September - October, 2023 | | |
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President’s Corner
I am delighted to share with you the tremendous success of our recent event, Splendor of the East, which took place on September 23, 2023. With the theme "Kaleidoscope: A Visual Journey through the Many Cultures of Asian Pacific Americans," this event truly showcased the vibrant diversity and rich heritage of our community.
Splendor of the East was a resounding success, thanks to the hard work and dedication of our organizing committee, volunteers, and the overwhelming support from our members. The event was a true celebration of our shared cultures, traditions, and achievements. From captivating performances to mouthwatering cuisine, every aspect of the event was carefully curated to provide an immersive experience for all attendees. The kaleidoscope theme allowed us to explore the myriad colors, patterns, and stories that make up the tapestry of Asian Pacific American cultures. Through mesmerizing dance performances, soul-stirring music, and thought-provoking art installations, we were able to take our guests on a visual journey that left a lasting impression on their hearts and minds.
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I would like to extend my heartfelt gratitude to all the performers, artists, and the three Co-Chairs of SOE, who contributed their talents and expertise to make Splendor of the East a truly unforgettable experience. Your dedication and passion were evident in every moment, and we are immensely grateful for your contributions.
Looking ahead, I am excited to announce our upcoming event, "Simply the Best," which will take place in November. This event promises to be another remarkable gathering, where we will celebrate the outstanding achievements and contributions of our community members. Stay tuned for more details, as we will be sharing updates and information in the coming weeks.
Once again, I want to express my deepest appreciation to everyone who made Splendor of the East a resounding success. Your unwavering support and commitment to CAPA's mission continue to inspire us all. Together, we will continue to foster unity, celebrate diversity, and empower our community.
Let’s not forget to acknowledge the Indigenous Peoples Day. On behalf of CAPA, I would like to honor and celebrate the rich cultures, histories, and contributions of the Indigenous people, including the Anishinaabe, the land of the three fires: Ojibwe, Odawa, and Potawatomi, and the other indigenous people who have called Michigan home.
Upcoming events:
- Simply the Best, 11/11/23
2. Holidays Gathering Event, TBD
Happy October!
Dr. Su McKeithen-Polish
CAPA’s President 2023
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Splendor of the East
by Joseph Javier
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It's a wrap! Last night's CAPA Michigan Splendor if the East 2023 was a great success. This year's theme of "Kaleidescope" embodies the rich and colorful tapestry of Asian Pacific cultures that comprise the our Council of Asian Pacific Americans. With over 115 performers from over a dozen APA cultural groups, this signature event is proof of CAPA's motto that "diversity is our strength." Thank you to all of our CAPA Board, Advisory Board, General Members, and outlr student volunteers for all their hard work. It was a great time hosting the program with my beautiful and talented co-emcee BảoNghi Nicole! A big shout out to the event's various committee heads including Jacqueline Thu Dinh, Gongju Baek, Arcie Gemino, Cathy Javier, Josie Sanders, Melanie Steele, and the rest of our organization members who were led by current CAPA President, Dr. Su McKeithen. Congratulations everyone on a job well-done! | |
Cultural Exchange Network (CEN) luncheon hosted by the Charles H. Wright Museum of African American History was historic in its breadth of participation…. almost every imaginable community was represented! Talk about diversity and inclusion... The CEN coalition members and community leaders were hosted by the area's leading African American cultural institution (thank you CEO Neil Barclay) and enjoyed an insightful presentation on the Latino community for Hispanic Heritage Month. The Wright, a Concert of Colors report by Ismael Ahmed, and more! | |
Tragedy in Bakhdida
By Christina Salem
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Tragedy struck the town of Bakhdida during a wedding celebration on Tuesday evening. At least 120 have been declared dead and more than 500 people injured due to severe burns and or difficulty breathing in a fire in Iraq’s Nineveh Plains Province. The death toll is still rising.
As fire rained from the décor above, many scrambled to disperse from the venue. More than one thousand people attended the celebration of love for Haneen and Revan, two Bakhdida natives. Many people are missing, and bodies have been burned beyond recognition. All bodies have been removed from the venue.
Photos from the funeral, as well as a CNN interview with the groom’s father, confirm that the newlywed couple made it out alive. The establishment only had one public exit. Many children didn’t have a chance to exit as crowds of adults fled the hall. Lots of men were able to flee, and mostly women have perished as a result.
According to locals who witnessed the fire, The town of Bakhdida only has one fire truck which arrived on the scene 30 minutes after the fire broke out and it ran out of water within seconds.
There were no fire extinguishers in the building, no emergency fire escape, and no sprinkler system. “I hold the owner of the hall responsible for what happened at the party because there are no extinguishers or safety measures in the hall,” the father of the groom told CNN.
According to the Associated Press as well as videos from the event, the fire occurred because of pyrotechnics that lit the ceiling of the venue, which was decorated with flowers, fabric, and hay during the Bride and Groom’s slow dance. The ceiling was built using cheap materials and the entire hall caught fire in a few seconds. Iraqi authorities say that the owner of al-Haitham was aware of the safety issues in the hall and proceeded to move forward despite warnings. He attempted to flee but was arrested in Erbil.
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The entire town of Bakhdida is Christian. Before the ISIS invasion, the town boasted a population of 64,000. About half returned to the town, only to face this massive tragedy. The confirmed number of deceased, which has already surpassed 100 people and is expected to continue to climb, is larger than that of the entire ISIS invasion of Mosul and the Nineveh Plains.
Much of the Chaldean community in metro Detroit has family from or near Bakhdida which is only a 35-minute drive to Mosul, an hour drive to Tel Keppe and an hour and 18-minute drive to Al Qosh. Assyrians, Chaldeans, and Syriacs alike perished in this tragedy and Patriachs from all five Christian Churches in the community performed the funeral the day after.
Most political parties, organizations, and religious leaders have announced they are in mourning, with the Prime Minister of Iraq issuing three days of mourning for the entire country. Prime Minister Mohammed Shia al-Sudani also ordered an investigation into the fire at al-Haitham Hall. The government urged Iraqis to donate blood to the victims and patrons generously flooded hospitals in urgency. Details are still being sorted and more updates are developing.
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We released our PR today at 1:00 p.m. regarding our recent recognitions from the Michigan Minority Supplier Development Council (MMSDC) and the Canadian Aboriginal Minority Supplier Development Council (CAMSC). We would greatly appreciate it if you could include this celebration in your newsletter. This recognition serves as a testament to our unwavering commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion, not only within our workplace and the communities in which we operate but also within our supply chain. | |
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At DTE, safety is our top priority. When extreme weather comes into our service territory, there is the potential for power lines to come down. Downed power lines are extremely dangerous, and the public should always stay at least 25 feet from downed lines and anything they may be touching.
To promote safety within the communities where we live and serve, DTE Energy is offering a FREE Energy Safety Program to schools, community organizations, and groups. We are contacting you for this limited-time opportunity to present the program to an audience of your choice.
DTE has developed a program designed to help our community understand the importance of safe use of energy in the home and the world. Our Energy Safety program aims to educate people of all ages about safe electrical usage, renewable energy sources, and what to do if they come across a downed power line.
At a location of your choice, DTE will host a 30-minute interactive, actively engaging presentation with time for Q&A and provide giveaways to help reinforce the energy safety message. This information is appropriate for all groups, and we will ensure that we tailor this opportunity based on the group attending the presentation.
Please do not miss out on our FREE Energy Safety Program. If you are interested, contact me directly for more information and to schedule a presentation. Let's connect soon. The scheduling opportunity is limited and based on availability.
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Our 2023 CAPA Committee Chairs:
Luna Xiong
Education Co-Chair
Rita Phongphila
Education Co-Chair
Dr. Mayuree Wadhawan
Cultural Co- Chair in charge of Talent (SOE)
Gongju Zoe Baek
Cultural Co- Chair in charge of Venue (SOE)
Jacqueline Dinh
Cultural Co- Chair in charge of Afterglow (SOE)
Kalaya Petek
Community Services Co- Chair
Joy Janadia
Community Services Co- Chair
Mudmee Manthonkham
Communications & Marketing Co- Chair
Dan Moen
Communications & Marketing Co- Chair
Joseph Javier
Publicity Chair
Siri Pipatsattayanuwong
Membership Co- Chair
Nattapa Mularski
Membership Co- Chair
Anshi Pacha
Youth Chair
Poorna Barua
Youth Co Chair
Cathy Javier
Youth Co Chair
Pina Vyas
Nomination Chair
Dr Su & Ryan Rosario
Fundraising Co-Chairs
Suman Desaraju
Director
Anand Kumar
Director
Lisa Gray
Director (Taste of Asia, Chair)
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