akhmedova Ballet  Academy excelled at the Youth America Grand Prix on February 28 in Austin, TX and will compete at the finals in New York. Elise Haukene, Korean-Japanese descent Ballerina was one of the performers who received Top 12 in the Junior Category for her Contemporary Piece. …

Bethesda, MD (March 16, 2015) — The National Philharmonic welcomes Haochen Zhang, the award-winning 24-year-old Chinese pianist, as he makes his Washington, D.C. orchestral debut under the baton of Music Director and Conductor Piotr Gajewski. Both former child prodigies, Zhang and Gajewski present a dazzling program: Tchaikovsky’s Romeo and Juliet Overture-Fantasy, Rimsky-Korsakov’s Capriccio Espagnol, and with Zhang’s solo the ultimate Romantic piano …

WASHINGTON — On March 9th 2015, the U.S. Senate confirmed Michelle K. Lee as the Under Secretary of Commerce for Intellectual Property and Director of the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO). Lee is the first woman and person of color to lead the USPTO. “We congratulate Michelle Lee on her historic confirmation,” said George C. Chen, president of …

Fair Oaks Mall, Fairfax VA                       Pentagon City Mall, Arlington VA

By Priscilla Huang When the Affordable Care Act (ACA) comes before the Supreme Court on March 4, it does so as a shining example of what’s working and how much the average American stands to lose. It is the lives of people like the Hwangs, a Korean American family in New Jersey, who will feel the acute pain if health …

The National Convention will be held on August 29th-31st and everyone is encouraged to sign up when registration opens in March! It’s Ascend’s 10-year Anniversary. The Convention will be extra special and we’re looking forward to having you all join us in New York City. Also, please remember to take a look at our Calendar-page for events your local Chapter …

Featuring Master C.P. Ong & Master Xiaolin Lu Most of us know Taijiquan (Tai Chi Chuan) as a slow-motion exercise that bestows health benefits. However, the art has always remained enigmatic because it is wrapped up in the metaphysics of yin and yang. The exercise itself, though captivating, does not appear to provide the vigor of a regular physical exercise. …

Celebrations in the area began early this month, and are still on-going. Due to the snow and winter weather conditions this year, it is advisable to call organizers in advance if there are changes in the date or time. Most of the on-going events (in italics) are from dc.about.com by Washington, D.C. Expert Rachel Cooper. Chinese New Year Parade and …

By Jennie L. Ilustre The next time you ride in an airplane, whether for business or for pleasure, think of this as a matter of inspiration and well-placed pride: That a company, owned by an Asian American who triumphed against life’s adversities, helps improve safety and efficiency within the nation’s air traffic management system with its cutting-edge products and services. “We help …

By Kenny Chung Fifteen years ago, my uncle passed away. Many words come to mind when I think about him. He was loving, generous and had an amazing sense of humor. Most of all, he was my caregiver and my friend. And something many people did not know, he had epilepsy. Like more than 2 million Americans, my uncle lived …

By Jennie L. Ilustre It was indeed a rare sight to behold: Seminar participants ignoring their iPhones for five hours. With very few exceptions, students and young professionals listened with undivided attention to inspirational speakers and panel experts on how to succeed in life and career. The event, free and open to the public, was the 5th annual KOWIN DC …

By Surjeet Ahluwalia, Executive Director On April 8, The Washington Post published two pieces that serve to reinforce stereotypes of Asian Americans: “Demographics shift at Thomas Jefferson High as Asians make up 66 percent of new class,” and “Why Asian American kids excel. It’s not ‘Tiger Moms.’” These headlines reinforce that Asian Americans excel academically – and while this may …

By Jennie L. Ilustre The tremendous growth of the Asian American Chamber of Commerce (AACC)–founded in 2009, it now has 260  members which contribute significantly to the region’s economy–has been due to public-private partnerships and a sustained focus on benefits for members, according to its president, Cindy Shao.            Top leaders also noted its success is largely due to the …

By Jennie L. Ilustre Asian American Success (AASuccess) Founder and Executive Coach Dave Nguyen and his team of leaders, students and volunteers are known for always giving back to the community, and to society-at-large as well. Is it any wonder that they go from success to success? Grant givers, community and corporate partners keep beating a path to their door, …

By Jenny Chen   When the Vietnamese Community Center in DC closed, many limited English proficient Vietnamese Americans in the District didn’t know where to turn to for help. The Mayor’s Office on Asian and Pacific Islander Affairs (OAPIA) acted quickly by entering into a series of memorandum of understanding (MOUs) with various agencies to fill the gap left by …

By Michelle Phipps-Evans This month Asian Fortune is introducing a new column that explores news, views and cues in the exciting political sphere. The column will touch on the three branches of the federal government, state-level political tidbits, little known historical facts, and on occasion, a dose of gossip. Amendments to Bring Filipino WWII Vets Closer to Family Reunification Stall …

Compiled by Jade Philanthropy Volunteering is the easiest way to show you care about your community.  Jade Philanthropy Society (JPS) is a newly formed organization of pan Asian women who believe that giving back is the best way to make positive changes and to lead by example.  JPS’s mission is to “encourage and facilitate local philanthropy by Asian Americans in the Washington, …

By Yi Chen DC developer Monument Realty is pushing ahead a massive 10-story residential and retail building in the heart of historic DC Chinatown. The site of the project is located in Square 453, bounded by 6th, 7th, H and Eye Streets, NW, in the Down­town Historic District. The Historic Preservation Review Board reviewed Monument project’s revised proposal prepared by …

By Jian Ping and Lisa Xia Jian: It feels unreal that our life story will be on PBS nationwide. I still remember how unhappy you were that the crew followed you to the Aon Building the first day you started a new job, not to mention our guerrilla way of filming in China. Lisa: I thought I was going to …

Film based on a memoir of two generations of Chinese Americans explores history and present By Tamara Treichel “No matter what storm comes, don’t break,” Jian Ping’s grand­mother told her. “You must be strong, like the mulberry tree.” Jian took her grandmother’s words to heart while growing up during China’s chaotic Cultural Revolution (1966-76), and wished to become a “mulberry child.” …