Congratulations to the CHCP Uncovering Asian Experiences (UAE) Film Team! Their submission, "Uncovering Asian Experiences" film, has been selected as a recipient of the 2022 Dr. Jerry Hiura Inspiration Award which supported the theme of "How to Make This World a Better Place."

Contemporary Asian Theater Scene (CATS) would like to acknowledge the team as one of the three selected winners in the Performing & Media Arts Category, with a total of 10 award recipients. The CATS Selection Committee was thrilled to receive the thoughtful film which captured important and unique stories. CATS will be awarding the team with a $300 prize.

AWARD BACKGROUND

The Dr. Jerry Hiura Inspiration Award was established in honor of the late co-founder of CATS, who was a poet, visual artist, jewelry maker, and musician. He was a highly spirited visionary and had an extraordinary gift to bring positive change and impact to the Silicon Valley Arts and Asian American community. It meant so much to him to encourage and support gifted Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) talent!

FILM BACKGROUND

The “Uncovering Asian Experiences” film was developed in spring 2021 as a response to the continued rise in anti-Asian racism and crimes. Members of CHCP's Student Docent Cultural Ambassador Program (SDCAP) felt an urgency to uplift the voices of Asian Americans and share their stories to raise awareness about anti-Asian hate and racism through the sharing of thoughts and experiences of our community members. Topics covered included: reactions to current events, history (e.g. 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act), media, stereotypes, personal experiences with racism, hopes for the future, and fighting against anti-Asian hate. Twenty-two interviews from multi-aged, multi-ethnicities from the local Asian community were conducted in the hopes that by sharing these stories, others will be able to learn from them, gain further understanding of how racism affects Asian Americans, and show solidarity and unity with the Asian American community.

On May 22, 2022, CHCP debuted the UAE film, followed by a Speakers Panel consisting of CHCP Advisory Board Member/Historian Connie Young Yu, former Oakland Mayor Jean Quan, West Valley College President Stephanie Kashima, and West Valley College Psychology Professor Christina Shih.

The talent and teamwork of five SDCAP members with advice and guidance from the SDCAP Chair (pictured left to right, top row: Joshua Zhang, Vanessa Lam; bottom row: Jessica Phongsa, SDCAP Chair Brenda Hee Wong, Kasey Walker, Emmalynn Walker) led to the creation of the quality, educational, and empathetic UAE video that was recognized and awarded. Four other SDCAP members (Trinity Chan, Steven Luo, Melody Luo, and Metrica Shi) also had an opportunity to participate in the project.

To celebrate the honor of receiving the award, members of the UAE Film Team took a trip to San Francisco's Legion of Honor to view the "Guo Pei: Couture Fantasy" exhibit on November 20, 2022.

Congratulations to the SDCAP UAE Film Team and to SDCAP Chair/CHCP Director Brenda Hee Wong !