Cathay Bank was honored to receive the Judge Ronald S.W. Lew Visionary Award at the 26th Annual Historymakers Awards Gala, hosted by the Chinese American Museum on Wednesday, September 28, in Downtown Los Angeles.
The gala’s theme, “Our Voices, Our History,” highlights the night’s honorees’ achievements in amplifying the voices of Asian American communities through representation and advocacy.
The Chinese American Museum (CAM) is located in Downtown Los Angeles as a part of the El Pueblo de Los Angeles Historic Monument. The location is an ode to the original Chinatown location, as the museum is symbolically housed in the oldest and last surviving structure of that time. CAM is a dedication to the history and experience of Chinese Americans in the state of California, the first such museum in Southern California.
The mission of CAM is to foster a deeper understanding of and appreciation for America’s diverse heritage by researching, preserving, and sharing the history, rich cultural legacy, and continued contributions of Chinese Americans. The museum also provides guided tours and educational resources to students, teachers, and communities.
Other distinguished guests at the event included Gay Q. Yuen, Ph. D., the Board Chair of CAM; Munson Kwok, Ph. D. and Suellen Cheng, Honorary Dinner Chairs; Arturo Chavez, General Manager at El Pueblo Historic Monument; and Adele Andrade-Stadler, District 5 Councilmember, among others.
The Historymakers Award Gala Committee selected Cathay Bank for this year’s Judge Ronald S.W. Lew Visionary Award.
Cathay Bank’s President and CEO, Chang M. Liu, accepted the award on behalf of the Bank.
“We are honored to be selected for the 2022 Judge Ronald S.W. Lew Visionary Award. Thank you CAM, and especially for the work that you do; your mission, vision, and contribution to our community and society, and the path [set forth] for the future [of Chinese Americans],” stated Chang.
When Cathay Bank was founded 60 years ago, its mission was to serve the banking needs of the emerging but underserved Chinese American community in Los Angeles.
While much has changed over six decades, the Bank’s foundation remains unchanged. Following the founders’ footsteps, Cathay Bank consistently goes above and beyond to empower those who pursue financial opportunities with confidence and optimism. The Bank applauds the Chinese American Museum for being a keen supporter of Chinese American rights.
Cathay Bank has donated to CAM consistently since 2010, with funds allocated towards expanding the facilities, funding exhibitions, public programming, annual events, and general operations totaling over $300,000.
In 2020, Cathay Bank’s COVID Relief grant provided operational support during the pandemic. This allowed CAM to continue work-from-home initiatives and keep staff employed when many other institutions laid off employees. Cathay Bank’s Anti-Asian Hate initiative also gave CAM the support needed to develop virtual programming and increase its online presence. Virtual programs that grew from the pandemic include Kids Storytime Featuring Asian American Children and An Untold Past.
In 2022, recent funding has provided the museum with general operations support, as the staff is 100% back in the office, and in-person programming and events have begun returning to pre-pandemic levels. Nowadays, CAM has transitioned into a hybrid style of public programs, allowing them to continue prioritizing their online presence, and welcome the community for in-person programming.
This article does not constitute legal, accounting or other professional advice. Although the information contained herein is intended to be accurate, Cathay Bank does not assume liability for loss or damage due to reliance on such information.
