PRSRT STD U.S. Postage Paid Permit No. 746 Seattle, WA
VOL 35 NO 4
JANUARY 23 – JANUARY 29, 2016
FREE
WOMEN OF COLOR EMPOWERED Learn about our honorees » P. 8
34 YEARS YOUR VOICE
By Assunta Ng Northwest Asian Weekly
Thirty-four years of running a newspaper and learning how to turn struggles into miracles Will newspapers last? Bill Gates said no to a group of features editors in 1994 at the Edgewater Inn (now called the Edgewater Hotel). “I will give you guys 12 to 15 years,” said Gates, who was keynote speaker for an editors confer-
ence. For the past two decades, print newspapers have been dying all over the U.S. and overseas. The thought of which is next is an ever-present one. As the haunting trend continues, the Washington News Publishers Association sent us good news recently: Newspapers are actually rebounding. In November 2015, newspapers saw a 16 percent gain in ad spending in the previous month, the biggest gain in half a year, according to Media Life Magazine. However, that particular rebound didn’t make our own struggles lighter. Every week, I {see NWAW cont’d on page 15}
Photo provided by Jindong Cai
Graphic by Kelly Liao/SCP
We’re still Applause for in print! Maestro Cai
Cai conducts the Stanford Symphony Orchestra on its China Tour
By Peggy Chapman Northwest Asian Weekly
Celebrate Asia concert to include chorus, culture, and … cellphones Approximately 20 years ago, conductor Jindong Cai experienced one of the most pivotal opportunities of his life. He was studying at the University of Cincinnati College-Conservatory of Music and was assisting
his mentor, esteemed conductor and composer Gerhard Samuel, who would be conducting a performance at Lincoln Center’s Mozart Bicentennial Festival in New York — when Maestro Samuel got sick. There were no other substitutes, so Cai was asked to conduct since he knew the program. Either he would have to be the replacement, or the performance would not be able to take place. He agreed to conduct. Cai got to conduct the world premiere of a new {see CAI cont’d on page 15}
NWAW Technology and Innovation Awardee
Naveen Jain
Photo provided by Naveen Jain
The Elon Musk of the Northwest?
By Chris Kenji Beer Northwest Asian Weekly Naveen Jain is among the most energetic and passionate minds in this region. Outside of California, he is one of a handful of billionaires of Asian descent.
Announced earlier this month at the Consumer Electronics Show, Jain’s recruiting agency, TalentWise, sold for an estimated $200–300 million Like few others in this region, Jain represents the same ideals and follows a surprising parallel to one of the world’s greatest entrepreneurs, Elon Musk.
Jain is the first nominee for Northwest Asian Weekly’s inaugural Technology and Innovation Award, a dinner held Oct. 7. “The journey toward success is not a destination,” Jain said. “It is a lifelong {see JAIN cont’d on page 10}
Naveen Jain
The Inside Story NAMES IN THE NEWS Movers and shakers in the local Asian scene » P. 2
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NATIONAL NEWS Children’s book pulled for watering down slavery » P. 4
AT THE MOVIES A great actor spoiled by a gross film » P. 7
EDITORIAL Let’s lay off the smokes until age 21 » P. 10
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