Breaking away from the traditional avenue of releasing music, Kero One is using Kickstarter.com to help fund his upcoming album, Color Theory. Kickstarter is a new all-or-nothing funding method where projects must be fully-funded or no money changes hands. For this project to succeed, Kero One is looking to raise $10,000 in less than 30 days. Every pledge to help achieve this goal will not go unnoticed. There will be rewards given for different pledge amounts, such as: CD's and digital copies of Color Theory, T-shirts, records, and much more. All digital copy rewards of Kero One’s upcoming album will be sent prior to the July 4 th release date. Check out Kero One’s story, help make his next album the biggest of his career, and reserve your advance copy of his upcoming album, using the link below.
Re-post.
As a native Houstonian, I was raised in a community with a large Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) population. My exposure to the rich cultural and linguistic diversity of AAPI communities continued during the decade I spent in New York City, where I also had the opportunity to work with AAPI organizations at the local level. At the most personal level, I have had the profoundly joyous experience of being a proud aunt to two incredible children of Chinese and Korean descent. So, while the Census would not count me as an AAPI, this community has always been an integral part of my life.
Through my work with the White House Initiative on Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, I’ve been able to broaden my experience and gain a national, more holistic perspective on the scope of the challenges and opportunities that exist in this community. My involvement in the Initiative has been one of the highlights of my time in the Administration. It has been such an honor to serve on the Federal Interagency Working Group and learn about the impressive work that’s being done across the administration in support of Executive Order 13515. In addition, it has been a privilege to connect with the leadership of the President’s Advisory Commission on AAPIs and gain a better understanding of their grassroots efforts to improve the lives of AAPIs throughout the country.
My role in the Initiative has positioned me to engage more closely with AAPI employees at my agency. They have taught me so much about their different backgrounds, and they have patiently introduced me to some of the unique elements of the 45 AAPI languages and dialects they speak. Best of all, they have shared their compelling narratives about why they chose careers in public service and how the Social Security Administration’s mission continues to inspire them.
Social Security is America’s most valued and successful domestic program, and few government agencies reach as many people as we do. As part of our plan to increase AAPIs’ awareness of our programs, we recently hosted a conference call/web chat in the Initiative’s Weekly Web Chat Series. During this April 2012 chat, we gave an overview of Social Security benefits and explained the programs and services that are available for older adults, individuals with disabilities, and survivors of deceased workers. We shared information about our online applications, and we discussed the various services we provide to Limited English Proficient populations.
The Social Security Administration is committed to serving all populations. We recognize the great diversity of the American public, and we strive to meet the rapidly changing needs of those we serve. We are thrilled to work with the Initiative to enhance our service to AAPI communities and to achieve our shared goals.
As we celebrate AAPI Heritage Month, may we be encouraged by our successes and inspired by the many possibilities that remain.
Aviva R. Sufian is a Senior Advisor at the Social Security Administration and is the agency’s designee on the Initiative’s Federal Interagency Working Group.
Some unemployment statistics say the following:
Last year marked the second year in a row that Asian Americans had the largest share of unemployed workers who were unemployed long term (i.e., for six months or more). In 2011, 50.1 percent of the Asian American unemployed were unemployed long term, up from 48.7 percent in 2010 (Figure A).
...then-Flushing City Councilwoman Julia Harrison was quoted in the New York Times speaking about the growing Asian-American community in her district. "They were more like colonizers than immigrants," Harrison said. "They sure as hell had a lot of money and they sure as hell knew how to buy property and jack up rents of retail shops and drive people out."
Kickstart it
05/27: Portland, OR: Wonder Northwest Cosplay Dance Party (all-ages)
07/07: Seattle, WA: TBA
07/13: San Francisco, CA: TBA
07/14: San Diego, CA: San Diego Comic Con party at The Stage Bar (21+)
07/15: TBA
07/16: Los Angeles, CA: The Mint (all ages, bar w/ID)
07/17: Las Vegas, NV: TBA
07/18: Phoenix, AZ: The Lost Leaf
07/19: Denver, CO: The UMS Festival
07/20: Tulsa, OK: Tokyo in Tulsa (all-ages)
07/21: Tulsa, OK: Tokyo in Tulsa (all-ages)
07/22: Tulsa, OK: Tokyo in Tulsa (all-ages) - morning
07/22: New Orleans, LA: TBA - late evening
07/23: Tallahassee, FL: The Back Room
07/24: TBA
07/25: Atlanta, GA: TBA
07/26: Nashville, TN: TBA
07/27: Wausau, WI: Wausaubicon (all-ages)
07/28: Wausau, WI: Wausaubicon (all-ages)
08/03: Portland, OR: Dante's (CD Release Party)
08/04: TBA
08/05: Salt Lake City, UT: TBA
08/07: Houstin, TX: TBA
08/08: Austin, TX: TBA
08/09: San Antonio, TX: SanJapan (all-ages)
08/10: San Antonio, TX: SanJapan (all-ages)
08/11: San Antonio, TX: SanJapan (all-ages)
Cool.
Mnet (www.mnetamerica.com), the first and leading national, 24/7 English-language television network in the U.S. for all things Asian cool, has taken the hottest line-up of original shows inspired by Asian entertainment to the next level with its 2012-13 programming slate. The network’s new programming includes the original series Angry Little Asian Girl, where animation gets an Asian American attitude. Also, YTF unites the biggest YouTube sensations, and Kollaboration takes U.S. cities by storm, scouring the nation for the hottest talent. The line-up was unveiled as the network celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage Month this May with a series of announcements, including a new content everywhere initiative.
These three new shows join returning original favorites Short Notice, which is launching a film festival tied to season three; Beats Per Mnet (BPM), covering the world of Asian Pop culture; and the daily K-pop music show, Hello Pop!.
“As our programming strategy evolves, we have been able to present original series that exemplifies our passion to bring the best of Asian pop culture to America,” said Ted Kim, acting president & CEO of Mnet. “It is stimulating to watch our new original programming join forces with the previously successful series, further expanding our reach to millennials that love all things Asian cool.”
The Feministing Five: SuChin Pak
SuChin’s story is one of the many amazing stories highlighted on the new PBS/AOL digital series MAKERS. This digital series and soon-to-be PBS documentary features the stories of trailblazing women like Madeleine Albright, Carol Burnett, Faith Ringgold, Alice Walker, Misty Copeland and our very own Courtney Martin. Talking about the lack of role models for Asians on camera and fighting for the underdog, SuChin continues to create an alternative narrative to the American identity. In one clip she says, “If I can use the system to really help that guy that’s trying to break down the system? That’s when I’m like, nice, that’s a good day’s work.” How can you not love that? And now, without further ado, the Feministing Five, with SuChin Pak.
No idea...so much for staying on task here...
You might have already heard about this - but in case you haven't - definitely check it out.
Because it's awesome.
On many many levels.
For the eight students at a California high school with the same last name-Nguyen- it was obvious their wallet-size snapshots would be sharing the same yearbook page. So instead of exerting their individuality with the standard Grateful Dead quote and a prom-worthy up-do, they decided to join forces for the ultimate prank. Alexandra, Angela, Angelica, Elizabeth, Emily, Isabella, Madeline and Vi Nguyen all wore the same black off-shoulder dresses and the same hairstyles. Then they went for the win. Eschewing the optional yearbook one-liner under each of their photos, they divided up two sentences that made fellow students and administrators think twice before making any stereotypical assumptions. Altogether, the words under the Nguyen girls' eight pictures read: "We know what you're thinking and no we're not related."
Some might say to themselves "Why does he have to be a White Dick, why can't he just be a dick?" to which I'd reply, "Because only White People can be this type of a dick where they indulge in racist tendencies."
Others might say "Ashton didn't do anything even remotely racist, it was funny and you people should learn to laugh a little," to which I'd say, "When a White Person dons black face, brown face, yellow face, et al., in this day and age it's a modern day minstrel show no matter which way you cut it and hearkens back to the days when People Of Color had no visibility or power and were treated less than second class citizens. Because of the inequalities in mainstream society for POC and the xenophobic attitudes that still exist - resulting in lower wages, less power to influence government, school bullying, hate crimes, and less than equal health care treatment (to list a few) - it's just as offensive now as it ever was and possibly even more so because you're supposed to know better."
Finalized Auditions Schedule:
Round 1 – Live Auditions @ University of Maryland, College Park (MD)
Date: Saturday, May 5
Time: 11:00am - 5:00pm
Location: University of Maryland – Rekord Armory, room 0117
Free weekend parking in lots C1 or C2 (http://www.transportation.umd.edu/parking/maps/map_color.pdf)
Round 2 – Live Auditions @ Jammin Java (VA)
Date: Saturday, May 12, 2012
Time: 10:00pm - 12:00am
Location: Jammin Java
227 Maple Ave E, Vienna, VA 22180
Round 3 – Live Public Auditions @ Fiesta Asia 2012 (DC) – FOR SOLO OR DUO ACTS ONLY
Date: Saturday, May 19, 2012
Time: 10:00am - 5:00pm
Location: Fiesta Asia 2012 – Kollaboration Acoustic Lounge Booth
Pennsylvania Ave. between 3rd and 6th Streets, Washington, DC – audition live for judges in front of an audience
Round 4 – Live Auditions @ the George Washington University (DC)
Date: Sunday, June 3
Time: 11:00am - 5:00pm
Location: Marvin Center – Grand Ballroom
800 21st Street, N.W., Washington, DC 20052
