ASIAN AMERICANS FOR EQUALITY 亞 洲 人 平 等 會
41st
Annual Lunar New Year Banquet Thursday March 12, 2015 6:30 pm Jing Fong Restaurant 20 Elizabeth Street Manhattan
ASIAN AMERICANS FOR EQUALITY 亞 洲 人 平 等 會 41st Annual Lunar New Year Banquet Thursday, March 12, 2015
Welcome AAFE President, Wendy Takahisa AAFE Board Member, John Leo
Acknowledgments and Introduction Presenting underwriters Cathay Bank, and New York Community Bank
Dream of Equality Awards Robert A. Annibale The Honorable Marcos A. Crespo The Honorable Letitia James Kwang S. Kim
Closing Remarks AAFE President, Wendy Takahisa and AAFE Executive Director, Christopher Kui
CELEBRATING DREAMERS Each year, AAFE honors individuals and organizations that have made exceptional contributions in the struggle for equality. Working towards the dream of equality is no small task. It requires ideals, vision, commitment, hard work and an unshakable determination to succeed. It requires a desire for transformational change, a willingness to confront adversity, and the audacity to find creative solutions. Join us tonight in celebrating those with the courage and conviction to act on their dreams.
Onward to the Next 40 Years In 2014, we celebrated our 40th Anniversary and paid tribute to the original group of founders who had the singular vision of achieving equality for all. While we recognized the early advocates and organizers for jobs and housing; the dedicated board, staff, and volunteers at AAFE have been following their example by taking their dreams to new levels. AAFE has gone from protesting discrimination and police brutality in the streets to empowering disenfranchised communities through our work in community economic and affordable housing development. Last year, AAFE was named Non-Profit of the Year by New York Housing Conference and National Housing Conference. The Association for Neighborhood and Housing Development (ANHD) also recognized AAFE for our role in developing the first Federal Low-Income Housing Tax Credit project in New York City. In our early years, we began to register voters and advocated for new City Council districts; today we are full participants in Community Boards, on task forces and advisory councils, and other city and state planning processes. From our first efforts to relocate victims of tenement fires, we are now building multifamily housing and helping those who once lived in substandard housing become homeowners. In the next decade, as AAFE approaches 50 years of service, we will continue to grow leaders who can carry on the work of our founders. We are committed to developing high school students who need a support network to get into college or find a career path, we are identifying the emerging immigrant voices who will benefit from speaking out at hearings and lobby days, and we will make the critical connections that join lending resources and experts with the budding entrepreneurs who have the motivation and ideas to become thriving business owners and job creators. We are very proud that our lending affiliate, Renaissance Economic Development Corporation, was recognized by the U.S. Small Business Administration as one of the top 6 producers of micro-loans out of 160 micro-lenders in the country. In addition, Renaissance initiated two new lending programs for U.S. veterans to start and expand their businesses. This year’s honorees are outstanding examples of the types of leaders who share AAFE’s principles and mission: Robert A. Annibale, Global Director of Citi Microfinance and Community Development, for bringing together financial inclusion, education, and neighborhood revitalization; Marcos Crespo, NYS Assemblymember, whose passion for social justice and immigrant rights have allowed him to make a difference for many New Yorkers; Letitia James, NYC Public Advocate, because she speaks for the powerless, providing a voice for tenants, youthful offenders, victims of violence, and others. Kwang S. Kim, President of the Korean Community Services of NYC, whose leadership of the most prominent Korean language service programs strengthens the entire Asian American community. The annual Lunar New Year banquet is always a special time to thank our partners, sponsors, family, and friends for supporting our work and making a difference. We could not do any of our work without our exceptional staff and volunteers, so on behalf of the Board and staff, we would like to express our gratitude and appreciation and wish you all a Happy New Year! Wendy Takahisa Christopher Kui President Executive Director
Dream of Equality Honoree Bob Annibale leads Citi’s initiatives and partnerships supporting community development and microfinance through financial inclusion, education and asset building, neighborhood revitalization, and small business and microenterprise development. He leads Citi’s global commercial relationships with microfinance and community institutions, to expand access to financial services, with particular focus on developing innovative platforms for scaling access to finance and savings through partnerships and correspondents.
Robert A. Annibale Global Director Citi Microfinance and Community Development
Currently based in London, since joining Citi, Mr. Annibale has held a number of senior treasury, risk, and corporate positions in Athens, Bahrain, Kenya, London, and New York. He is currently a member of the Policy Committee of the Centre for the Study of African Economies at the University of Oxford and he represents Citi on the Boards of the Microfinance Information Exchange, the Center for Financial Services Innovation (CFSI), the US FDIC Chairman’s Committee on Economic Empowerment, the Citi Foundation, and the Executive Committee of CGAP (World Bank).
Dream of Equality Honoree
Kwang S. Kim
Kwang S. Kim is the President of the Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York, Inc. Mr. Kim joined KCS in 1988 as Executive Director and since then has worked to enhance the quality of life for Korean Americans. Mr. Kim has been the driving force behind KCS’ growth by initiating critical programs such as senior centers in Flushing and Corona, Meals on Wheels, job training, and ESOL classes. As a leader for many years in the Korean community, he continues to advocate on important issues that affect Asian Americans in New York City. He has built many partnerships with other agencies, both in the public and private sector, with the goal of strengthening KCS and its services.
President the Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York, Inc.
In addition, he currently serves on the Board of Elmhurst Hospital and the Queens Interagency Council on Aging. Mr. Kim received his Master’s Degree in Social Work from Columbia University.
Dream of Equality Honoree Assemblymember Marcos A. Crespo was born in Puerto Rico and raised in New York City and Lima, Peru, before graduating from the John Jay College of Criminal Justice. Elected at 28 years old to the New York State Assembly to represent Soundview, Hunts Point, and nearby communities, his hard work allowed him to quickly move into the new position of Chair of the Assembly Task Force on New Americans, in April 2013. In this post, he has addressed health, education and legal issues facing the 4.3 million immigrants in New York by holding statewide forums and has fought to increase funding and reverse cuts to vital services aimed at integrating our newest residents. He has authored comprehensive anti-fraud legislation to protect immigrants, and spearheaded the permanent creation of the State Office for New Americans, a first of any state in the nation. Most recently, Mr. Crespo became the Chair of the Assembly Puerto Rican/Hispanic Task Force. He has translated his personal experiences and concerns into a dynamic list of legislative priorities focused on community and economic development based on social justice principles, such as reducing traffic congestion and fighting the transportation of garbage to the South Bronx. Other bills he has produced protect children from carbon monoxide poisoning, mandate financial literacy instruction in the Summer Jobs Program, increase protection for victims of domestic violence, reduce underage drinking, increase state and nonprofit organizations’ abilities to respond to natural disasters, expand antiobesity and wellness programs, increase landlord access to loans to improve substandard housing conditions, and implement new technologies to increase energy monitoring efficiencies.
The Honorable Marcos A. Crespo NYS Assembly, 85th AD
We are proud to support
Asian Americans for Equality At their 41st Annual Lunar New Year Banquet And Congratulate this year’s Honorees Robert A. Annibale Hon. Marcos A. Crespo Hon. Letitia James & Kwang S. Kim
Wendy K. Neu Steve Nislick Hugo Neu Corporation
Dream of Equality Honoree On January 1, 2014, Letitia James was sworn in as the Public Advocate for the City of New York, the first woman of color to hold a citywide position in the city’s history. Her ongoing priorities include housing advocacy, women’s rights, job development, environmental issues, and healthcare access.
The Honorable Letitia James Public Advocate
As a member of the New York City Council representing the 35th Council District (Clinton Hill, Fort Greene, and parts of Crown Heights, Prospect Heights and Bed-Stuy), Ms. James introduced the Safe Housing Act, a groundbreaking bill that ensures that thousands of families in rental buildings receive prompt repairs to their apartments. With a $50 million investment in housing code reform, this was a major victory for all New Yorkers living in substandard buildings. Ms. James was also a whistleblower on the Office of Payroll Administration’s CityTime contract, under which corrupt consultants stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from the City. In 2012, her legislation improving oversight of high-cost service contracts with the City of New York became law. In the City Council, Ms. James became a strong proponent of environmental justice and green job development, chairing the Council’s Sanitation Committee. In 2010, Ms. James pushed through a revolutionary package that expanded plastic recycling, introduced a new clothing and textile recycling program, and improved public space recycling. She also sponsored a law requiring the Department of Corrections to report violent incidents involving adolescents. As an Assistant Attorney General and a public defender, Ms. James was well-known for her tenacity and support of fair and affordable housing and development, contract oversight, and social justice. Ms. James is a graduate of CUNY’s Lehman College and Howard University Law School and is a lifelong Brooklyn resident.
Event Schedule 5:15 PM
VIP Reception
6:15 PM
Dance Lesson
7:00 PM
Event Starts
Unicorn Performance
7:15 PM
Dance Performance
Prize Drawing -$200 gift card from Danny’s Steak House Oyster Bar
7:30 PM
Start Serving Food (Courses 1-3)
7:45 PM
Vocal Performance (1st part)
8:00 PM
2015 Dream of Equality Awards Ceremony
8:40 PM
Remaining Courses Served (Courses 4-8)
Vocal Performance (2nd part)
Prize Drawing -$1,000 gift card from Orient Retreat Spa
9:00 PM
Dancing
9:20 PM
Prize Drawing -iPad mini from BlueSky Associates Inc.
Winning Dancers Annoucement
Winning prize: 2 round trip air tickets to Hong Kong
Special thanks to New York Community Bank for making this evening’s event possible
We are proud to support Asian Americans for Equality At their 41st Annual Lunar New Year Banquet And Congratulate this year’s Honorees Robert A. Annibale Hon. Marcos A. Crespo Hon. Letitia James & Kwang S. Kim
Dancer Bio Andrzej Marianski
Andrzej Marianski is an accomplished Ballroom dancer of Polish escent. Andrzej’s degree in Ballroom Dance Coaching afforded him the opportunity to pursue a teaching career spanning more than twenty years including being a much sought after instructor in a major American dance studio for six years. He teaches both American and International styles of Ballroom to students ranging from Beginners to Competitive dancers. Andrzej believes in an engaging and dynamic method of instruction which, above all, should be FUN! Andrzej出生於波蘭，是一位才華出眾的交誼舞者。他的交誼舞教學文憑和 不凡成就讓他有機會在教學領域馳騁二十年有餘。他的教學生動活潑，寓教 於樂。
Natalia Zvereva
Natalia Zvereva is a professional dancer specializing in International Latin. she was a winner and finalist of National Championships in Latin of, Ballroom and 10-Dance in Russia. She wishes to share her love for dance with audiences and students alike. Natalia是一位專業舞者，尤其擅長國際拉丁舞。她曾是俄國拉丁舞及交誼舞 冠軍。她希望將自己對交誼舞的熱愛與她的觀眾和學生分享。
Darina Jeleva
Darina was raised and dance educated in Europe by the world’s leading teachers and coaches. She acquired an extremely accomplished dance career in her native country. Adding to the overwhelming success in various dancing competitions she continued to explored new avenues and in 2008 Darina joined the cast of the Broadway tour of the musical “Dirty Dancing” Darina出生於保加利亞，從小就在舞蹈氛圍中長大，師從多位歐洲舞蹈名 師，在其母國取得了非常輝煌的舞蹈成績。來美之後，除了在各種比賽 中成績亮眼外，她還不停拓展自己的舞蹈事業，曾參演過百老匯秀音樂 劇“Dirty Dancing”的演出。
Mirela Prohaska
Mirela began her dance training in Varna, Bulgaria at the age of twelve. She spent many years competing and performing throughout Europe and Russia, as well as in Korea. Among her many titles, she is U.S National Rising Star American Rhythm Champion 2008 and U.S. National Mambo Champion in 2010. Mirela十二歲就開始了舞蹈生涯，多年來，她縱橫歐洲，俄國和韓國的各種 比賽，成績卓著。她是美國2008年全國舞蹈新星賽冠軍以及2010年全國曼 波舞賽冠軍。
Anton Domansky
As a former United State National Youth Ballroom and 10 Dance Champion, Anton represented the U.S. in three World Championships. He currently competes avidly in both professional and pro-am divisions and performs with his students in showcases throughout the tri-state area. he also enjoys working with kids, coaching young ballroom couples and volunteering his time as a dance mentor. Anton曾以美國青少年交誼舞冠軍的身份代表美國參加過三次國際比賽。 他現在不僅積極參加各種專業和混合比賽, 而且經常帶領學生在三州地區表 演。他非常喜歡舞蹈教學，時常義務教孩子們跳舞。
Artist Bio - Sophia Gao Ms. Sophia Gao obtained her bachelor of music degree in Vocal Performance with magna cum laude honors from Renmin University in Beijing, China, and received her master of music degree from the University of Oklahoma school of Music, and professional artist diploma from Mannes the New School of Music. Ms Gao has studied with numerous well-known master teachers including maestro Joseph Colaneri, conductor of the Metropolitan Opera and vocal master, Mrs. Ruth Falcon among many others. As an artist of La lingua della lirica in 2013 Ms. Gao performed with the Novafeltria music festival and toured various cities throughout Italy studying with many Italian master teachers. She played the role of Bianca in Britten’s Rape of Lucretia in May of 2013, which received praises from the Opera News and New York times. She was awarded Weithenhoffer Opera fellowship, Lewis Salter vocal rewards, and the Gail Boyd de Stwolinski award. Ms. Gao has studied with the world renowned Marilyn Horne, 20th Century Lyric of Canada and the London Royal College of Music through their vaious master classes. She currently makes her home in Manhattan where she also teaches voice to private students and through group workshops.
Sophia Gao，女中音，中國人民大學音樂學士，俄克拉荷馬大學 音樂系碩士，New School of Music取得專業演出文憑。她曾師從多 位音樂名家，包括大都會歌劇院指揮家Joseph Colaneri , 音樂大師 Mrs. Ruth Falcon等。 2013年高女士受邀參加意大利La lingua della lirica藝術項目，她與 多位意大利傑出的音樂家一起研習，參加Novafeltria藝術節，在 意大利多個城市巡迴演出。2013年5月，她在英國作曲家布里頓 歌劇「盧克萊修受辱記」中扮演侍女Bianca一角，受到歌劇新聞 雜誌和紐約時報的好評。她曾多次獲獎，包括Weithenhoffer歌劇 獎，Lewis Salter聲樂獎以及Gail Boyd de Stwolinski獎。 高女士現居曼哈頓，從事聲樂教學。
Artist Bio - Arthur Lai Arthur Lai, tenor, has performed at George Weston Recital Hall in Toronto, Carnegie Hall’s Isaac Stern Auditorium, Merkin Concert Hall and Lincoln Center in New York City. He also performed at many occasions including United Nations, Columbia University, New York University, Yale University, WPIX Channel 11 “Morning News”, and many more. An actor and a member of Screen Actors Guild (SAG), Arthur played the role of “Master Pan” in off-off-Broadway Show “The Empress of China” in 2011. He also appeared as “Prince Gong” in another show “The Empress Dowager” in 2013. Arthur was one of principle actors in U.S. national TV Commercials of ‘Aleve’, ‘Bank of America’, ‘Verizon Wireless’ and ‘Onion News Pilot’. As a freelance voice-over artist, he participated dozens of ‘Voice-Over’ projects, including feature movies ‘Snow Flower & Secret Fan ’ and “Marco Polo”, etc. He played role of an Asian businessman in the upcoming American comedy film “Trainwreck” written and starred by Amy Schumer and co-written and directed by Judd Apatow.
Arthur Lai，男高音，曾在多個著名音樂廳和不同場合演出，包括 多倫多的George Weston Recital Hall，紐約市卡內基音樂廳，林肯 中心，聯合國，哥倫比亞大學，紐約大學，耶魯大學，電視11台 早間新聞等。 作為演員工會的會員，Authur在2011年外百老匯秀「孤蓬萬里 征」中飾演Pan師父一角，2013年的「慈禧太后」中飾演恭親王。 他還在Aleve, Bank of America, Verizon Wireless，以及Onion News Pilot等多個全國性電視廣告中擔任重要角色。他也是一名配音藝 術家，參與了十幾個影視的配音工作。在即將上映的美國喜劇 Trainwreck中，他飾演一位亞裔商人，該劇由Amy Schumer編劇兼 主演。
演唱曲目 Mezzo Soprano 女中音
Sophia Gao
1) A glass of wine 一杯酒（中國民歌） “A glass of wine” is a Chinese folk song. Lyrics: My love is like a glass of aromatic wine to be presented to the person that I love.
2) I could have danced all night 我能整夜跳舞（from My Fair Lady, In English, 英文演唱） 「我能整夜跳舞」是百老匯音樂劇「窈窕淑女」中的一首歌曲，原唱為茱莉 安德魯（Julie Andrews）。這首歌在2014年美國電影協會公佈的的美國影院 經典歌曲100首中位列17。
Tenor 男高音
Arthur Lai
1) O Sole Mio 我的太陽（In Italian, 意大利語演唱） “O Sole Mio” (English: “my sunshine”) is a globally known Neapolitan song written in 1898 by Capua. 「我的太陽」是意大利作曲家卡普阿1898年創作的聞名全球的那波里民歌。歌詞 大意：多麼輝煌燦爛的陽光，但還有一個更美的太陽，那就是你，我的太陽！
2) Nessun dorma 今夜無人入眠（In Italian, 意大利語演唱） ”Nessun dorma” (English: “None shall sleep”) is an aria from the final act of Giacomo Puccini’s opera Turandot, and is one of the best-known tenor arias in all operas. 「今夜無人入眠」是意大利歌劇作曲家普契尼的大作「圖藍朵」中的歌曲，是 所有歌劇中最負盛名的一首男高音曲目。「圖藍朵」講述的是韃靼王子卡拉夫 愛上了美麗冷酷的公主圖藍朵的故事。這首歌是卡拉夫王子在劇中所唱。
Duet 二重唱
Sophia Gao & Arthur Lai
1) Jasmine flower 茉莉花（中國民歌）
”Jasmine flower” (Mo Li Hua) is a popular Chinese folk song. The song dates to 18th century. In time, many regional variations were created, and the song gained popularity both in China and abroad. The melody was adopted by Italian composer Puccini in its opera “Turandot”.
2) Drinking song 飲酒歌（In Italian, 意大利語演唱） ”Brindisi” is famous duet from Verdi’s opera “La Traviata”. It is sung by Alfredo and Violetta. The first line of lyrics: Drink from the joyful cup. 「飲酒歌」是意大利作曲家威爾第的歌劇「茶花女」中的一段著名的二重唱， 由劇中男女主人公阿爾弗雷多和薇奧萊塔演唱。歌詞第一句是：讓我們高舉歡 樂的酒杯。
ASIAN AMERICANS FOR EQUALITY 亞 洲 人 平 等 會 WHO WE ARE Asian Americans for Equality (AAFE) is dedicated to enriching the lives of Asian Americans and all of those in need. Founded in 1974 to advocate for equal rights, AAFE has transformed in the past four decades to become one of New York’s preeminent housing, social service and community development organizations. Visit our website: www.aafe.org AAFE BOARD OF DIRECTORS Wendy Takahisa, President Marie Pedraza, Vice President Stephen Davey, Treasurer Jacqueline Huey, Secretary Members: Bomee Jung, John Leo, Suki Terada Ports, Mitchell Wong, Po Yuen Christopher Kui, Executive Director RENAISSANCE ECONOMIC DEVELOPMENT CORPORATION BOARD OF DIRECTORS Christopher Kui, Chairman Members: Peggy Chan, Ping Dang, Raymond Lou, John Yu, Po Yuen AAFE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT FUND BOARD OF DIRECTORS Stephen Davey, President Members: Deborah Johnson, Christopher Kui, Owen Lau, Marie Pedraza, Mariadele Priest Special thanks to Cathay Bank for making this evening’s event possible
Thank you to all of tonight’s sponsors for making the banquet a success. To download a digital version of the Banquet e-Journal, go to www.aafe.org.
and congratulate the 2015 Dream of Equality honorees.
At their 41st Annual Lunar New Year Banquet And Congratulate this year’s Honorees Robert A. Annibale Hon. Marcos A. Crespo Hon. Letitia James & Kwang S. Kim
We are proud to support
Asian Americans for Equality At their 41st Annual Lunar New Year Banquet And Congratulate this year’s Honorees Robert A. Annibale Hon. Marcos A. Crespo Hon. Letitia James Kwang S. Kim
Robert A. Annibale Global Director, Citi Community Development Hon. Marcos A. Crespo Member, New York State Assembly Hon. Letitia James Public Advocate, City of New York Kwang S. Kim President, Korean Community Services of Metropolitan New York
We are proud to support
Asian Americans for Equality At their 41st Annual Lunar New Year Banquet And Congratulate this year’s Honorees Robert A. Annibale Hon. Marcos A. Crespo Hon. Letitia James Kwang S. Kim
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Congratulations to
Asian Americans for Equality