The Speaker Series presenters (pictured in the first photo from left to right) are: William Lee, Richard Mar, emcee Chris Jochim, Janet Chang, and Elena Wong Viskovich.

In this Speaker Series event, alumni of Chung Mei boys' home and Ming Quong girls' home gathered together to share their stories of resilience and kinship. Alumni from both homes reminisced about their experiences growing up in their respective homes, how they survived and thrived, and ultimately, how it shaped their lives and their drive to succeed. 

View the recording of the Speaker Series event below:

Nona Mock Wyman, author of books on the Ming Quong home, who could not participate in the Speaker Series, has contributed a poem and haiku in lieu of her live presence.

‘TWO’ ALUMNI OF THE MING QUONG HOME ACHIEVED THEIR GOAL
WITH THEIR BAMBOO SPIRIT
THEY PERSEVERED, DELETED THE INFAMOUS WORD:
“PROSTITUTES”
FROM THE INNOCENCE OF YOUTH

MING QUONG’S NAME REPUTEDLY INTACT
THE SANITY OF THE MQ ALUMNI - AND-
THE MING QUONG STORE IN WALNUT CREEK
ARE RADIANTAS IT SHOULD BE;
FOR “MING QUONG” IN CANTONESE MEANS
“RADIANT LIGHT”

BEHIND THESE TWO WOMEN WERE DEDICATED
MING QUONG ALUMNI
THEIR ENCOURAGEMENT AND BELIEF COMPELLED THEM ON
EARNEST CONVERSATIONS;
WITH UPLIFT FAMILY SERVICES
BOTH PARTIES AGREED

THE ORIGINATORS AND TEACHERS OF THE MING QUONG HOME
CAN NOW REST IN PEACE
AS EACH ERROR CORRECTED - FOSTERS AMERICA’S TRUE HISTORY
AMEN - AMEN

This poem was inspired by the work of Elena Wong and Janet Chang for their passionate mission correcting the inaccuracies of the history of the Ming Quong residents.

Haiku by Nona:

CHUNG MEI-MING QUONG BROTHERS, 
SISTERS, 
COUSINS, 
FOUND THEIR SAFE HAVEN

Be sure to view the first two webinars in this Speaker Series: 

• 08/26/21 CHCP Speaker Series Webinar: "Chung Mei: Growing Up in an All Chinese Boy's Orphanage"
  
• 10/18/21 CHCP Speaker Series Webinar: "Bonds of Sisterhood: Life and Success after Ming Quong"

Also view: 

• 09/02/22 NBC Bay Area News: Residents of Chinese Boys Home Reunite Over Memories