Pulitzer Prize Finalist, Hemingway Foundation/PEN Award Winner,
Stanford Professor of English and Renowned Korean American Novelist
ANNOUNCEMENT Date Published: February 3, 2021
Washington, D.C. – The Council of Korean Americans (CKA) proudly announces the launch of its Arts, Culture, Entertainment, and Sports (ACES) Initiative to reinvigorate efforts to promote Korean Americans in these fields. In 2018, CKA’s Inspire Gala initiated conversations on how these creative endeavors contribute to the diverse portrayal of Korean American identity. The ACES Initiative will showcase Korean Americans making an impact in these fields and promote efforts to expand our community’s influence in these areas.
“Our ACES Initiative celebrates those who have applied grit, resilience, and determination to the risky, creative endeavors that inspire us. We hope that the ACES Initiative will inspire you to pause your routines from time to time and allow you to enjoy a little more beauty in our world,” shares CKA Board Chair Michelle Rhyu.
The ACES Initiative is spearheaded by CKA members Charlotte Koh, Soo Venkatesan, and Gideon Yu. Throughout the year, this task force will be organizing speaker events and collaborations with high-profile figures in the arts, music, entertainment, and sports, including family-friendly programming to inspire the next generation of leaders.
On February 25, the ACES Initiative will commence with a virtual fireside chat featuring award-winning Korean American novelist Chang-Rae Lee, who has recently released his sixth novel, My Year Abroad. If you are interested in purchasing his book, please consider Bookshop.org to support independent bookstores across the country or Green Apple Books, San Francisco, for a signed copy by Chang-Rae himself. Please RSVP here for the 2/25 event (4 PM PST / 7 PM EST).
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The Council of Korean Americans is a national nonprofit organization that advances the voice, interest, and influence of the Korean American community. We achieve these aims through education, coalition-building, and leadership development. We connect, inspire, and equip Korean American leaders and CKA members for a more significant impact and more active public engagement.
For more information, contact:
Ruth Song
Director of Operations & Programming
media@councilka.org
202-660-0900