By Ingrid Lai, 2023 CHCP Co-Vice President

On March 12, 2023, the SDCAP (Student Docent Cultural Ambassador Program) community planned to celebrate their 10-year Anniversary at History San Jose. However, an unexpected fire at History Park on the morning of the event forced the celebration to be moved to a different venue, thanks to SDCAP Chair Brenda Hee Wong's quick thinking and the kindness of CHCP Director Dr. Arthur Jue and CHCP Advisory Board member Daniel Jue who offered their office space in San Jose.

Despite the last-minute change, the celebration was a success. The program included talent performances by SDCAP members, a "10 Years of Growth" slideshow, highlights of two meaningful video projects, founders, honorees and SDCAP recognition, alumni reflections, lunch, and cake cutting. The event ended with a raffle drawing.

The SDCAP community would like to thank Liz Chew, Teddy Sue, Lillian (posthumously) & Debbie Gong-Guy, and Brenda Hee Wong for their hard work in making SDCAP a success from the beginning and for their ongoing efforts in supporting its growth. The celebration was a testament to the dedication and hard work of all the alumni and current SDCAP members who have contributed to making SDCAP the success that it is today. Despite the unexpected challenge, the SDCAP 10-Year Anniversary Planning Committee, hosted the community to come together to celebrate and look forward to continuing their work together in the future.

Watch SDCAP's "10 Years of Growth" slideshow below:

CHCP Student Docent Ambassador Program (SDCAP) members got together with the South Bay Historic Chinese American Cemetery Corporation (SBHCACC) and the Chinese American Women's Club (CAWC) to make paper ingots for the Ching Ming celebration to be held on April 8th at the Historic Chinese American Cemetery in San Jose.

By Gerrye Wong, CHCP Co-Founder and Trustee

On Saturday, February 18th, we had a wonderfully sunny California day which was perfect for the Chinese Historical and Cultural Project (CHCP) to hold its annual Lunar New Year Celebration at History Park San Jose where its Chinese American Historical Museum proudly stands. Besides being able to visit our museum and see new exhibit features, we had Lion Dancing, Hoong our dragon and a Year of the Rabbit in person leading the parade of children at the end of the event.

In addition, we had remarkable groups performing martial arts, Chinese cultural dances and Chinese yo-yo demonstrations.

There was also Chinese calligraphy demonstrations, K-pop dancing, the Firebird Chinese Youth Orchestra playing traditional Chinese musical instruments, Chinese New Year games and craft activities for the kids, the "Rolling Duck" food truck serving delicious Asian dishes, plus our educational "Pioneering the Valley" Traveling Exhibit was also out on display.

So be sure to come out and not miss the fun and festivities next time CHCP holds its events – lots of excitement and fun cultural experiences.

CBS News Reporter Mary Lee interviewed CHCP Advisory Board Member/Historian Connie Young Yu and CHCP Director Brenda Hee Wong, to report on efforts being made to raise awareness for San Jose's historic Market Street Chinatown, destroyed by anti-Chinese arson in 1888.

By Gerrye Wong, CHCP Co-Founder and Trustee

Chinese Historical and Cultural Project welcomed the Year of the Rabbit in fine fashion with its annual membership dinner, which was free for all paid members.

Nearly 140 gathered to celebrate together and witness the swearing in of the Board of Directors for 2023 led by Dr. Arthur Low, Advisory Board Liaison and former CHCP president. Newly sworn in were Directors Dr. Arthur Jue, Elizabeth Lee and Mike Mak, and Co-Treasurer Bill Shu.  

California State Assemblyman Evan Low performed the swearing in of Advisory Board members. New Advisory Board members included: Michael Chan, Daniel Jue, Kelly Kwong, Sharon Lai, and Lielani Rich. It’s always being said that whatever is worthwhile “takes a village” and true to form, CHCP is led by a dedicated group of over 50 Board and Advisory Board members overseeing the membership of 300.

Keeping all of the audience members happy was the awarding of over 20 door prizes of orchid plants and Trader Joe gift cards. Attendees had a chance to view highlights of the 35th Anniversary Gala, which occurred last September 2022, thanks to Advisory Board member Steve Gilbert.

Before dinner, attendees were delighted to find a bright red voile bag which contained the commemorative Anna May Wong quarter, issued in 2022 as one of the American women coin series. Anna May Wong was the first Chinese American actress to appear in Hollywood movies beginning in the 1920s. 

Assemblyman Evan Low presented a framed California proclamation to President Dave Yick and CHCP for its fine community work in preserving and presenting Chinese American history for the past three decades through its activities and Chinese American Historical Museum. NBC reporter Robert Handa applauded CHCP for its continuing service to the community.

Lions Michael and Macy Mak Chan gifted everyone present that evening with a crystal display miniature teapot set with 4 cups to wish everyone a Happy New Year and invite them all to join their Silicon Valley Cyber Lions Club.  

Student Docent Cultural Ambassadors led the audience in singing Chinese New Year to close this eventful program.

Pictured in the photos below from left to right are: Director/SDCAP Chair Brenda Hee Wong, Advisory Board member Pinki Fung, "Money God," and Co-Founder/Trustee Gerrye Wong; Trustee Debbie Gong-Guy, Trustee Anita Kwock, and Co-Vice President of Marketing Edith Gong; new Board member Dr. Arthur Jue and Co-Treasurer Jonathan Wong; Barbara Johnson and Bill Schroh, jr. from History San Jose.

CHCP SDCAP (Student Docent Cultural Ambassador Program) members and CHCP Board members gathered at a social to celebrate the new year. They enjoyed ice cream and other goodies, plus the "Far East Deep South" documentary film was shown.

CHCP shared Chinese winter solstice traditions and children's holiday crafts at the Chinese American Historical Museum (CAHM) for History Park's Children's Heritage Holiday event on December 17, 2022.

The Chinese American Museum DC (CAMDC) hosted a webinar with a distinguished panel who talked about some of the Chinese American men and women who have served our nation and their great American stories.

The panel consisted of Montgomery “Monty” Hom (Founder and Executive Producer of the Chinese American GI Project), Connie Yu (CHCP Advisory Board Member/Historian), and Wilem Wong (retired New York City Police Sergeant with over 34 years of service in the United States Army Reserve). 

CHCP was a Gold Sponsor for Friends of Children with Special Needs (FCSN)’s "Expand Our Dream" Fundraising Gala. CHCP attendees at the Gala included (left to right):  CHCP Advisory Board Member/FCSN Board of Directors Co-Chair James Chiao, CHCP Trustee/Co-Founder Gerrye Wong, CHCP Member/FCSN Director of Volunteer Support Linmei Chiao, CHCP Director Brenda Hee Wong, CHCP Advisory Board Member Nathan Louie, and CHCP VP of Education Chris Jochim.

At History Park's Children's Halloween Haunt, CHCP hosted Halloween Bat and Spider games, and shared Chinese culture about Bats and Spiders.