The Serica Initiative

04/26/2026

Our incredible intern & architect Chenyan Wang had the honor of interviewing architectural historian Zhang Qin, whose work is dedicated to uncovering the architects who shaped the modern Chinese cityscape and history, yet have been left largely unrecorded, their stories dissolving quietly at the edges of history. Her most celebrated work, A Solitary Traveler in the Long Night, is a biography of Tong Jun — one of modern China's pioneering architects, co-founder of Allied Architects, who notably operated under the label of "cosmopolitan."

Read the full interview on our website now 👉 www.sericainitiative.org/post/the-free-spirit-in-the-long-night-a-conversation-with-architectural-historian-qin-zhang

04/23/2026

On Slowness: The Architecture of Tod Williams & Billie Tsien

In 1999, architects Tod Williams & Billie Tsien wrote the essay "On Slowness" for the publication 2G. Nearly three decades later, as our minds and the worlds around us continue to speed up faster and faster - it's worth it to slow down and read their words.

We're thrilled to be hosting Billie Tsien for Serica Storytellers: Architecture Serving Neighborhoods & Memories, in conversation with Calvin Tsao at Welcome to Chinatown! Join us on May 11 for thoughtful conversation, small bites, and to slowly enjoy the company of your community. RSVP: www.sericainitiative.org/storytellers-architecture

04/22/2026

🌎 Happy Earth Day! Did you know about NYC's 6-foot long lobsters?!

As we celebrate the wonder, beauty, and wildness of our planet today — take some time to hear from Maya Lin about how we build lives and societies around nature — and what we can do to protect it (40-pound turkeys, and all)!

Join us at Serica Storytellers: Architecture Serving Neighborhoods & Memories to learn more about how the world and environment around us shapes our human communities and feelings! Sign up at: www.sericainitiative.org/storytellers-architecture

04/21/2026

For our spring gathering, we welcomed our AAPI Mentorship Program mentees for an Identity & Leadership Community Session - led by Program Director Farah of Farsight Agency! We're always proud to celebrate our mentees for their achievements and growth - and to have them join us for fun times and community! 🤗❤️

04/19/2026

"Why does tanka hold such a deep place in Japanese culture? ... The rhythm of the combination of five and seven syllables sounds so pleasant, natural, and expressive to Japanese people's ears, as if they are the heartbeat."

Mariko Aratani is one of the translators of By the Shore of Lake Michigan, the newly published English language translation of WWII-era Japanese concentration camp tanka poetry by Tomiko and Ryokuyō Matsumoto, capturing 17 years of their lives from relocation, incarceration, and resettlement. Mariko shared how tanka, one of the oldest forms of Japanese poetry, was an integral part of Issei (first generation) culture and expression.

Watch the full webinar on our Youtube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5OzxnSavNg
Or read the event recap on our blog: www.sericainitiative.org/post/a-m%C3%A9lange-of-community-joy-and-honoring-history-at-serica-storytellers-poetry-memory-and-rememb

04/15/2026

Tanka poetry is one of the oldest and most iconic forms of Japanese poetry — and for many Issei (first-generation) Japanese Americans, it was a vital form of expression that documented their tumultuous experiences in their new country.

We had the honor of welcoming the editors & translators of By the Shore of Lake Michigan for an incredibly special Serica Storytellers in commemoration of the Day of Remembrance. Here, translator Kyoko Miyabe (Chair, Humanities and Sciences Department, School of Visual Arts) shares a tanka poem from Tomiko Matsumoto, both grand and granular in its expression of her emotions about her incarceration at Heart Mountain.

Watch the full Serica Storytellers on our Youtube: www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5OzxnSavNg

04/13/2026

"I think of AI as a great opportunity for the board to perform, an opportunity that the board didn't have in the past decade."
Jane Li is an experienced public company Board Chair, currently serving as Board Chair of Semtech (SMTC), with over 30 years of high-tech industry experience.

We had the incredible opportunity to host Jane as part of our Serica Storytellers: Leading with Impact webinar on March 6, celebrating Asian American voices in the boardroom! The full-length webinar, filled with information on starting your board journey and what boards should consider in a rapidly shifting global and AI-driven world, is now available on our Youtube!

Watch more: www.youtube.com/watch?v=OVh_e6_Z-7Q

04/12/2026

At Serica, our mission to amplify the impact of the Asian diaspora in America is built on our three pillars: storytelling, empowering, and convening. This means:
🏆Producing award-winning series that spotlight prominent AAPIs & AAPI culture
🤝 Building leadership pipelines that catalyze AAPI leadership, influence, and visibility
👏 Recognizing AAPI pioneers and rising stars at our annual AAPI Trailblazers Gala
+ much more!

Read more about our work in our 2025 Impact Report, live on our website now: www.sericainitiative.org/impactreport

04/10/2026

🥁And the Rising Stars winners are...
Corporate: Catherine Cai (Founder & General Partner, Palm Drive Capital)
Entrepreneur: Louise Liu (Founder & CEO, Hill Research)
Non-Profit: Moonlynn Tsai & Yin Chang (Founders & Executive Directors, Heart of Dinner )

We are thrilled to be celebrating the next generation of AAPI women leaders across entrepreneurship, corporate leadership, and nonprofit impact—women who are not only excelling in their fields, but actively shaping what comes next. Join us at our 2026 Power of Us Gala on April 30, where our incredible Rising Stars and Trailblazer Honorees will be honored in a glamorous night of AAPI leadership, excellence, and power!

For more info about our gala: www.sericainitiative.org/2026gala

04/09/2026

As we get ready to celebrate our 2026 Trailblazers Gala: The Power of Us on April 30, we are eternally grateful for all the Serica sponsors that have tirelessly support our mission: to amplify the impact of the Asian diaspora in America through storytelling, empowering, and convening. Thank you!!!

See this mission come to life in a glamorous night of AAPI leadership and changemakers at our gala on April 30! More information at: www.sericainitiative.org/2026gala

04/08/2026

Meet Sonia Cheng — CEO of Rosewood Hotel Group — on inheriting legacy, leading with responsive action, and the “super ingredient” behind lasting leadership. Read our in-depth conversation about her rise at 30, how she scaled Rosewood to 50+ hotels, and the leadership lessons every executive should know. Read more: https://wix.to/7fUA7Rh

Born to one of Hong Kong’s most prominent business families, Sonia Cheng is Chief Executive Officer of Rosewood Hotel Group, a leading global lifestyle and hospitality management group. Since taking the helm of Rosewood in 2011, Sonia has been credited with successfully growing the luxury lifestyl...

04/08/2026

We're so excited for the Committee of 100's upcoming event: Conversations—“Recollections, Pioneers and Heroes” with our very own Anla Cheng, Founder & CEO of the Serica Initiative!

Join the Committee of 100 next week on Tuesday 4/14 at 6PM ET, where Anla will share about her journey as a pioneer across investment banking and investment, as well as Chinese and Asian American advocacy (including her leadership here at Serica)! RSVP at: www.committee100.org/conversations-anla-cheng