Asian Sun - Summer 2024

Welcome to the Asian Chamber Welcome to the Arizona Asian Chamber of Commerce! We’re thrilled to have you explore our vibrant community through Asian Sun Magazine. As one of Arizona’s fastest-growing communities, Asian Pacific Americans bring incredible opportunities and unique challenges. We’re here to support and guide you through both.

Our mission is to foster a thriving business environment where the strengths of Asian Pacific American-owned enterprises drive economic growth, innovation, and cultural exchange. We’re dedicated to creating an inclusive business ecosystem, empowering businesses, and advocating for impactful policies.

Our vision includes: Inclusive Collaboration: Building a supportive network where entrepreneurs and professionals can connect and grow.

Economic Empowerment: Providing resources and mentorship to help businesses succeed and create jobs.

Leadership Development: Cultivating future leaders through programs and opportunities.

Advocacy and Policy Influence: Shaping a business-friendly environment through strategic engagement.

Global Connectivity: Connecting local businesses to global markets and opportunities.

Thank you for your support over the past years. With your continued engagement, we’ll keep making strides and building a prosperous, inclusive Arizona. Stay tuned to Asian Sun Magazine for updates, events, and community stories that matter. Together, let’s build a thriving future for our community!

Join the Asian Chamber of Commerce: www.azasianchamber.com/membership

@AZAsianChamber

Table of Contents 04

05

From the Chairman: Eric Day

Ready to Join In? Asian Chamber Memberships

Letter from new Executive Director of the Arizona Asian Chamber of Commerce

Become an exclusive member of the chamber

06

11

Tracing Immigration in Arizona

The Rise of API Entrepreneurs Series

An brief history of the first Asian settlers throughout Arizona

Hannah Cho shares her growing Asian-owned business and the necessity of representation.

15

17

Tricks & Treats #IDNM

Asian Voting Matters in 2024

Join us for a night of food, music, and fun!

A overview of the importance of Asian voices in the 2024 election

3

Letter from the

Executive Director

I am truly honored to introduce myself as the new Executive Director of the Arizona Asian Chamber of Commerce. My name is Eric Day, and I am a firstgeneration Cambodian American. My parents, who survived the Khmer Rouge regime, instilled in me a profound understanding of perseverance and resilience. Their experiences have deeply influenced my journey and shaped my perspective on leadership.

Being Cambodian American means more to me than the language I speak or the cultural practices I follow. It’s about embracing and accepting who I am despite the challenges and expectations we face.

This radical acceptance of my heritage and our collective struggles forms the foundation of my approach to leadership and my vision for the Chamber.

4

Meet the new Executive Director of the Arizona Asian Chamber of Commerce

At the Arizona Asian Chamber of Commerce, we are committed to empowering diversity and driving prosperity. Our goal is to cultivate a thriving business ecosystem where Asian Pacific Americanowned enterprises can truly excel. I am excited to work towards this vision by fostering an inclusive environment, supporting economic growth, and advocating for our community.

As I step into this role, I look forward to contributing to our shared mission of celebrating diversity and driving economic development.

Together, we will build a future of lasting prosperity and success for Asian Pacific American businesses in Arizona. I am eager to collaborate with you all to create a vibrant and interconnected business community that reflects our unique strengths and collective efforts.

ASIAN CHAMBER MEMBERSHIPS BUSINESS MEMBERSHIP Exclusive access and exposure Preferred vendor list and discounts and more!

INDIVIDUAL MEMBERSHIP Exclusive discounts Early access to events and mixers and more!

CORPORATE MEMBERSHIP Exclusive access and exposure Discount and VIP access to events and more!

AZASIANCHAMBER.COM/MEMBERSHIP FOR MORE INFORMATION 5

Cultural Footprints: Tracing Immigration in Arizona

BY BEI DI GULINO

The history of Arizona is deeply intertwined with the stories of its immigrant communities, each contributing to the state's diverse cultural and economic fabric. Among the first to migrate into Arizona include the Filipinos, Chinese and Japanese communities. This article delves into the history of Asian immigration into Arizona, exploring their initial arrivals and the growth of their communities.

6

Uncover the rich tapestry of Asian settlement in Arizona, where diverse cultures have shaped the state’s history and identity.

Chinese Immigration into Arizona According to the 1860 census, the first Chinese man in Arizona was William Tsching, residing in Arizona City, now known as Yuma. He worked as a cook on a Colorado River steamboat. Ten years later, there were twenty-one Chinese laborers working in the territory as miners, cooks, and laundrymen. This small number rapidly increased in the 1870s, partly due to a virulent anti-Chinese movement sweeping through California. In contrast, Arizonans were more accepting of the incoming Chinese workers who contributed significantly to railroad construction, copper mining, and service industries where labor was in high demand. Chinatown communities were established in Tucson and Prescott, with the largest influx of Chinese immigrants occurring during the construction of the Southern Pacific Railroad from 1878 to 1880. The Arizona Sentinel noted the arrival of seven hundred Chinese laborers in a single week in November 1878. This crew laid the tracks from Yuma to Maricopa.

In 1872, three men and two women, the first Chinese to move to Phoenix, opened the first laundry in what was then little more than a dusty trailside camp of adobe shacks and tents. The number of Chinese remained small until May 1879, when the Southern Pacific Railroad halted work on railroad construction across Arizona due to the intense summer heat. The tracks ended at a new railhead called Terminus (near Casa Grande), thirty-five miles south of Phoenix, and many of the temporarily unemployed Chinese workers moved to Phoenix to find work and residence for the summer. When rail construction resumed in January 1880, most Chinese returned to work, but at least 164 are known to have stayed in Maricopa County, creating a sizeable Chinese community in and around Phoenix. Those who settled south of Phoenix began growing vegetables, a scarce commodity in a valley dominated by grain farmers.

Those who moved into town started grocery stores, restaurants, and laundries and found work as domestic servants, cooks, gardeners, and vegetable peddlers. Early Chinese businesses and boarding houses were clustered along the west side of Montezuma Street (1st Street), extending a halfblock north and a half-block south of Adams Street.

Through the 1880s, this area grew to become the Phoenix Chinatown.

FAMILY GROCERY, N. D. 7

First Inaugural Banquet and Ball of the Protective Philippine Pioneers of America, 1941.

Filipino Immigration into Arizona No Filipinos were recorded as living in Arizona in 1910, according to the federal census. In 1920, there were ten Filipinos listed, and by 1930, there were 472 living in Arizona. The number of Filipinos decreased to 232 by 1940. During this period, the majority of Filipinos were male and over the age of twenty-one. However, the actual numbers are likely underreported since many Filipinos were involved in seasonal agricultural labor, making it difficult to accurately measure their population. The majority of Filipinos who came to the United States before the mid-1930s did so in response to the integration of the Philippines into the global market as an agricultural export economy.

This process, which began with Spanish colonization, advanced under American rule. As export crops such as sugar, tobacco, and coffee grown on large-scale plantations became more important, small-scale rice farming declined and was displaced by tenancy. Displaced workers came to Hawaii as early as 1906, where they replaced Japanese workers as a cheap labor force.

Between 1906 and 1934, over 100,000 sakadas, or contract workers, arrived from primarily Ilocanospeaking northern Luzon. Though over 50 percent eventually returned, many stayed in Hawaii and formed communities there or moved on to the mainland. The path to the United States was often via Hawaii, with almost 20,000 coming to the mainland between 1906 and 1932.

Unlike their Japanese and Chinese counterparts, Filipino workers could immigrate to the United States as nationals, without legislative constraints.

By the 1920s, Filipino students and laborers were self-supporting and filled niches in local economies, especially as service workers in urban areas.

Typically, they worked in restaurants, hotels, private clubs, and as personal servants. In rural areas, they worked in agriculture. However, laws were passed by various legislatures, including Arizona, forbidding miscegenation between "white" and "Mongolian" partners.

Just as Chinese and Japanese immigrants had faced discrimination, Filipinos were also targeted by racist laws and other anti-Filipino activities, particularly in California. Filipino immigrants followed a specific pattern in settling in Phoenix.

Initially, their families were transient, moving from one rental home to another and holding various service-related jobs. Eventually, they saved enough money to purchase houses. In many instances, they rented out rooms to other Filipinos. The Phoenix Filipino Americans, possibly due to their matrilineal connections to the Hispanic community, primarily settled in an area of South Phoenix bounded by Van Buren Street on the north, 15th Avenue on the west, the Salt River on the south, and 20th Street on the east. Many also moved into Santa Maria, a small community located southwest of Phoenix, near 70th Avenue and Lower Buckeye Road.

Japanese Immigration into Arizona Japanese immigration to the United States began at a virtually unnoticeable rate. In 1870, there were fifty-five Japanese living in the country, and by 1880, the number had grown to only 148.

However, with the passage of the Chinese Exclusion Act in 1882, many more Japanese started migrating directly to California, often encouraged by businessmen who wanted a compliant work force to replace the dwindling population of Chinese laborers. Over the next decade, 2,000 Japanese arrived in the United States. Japan removed most restrictions on emigration in 1896 and the U.S. annexed Hawaii in 1898, prompting an even larger wave of immigrants to come to California. By 1900, more than 24,000 Japanese had arrived on the West Coast. Almost all of them were men; only 985 women had made the journey to America.

Hachiro Onuki was the first Japanese to arrive in Phoenix. As a young man, he visited Philadelphia in 1876, and then went on to Tombstone, where he worked as a freighter hauling fresh water for miners. He became a naturalized citizen in 1879, and took a more Anglicized name, Hutchlew Ohnick.

In 1886, Ohnick moved to Phoenix and joined with two white businessmen to create the Phoenix Illuminating Gas and Electric Company. The town's first power supplier received a twenty fiveyear franchise and Ohnick was the superintendent of the gas works and generators for several years, until he sold his interest in the company. In about 1900, he started a truck farm south of Phoenix called Garden City Farms.

Shortly thereafter, Ohnick moved his family to Seattle where he opened the Oriental American Bank. He died in California in 1921.72 There were no other Japanese in central Arizona until 1897, when the Canaigre Company of Tempe hired one hundred Japanese to gather canaigre (a perennial herb) roots along the Agua Fria River. This venture, using the wild plant to produce tannic acid, was unsuccessful, and the Japanese workers apparently returned to Califo The history of Asian migration into Arizona is deeply rooted, with Chinese, Filipino, and Japanese communities being among the earliest settlers who contributed significantly to the state's cultural and economic development. These groups laid the groundwork for a diverse and vibrant Asian presence in Arizona. While this article has highlighted the experiences and contributions of these pioneers, it is essential to acknowledge that many other Eastern and Southeast Asian communities have also found a home in Arizona. From Vietnamese and Korean to Indian and Thai immigrants, each subgroup has enriched the state's tapestry with unique traditions, cuisines, and cultural practices. As we celebrate the rich heritage of Arizona's Asian communities, we pay tribute to all the diverse groups whose stories and contributions continue to shape the state’s multicultural identity PICTURES PROVIDED FROM THE TADANO FAMILY

9

BREAKING BAMBOO BARRIERS The Rise of API Entrepreneurs Series INTERVIEW BY ARO

Hannah Cho shares her growing Asianowned business and the necessity of representation.

The success of Asian Pacific American entrepreneurship in recent years has been nothing short of remarkable. As the fastest growing demographic in Arizona and across the nation, our businesses have not only contributed economically on an astronomical level, but are carving spaces for greater representation, inclusivity, and innovation. Asian Pacific Islander entrepreneurs have not only achieved personal success, but are fostering pathways within their communities for the next generation.

Hannah Cho is a Korean American adoptee and local Phoenician. Wearing multiple hats, she is an entrepreneur, influencer, and community advocate; who has a passion for our growing Asian community and all things beauty-related.

12

With over a decade in the beauty industry, mainly as a makeup virtuoso on YouTube, Hannah recently launched her own lash line that caters to the Asian demographic. She curates products that are designed to enhance the unique features and needs common to Asian facial features and her mission is to increase Asian representation in the beauty industry.

Recently, the Arizona Asian Chamber of Commerce had the opportunity to discuss her growing Asian-owned business, the necessity of representation, and how her identity inspires her work.

ARO: As an Asian American woman, what was your motivation to start your own business?

Hannah: Because there wasn’t a space yet. And so, starting out on YouTube - 15 years ago - before Michelle Phan was Michelle Phan, at that cusp, I was still trying to learn, how do I do makeup for my eyes? I didn’t even know what it was called back then. So YouTube 15, 18 years ago is what taught me that I had monolids and “Oh wait there’s people that struggle, they have short, stubborn eyelashes like mine?” And started consuming the content and then went there wasn’t enough, there was only a couple people you could find and so then I said, “Okay, I’m going to start making my own content” and it really grew from a place of…I tested eyeliners for my monolids that wouldn’t flake, that would hold up all day. And mascaras for my short stubborn lashes and it just…thousands, thousands of views. And I went, there’s a need for this. And as I grew and got older on it, realized that there wasn’t the products… there wasn’t a hub for it. So I thought, well I’m just going to start building that.

ARO: When you see the representation you are growing yourself, what are your hopes from that foundation you are setting?

Hannah: When people see Asian people, it’s not just “foreigner, foreign”. Like that thought doesn’t come to mind anymore, because I think that’s what separated us for so long.

ARO: The perpetual foreigner.

Hannah: Yes. So breaking that and also so the next generation of young girls…that they don’t grow up with that same loneliness, that same ‘seeking’ that we had to…that it’s just there for them.

ARO: Something particular and inspiring to highlight about your brand is that you are redefining “Yellow”. And for Asian Americans, that is very significant…what was your thought process for redefining that term and using it for your branding?

Hannah: Using the color yellow was really intentional. And it came really easily.

Growing up here, my best childhood friend, who I’m still best friends with - she’s Nigerian. And so we grew up here. She didn’t have a people, I didn’t have a people. We bonded over the fact, she would joke she was an “oreo”, black on the outside, white on the inside. And I would joke that I’m a Twinkie, yellow on the outside, white on the inside. And we would play around a lot. So even doing social media together, we would call ourselves Ebony Yellow-y.

Just playing on and making fun of our labels that people have used negatively. And so that was, when creating this brand, it was really easy for me to go “Yellow”. I want to claim that color back…why have all these negative things around it? Let’s make it positive, let’s claim it back - make it something to celebrate.

ARO: For the next generation who may still struggle with their identity or may still not have that representation, what are your hopes for them? What kind of fulfillment will they get by seeing your representation?

Hannah: I hope that they feel seen. I hope that they know there is a safe space. But I think aside from that…there’s this era right now that’s happening and it’s a very crucial time that these niche businesses and niche communities that are growing, that still feel small - I want it to be big. I don’t want it to be, “Oh we’ve carved out this corner of the world of the beauty industry of ‘whatever’”...No, I want it to be, “We ARE the space”.

13

LIVE MUSIC CARSHOW

FOOD VENDORS

RETAIL VENDORS

TRUNK O’ TREATING PERFORMANCES

ARCADE ZONE

COSTUME CONTEST KIDS FUN ZONE

Asian Voting Matters in 2024

“The AAPI vote is no longer a sleeping giant but a vibrant and essential part of the American democratic fabric”

BY AADITYA UGALE

As the 2024 elections approach, the significance of the Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) vote has never been more evident. This demographic, often called the "sleeping giant" in American politics, is waking up and making its presence felt in crucial ways. Here's why Asian voting matters in 2024: The AAPI population in the United States has been growing rapidly. Pew Research Center reported that the Asian American population grew by 81% between 2000 and 2019, making it the fastest-growing racial or ethnic group in the United States. By 2020, there were approximately 23 million AAPIs in the U.S., making up 7% of the total population. By 2060, we can expect this number to double, making their influence on American politics more essential.

We have also seen an increased voter turnout among AAPIs in recent elections. In the last presidential election, about 11 million AAPIs were eligible to vote, and voter turnout increased by nearly 40% compared to 2016. This surge was driven by a combination of factors, including heightened political awareness/education,

targeted outreach by political campaigns, and a sense of urgency regarding safety, immigration, healthcare, and, most importantly, the occurrence of “Stop Asian Hate,” racial justice. The AAPI vote is particularly crucial in several key swing states. In states like Arizona, Nevada, and Texas, the AAPI population has grown rapidly, making them a key group in turning the tides for closely contested races. This was seen in Georgia, where the state shifted towards the Democratic Party in 2020 due to Asian voting.

One of the unique aspects of the AAPI electorate is its diversity. The AAPI community is not monotone; it is made up of people from various countries, cultures, and political preferences. Leaders need to understand and address the diverse needs and concerns within the AAPI community, which is essential for any political party aiming to secure their votes.

So why does AAPI voting matter? Because several key issues resonate strongly with AAPI voters and connect all of them together.

17

Many AAPIs are first-generation immigrants or descendants of immigrants. Policies that address family reunification, visa backlogs, and pathways to citizenship are of extreme importance. This, in tandem with access to affordable healthcare, is a significant concern, especially in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic, which disproportionately affected minority communities. Most importantly, rising incidents of anti-Asian hate crimes have pushed the community to demand stronger protections and policies promoting racial equity.

The increasing political engagement and representation of AAPIs are also noteworthy. In recent years, there has been a surge in the number of AAPI candidates running for office and winning at local, state, and national levels. The 117th Congress, for example, included a record number of AAPI members, reflecting the community's growing political clout.

18

The 2024 elections are where Asians can share their voices, and we now know that the AAPI vote is a critical factor that has shaped and should shape the political landscape. With the AAPI community's rapidly growing population, increasing voter turnout, and influence in key swing states, AAPIs are emerging as a powerful force in American politics. Political parties and candidates must recognize and address the diverse concerns of the AAPI community to secure their support and ensure their voices are heard in the electoral process. But most importantly, the AAPI community needs to make their voices heard and join together in solidarity to make the rest of the country realize that they are a force to reckon with.

The AAPI vote is no longer a sleeping giant but a vibrant and essential part of the American democratic fabric, making them a key demographic to watch in the upcoming 2024 elections.

Why advertise with us?

What is your mission?

Want to spread the word about your company or event? Get your advertisement in Arizona’s most influential and pivotal Asian American publication. Our readership is comprised of corporate sponsors, small businesses, influencers and leaders of the community, universities, public officials, and members of the general public.

The Asian Sun features content from public officials, professors, scholars, entrepreneurs, community leaders, and giants of the industry.

It has grown over the years and is distributed statewide and in other major cities in the United States. All advertisement content should align with the Asian Chamber’s branding and mission to qualify.

Think we’d be a good fit? View our advertisement opportunities below and contact info@azasianchamber.com

Advertisement Packages

Social Media Advertisements

Advertisement packages bundle all of our promotional deals. Receive magazine ads, social media ads, articles in the Asian Sun, and exclusive membership discounts. Package pricing varies.

Sponsored social media ads will be featured on the Asian Chamber’s Facebook and Instagram channels and can run for a varied duration.

Magazine Advertisements

Want More Info?

Magazine ads are available for purchase in various sizes and pricing. Individualized ads (not to be confused with advertisement packages) are offered on a case-by-case basis as approved by the Asian Chamber.

Want more details about our advertisement opportunities? Email us your questions or request our full advertisement kit with pricing at info@azasianchamber.com.

ASIAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE INC. azasianchamber.com ceo@azasianchamber.com (602) 529-8475

19

Share Your Voice, Inspire the Community!

Have a story to tell or insights to share?

Asian Sun Magazine is seeking contributors for our next issue. Whether it’s business trends, cultural narratives, or community highlights, your words can make an impact.

Submit Your Articles: info@azasianchamber.com Be part of something bigger.

Share your story with Asian Sun. 20

WANNA PLAY A GAME? X L X Y S M O S T D D Z S P D Z D G L F T W I L I G H T K H O R E I B M D N O E Y M X J C P W E A H A U N T E D M X N E C J E E A W W H X S W T D M J W R A G Y L A N U N P K I G D I E Q F R P A V I A U C U K A J X M Z X A A H T E A N A A H U X Q L D Y C C P A O H N G R O N M J R J B R F D A O A Q Z R L N C M B K P Z E H K I C X R I E F N J D Q O H M L I C D O M R T K N O F A D S T O H Y A Q R A U U H V P X P J N Y X W E I V X W M E N I A X D W N K W B S K F R J B D E G B D K C G P K W J T Y M H M A F K U C M H E N X D G X L W X E Y S P I D E R O U O F R S W H S O F S S T P L O I W L E M P Z A J H O N V R A L N Q W D T W D R M E O R W A S K E L E T O N A G R L P K Y S M R L L T P E U O H R U U C B G S O V B B I M E A C J S N I G R K Z K I W Q M E I V L A D F H E P Z Q P U M P K I N F A E E 1) _W_ _ _ _ H T

7) _ _ MB _ _

2) EIGHT LEG FRIEND

8) _ K _ _ E _ _ _

3) G_ _ S _

9) H_ _ _ TE _

4) A TOOL USED BY A WITCH

10) “YOU’RE A _____ HARRY!”

5) SCARED OF THE SUN

11) _ UM _ _

6) FUN TO CARVE

12) _ SI _ _

_H_M___

Think you’ve found them all? Be the first person to DM us the answers on Instagram @AZAsianChamber to win a free ticket to the International District Night Market.

21