Celebrating API Heritage Month and Immigrant Heritage Month: Panel Discussion and Book Signing Event

San Francisco - June 1, 2024, Award-winning author Lucy Chen held a book signing event on June 1 at the San Francisco Main Library. Evelynn Tran, Chief Legal Counsel of the Valley Transportation Authority (VTA), and Ji Bowlus, founder of HELLO HAPI, were invited to support the event and participated in an inspiring guest discussion. The discussion, hosted by Van Tran, founder and CEO of API Rising, LLC, centered on the theme “Cultivating Resilience: Strength in Adversity.” This unique event was open to the public and aimed to celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in May and Immigrant Heritage Month in June.

Lucy is renowned for her book "Build Resilience: Live, Learn, and Lead," which has won the International Impact Award, the Golden Door Award Silver Medal, and the 2024 Spring PenCraft Award. The book delves into the journey of resilience and personal growth through the experiences of three generations of the author’s family spanning two countries and over eighty years. It covers events from World War II to China’s opening up to the world, and the author's study experience in the United States. The seven principles of building resilience presented in the book are based on real-life experiences, aiming to guide readers in cultivating resilience, and inspiring strength and confidence in the face of challenges.

Lucy and the other three guests are all accomplished professionals and have been actively involved in the Asian community for a long time. During the guest discussion, they explored the extraordinary experiences of Asian immigrant women in America, sharing their struggles, family heritage, and leadership as immigrants. They also discussed the unique challenges faced by Asians and how the strong support from the community helped them build resilience.

The event attracted about fifty guests and received an enthusiastic response, with the audience actively asking questions and interacting. The atmosphere was very lively. One guest attended with her mother in her eighties, and another came with three generations of their family. A guest remarked, “I feel very honored to participate in such a meaningful event. The guests' sharing deeply inspired and encouraged me!”

Another guest, Jadon Lam, founder and president of the AI Club at Pleasant Grove High School, expressed his intention to learn from the older generation. He proposed using his knowledge to help the San Francisco Library implement AI search engines and chatbots on their website to help readers find resources and recommend personalized reading materials. This proposal highlighted the enthusiasm of the new generation of Asians in community building.

Following the guest discussion was Lucy’s book signing event. She thanked everyone for their enthusiastic book purchases and engaged warmly with the guests, taking photos with them. She announced that the proceeds from the book sales would be donated to the non-profit organization Catalyst Youth Network, where she serves as an advisory board member.

This event not only resonated with and encouraged first-generation immigrants, strengthening the Asian community, but also set an example for and inspired the new generation to contribute to community building. Thank you to the Chinese Center at the San Francisco Public Library for their strong support of this event. Event webpage is here.

This event has been reported by Chinanews.com.