OUR WORK
"If Asian Americans aren't the ones telling the story, who's going to tell the story?"
Gina Kim
Be/longing, Episode 5: The Filmmakers
Film series done in partnership with PBS & The WNET Group
Over the past 5 years, The Serica Initiative has partnered with PBS/WNET to produce three groundbreaking docuseries that spotlight various AAPI leaders, how to engage in cross-racial solidarity, and AAPI engaged in climate-focused art, fostering dialogue and change.
Released in October 2024, Serica co-produced with All Arts a second season of the Emmy-winning Climate Artists, a cinematic series that tells the story of climate change and the intersection of artists and the environment. The five-part series, with profiles of four multidisciplinary AAPI artists, was released during Climate Week NYC at our hit kick-off event, "Climate, Comedy & Cocktails" on September 25th at China Institute of America to a crowd of over 200.
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Ep 1: "sTo Len"
A genre-fluid artist known for his collaborations with nature and water, sTo Len amplifies the voices of overlooked spaces and communities. His art challenges us to reconsider our preconceptions and recognize these spaces' inherent beauty.
** Winner of Best Episodic at the 2024 NY Climate Film Festival -
Ep 2: "Courtney Mattison"
Internationally recognized for her intricate ceramic sculptures, Courtney Mattison visualizes climate change through the fragile beauty of coral reefs. Her background in ocean conservation science and policy deeply informs her artistic practice, making her work both visually stunning and impactful. -
Ep 3: “Ranjani Prabhakar”
An environmental policy leader and musician, Ranjani Prabhakar merges her expertise in sustainability and renewable energy with her artistic endeavors as part of the experimental pop duo Lil Idli. Her music reflects her hybrid cultural roots and addresses environmental justice through a blend of sounds and themes. -
Ep 4: "Superhero Clubhouse"
Superhero Clubhouse is a NYC-based eco-theater collective that creates performances and workshops exploring climate and environmental justice issues. Collaborating across generations and with scientists, students and local communities, Superhero Clubhouse uses theater-making as both a process and a platform to inspire change and raise awareness. -
Ep 5: "Maya Lin"
Renowned for her large-scale environmental artworks and memorial designs, Maya Lin's work explores the relationship between humans and the landscape. Her projects focus on environmental awareness and sustainability.
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Ep 1: "Bridging the Divide"
Watch as the Black and Asian American communities in one San Francisco neighborhood are working together to confront racism, fear, and misperceptions about one another. -
Ep 2: "A Seat at the Table"
Learn about a community of young Asian American Jews embracing identity, becoming more visible, and standing against hate. -
Ep 3: “From Kingston, Jamaica to Jamaica, Queens”
Learn about Patricia “Miss Pat” Chin, Godmother of Jamaican music, who revolutionized the reggae music business as co-founder of VP Records, the largest independent reggae record label in the world.
**With the help of TAAF and Yuri Education, this series has been converted into K-12 educational materials for classrooms to teach our youth about the Asian diaspora experience.
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Ep 1: "The Storyteller"
A profile of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and refugee Viet Thanh Nguyễn -
Ep 2: "The Problem Solver"
A profile of Korean American, Dr. Richard Park, co-founder of CityMD -
Ep 3: "The Community Builders"
A profile of Hmong American community organizers in the Twin Cities -
Ep 4: "The Actor and Activist"
Actor George Takei tells us about his childhood in an internment camp and activism -
Ep 5: "The Filmmakers"
A profile of the filmmakers Gina Kim & Titi Yu and their filming of the documentary Rising Against Asian Hate: One Day in March
*With the help of TAAF and Yuri Education, this series has been converted into K-12 educational materials for classrooms to teach our youth about the Asian diaspora experience.
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Voices Rising
Voices Rising: What’s Next for Asian Americans? is an award-nominated series that shines a spotlight on AAPI culture, explores issues at the heart of the Asian American experience, and celebrates the contributions in various fields of the Asian diaspora to American society.
The Serica Initiative was honored to work closely with TAAF and Yuri Education to turn our series be/longing: Asian Americans Now, and Between Black & White: Asian Americans Speak Out into a Community Engagement Guide and lesson plans for classrooms to to discuss the series with youth to encourage empathy and understanding for the Asian American community.
SUPPORTING EDUCATION PRACTICES
We’re committed to narrative change by bringing Asian American history voices into the classroom to enrich our nation's children.
Film Series about The China Initiative
In 2020, The Serica Initiative worked closely with The China Project to produce two short films about how the newly enacted China Initiative was affecting legacy citizens and scientists in the United States, now facing racism and scrutiny in their lives and careers.
On November 1st, 2018, Jeff Sessions announced the China Initiative, a government program designed to combat Chinese espionage from non-traditional collectors. Many Chinese and Chinese American researchers felt that the initiative placed a target on their back and that they are being unfairly targeted for their Chinese ethnicity. Critics also say the initiative has done little more than drive strong talent away from studying and working in the United States.
In partnership with The China Project in 2020, we spoke to lawyers, academics and victims of the China Initiative for their unique perspective on the program. This is part one of a two part series.In part two, this documentary interviews experts and examines the China Initiative more in depth, highlighting its impact on Chinese and Chinese-American scientists, the complexities of disclosure requirements, and the importance of legal counsel to navigate heightened scrutiny and potential racial profiling.
It explains the types of people that the DOJ prosecutes and how mainly they are innocent and just lacking proper disclosure of their history with China, which was not illegal until it was suddenly. All of it causes fear and confusion for researchers and stifles innovation and a global sharing of best practices.
Recognizing Asian Business Community Pioneers
The Serica Initiative and its legacy partners have a rich legacy of recognizing and celebrating AAPI leaders and leaders in the US-Asia business community. From honoring visionary women at our Women’s Conferences & Galas, to honoring trailblazers with our Serica Galas, our events are a celebration of excellence and empowerment. Over the past 8 years, we have recognized the achievements of over 35 distinguished honorees, 15 Rising Stars and showcased the potential of over 100 speakers.
CEO Dinner Series
In an exclusive monthly get together, we host off-the-record, high level conversations and the opportunity to forge direct connections with top executives in the U.S.-Asia business community.
Each month we host a dinner with a CEO-level guest of honor from a large multinational company, foundation, or think-tank to lead a moderated discussion of prescient trends and events that are reshaping the modern world.
Held in private dining venues around Manhattan, guests gain unprecedented access, candid analysis and opinion, and the engaging company of a group of peers that allows one to more confidently act in today’s dynamic global environment.
This is an exclusive invite to top global leaders that requires a significant financial contribution.
CINGS Next gen
The China Institute Next Gen x Serica (CINGS) convenes next generation leaders with a passion for tangible social and environmental impact through connecting and inspiring like-minded leaders to create actionable change. CINGS stands at the intersection of environmental protection and social equity. As a collaboration between the China Institute and Serica, we champion initiatives that drive both knowledge sharing and on-ground action. We aim to be the premier platform and community to convene young leaders who will be the future changemakers in the U.S.-China relationship to influence society through education, programs, and strategic philanthropy.
AAPI Mentorship Program
Connecting emerging leaders with AAPI trailblazers.
Climate Bridges
A groundbreaking project blending art and activism to forge U.S.-China collaboration on climate action. Through an original documentary, a 9-month arts fellowship, and public programming in both China and the U.S., we empower artists to bridge cultural divides, inspire climate action, and foster empathy worldwide.
