AAPI Power Players 2024

Hiromi Kinoshita oversees the Chinese collections at the Philadelphia Museum of Art (PMA) and is interim head of Asian Art. Interested in making Chinese art more accessible, she reinstalled the Chinese permanent galleries and is engaged in a Chinese art initiative funded by the Robert H.N. Ho Foundation Global which explores ways to bridge cultures, connect audiences and inspire social change. Her present exhibition, “Mythical Creatures” considers diversity through traditional and contemporary artworks from China and the world.

If you could give your younger-self advice, what would it be?
Being self-conscious, I would encourage my younger self to speak up more and to not overthink things as most people are busy just thinking about themselves. Also, to err is human! It’s better to make mistakes early on, learn from them and keep improving.

Do you have any event/movie/music suggestions for our readers to check out in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month?
Yes! We have three exhibitions on in the Asian galleries showing how Asian artists have shaped the way we think about and see the world: “Mythical Creatures: China and the World,” “Collecting Japanese Art in Philadelphia” and “Mythical, Divine, Demonic: Animal Imagery in South Asian Art”. Check out our Friday night music offerings during May. www.philamuseum.org

How has your heritage shaped the person you are today?
Growing up mixed heritage had its pros and cons. Being in the minority presented certain challenges, but which taught valuable life lessons. It gives you a more balanced perspective and made me want to work harder. It also fueled my interest in wanting to work with arts and culture, to be able to build bridges and bring people together.

What can Philadelphia policymakers do to support the AAPI-community in the short-term? In the long-term?
We are always looking for opportunities to partner with community groups and government officials to bring new audiences into the museum. The PMA has started to do this with our Cultural and Heritage celebration months and would love to continue working with local policy makers to reach more communities across the city.

Dr. Bon Ku is an ARPA-H program manager and a practicing emergency physician. He served as associate dean and Marta and Robert Adelson Professor of Medicine and Design at Sidney Kimmel Medical College. He holds a doctorate in medicine from Pennsylvania State University and a master’s in public policy from Princeton University. He is an internationally renowned speaker and has been featured at events such as SXSW. Ku is the co-author of “Health Design Thinking”.

If you could give your younger-self advice, what would it be?
Set aside time for creativity – it’s a superpower that can ward off burnout, spur innovation, and help you envision new possibilities. Devote time in your daily routine for writing, drawing, dancing and playing music. Don’t stress about the “C” you got in Calculus; not all Asians are math whizzes. Challenge conventional stereotypes and engage in creative endeavors.

Do you have any event/movie/music suggestions for our readers to check out in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month?
Take a listen to Peggy Gou and Yaeji, two artists currently on my playlist. Contrary to the common misconception that all Korean musicians produce K-pop, these artists demonstrate the wide variety of styles that Korean musicians can offer. Also, I recommend dining at some of my favorite restaurants in Philadelphia, which are helmed by inspiring Asian American restaurateurs and chefs such as Ellen Yin, Jacob Trinh, and Thu Pham.

How has your heritage shaped the person you are today?
My culture’s creativity has influenced me. While being an ER doctor, I’m also addressing some of the toughest healthcare challenges at ARPA-H. Growing up, I wasn’t always proud of my heritage; I often felt like an outsider. The smell of kimchi in our house and my parents’ accent used to embarrass me. Korean culture has become a celebrated part of mainstream society today, from gochujang spice featured in high-end restaurants to popular Korean TV shows.

What can Philadelphia policymakers do to support the AAPI-community in the short-term? In the long-term?
Reach out, get involved, and pay attention to the AAPI leaders and organizations in Philadelphia – there’s a wealth of incredible groups and individuals. A great starting point would be connecting with Raymond John from 12 Plus, the M Night Shyamalan Foundation, SEAMAAC, and the Asian Arts Initiative.

Sima Singadia Kulkarni is an intellectual property (IP) lawyer focusing on patents, trademarks, copyrights and trade secrets at Duane Morris. She counsels clients in all aspects of IP matters, including strategic IP portfolio development, licensing and commercialization. Her clients include biotech, life science and pharmaceutical companies ranging in size from start-ups to multinational global corporations and academic institutions. Prior to working as an IP attorney, Sima worked at a pediatric and hematology laboratory.

If you could give your younger-self advice, what would it be?
You are stronger and more intelligent than you realize. Be adventurous and explore opportunities outside of your comfort zone, and outside of your geographic location. Celebrate and own each of your successes, both big and small. Be kind to others and also to yourself. Trust your instincts. Cherish your family.

Do you have any event/movie/music suggestions for our readers to check out in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month?
I love a good outdoor market, and in Philly nothing beats the Southeast Asian Market at FDR Park. From delicious food to beautiful artifacts, this market has it all. For some light reading I recommend “The Gold Diggers” by Sanjena Sathian, and for a classic take on the Indian immigrant experience, you cannot go wrong with Jhumpa Lahiri. Mix-up your exercise routine with some fun fitness workouts hosted by Philly Bhangra Club.

How has your heritage shaped the person you are today?
My cultural heritage comprises an amalgamation of Indian, British and American ideals in varying, and sometimes conflicting, degrees. The immigrant mindset compelling my ancestors to move from continent to continent every generation starting with my grandparents, has infused within me a sense of ambition and fortitude constituting the foundation of my work ethic and resilience. The challenge of melding traditions and values of different cultures, enables me to appreciate the important richness of diverse backgrounds.

What can Philadelphia policymakers do to support the AAPI-community in the short-term? In the long-term?
The AAPI community is not traditionally known for active participation in governmental or political activities. The sharing of ideas and the understanding of diverse viewpoints is fundamental for diminishing biases and also for collaborating in order to achieve innovative solutions to challenging problems. For at least these reasons, encouragement of participation in political discourse by members of the AAPI community is a valuable short and longer term goal for Philadelphia policy makers.

Stephen Kulp is the founder and owner of Kulp Legal LLC. He is an experienced civil and commercial litigator who has built his reputation on providing high-level representation to his clients. Kulp has received numerous prestigious awards and has been recognized as a champion of diversity, equity and inclusion. He serves on the board of directors for the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of Pennsylvania and the National LGBTQ+ Bar Association. Kulp earned his bachelor’s and law degree from Drexel University. 

Dr. Vijay Kumar is the Nemirovsky Family Dean of University of Pennsylvania School of Engineering. He is the founder of Exyn Technologies, a company pioneering autonomous aerial robot systems for complex, GPS-denied environments and served as the assistant director of robotics and cyber physical systems at the White House office of science and technology policy from 2012-2013.

Hyeonock “Mel” Lee immigrated to Pennsylvania from Korea in 2010. A first-generation immigrant who speaks English as a second language, she intimately understands the needs and challenges of Asian American community members. Mel is the founding executive director of Woori Center, “Our Center” in Korean, which builds community power through social service, education, community organizing, advocacy, civic engagement and culture programs. She resides in Bucks County and is a mom to two school-aged children.

If you could give your younger-self advice, what would it be?
I would tell myself to not worry about being perfect and to take more risks. Our community’s and the world’s problems are vast and there is no “right” way to organize, or we would have already won. We need to experiment, try out many strategies, and be ok with sometimes failing, because we always learn from our mistakes and are stronger for it. The most important thing is to not give up and keep trying!

Do you have any event/movie/music suggestions for our readers to check out in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month?
The movie “Past Lives” is a beautiful depiction of one aspect of the immigrant experience. The main characters’ lives and relationships with each other touches on both the incredible joy and sadness we experience when leaving one life behind and beginning a new life somewhere else. The film highlights the complexity of feeling the wonderfulness of what is and the grief in losing what could have been. I think many immigrants can identify with this.

How has your heritage shaped the person you are today?
I am a Korean immigrant woman and I take pride in the people’s history of rising against injustice and fighting for democracy. My background inspires me to co-build an organization that keeps this spirit on, celebrates its culture, lessens our sense of isolation, and empowers ourselves as Pennsylvanians. It brings me joy to play the Korean traditional drums in rallies for driver’s licenses for all, or to co-organize Woori Center’s Lunar New Year where we play traditional games and register voters.

What can Philadelphia policymakers do to support the AAPI-community in the short-term? In the long-term?
Language access is a critical need. From paying a utility bill to speaking with your child’s teacher to registering to vote is extremely difficult for an English language learner. In the short-term, policy makers can dedicate resources and implement plans, co-designed with the community, to increase access in multiple languages, including Asian languages. In the long-term, policymakers must expand affordable housing, health care, quality education and other basic human rights so all community members can thrive.

Romana Lee-Akiyama is a global leader at the intersection of social change, equity, wellness, and arts and culture. She is the senior director of institutional advancement at the Building Movement Project. Throughout her career, she has served as a skilled advocate and partner to nonprofit and community-based leaders and organizations, grantmakers and funders and elected officials. Her expertise lies in unknotting challenging situations and complex systems to create equitable results through strategy, planning and engagement.

If you could give your younger-self advice, what would it be?
Don’t waste time worrying about what you think your shortcomings are. Focus on identifying and building up your strengths. Intentionally find others who will help you do this. Believe and see that you are enough, your voice matters, and that your unique place in this world is a gift that is going to help heal many people.

Do you have any event/movie/music suggestions for our readers to check out in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month?
“Surf Girls Hawai’i” is a documentary now streaming on Amazon Prime. The Native Hawaiian experience is very rarely acknowledged as part of the broader Asian American, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) narrative. The series follows the empowering journeys of five young Native Hawaiian women that are reclaiming their culture, language and traditions, including surfing which originates from our Polynesian ancestors.

How has your heritage shaped the person you are today?
As a mixed-race woman, I’ve built my career around lifting up the diverse AANHPI communities and our experiences, and in a personal capacity, worked to shed light on the complexities of those who hold multiracial identities. I became a social worker because I saw an unmet need in my community. In 2021, I launched the Chen Lok Lee Legacy Project to showcase the artistic contributions of Asian American artists, including my late father.

What can Philadelphia policymakers do to support the AAPI-community in the short-term? In the long-term?
Listen, learn and build relationships with AAPI communities, which represent 8% and the fastest growing population in Philadelphia. Hire and appoint more AAPI talented staff and leaders who have strong relationships with communities, and listen to them. Recognize how communities of color are often pitted against each other, and work to build solidarity across differences to bring about greater social change. Include everyone in the equity equation.

Harry Leong is a life-long resident of Philadelphia. He taught at the elementary school he went to as a child (McCall School); he directs the outreach program in which he was a participant, Chinese Christian Church and Center (CCCC); he leads the sports/service/cultural organization that helped to nurture him as a child.

If you could give your younger-self advice, what would it be?
In giving the younger Harry advice, he would be more willing to take risks and not be afraid to fail. He should also be more willing to reflect more as well as celebrate and enjoy life’s special moments.

Do you have any event/movie/music suggestions for our readers to check out in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month?
I believe the many AAPI Heritage events in the various Asian communities, Pan Asian Celebration, Asian Market at Roosevelt park, and Chinatown are some of the events that one can learn and join in the celebration.

How has your heritage shaped the person you are today?
My heritage as a Chinese-American has shaped me significantly to be a peace-maker. Growing up in an era where black versus white race-relations were very volatile and friends with both races allowed me to be. 

What can Philadelphia policymakers do to support the AAPI-community in the short-term? In the long-term?
As one of the underserved communities within the city, there is little funding allocated to the AAPI communities. Representation and support for AAPI programs is limited. Many in the AAPI community, because of language and other access issues at current established facilities and programs, are not able to participate. Long term efforts should be made to include more AAPI organizations support in programming and funding for programs.

Jasper Liem has been a champion of LGBTQ youth since starting the Gay Straight Alliance at his high school when most adults believed that LGBTQ youth did not exist. Jasper joined Attic Youth Center’s board in 2013 and stepped in as executive director in 2022. They take immense pride in collaborating with a passionate team focused on expanding access to opportunities, ensuring that LGBTQ+ youth can flourish into resilient, independent, and healthy adults.

If you could give your younger-self advice, what would it be?
You don’t have to see every step of the journey to know you’re going in the right direction. This, along with doing the best I can with what I have, has kept me grounded throughout the path that eventually led me here. It’s easy to look at someone’s trajectory and think they always knew where they’d land, but this is rarely the case.

Do you have any event/movie/music suggestions for our readers to check out in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month?
Know your history and your family’s history. When anti-Asian hate showed up in early COVID, I chose to learn more about how my family came to the U.S. during the Chinese Exclusion Act, about the demise of Chinatown in Tacoma, and the roots of how tension between Black and Asian communities were intentionally planted. Erika Lee and Ibram X. Kendi are my go-to authors on the subject.

How has your heritage shaped the person you are today?
I grew up surrounded by people who didn’t look like me. My parents are Chinese, but only my mother spoke Cantonese. The people who did look like me had been immersed in their cultural heritage in ways I did not. I often felt (and was sometimes told) that I wasn’t “really Chinese.” That mindset kept me from embracing my full self and I’m grateful for the work and therapy that keeps healing that loss.

What can Philadelphia policymakers do to support the AAPI-community in the short-term? In the long-term?
Listen to our communities and help us preserve Philly’s Chinatown, one of the oldest in our country where roughly 50 Chinatowns remain. Check inwards on what you’ve been taught about AAPI people and actively work to unlearn that bias. Examine the “model minority” concept and ask who created that model and who does that model serve.

Kun-Yang Lin is the founding artistic director of professional dance company, Kun-Yang Lin/Dancers, and the company’s home, CHI Movement Arts Center. Lin has been widely recognized both nationally and internationally for his performance, choreography, and instruction. In 2010, the mayor of Hsin-Chu honored Lin as a “son of the City” for his artistic excellence, in 2011 and in 2017, he was selected by NBC News as one of 30 LGBTQ “changemakers, innovators and rising stars”.

If you could give your younger-self advice, what would it be?
Discover your gifts. Trust in the universe to recognize and reward commitment and hard work.

Do you have any event/movie/music suggestions for our readers to check out in celebration of AAPI Heritage Month?
I love world music…it allows you to travel the world through your imagination. I particularly like the movie “Samsara” by Ron Fricke from 2011. I can watch that movie again and again.

How has your heritage shaped the person you are today?
I was raised in a home where my parents never spoke the same language (Mandarin and Taiwanese), and practiced Catholicism while growing up in Taiwan – a country steeped in the traditions of Buddhism and Taoism. These contrasts made me deeply invested in the individual and the collective, innovation and tradition, the visible and invisible – these “in-between” spaces. Additional influences that nourish my artistry include tai chi, martial arts, chi gong, calligraphy, and meditation.

What can Philadelphia policymakers do to support the AAPI-community in the short-term? In the long-term?
Learn about us and engage with us. Come to our performances and other cultural events throughout the city at parks, community centers, theaters and other cultural centers. KYL/D is a small representation of the AAPI-community…with each work we are embracing the power of art and dance to expand self-understanding and our capacities to care for one another.