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.
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 program designed to combat Chinese espionage from non-traditional collectors. Many Chinese and Chinese American researchers feel that the initiative has placed a target on their back. That they are being unfairly targeted for their Chinese ethnicity. There are also critics who say the Initiative has done little more than drive talent away from the U.S.. In partnership with The China Project in 2020, we spoke to lawyers, academics and victims of the China Initiative for their perspective.
We interviewed experts and gathered their best advice for how to avoid being wrongly prosecuted for non-disclosure and other administrative wrongdoings. While the Department of Justice’s and FBI’s “China Initiative” is aimed at stopping and preventing espionage — the reality is that many of the cases they have pursued so far have not been for actual espionage, but rather for mere non-disclosure of other sources of income or other affiliations when submitting U.S. federal grant applications. There have also been several cases where scientists have been wrongfully charged, where there has been no wrongdoing whatsoever. According to those who have been wrongfully accused, as well as academic and legal experts, the U.S.’s China Initiative puts a target on the backs of all people of Chinese ethnic origin who maintain any active ties to China.
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Released in October 2024, Serica co-produced with PBS/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 AAPI artists and the environment. The five-part series, with profiles of multidisciplinary AAPI artists including Maya Lin and sTo Len, was released during Climate Week NYC at our kick-off event, "Climate, Comedy & Cocktails" on September 25th at China Institute in NYC.
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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”
Watch 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 implement!
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Ep 1: The Storyteller - A profile of the Pulitzer Prize-winning novelist and refugee Viet Thanh Nguyễn
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Ep 2: The Problem Solver - A profile of Korean American, Dr. Richard Park, co-founder of CityMD
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Ep 3: The Community Builders - A profile of Hmong American community organizers in the Twin Cities
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Ep 4: The Actor and Activist - Actor George Takei tells us about his childhood in an internment camp
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Ep 5: The Filmmakers - A profile of the filmmakers of “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 implement!
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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.
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.
The Serica Initiative was honored to work closely with TAAF and Yuri Education to turn our two series Be/longing: Asian Americans Now, and Between Black & White: Asian Americans Speak Out into Community Engagement Guide and K-12 Guides to offer ways to discuss the series—including background information, topics and themes, discussion questions, and activities.
SUPPORTING EDUCATION PRACTICES
We’re committed to narrative change by bringing Asian American history voices into the classroom to enrich our nation's children.
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.
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 feature a CEO-level guest of honor from large multinational companies, foundations, and think tanks to lead a moderated discussion of prescient trends and events that are reshaping the modern world. Held in private dining venues around Manhattan, you will gain unprecedented access, candid analysis and opinion, and the thoughtful and engaging company of a group of peers that will allow you to more confidently act in today’s dynamic global environment. This is an exclusive invite to top leaders, to learn more about pricing.
