Against The Grain Productions's Blog

Vietnamese Heritage Camp held at Holiday Inn

againstthegrainproductions — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 12:07:50 +0000

Read the Estes Park Trail Gazette article featuring ATG’s own Jared Rehberg.

Vietnam Culture Camp — Unforgettable

againstthegrainproductions — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 04:35:58 +0000

ATG’s Director of Marketing and Public Relations, Aivy Nguyen, returned for another summer volunteering as camp counselor for Catalyst Foundation‘s Vietnamese Culture Camp. Here is her recap of her weekends.

“Two weekends. Two cities. One sad ATG’er who’s sad another year of camp is over.

Yet another wonderful year of camp has passed with more memories and stories with the kids, parents counselors and staff at Catalyst Culture Camps in Northfield, MN and New Haven, CT. With two camps back to back, my culturally fused weekend was a blur of kids, play-time, snack-time, arts, crafts, circle painting and the infamous never-ending piggy back rides.

Midwest Catalyst Culture Camp

East Coast Catalyst Culture Camp

This year, I was lucky enough to be chosen as camp counselor for both the Midwest and East Coast camps. Double the fun. Double the excitement. Double the amounts of lost sleep. All the while, it was very much worth every minute, because each Vietnamese adoptee I meet is a reminder of why I love doing what I do for ATG — providing ways to help raise funds for the orphans still in Vietnam so that they can hopefully one day have the same opportunities as the children I meet at Catalyst.

Day one of Minnesota camp is always a joy, as it gives the opportunity for many of the campers and parents to meet and get to know the counselors on a more one-to-one level. They also have their chance to dunk their favorite counselors during the Catalyst Carnival.

This year also reunited myself, Jack Nguyen and our incredible improv emcee skills for the counselor talent show. I was very impressed to see such an array of skills in acting, dancing, fiddle-playing and most impressively — song writing. Catalyst Culture Camp finally got its theme song, thanks to the counselors from Group 4 who re-wrote the lyrics to Katy Perry’s “California Girls” for culture camp. To see/hear a real treat, visit the Catalyst Foundation Fan Page.

The addition of Circle Painting and Vovinam also brought different cultural learning lessons to camp. The kids learned how to build onto each other’s creativity with painting, as well as the great art of martial arts and self-defense with Vovinam.

With more activities that filled the day than I could imagine, the best of all of them was getting to bond with the kids. Each one with their own story, their own history, their own personalities and ability to adapt. Every year I return, I grow more impressed and attached, not only with the kids, but the parents who have given a piece of themselves to share their lives and love. To the parents and kids, I thank you again for another great summer.

To see more of Aivy’s camp adventures, be sure to visit our ATG Fan Page and check out our photo albums!

Going Against the Grain: Cykochik’s Nikki Duong Koenig

againstthegrainproductions — Wed, 11 Aug 2010 04:15:39 +0000

Cykochik Custom Handbags Founder/Designer Nikki Duong Koenig

We love handbag designer Nikki Duong Koenig for her creativity in not only her work, but the process and thought behind how she does it. We are thrilled to get to premiere her latest collection at this year’s upcoming Fashion for a Passion!

Cykochik Custom-Handbags was first conceived in Nikki’s small Southern Methodist University dorm room. While living in Dallas and working on her BA in Advertising and Fine Art, she naturally combined her passion for fashion and art to produce an innovative line of custom handbags.

With Cykochik earning its position as a booming handbag label, Nikki then jetted off to New York City’s Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT). While there, she was able to hone her design and business skills in the CEO program.

Much of Nikki’s vibrant aesthetic is drawn from her experiences in NYC, photography, art, nature and her Vietnamese heritage. When it comes to fashion, she follows her own instincts instead of trends, since styles/trends are in a constant state of reinvention. As is everything in life, hence the “cycle” in the name Cykochik.

Nikki is a fervent believer in individualism and the freedom to express it, without endangering others in the process. She works only with animal & eco-friendly vinyls and is dedicated to quality craftsmanship, creativity and customization.

Cykochik Vanguard Bot Bag

Full name:

Nikki Duong Koenig

Hometown:

Dallas, TX

Current City:

Dallas, TX

Ethnicity:

Vietnamese American

What does it mean for you to “Go Against The Grain?”

It’s a state-of-mind, being able to trust/follow my instincts and not second-guessing myself despite external obstacles or influences. We should all “Go Against the Grain,” so that there is no grain to have to go against.

What made you decide to pursue a career in the fashion/handbag industry?

Like most designers, I was immersed in fashion and creativity growing up. So it was both nature and nurture that brought me into two very creative industries, fashion and advertising. The latter was a conscious decision to study at SMU, while handbag designing occurred more organically as I was pursuing a career in advertising.

What have been some of the challenges you faced/lessons you learned as an Asian American in a very competitive industry?

I try to look at challenges as opportunities to learn valuable lessons and grow. It’s something I face two-folds as an Asian American woman in the very competitive fashion and advertising industries. I guess I share the same blessing/curse as most Asian American women in looking much younger than they really are. So it’s a minor challenge to get the initial respect I need in a corporate setting, but I’ve learned to establish/prove my experience very early on.

What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment, and why?

Getting to do what I love and being able to support myself and others while doing it.

What do you hope to achieve?

I hope to inspire others and to make a positive impact with my art/designs.

Who inspires you?

My family. Their strength and courage in leaving Vietnam to brave a whole new world is a constant inspiration for me to pursue my dreams.

What is the most important lesson/advice you would give?

“Just Do It” like Nike, because nothing will happen unless you start it.

What’s up next?

Working with six amazing artists on the second Artist Series Collection, which will be debuting at Fashion For A Passion Sept. 25^th!

Booklist Reviews Operation Babylift

againstthegrainproductions — Fri, 06 Aug 2010 17:09:42 +0000

Thank you to Booklist for the wonderful review on our award-winning documentary Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam. The review will be sent out nationally in their online September 2010 e-newsletter.

Commemorating Operation Babylift, a U.S. relief effort that rescued more than 2,500 orphans out of Vietnam in 1975, this update is an informative and passionate look at the aftermath of war and the innocent children lostin the chaos of battle. Filmmaker Tammy Nguyen Lee combines archival black-and white film footage of bombings, evacuations, orphaned babies, and more with interviews with parents, volunteers, and rescued Vietnamese adoptees (now adults) who tell their stories with honesty and poignancy. Camera close-ups help intensify adoptees’ recollections of growing up in the U.S., where antiwar sentiments precipitated some racist behaviors. Efforts to discover their own identities vary from attending adoptees reunions (first organized in 2000) and visiting Vietnam to attempting to adopt a Vietnamese orphan (one of the most emotional stories). One interviewee shares that only when his child was born did he experience the feeling of his own flesh and blood. Extras include further discussions with adoptees and additional footage. – Edie Ching

2010 Fashion For a Passion Adds Extra Edge to Lineup

againstthegrainproductions — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 19:16:45 +0000

Proceeds from charity fashion show to benefit international orphanages

DALLAS, TX – The 2^nd Annual Fashion For a Passion (FFAP) hosted by Dallas nonprofit ATG Against The Grain Productions will feature a diverse lineup of local and national Asian American fashion designers united to raise money for charity. This year’s event will feature the collection of Chloe Dao (Season 2 winner of Project Runway), Khanh Nguyen for Nhã Khanh, Nikki Duong Koenig for Cykochik Custom Handbags featuring Freedom Parc, Prashi Shah for Prashe and Judy Yang. Newly added to edge up the roster are local designer Cac Lam for 2FeMale and New York-based designer Sumie Tachibana, as well as LeeAnne Locken (actress/model and finalist from She’s Got the Look) who joins fashion blogger Tina Craig of Bagsnob.com to emcee. The charity event takes places from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, September 25th at LandCo/7 Senses located at 1202 N. Riverside in Dallas, Texas.

The night’s festivities feature musical entertainment, hors d’oeuvres, cocktails, a silent auction and a fashion show of sneak-peeks, followed by a live auction of select pieces from each presenting designer’s collection and other exclusive pieces donated by Asian American designers around the country. The proceeds of the evening go to benefit orphanages in Vietnam and ATG’s community outreach initiatives. Against The Grain President/Founder Tammy Nguyen Lee, a graduate of SMU’s Meadows School of the Arts, said, “This is an exciting showcase of the talents of our community for a worthy cause, and we are particularly proud to collaborate with and showcase this diverse talent who truly represent the boldness and spirit of what it means to go ‘against the grain.’”

Designer Cac Lam, who studied at the Art Institute of Dallas and whose aesthetic is wild and crazy, said, “It’s rare that we get the opportunity to step back from the glitz and glamour of our craft to lend our hearts and hands to those who need them, so I jumped at the chance to participate.” Added Lam, “To go against the grain for me means to bring a style and uniqueness to my work that is from the soul, not society. I am the only me, so if I give the world work that is from my mind, my heart and my core, it will always be against the grain.”

Designer Sumie Tachibana, whose style is bold and edgy, studied at the University of Texas at Austin and the famed Parsons School of Design in New York. “It’s a great honor to be invited to do a show with this very talented group of designers.” Added Tachibana, “I truly appreciate and embrace being different. I design non-trend driven clothing for women and men that appreciate the beauty of being independent.”

LeeAnne Locken, a feisty model/actress who became even more well-known as a finalist on Season 2 of She’s Got The Look, said, “I am very happy to be on board for this wonderful event. Fashion is in my blood, and I think of great pieces of clothing as literal works of art.” Continued Locken, “I strive to be unique…in speaking my mind and always trying to have fun. Going against the grain means doing whatever it takes to be successful. I am not a big ‘go with the flow’ kind of person. I am the ‘get out the way, here she comes’ kind of person.”

FFAP event tickets range from $40-$50, and sales for the event begin on August 11th online at http://www.againstthegrainproductions.com

ATG Against The Grain Productions, a Dallas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, promotes Asian-American cultural awareness through compelling media projects and raises funds for international orphanages. Their premiere documentary feature, Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam, has received the Audience Choice Award for Best Feature Film at the Vietnamese International Film Festival and the Documentary Audience Choice Award from the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival. For more information, visit http://www.AgainstTheGrainProductions.com or http://www.TheBabylift.com

Newsday: Nassau Woman Keeps Memory of “Operation Babylift” Alive

againstthegrainproductions — Sun, 18 Jul 2010 13:11:10 +0000

Updated: Jul 17, 2010 05:38 PM

By BART JONES

Original Article

It was the final days of the Vietnam War in April 1975 as Saigon was falling, and the United States launched one last massive effort: To airlift as many orphans as possible out of the country.

In the three weeks before the last helicopter lifted off from the roof of the U.S. Embassy, some 2,548 babies and children were flown out. Most ended up in the United States, including about 100 on Long Island.

Now, at the 35th anniversary of the end of the war, “Operation Babylift” is gaining renewed attention, partially because of a Nassau County woman who led the humanitarian effort and adoption campaign on Long Island.

Lana Noone, of Franklin Square , adopted two of the infants and was a main organizer of local families who took in children from Babylift. She helped send supplies, such as baby formula, to Vietnam before the children’s arrival to the United States and then organized outings, cross-cultural events and parties as they grew up.

Next week Noone will speak about Operation Babylift as part of a retrospective program on the Vietnam War hosted by the Bethel Woods Center for the Arts museum. The event will be held at the site of the 1969 Woodstock concert.

Her appearance follows the release of a documentary that opened nationwide this year.

Last year, the Smithsonian Institution in Washington, D.C., hosted, for the first time, an event to mark Operation Babylift. “Finally, after the 35th anniversary, we’ve gotten this recognition,” said Noone, 63, who appeared at the Smithsonian.

The first sickly infant she adopted, Heather, died a month after arriving on Long Island , and Noone says she vowed to dedicate the rest of her life “to make sure no one would forget there was a Vietnam babylift and her short life would not be in vain.”

Noone’s other adopted daughter, Jennifer, was found wrapped in a blanket in a garbage can in a Saigon market, a common practice by Vietnamese mothers who hoped their babies would be found and placed in a good orphanage. Jennifer Noone, now 35, is a social worker in Manhattan.

Lana Noone says her daughter Jennifer became a cheerleader at H. Frank Carey High School in Franklin Square , a class vice president and a member of the National Honor Society. She went on to graduate with honors from Drew University before attending Columbia University , where she earned her master’s degree.

“I don’t have a day where I don’t think of these birth parents,” Noone said. “My life is full. But it is over their tragedy.”

Jared Rehberg, one of the adoptees who now lives in Queens , helped produce the documentary “Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam ,” and says Babylift lasted just a few weeks “but it changed a lot of lives.”

He still does not know what day he was born, or how he ended up at an orphanage in Vietnam. “It’s kind of a mystery,” he said, adding that he returned to Vietnam in 2005 as part of a group of 21 adoptees who visited for several days.

“It was a little closure for me,” he said.

Today, Lana Noone runs a group and website, vietnambabylift.org, that tries to keep alive the memory of what some call one of the largest humanitarian missions in history. She often receives e-mails from Babylift adoptees trying to track down their birth parents, or from birth parents – including U.S. veterans – trying to track down their children born in Vietnam.

Operation Babylift was criticized by some as a cynical attempt by the United States to generate good public relations amid the debacle of the end of the war. But Noone says she thinks there was little choice.

“I sincerely feel it was the only thing that could have been done,” she said. “They were in harm’s way. There was a war. With all the chaos that was going on, they weren’t on the top of anyone’s list.”

A Camping We Will Go…

againstthegrainproductions — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 18:44:14 +0000

Catalyst Culture Camp

Aivy Nguyen at Catalyst Culture Camp

Last year’s experience as a camp counselor for Catalyst Culture Camp was such a wonderful one, so I’m returning as a veteran counselor for not just one camp, but both! This weekend, I will be working my first year with the St. Olaf camp in Minnesota. The kids and parents from last year’s east coast camp in New Jersey left such great memories and stories to remember. Three days of meeting families, cultural craft making and bonding made me appreciate what Catalyst does for the adoptees here, and it only motivates and inspires me more with ATG to provide for those in need overseas. I eagerly wait to meet more inspiring families at St. Olaf!

– Aivy Nguyen, Dir of Marketing/PR

Colorado Vietnamese Heritage Camp

Jared Rehberg at Colorado Vietnamese Heritage Camp

I always look forward to Colorado Vietnamese Heritage Camp during the summer time. This special weekend in Colorado is filled with new music for all the campers, presenting life stories with my adult adoptees friends to the adoptive parents and last and certainly not least, bonding with the young generation of adoptees.

This year I will also be screening the film Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam. DVDs will be available at the screening. I love catching up with the campers I’ve met since my first camp over 6 years ago. We have drinks and share our joys and sorrows from the years past. I’m especially excited to bring new adult adoptees to share their stories at our adult workshops. It’s quite a trip for many, but well worth it in the end.

– Jared Rehberg, Dir of Community Outreach

Going Against The Grain: Jen Kwok

againstthegrainproductions — Tue, 13 Jul 2010 18:35:52 +0000

Jen Kwok is a Renaissance Man who happens to be an Asian girl. Jen’s sparkling talents take form in writing, singing, comedy and ukulele/piano/glockenspiel playing, and she has performed at venues as varied as Highline Ballroom, Gotham Comedy Club and bawdy basement burlesque shows!

A mainstay of the Asian-American performance community, Jen co-hosts the Asian American Writers Workshop’s open mic series and has a much loved/mildly controversial YouTube hit entitled “Date an Asian” (YouTube #1 Comedy Spotlight, MTV Iggy & Buzzfeed Top 3).

In the mainstream media, Jen’s work has been featured by The New York Times, PBS, CNN, MTV and Rolling Stone Magazine. Jen was also a national finalist in NBC’s Stand-Up for Diversity and will make her feature film debut (as a ukulele player!) in the movie EAT, PRAY, LOVE.

Full name:

Jen Kwok

Hometown:

Palmdale, CA

Current city:

Brooklyn, NY

Ethnicity:

Chinese (my family came to the US from Vietnam)

What does it mean to you to or how do you “Go Against The Grain?”

Going against the grain means not being limited by expectations and doing what you feel is right – even if it’s not the easiest path. I would go with the grain if I could, but as an Asian-American performer, that’s kind of not an option.

What made you decide to pursue a career in the business?

I completely blanked my third or fourth time doing stand-up, and didn’t go onstage for nearly a year. Then I picked up the ukulele and found my thing with musical comedy. I figured that comedy was for me if the awesomeness could somehow outweigh the stage fright, anxiety and nausea. Plus, I don’t like having regrets. They suck.

What have been some of the challenges you faced/lessons you learned as an Asian American in a very competitive industry?

It’s hard for anyone to be in the entertainment industry, period. For Asians and other minorities, we have to deal with the fact that most American film and television roles have been limited to racial stereotypes. But even in the past year or so, the number of non-stereotypical roles and minorities cast in lead roles has increased. The industry is changing, even if it’s one Asian/Black/Latino judge on Law & Order at a time. In terms of overcoming the challenges, writing your own material definitely helps because you can create opportunities for yourself without waiting for somebody to cast you in something.

What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment and why?

My biggest accomplishment was realizing that I wanted to be a writer and performer unconditionally, no matter what. The industry is tougher than anyone can imagine when they’re first starting out, and for the first few years, I wanted to quit nearly everyday. It was through sheer tenacity – or madness – that I stuck it out and realized that this life was for me, for better or for worse. I guess it’s kind of like getting married. Now I just hope I don’t get divorced.

What do you hope to achieve?

I want to have fun, entertain people and get as good as I can get at whatever it is I’m doing.

Who inspires you and/or who are your biggest influences?

Most Asian female comics would probably not be here without Margaret Cho – myself included. It literally blew my mind to see an Asian woman on television doing her own material, talking about sex and not being a size 0. Style-wise, Victor Borge was a huge influence – he was one of the first people I ever saw combining music and comedy. I also really love Richard Pryor, Dave Chappelle, Tina Fey and Tom Waits.

What is the most important lesson/advice you would give?

Find your own voice and be patient with yourself. Be more patient than you think you need to be. Be brutally patient. And honest.

What’s up next (upcoming projects or plans for the coming months)?

If my ukulele and I don’t end up on the cutting room floor, we will be in the movie EAT, PRAY, LOVE coming out in August! I’ve also got a new music video hitting the web and (fingers crossed) television very soon. Other than that, you better believe it’s gonna be a lot of drinking and Facebook.

Asian American Designers Showcase Collections at Fashion For A Passion

againstthegrainproductions — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 18:34:31 +0000

Proceeds from charity fashion show to benefit international orphanages

DALLAS, TX – Dallas nonprofit ATG Against The Grain Productions presents the 2^nd Annual Fashion For A Passion from 7 p.m. to 10 p.m. on Saturday, September 25 at LandCo/7 Senses located at 1202 N. Riverside in Dallas, Texas. The event will showcase collections from emerging Asian American designers Khanh Nguyen for Nhã Khanh, Nikki Duong Koenig for Cykochik, Lyly Thanh Koenig for Lyly Thanh, Prashi Shah for Prashe and Judy Yang. This year’s event will also feature the collection of Chloe Dao, Season 2 winner of Project Runway, with the designer in attendance. In addition to the fashion showcase, there will be musical acts, as well as an exhibition of work by local Asian American artists. The event also features a live auction of pieces from each fashion designer’s collection, with the proceeds to benefit orphanages in Vietnam and ATG’s community outreach initiatives.

FFAP Presenting Designer Chloe Dao

In 2009, ATG showcased the designs of budding designers Kim Phuong Pham, Lizzi London, Aiden Vo and Khanh Nguyen, all of who have now gone on to start successful careers in the industry. ATG also raised more than $5,000 to aid needy orphanages in Vietnam.

Returning designer Khanh Nguyen, a graduate from UNT, said, “Participating in Fashion for a Passion in 2009 was definitely a turning point in my career. The event was also where and when I learned the meaning of receiving and giving back.” After Fashion for a Passion, she became a Woman That Soar Honoree, recipient of the Brilliant You Award and her work was featured in La Mode and D Magazine. Added Nguyen, “Against The Grain Productions not only allowed me to connect with my native country, but it also helped me to realize the importance of charity work. I loved the experience, the effort and the energy that everyone put in to make the show happen. I am very honored and thrilled to be back to showcase my new collection this year!”

FFAP Presenting Designer Khanh Nguyen

ATG President/Founder Tammy Nguyen Lee, a graduate of SMU’s Meadows School of the Arts, said, “I’m so proud to hear and see lives changed like this as a result of our organization’s efforts. We founded Against The Grain with the mission to provide that essential support to Asian American artists and promote and share our community’s young talents, and we hope that our hard work continues to result in success stories like Khanh Nguyen’s. Compounded with the nationwide praise for our first documentary Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam, it has been a tremendous year.”

FFAP event tickets range from $40-$50, and sales for the event start in mid August online at www.AgainstTheGrainProductions.com. VIP/Sponsorships are still available. ATG Against The Grain Productions, a Dallas-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization, promotes Asian-American cultural awareness through compelling media projects and raises funds for international orphanages. Operation Babylift: The Lost Children of Vietnam has received the Audience Choice Award for Best Feature Film at the Vietnamese International Film Festival and the Documentary Audience Choice Award from the Philadelphia Asian American Film Festival. For more information, visit www.AgainstTheGrainProductions.com or www.TheBabylift.com.

Going Against The Grain: Kent Takano

againstthegrainproductions — Wed, 16 Jun 2010 17:26:37 +0000

ATG caught up with a real go-getter, Kent Takano, who has made an impressive career as an executive in the cable television industry. Currently, Kent is the Executive Producer/VP of Branded Entertainment for the DIY Network.

From 2006-2009, he was the VP of Programming and Branded Entertainment for the Fine Living Network and oversaw the department’s original content development for on-air and online, programming budget, as well as cross-platform strategies with the interactive group for the network’s 55 million digital audience. He also worked with Ad Sales to maximize product integration opportunities with new one-hour original specials and existing series.

In 2004, Takano was Director of Original Programming for Scripps Networks’ broadband and VOD content initiatives. From 2001 to 2004, Takano was Director of Programming for HGTV. His responsibilities included the development and supervision of series and specials for the prime-time lineup. Prior to Scripps Networks, Takano was an independent producer, and he’s produced and written series and specials for, but not limited to, HGTV, Food Network, Discovery, CNET, HGTV, ABC ’s The View, ET and Fox Broadcasting. He also served as programming consultant at the NBC, ABC and CBS affiliates in the San Francisco market.

Takano graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English Literature from the University of California, Berkeley.

Full name:

Kent Yasuo Takano

Hometown:

Alameda, CA

Current city:

Knoxville, TN

Ethnicity:

Japanese American

What does it mean to you to or how do you “Go Against The Grain?”

Going against the grain, especially when I was in college in the mid-80′s, meant doing what I wanted to do instead of what was expected of me. My dad — like many parents of Asian descent — wanted me to go into computers or business. Obviously, both would’ve been great careers — but not for me. So I guess you can say I went against the grain of what was expected, but not against my own expectations or passions. My interests were always more right-brained, the more creative side. All through elementary, junior high and high school, I excelled more in my English courses than anything that had to do with numbers, statistics or org charts. I liked to write — prose, poetry, screenplays, you name it. After graduating from Cal with my Bachelor’s degree, I took a year off and worked — and was probably still convinced I was going to apply to law school. To paraphrase Woody Allen, I didn’t want to go to a law school that would have me as a student. Ha! So I applied for a job at a local TV station in SF and never looked back.

What made you decide to pursue a career in the television programming?

Because it was fun — and in the beginning I didn’t care that I was paid $4.50 an hour. I had another job working as a magazine store clerk, so I was busy 7 days a week. As I learned what it took to write for television, I realized the only thing better than writing a story on a pad of paper or computer was telling a story with pictures. And I knew I didn’t want to go into news; it felt less creative than what I wanted to do. Writing at various entry level jobs finally led to going into the field, producing small projects, and then producing shows. And now I’m on the network side.

What have been some of the challenges you faced/lessons you learned as an Asian American in a very competitive industry?

I think the challenges were internal, rather than external. I’ve always tried to put my efforts towards things I could control, not what I couldn’t. Not always easy, but so important. If there was any institutional prejudice or anything along those lines from an external standpoint, I never felt them. Was it there? Perhaps, but I can’t say for sure. I’ve always been taught to always try to be better and to try harder than anyone else in the room — and do it without complaining. Outside of that, I can’t say whether being Asian American has been a hinderance or a positive thing. That said, it was once intimated by a new supervisor that I was hired “because you’re Asian.” Behind closed doors I asked for clarification on that, and said that if there was any type of tokenism involved in my hiring I would have to leave. I wanted to be hired and subsequently judged by my accomplishments and anything short of that would not be acceptable. And that was only a month into the job (!) — and I just moved 2,000 miles away from home. I was assured the comment was about the strength of having a diverse staff, and nothing else. Maybe I was hypersensitive to the comment, or maybe it was a lapse in judgment on my supervisor’s (at the time) behalf. Either way, we straightened it out quickly.

What do you feel is your biggest accomplishment, and why?

Biggest accomplishment? Yikes — I don’t know. I’ve had a few nice accolades along the way for writing/producing…but perhaps one of the biggest was being asked to attend Scripps Networks’ inaugural Diversity Committee meeting 8 years ago. The “accomplishment” was having the courage to take the CEO (at the time) aside before his opening remarks and, as one of the few minorities in the room, told him that it was important to me, as a minority (and one of the few on the committee, hence the committee!), to make it clear whether Diversity was a business decision or a public affairs initiative. And that if it were the former, then the company needed to build a business case; and if were the latter, then the company needed to handle it that way and not try to make it business case later. I was new the company at the time — and very much the junior person on the committee — but I believe he listened. And, short anecdote here — I was once asked to talk with a group of employees at Scripps and address some growing concerns about diversity. One question came up about whether there were hiring quotas within our company. I assured them that no hiring quotas — despite the fact I knew there were rumors of this spreading quickly. As a way of reinforcing this, I told them bluntly that, as a hiring manager, I would never hire anyone based on race because doing so would only going to make my job more difficult. It was that simple. This “real world” example was met by the entire group’s approval.

What do you hope to achieve?

I don’t have any specific goals, to be honest. I want to continue to learn, get better at what I’m currently doing and, along with that, hope I can teach others along the way.

Who inspires you and/or who are your biggest influences?

Biggest influences are friends and family. I think those who’ve influenced me the most have not been the overachievers, but those who found balance in the work/family lives. I want that someday — and aspire for that balance. Work hard, play hard…easier said than done. But I’ll get there.

What is the most important lesson/advice you would give?

I have a card on my refrigerator that says, “Go out on a limb. That’s where the fruit is.” Love that. It reminds me to take chances, to be smart, to have fun on the journey, and to enjoy the rewards — all rolled into one simple thought.

What’s up next (upcoming projects or plans for the coming months)?

Trying to finish writing my first novel. If I knew it’d be so difficult I wouldn’t have started it 18 months ago! While I try to write nearly every day — before or after work — some days are simply more productive than others. I’ve learned that’s all part of the process, too. It’s been a blast…