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Council of Asian Pacific Americans
August/Septempber 2016 Newsletter
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President's Message
I hope you all had a wonderful summer. As we bid adieu to summer we can look forward to enjoying the beauty of Michigan's Fall with the changing colors.
This year, CAPA, in collaboration with another organization, NAAAP hosted the AsiaFest, a new summer event in July. It was a big success and I hope you were among the thousand plus attendees who came to enjoy the culture and cuisine of our Asian Pacific member organizations. We hope to do more such events in the future. Thanks to all those who publicized, volunteered and participated in the event.
CAPA has more exciting news and another first. It has been awarded a Michigan Humanities Grant to do an oral documentary of the stories of Asian Pacific American immigrants in Michigan. It will explore how families are blending both Indian and American cultures in their day to day life. Look out for more information on this project from Harsha Nahata who is the project lead and participate in the project to make it a success.
Finally, our next signature event, the Statewide Leadership Summit, is coming up on October 22nd. The aim of the Summit is to continue to build leadership capacity in the Asian Pacific American (APA) community and to inspire young adults to lead and to give back to the community. This year's workshop is particularly tailored to help the APA Community to Speak with Power with minimal stress. We are fortunate to have Sachi Koto, an executive coach who works extensively in the areas of communications, public speaking, leadership, executive presence, accent reduction, media training and diversity to lead the workshop. With her 30+ years of on-air work as an anchor at CNN, Japan Cable Television Network in Tokyo and other media outlets, Sachi enables her clients to attain the next level of sophistication in career development through speech, presentations, executive presence and leadership coaching. So don't miss this summit, reserve the date and register by visiting our website.
If you would like to volunteer on the CAPA board, please contact me. I look forward to seeing you all at the leadership summit.
Best Wishes,
Aneesa I. Rashid, Ph.D.
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Consul General Mitshuhiro Wada from the Japan Consulate Office of Michigan and Ohio extended great support to CAPA.
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Michigan Asian Pacific American Affairs Commission (MAPAAC) held 2016 Open House Forum in partnership with the state departments to provide information and services of the programs available through the state, on August 20 at Fuji Japanese Buffet. MAPAAC strategic partners, including CAPA, attended the forum.
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CAPA 2016 Board of Directors Retreat on September 11 at Troy.
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CAPA 2016
Greater Detroit AsiaFest Was a BLAST
From Ke Zhang Miske (Coco), CAPA Membership Chair
Northville, MI - On the evening of Thursday, July 14, 2016, from 6 pm to 10 pm, the Council of Asian Pacific Americans (CAPA) hosted its inaugural Greater Detroit AsiaFest. Over 1,100 metro Detroiters representing a diverse cross section of ethnic backgrounds gathered at the Royal Oak Farmers Market in downtown Royal Oak for the debut of the Greater Detroit AsiaFest. Both a one-evening food festival and a cultural performance showcase, this inaugural event featured the food of 11 local restaurants and caterers and the entertainment of 12 fabulous acts.
The food at the Greater Detroit AsiaFest spanned favorites across the Asian continent. This year's participating food vendors included 168 Asian Market, Empire Dynasty Chinese Restaurant, Fuji Japanese Buffet, Krishna Catering & Restaurant, MaMang Vietnamese Cuisine, Nice Modern Creamery, the Oakland Tea House, Punjab Sweets & Indian Cuisine, Sai Sweets, Sala Thai Restaurants and Teriyaki Madness. The selection of dining options was simply unparalleled.
While enjoying all of the event's amazing food choices, guests were treated to an ongoing schedule of music, vocal, dance and food demonstration performances on the main stage. Some of metro Detroit's best cultural acts came out and volunteered to ensure that this event had the authenticity that the event organizers were seeking. Their contribution to the success of the event was huge. The entertainment stage was sponsored by Vibe Credit Union.
Guests also had the opportunity to shop from a boutique selection of local merchants, whose wares included jewelry, clothing, cosmetics and body care, gift items, food products and more. Many amazing treasures were there to be found.
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Watch AsiaFest 2016 Video |
The Greater Detroit AsiaFest was produced by metro Detroit event production company, The Quintessential Event Company, in alliance with the Council of Asian Pacific Americans (CAPA) and the National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP).
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CAPA 2016 Annual Statewide Asian Pacific Leadership Summit (LS) XIV
Saturday, October 22, 9am - 2pm
GM Vehicle Engineering Center
30001 Van Dyke Street, Warren, MI 48090
General Admission: $10
Students with student ID: $5
Group of 10:$80
(Including continental breakfast and box lunch)
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CAPA 2016 LS Update
From Farah Ahmed, CAPA Executive Director
Northville, MI - On Saturday, October 22nd, 2016, the Council of Asian Pacific Americans (CAPA) will host the "2016 Statewide Asian Pacific Americans Leadership Summit XIV" at the GM Vehicle Engineering Center, 30001 Van Dyke, Warren, MI 48090. CAPA (www.capa-mi.org) brings Asian Pacific Americans together with the community at large through our culture, education and community services. The Summit o
ffers a unique opportunity to network with the Asian Pacific American leaders with business leaders, community leaders, members, and young adults.
This year's eventwill offer workshop on "Speaking with Power with Minimal Stress." It will also include table discussions on topics important to the APA community in Michigan. Admission is $10 (regular), $5 (students with ID) and $80 (groups of 10). Continental breakfast and box lunch included.
The Asian Pacific American community in Michigan is growing in size and strength, contributing to the State's economy, diversity and vitality. Your support for our initiatives and events such as Leadership Summit XIV is greatly appreciated, and we hope you can join us on October 22nd, 2016 for this workshop to enhance your personal effectiveness.
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CAPA Project: Connecting Asian American Immigrant Communities
From Harsha Nahata, CAPA Board of Director
Northville, MI - The Council of Asian Pacific Americans (CAPA) is collaborating on a short documentary film to showcase stories of youth growing up in Asian American immigrant homes. Funded by a grant from the Michigan Humanities Council, this project will bring together families to explore our community's heritage through storytelling and personal narratives.
Everyday conversations - on dinner table etiquette, family values, even sleepovers - look a little different in an immigrant household. Migration is an emotional experience, combining the excitement of a new beginning with sacrifice and memories of home. How do generations raised in vastly different environments communicate with and relate to one another? This project interviews youth in first-generation Asian American households, and their parents, to see how families live in between worlds, blending the customs and traditions of the old country with the hope and opportunity of the American dream.
For eight months, we will interview and follow families through their daily routines to document how life in an Asian American household unfolds. We will also hold a series of community conversations bringing youth and parents together to understand each other's perspectives on everything from migration to family customs to food, relationships and dating.
If you are a first-generation immigrant family with kids between the ages of 16 and 26, we want to hear from you!
We are looking for families to participate in interviews and/or our community conversations. If you are interested in getting involved, please fill out this Google
form
or email
film@capa-mi.org
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We are also seeking to fill the following positions:
Freelance filmmaker
- accompany the project director to events, community dialogues and interviews. This is a great opportunity for students looking to build experience with documentary style shooting. A minimum of one year of filmmaking experience is required. Interested applicants should email a resume and a link to 2-3 samples of work to
film@capa-mi.org.
Marketing and graphic design interns
- help create a logo and branding strategy for the project. Interested high school and college students should apply. Some graphic design experience preferred. This is an unpaid position. Interested applicants should email film@capa-mi.org
with a resume and a brief paragraph answering the question: This project is significant because...
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Finding and Becoming the Right Partner
Musings of Dr. Jamie C. Hsu
It is always a very happy occasion to attend weddings, to see the lucky couple who found each other, to immerse in the happiness of family and friends. The couple have taken years to know each other, to fall in love, and to finally tie the knot of matrimony.
But finding the right partner is just the beginning. It will take a life-long commitment and effort to become the right person for each other.
As the couple move through the journey of establishing a family, pursuing careers, raising kids, and taking care of each other, they'll encounter ups and downs. To navigate such a long journey, love is not enough. They'll need skills to communicate, to change, to adapt, to compromise, to learn, and most importantly, the desire to 'become the right person for each other'.
In order to become the right person, try to ask the following questions.
Are you growing from being dependent to independent, and to interdependent?
Are you becoming better and better because of each other?
Are you gaining each other without losing yourselves?
And finally, are you like a mirror to each other:
A mirror provides unbiased feedback silently and truthfully. It does not criticize or pass judgment. It serves you only when needed and does not follow you around to nag you. It only focuses on the present moment, not brings up the past or the future. And most importantly, it does not keep a record of what was in front of it.
Are you willing to be a nice mirror? Are you becoming the right person for your partner?
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Michigan Training More State Troopers Despite Violence Against Police
From Oakland Press (By Gina Joseph)
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Stephanie Chang from Troy attended the 129th Trooper Recruit School at Michigan State Police Training Academy in Lansing and graduated on August 26.
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BEING A TROOPER
"This has been the hardest thing I've ever done in my life," said Stephanie Chang, 26, from Troy.
Chang was among the recruits who graduated on Aug. 26. "I'm really passionate about human trafficking. I lose
sleep over it," Chang said. After earning
her bachelor's degree in psychology and community action and social change at the University of Michigan, she decided to join the academy...
more
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APACC Salute to Excellence Awards
APACC Women's Leadership Conference
From Asian Pacific American Chamber of Commerce (APACC)
APACC has encouraged and celebrated the highest standards in economic advancement for more than ten years through its Salute to Excellence Awards!
Join APACC in celebration of Asian business professionals and companies who have achieved notable success and outstanding accomplishments in their respective fields of industry.
Friday, September 23, 2016
4:30 p.m. - 8:00 p.m.
Westin Southfield, Southfield, MI
The APACC Women's Leadership Conference is designed to engage and inspire high-performing women leaders toward accelerating their leadership abilities. With all women in mind, attendees will learn from a dynamic speaker how to "Lead with Purpose" and will have the opportunity to attend two break-out sessions.
Wednesday, November 9, 2016
11:00 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
Greektown Casino Hotel, Detroit, MI
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Yoni Ki Baat - A Travelogue of Spirit and Endurance
From Mai Family Services (MaiFS) and Asian Indian Women's Association (AIWA)
Mai Family Services has partnered with Asian Indian Women's Association (AIWA) in addressing issues that have decimated the very ecosystem we live in. Welcome to Yoni Ki Baat.
Saturday, September 24, 2016
5:30 p.m.
VisTa Tech Center at Schoolcraft College
18600 Haggerty Rd., Livonia, MI 48152
Contact:
Niru Bajaria (313) 277-5692
Usha Kapila (734) 397-1814
Mona Sashital (248) 767-4542
Usha Mittal (248) 982-8666
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2016 Japan Festival
From Japan Business Society of Detroit (JBSD)
Please join 2016 Japan Festival at Novi High School from 1:00pm on Sunday October 2nd.
Enjoy Japanese foods, events and culture with your family and friends.
Indoor event - Rain or Shine
Sunday, October 2, 2016
1 p.m. - 4 p.m.
Novi High School
24062 Taft Road, Novi, MI 48375
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ACA B3 Young Professional Summit
ACA 44th Anniversary Celebration Banquet
From Association of Chinese Americans (ACA)
ACA and its national organization Asian Pacific American Advocate (OCA) announced their
B3
Young Professional Summit that will be held in Metropolitan Detroit.
B3
: Build, Breakthrough & Believe
is a professional and leadership development program for aspiring Asian American Pacific Islanders professionals.
Friday, October 21, 2016, Noon - 5pm
Glen Oaks Country Club - Club Room
30500 W 13 Mile Road, Farmington Hills
ACA's 44th Anniversary Celebration Banquet
starts in the main hall immediately following B3 at 5:30pm.
Join ACA as they celebrate 44 years of service to the community. The program includes a reception, networking, a keynote speech, award ceremony, dinner, and entertainment.
Friday, October 21, 2016,
5:30pm - 11pm
Glen Oaks Country Club - Club Room
30500 W 13 Mile Road, Farmington Hills
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NAAAP Detroit 2016 Inaugural Gala
From National Association of Asian American Professionals (NAAAP-Detroit)
NAAAP has launched its new Chapter in Detroit. Please join NAAAP Detroit for their Inaugural Gala as they bring you an evening of "Inspiration: Imagine, Believe and Achieve". The Gala will be a preeminent social and networking event which also serves as a formal welcoming to usher in the new members and friends.
Friday, October 28, 2016, 6pm - 9pm
Edward Hotel & Convention Center
Grand Ballroom
600 Town Center Drive, Dearborn, MI
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September Volunteer Opportunities and Events
From Asian & Pacific Islander American Vote - Michigan (APIAVote-MI)
We're only two months from the November 8 elections which means two months full of volunteer events! Help APIAVote MI register voters, phone bank, and canvas so that Asian and Pacific Islander American voices are heard during this election.
September 15, 16, 18, 20, 23 and 24
Save the Date
APIAVote MI's 6th Annual Dinner is on October 6. Join us for a night of networking and celebration as we honor the contributions of community leaders who have worked as champions to uplift the voices of Asian Americans in the state of Michigan.
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We are creating a volunteer list
of members who would like to attend events to which CAPA is invited. We will meet with you over coffee to give you more information and a presentation on CAPA's activities and mission. Please contact
aneesa@capa-mi.org or
sharon@capa-mi.org if you are interested in being added to the list.
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