WHAT'S NEW - in MAY 2002!

As we come ever closer to Asian Pacific American Heritage Month in May, we should examine the many facets that comprises the multi-layered tapestry of our many communities that unites us.

Our invitation is extended to discover various Asian American leaders listed below, information on our past victories and the many great things that are presently happening in our communities.

YOUR MUSICAL INPUT IS NEEDED as we seek identify the best songs from our music artists.

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FEATURED ARTISTS & LEADERS

NOBU MC CARTHY

Nobu McCarthy, who first attracted attention as a Hollywood starlet and later became an accomplished stage actress and artistic director of the pioneering Los Angeles-based theater company East West Players, died April 6, 2002 at the age of 67.

She was in Londrina, Brazil, shooting "Gaijin II," a movie about several generations of Japanese immigrants in Brazil, where her late parents had emigrated.

Born as Nobu Atsumi in Ottawa, Canada, where her father Masagi Atsumi was a private secretary to the Japanese ambassador, McCarthy was brought to Japan as a baby. She trained at the Pavlova School of Ballet in Kamakura, Japan, from 1947 to 1953, sang with choral groups on stage and radio, and became a successful model.

In 1955, she married U.S. Army Sgt. David McCarthy, a match her parents opposed.

Her first role was in the Jerry Lewis comedy "The Geisha Boy" in 1958. Among the other titles from her busiest period in Hollywood, in the late '50s and early '60s, were "The Hunters," "Wake Me When It's Over," "Walk Like a Dragon" and "Love With the Proper Stranger."Her TV series credits included "Perry Mason," "Wagon Train" and "Mister Ed."

After withdrawing from acting in the late '60s, followed by a divorce in 1970, McCarthy returned to her career via East West, joining the company in 1971 and playing a number of roles on its small stage, then on Santa Monica Boulevard.

During her later career, her screen appearances diminished in number but grew in substance. She was in the landmark TV movie "Farewell to Manzanar" in 1976, in the commercial hit "Karate Kid II" in 1986, "Pacific Heights" in 1990 and "The Painted Desert" in 1993, as well as a variety of TV series guest appearances.

In 1989, East West Players went through a turbulent period, with Mako resigning under pressure from the board. McCarthy was selected as his replacement and served as artistic director until 1993. During her tenure, the group's board and fund-raising were expanded, and she made an effort to open up the theater's programming and behind-the-scenes activities to non-Asians and, within the Asian American community, to non-Japanese Americans.

B.D. WONG

B.D. Wong is currently best known for his portrayal of Father Ray Mukada, the compassionate and tireless Catholic priest in the controversial HBO TV series "Oz." His feature film roles among many appearances include a signature comedy role as the outrageous wedding coordinator's assistant, playing opposite Martin Short in Father of the Bride (Parts I and II), as well as feature roles in Jurassic Park, Seven Years in Tibet and a leading voice in Disney's animated hit Mulan.

Wong earned a Tony Award for his starring role on Broadway in M. Butterfly; a play by David Hwang, and critical acclaim for his roles as Linus in the Broadway revival of You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown and as Ariel in Shakespeare's The Tempest. He has guest-starred on X-Files, Sesame Street, Chicago Hope, and he co-starred with comedian Margaret Cho on her series, All-American Girl.

Wong enjoys a second career traveling to colleges and high schools sharing his unique points of view around racial diversity and racism awareness. He has received a number of awards from Asian American organizations such as the Asian-American Legal Defense and Education Fund (AALDEF), the Association of Asian-Pacific American Artists (AAPAA), the Coro Foundation, and others.

DR. MILTON CHEN

Dr. Milton Chen is the Executive Director of the George Lucas Educational Foundation (GLEF) and a leading figure in educational media for over 20 years.

He brought new leadership to its mission of using the media, especially the Internet, to tell the most inspiring stories of how interactive technologies are transforming teaching and learning in America's public schools.

His background includes being the founding director of San Francisco's KQED Center for Education & Lifelong Learning (PBS) author of The Smart Parent's Guide to Kids' TV (KQED, 1994) and is a frequent speaker and media commentator on issues of education and the media.

He has been the national spokesman for PBS/American Academy of Pediatric's Smart Parents campaign on media literacy for families, executive editor/co-host of the one-hour public TV special, "The Smart Parent's Guide to TV Violence," program development/audience research/community outreach for PBS's most prominent children's series and author of more than 30 books, chapters, and articles on educational media.

His work has been honored by The Congressional Black Caucus, NHK in Japan, PBS, the Children's Television Workshop, American Psychological Association, Parents' Choice, and others.

The George Lucas Educational Foundation is a non-profit organization founded by the filmmaker in 1991. It recently launched a new Web-based project, Teaching in the Digital Age, with film clips, articles, resources and related videocassettes, newsletters, and books.

CONRAD LEE

Conrad Lee is the U.S. Small Business Administration (SBA) administrator of Region 10, which encompasses programs and services in Oregon, Washington, Idaho and Alaska.

As of April 2002, seven out of the nation's ten regional administrators have been appointed; Lee is the only Asian American.

Lee said he hopes being in this highly visible role will attract more Asian-American business owners to seek out the SBA's services.

Born in China, Lee came to the United States to earn an engineering degree from the University of Michigan in 1962. From 1962 to 1978, Lee worked for Boeing Co. in various capacities, including engineer, marketing sales manager and energy analyst.

What separates Asian-American and other recently arrived immigrant business owners are the language and cultural barriers they face, Lee said. Many recent Asian immigrants do not even think to seek the SBA's help.

From 1979 to 1996 Lee helped develop a solid-waste plan for the City of Seattle Solid Waste Utility. His experience with local government prompted him to run for the Bellevue (Wash.) City Council, where he is currently beginning a third term in April 2002.


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