• Call, email, visit or download an application. Submit by email, in person, or fax. Drop off box in lobby open 24/7: 22 S. Adams St., Denver CO 80209 Info@KavodSeniorLife.org or www.KavodSeniorLife.org
• Contact us for help completing an application or to request a reasonable accommodation. Language assistance is available!
• Apartments are waitlisted. Contact Leasing department for current wait time.
Kavod Senior Life is a non-profit, non-sectarian organization providing housing and services to older adults and people with disabilities that does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, religion, national origin, sex, disability or familial status.
ASIAN AVENUE - PRESIDENT’S NOTE
Annie Guo VanDan, President Asian Avenue magazine
Connect with us! hello@asianavemag.com @asianavemag
Nominate deserving individuals for the 2025 Asian American Hero of Colorado Award at cacendenver.org. Awardees will be featured in the May issue of Asian Avenue magazine.
Dearest Asian Avenue readers,
As we enter February, we find ourselves in a time of both celebration and reflection. Lunar New Year festivities are underway across Colorado with lion dancing, firecrackers, and red envelopes all around. Families are spending time together enjoying their new year meals and traditions, and community events will spread joy through the end of February.
The Year of the Snake ushers in a time of renewal and transformation. May the Snake grant us the strength to evolve with confidence and resilience as we face the challenges ahead. We recognize the challenges our communities are up against, and acknowledge the collective grief and distress we are experiencing. In these times, may we find unity, healing, and the courage to move forward together. Asian Avenue remains resolute in our commitment to serve Colorado’s Asian American and Pacific Islander communities, and to be a platform that shines a light on our unique experiences.
At Asian Avenue, we believe in the strength of community, and we’re excited to bring that spirit into our new home at the Social Fabric Hub in Englewood. As we begin moving into this space, we look forward to creating a place for dialogue, culture, and connection—a reminder that even in uncertain times, we can build something meaningful together. Stay connected @cacendenver about upcoming events and programs.
Wishing you a month of love, resilience, and reflection.
ASIAN
Publisher &
CHRISTINA YUTAI GUO President
GUO VANDAN
Editorial Director
MARY JENEVERRE SCHULTZ
Graphic Designer
LIJIN ZHAO
Videographer
JADYN NGUYEN
Web Designer
JASON ZHANG
Staff
JESSALYN LANGEVIN
on the cover
Lunar New Year festivities of all shapes and sizes are underway across Colorado, including large community events and intimate, family gatherings. Happy Year of the Snake!
Asian Avenue magazine (ISSN 1932-1449) reserves all copyrights to this issue. No parts of this edition can be reproduced in any manner without written permission. The views expressed in articles are the authors’ and not necessarily those of Asian Avenue magazine
Looking to promote your business? Asian Avenue magazine offers businesses a costeffective way to reach consumers in the Denver/Boulder metro areas and beyond. For more information, call 303.937.6888 or e-mail us at hello@asianavemag.com for our media kit and ad rates. Send story ideas to hello@asianavemag.com.
Asian Avenue magazine is in association with the Colorado Asian Culture and Education Network.
IN THIS ISSUE
4 PRESIDENT’S NOTE
8 UPCOMING EVENTS
• Longmont goes lunar on February 22
• Hasik documentary about farmers premieres on February 27
10 SPOTLIGHT: Yeol Eum Son joins the Colorado Symphony for an evening
12 COVER STORY: Denver proclaims Lunar New Year as a holiday and other celebrations across Colorado
14 FEATURE: Celebrate with wine at home, at a wine festival, or on vacation
15 FEATURE: A love letter to my forever love, this Valentine’s Day
16 ART: Helen Chan creates art inspired by her love of Hong Kong
17 MUSIC: 2-Bit Boyz, including Logan Chan and Avery Jacob, debut new music and R&B/pop performance
18 HEALTH: Vaccine disparities and hesitancy in racial-ethnic minorities
20 LEGAL COLUMN: Top five considerations when starting a business
Longmont goes lunar
Asian-Pacific Association of Longmont (A-PAL) 2025 Lunar New Year Celebration
Saturday, February 22, 2025
Silver Creek High School
4901 Nelson Road, Longmont, CO
2:00 to 5:00 pm (doors open at 1:30)
This event is FREE and open to the public
The ouroboros, an image of a snake eating its own tail, is universal across many different cultures. In Asian culture, the ouroboros symbolizes continuous renewal and the wholeness of the cosmos, where everything is interconnected and part of a larger cycle. Befittingly, 2025 ushers in the “Year of the Wood Snake,” a year of transformation, resilience, and forward-looking energy.
Asian Lunar New Year customs date back thousands of years, though with Asian people spread around the globe, customs have been reimagined for modern times. A-PAL’s mission is to introduce Asian culture to the public, in a relaxed, fun environment where Asian residents can contribute to their community while working with people of all ethnicities, backgrounds, and ages, and who speak different languages.
With over 2,000 annual attendees representing over 90 cultural backgrounds, A-PAL’s Lunar New Year celebration is a true cooperative, community effort, promoting multiculturalism in all forms and across multiple platforms.
This year’s attendees will immerse themselves in a broad range of experiences: Live performances will feature the
Lion Dance, a Kung Fu demonstration, and Korean K-Pop and Chinese Jasmine dancing. The program will open with a Hygiene Elementary Vietnamese Snake Procession, and culminate with Japanese Taiko Drumming, meant to drive away evil spirits as we enter into a prosperous new year.
Children can participate in interactive cultural and educational booths such as Indian henna hand painting, Tibetan mandala coloring, Chinese paper cutting, Japanese origami, Zometool and much more. An Innovation lab will introduce forward-looking technologies such as robotics and virtual reality, and participants can learn about Asians Americans pioneering civil rights at A-PAL’s history booth.
Cultural games will include Dragon Boat Races, Jian Zi (Chinese Hacky Sack), and a Chopsticks Challenge. Music and dance performances will feature Indian Bollywood (a fusion of “Bombay” and “Hollywood”) dancing, and traditional Japanese, Nepali, Chinese, and Mongolian dancing, along with traditional choir, flute, and orchestra music.
For the gourmands in the audience, there will be Asian food sampling.
A-PAL’s Lunar New Year celebration is a collaborative effort with the Longmont Multicultural Action Committee, City of Longmont, St. Vrain Valley School District, Silver Creek Leadership Academy, our generous sponsors, and A-PAL’s many dedicated volunteers.
iconic
Sie Premiere: ‘Hasik (To Sow)’: The Story Of Filipino Farmers Fighting For Food Sovereignty
In a world increasingly shaped by climate disasters and rising food insecurity, Global Seed Savers presents a powerful and urgent story of resilience at the Denver Sie FilmCenter on Thursday, Feb. 27, at 6 p.m. with the local premiere of “Hasik (To Sow)”.
In this timely, full-length documentary, filmmakers Marissa Mejia and Mandy Qua follow five farmers at the forefront of the fight for food and seed sovereignty — working to preserve their agricultural heritage through saving seeds. They boldly confront a future made uncertain through climate change and the actions of both their government and multinational corporations.
“We are honored to bring these powerful stories of our partner farmers’ resilience and commitment to preserving their culture and heritage through saving seeds to our home of Denver, where the global and local impacts of climate change are increasingly evident,” said Sherry Manning, Founder and CEO of Global Seed Savers. “The farmers’ resilience is viewed through a solutions-focused lens, reminding us of the critical impor-
tance of seed saving and call to return to this indigenous practice in the Philippines and around the world.”
The Philippines, one of the countries most impacted by climate change, is grappling with intensified typhoons which threaten its agriculture sector and 40% of Filipino workers. Meanwhile, government programs in partnership with the deeply concentrated multinational seed sector have harmed sustainable growing conditions.
The film was born out of a 13-month immersion in the Philippines by Mejia and Qua, and was produced as part of the inaugural Princeton University ReachOut Paschen Pair Fellowship, The premiere event begins at 6 p.m. with a reception featuring light Filipino cuisine refreshments and opportunities for connection. Local food-justice and seed-saving organizations will be set up at tables for engagement. The Sie concessions will be available and include: popcorn, candy, soda and full cash bar.
The evening continues with a screening of “Hasik (To Sow)” at 6:30 p.m., followed by a post-film Q&A.
‘Hasik (To Sow)’: The Story Of Filipino Farmers Fighting For Food Sovereignty
Date: Thursday, Feb. 27, 2025
Time: 6 p.m.: Doors open; mingle with refreshments. Film begins at 6:30 p.m. Run-time: 1:35
Location: Denver Sie FilmCenter 2510 E. Colfax Ave., Denver, CO 80206
Tickets and More Information: bit.ly/hasikdenver
Global Seed Savers is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to organizing, educating and mobilizing smallholder and family farmers in creating seed sovereignty and fostering sustainable communities and regenerative ecosystems. GSS is headquartered in Denver with staff across the Philippines.
A Night of Mozart Magic:
About the Program
Asian Avenue: What are the challenges and rewards of performing a concerto with Colorado Symphony?
Yeol Eum Son: In my opinion, Mozart’s Piano Concertos requires the most intimate and intense ensemble between the piano and the orchestra. In this sense, it often becomes a challenge when playing it with some orchestras that I have never worked before. But this time in Colorado, it worked very well! Thanks to the wonderful orchestra and the fantastic Maestro Chris Dragon.
What is your unique interpretation of this iconic work, and how do you bring your own personality to it? For me, it has always been one of the
Yeol Eum Son and the Colorado Symphony Enchant Denver
Poetic elegance, an innate feeling for expressive nuance and the power to project bold, dramatic contracts are among the arresting attributes of South Korean Yeol Eum Son’s pianism. Her refined artistry rises from breathtaking technical control and a profound empathy for the emotional temper of the works with her strikingly wide repertoire.
She is driven above all by her natural curiosity to explore a multitude of musical genres and styles and the desire to reveal what she describes as the “pure essence” of everything she performs. Son refuses to impose limits on her artistic freedom and remains determined to explore new artistic territory. Her choice of repertoire, which spans everything from the works of Bach and Mozart to those of Shchedrin and Kapustin, is guided chiefly by the quality and depth of the music.
Last January 25, Son performed with the Colorado Symphony. Asian Avenue Magazine is pleased to share Son’s perspective on her talent and her musical artistry.
trickiest concertos to play, for many reasons. First, the overall mood of the piece is very anxious and nervous, which would easily make me feel the same way on stage (sigh…).
Character-wise, it is very persistent but also, highly capricious. I find it very challenging to find a right balance between the two. Then, even the structure is quite unusual; In many places, it appears to be, as if it’s a bit extended than in usual.
So, all in all, I never have felt it comfortable to play this concerto, unlike some other Mozart Concertos, but maybe that’s how it should be. I like matching each Mozart’s Piano Concerto to his Operas. Then, this one easily becomes “Don Giovanni”. I try to bring its characters and the scenes to this concerto.
The program also includes works by Beethoven and Brahms. How do these pieces complement the Mozart, and how do you approach the stylistic shifts?
Well, it is a great program as the three composers influenced each other immensely. But I find it extra nice because of the choice of this very concerto, as I find this D-minor Concerto the most Beethovenian among all the 25 (or 27) piano concertos by Mozart!
Already the first theme in the first movement, is with: no particular melody, no much change even in harmonies—just a few syncopated rhythmic pattern. Yet it creates an enormous tension, foreseeing in so much dramas already: the stormy middle section in the slow movement (the “Romanze”), and the very unusual happy,
almost-triumphant ending at the very end of the Concerto. Aren’t all these things so very Beethoven?
But yes, I think Mozart and Beethoven differ so much, stylistically speaking. For me, the biggest difference is maybe the operatic quality of Mozart. It’s so much of singing, speaking, there are so many dramas and scenes, while Beethoven could easily be more abstract.
About Her Career
How has your musical education influenced your artistry? I was blessed to be under great tutorage. All my teachers were just amazing, I also think, I met each one of them at the right time. I’m totally aware how lucky that was. So, I can’t be thankful enough for that.
I’m still a great friend to my latest teacher, Mr. Arie Vardi. I still would play
for him sometimes, look for advice, etc. I’m a born curious person but he really broadens my curiosity into a whole lot of different spectrum. I think I’m a different musician before and after I met him.
What are the most significant milestones in your journey as a pianist?
I believe, becoming the prize winner of the Tchaikovsky competition was a big step for me. It also opened a lot of doors for me. But I somehow feel that I developed very gradually, pretty much in every sense, but especially in terms of career-plan... I don’t remember much of the ups and downs in that, which I am grateful for. Because I want to do this for a long time.
What advice would you give to aspiring young pianists?
I have no advice... really. Because the world is now spinning! The best I can
say is find your voice, what you love and go for it.
Visiting Colorado
This is your first time performing with the Colorado Symphony. What are your initial impressions of the orchestra and the city?
From the minute I arrived in the city, I loved the “Colorado weather,” but whoever I bumped into, would tell me: “sorry that you came at the worst time of a year!” What can I say? I love the coldness (or “freshness”). I love the snow, and I love the sun. And although a small part, the nature I see over the window is so remarkable. It was so nice to be introduced to Colorado. I can’t wait to return to this area in July for the Colorado Music Festival.
Learn more about Yeol Eum Son and see her upcoming concerts at yeoleumson.com.
To learn more about upcoming classical concerts, visit Colorado Symphony at ColoradoSymphony.org.
2025 Lunar New Year Celebrations Underway
Denver Affirms Commitment to Cultural Diversity with Lunar New Year Proclamation
By Mary Jeneverre Schultz
City of Denver Councilwoman Jamie Torres invited members of the Denver Asian American Pacific Islander Commission (DAAPIC) to receive the 2025 Lunar New Year proclamation on January 27, 2025 in the Denver City Council Chambers of the City and County Building.
The proclamation sponsors commented on bringing the community together during this annual celebration. The vote was unanimous by the Denver City Council.
Past President DAAPIC Jory Zhang
accepted the proclamation and shared his gratitude for being part of the growing communities of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.
“This proclamation celebrates the rich traditions of Lunar New Year while honoring the unity, culture, and resilience it brings to our vibrant Denver community,” said Tran Nguyen-Wills, Deputy Outreach Director for Office of Denver Mayor.
After the proclamation was accepted, its sponsors met with community members and distributed proclamations.
Lunar New Year On Havana Street
January 26, 2025 | Stampede, Aurora, CO
Ikon Pass Lunar New Year Red Envelope Treasure Hunt
By Annie Kao Vice President, Social Responsibility at Alterra Mountain Company
To celebrate the Lunar New Year in the mountains, Alterra Mountain Company held its annual Ikon Pass Lunar New Year Red Envelope Treasure Hunt on January 31 at multiple North American destinations.
Ski areas including Arapahoe Basin Ski Area, Winter Park Resort, Palisades Tahoe, Solitude Mountain Resort, Mammoth Mountain, and many more hid lucky Red Envelopes containing gift cards throughout their villages and on the slopes.
Ikon Pass then posted hints on Instagram, leading guests to the treasured red envelopes throughout the day as an interactive way to welcome the Year of the Snake.
Learn more about Alterra Mountain Company and its destinations at: alterramtn.co.
Lunar New Year Celebration
January 30, 2025 | Clayton Hotel, Denver, CO
Chinese New Year
January 29, 2025 Happy Living, Aurora, CO
Instagram Screenshots
Lunar New Year is all about family, feasting, and fresh beginnings. And what better way to toast to prosperity than with a perfectly paired glass of wine? Whether you’re indulging in dim sum, sizzling stir-fries, or sweet treats, the right wine can elevate every bite. So grab a glass, and let’s dive into the ultimate wine guide to make your Lunar New Year celebration truly unforgettable!
Host a Wine Party
Why not kick off the festivities with a wine party? Even if you’re not a wine connoisseur, a fun tasting event can bring friends and family together for a night of sipping and celebrating.
Kristy Howell, a Colorado-based wine host with ONE HOPE, shares her top tips for pairing wine with Asian-inspired dishes. Her first rule? “Ambiance is everything!” Deck out
Sip, Savor, Celebrate: The Ultimate Wine Guide for Lunar New Year and Beyond
By Mary Jeneverre Schultz
your space with vibrant red lanterns, play some festive music, and set the table with fresh flowers.
As for the wine, she recommends:
• Sauvignon Blanc – A crisp, refreshing match for seafood dishes
• Pinot Grigio – A light and zesty companion for dim sum
• Pinot Noir – A smooth, fruity choice for spicy noodle dishes
And don’t forget—Valentine’s Day is just around the corner! Take your pairing game up a notch with sparkling wine and chocolate-covered strawberries for a romantic, indulgent treat. Howell suggests, “Ask your guests what they love—some prefer sweet, some love dry, and others go wild for bubbles!”
Want to host your own tasting? Check out OneHopeWine.com for details. Bonus: Every purchase supports a nonprofit organization!
Plan Ahead: Wine Festivals to Mark on Your Calendar
If February feels too rushed, why not plan for a summer wine adventure? Colorado comes alive with wine festivals, offering the perfect excuse to sip, sample, and savor. Two of the biggest events to check out:
1. Breckenridge Wine Classic (August 21-23, 2025) – A mountain escape featuring over 300 wineries, gourmet food, and breathtaking views. BreckenridgeWine Classic.com
2. Vail Wine Classic (August 7-10, 2025) – A high-altitude festival to mingle with winemakers and taste
your way through world-class selections. VailWineClassic.com
Take a Wine Getaway
Sometimes, the best way to appreciate wine is to go straight to the source. If you’re up for a weekend escape, consider a trip to Napa Valley, the heart of California’s wine country. Looking for an intimate, Italian-inspired tasting experience? Head to Jacuzzi Family Vineyards in Sonoma. The winery, known for its oldworld charm, specializes in Italian varietals with a California twist. The wine hosts will tailor your tasting to your preferences, making it a truly personal experience.
Fun fact: The Jacuzzi family (yes, that Jacuzzi family) started making wine in the 1920s before revolutionizing the spa industry. Today, their vineyard is all about tradition, passion, and high-quality wines.
Joyce Yuriko Cole was one of the original members of the Actor’s Company, produced by Robert Garner. She choreographed for various dance and theater companies, as well as industry shows for Levi’s and Diane Von Furstenberg.
A Love Letter to My Forever Love
My dear beloved,
By Joyce Yuriko Cole
It has been almost a year since you’ve departed. After spending 51 years together, being without you has left a tremendous void. I still go on our daily walks in the reservoir because that’s where I feel your presence the most.Thank you for all the early morning walks, coffees, breakfast burritos, and the car rides. I loved our conversations and how you were invigorated by being in nature and witnessing the changing of the seasons.
We cried a lot in your car. We cried over our kids’ situations, frustrations from work, finances, and the struggles of life.The heartaches of life were easier to bear because you were by my side.
We knew each other’s thoughts without speaking a word. You supported and encouraged me when I was 19 and continued until I was 71.There is no one to laugh with about the good ol’ days that we experienced together.
You encouraged me in each of our stages as we matured together. Marriage was a great teacher in how not to be so self-focused and to look out for each other’s best interest.
You encouraged me in my healing from generational trauma.You were my biggest cheerleader when I was accustomed to having none. I knew you would give me wisdom if I asked for guidance.
At dinnertime, I light a candle to represent you. I don’t cook as much because you’re not there to appreciate it. Oh, how I miss holding your hand while you said grace. My meals are silent and utilitarian rather than a time to connect and savor.
She appeared in the Japanese Arts Network’s immersive production Zotto, where she spoke about the generational trauma caused by the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II. She was also featured in Procession, a short film by HOUSE OF KODŌ, which was showcased at the Denver Film Festival.
Beyond her artistic career, Joyce is a proud mother to three lovely daughters and wonderful sons-in-law, as well as a devoted grandmother to three incredible grandchildren. She married her sweetheart in 1975, sharing an adventurous life together until his unexpected passing in January 2024.
The girls miss their Daddy. You were their first Valentine. You showed them how to be treated with respect and honor. You encouraged them to be strong, articulate, kind women.They miss their daddy dates and phone calls during the Nuggets games. They never doubted your love for them.
When I’m overwhelmed with sadness, I sit in your recliner. I have such vivid memories of you snoring there with the remote in your hand. I would love to have one more chance to kiss your head while handing you a plate of pizza or freshly baked snacks.
When I go to sleep, it’s silent. No thunderous snoring, blanket stealing, or middle-of-the-night potty breaks. I miss your hand on my leg as we lay side by side. Sometimes, I can still imagine you lying there, smiling at me and telling me you love me. Presently, our dog is now sleeping on your pillow because even he needed comfort after your death.
I know I’m blessed to have had all these years with you. When we exchanged vows, I meant it, therefore your death tore away a huge portion of me. In my heart, I know your love is still with me.Thank you for all the miraculous ways you have shown that I’m still loved and cared for.
You left a tremendous legacy for your kids and grandkids.You truly were a man who loved God and loved people well!
You are my forever Valentine. My answer is always, “Yes!”
“Three things will last forever—faith, hope, and love— and the greatest of these is Love.”
By Mary Jeneverre Schultz
TUTORING AND ART: A Creative Tribute to Hong Kong
While missing home, Helen Chan turned her art into a business.
Helen Chan, who grew up in Hong Kong, is a passionate entrepreneur who has seamlessly blended her love for Cantonese culture with her artistic talents and business acumen. After leaving Hong Kong five years ago, she launched a venture combining Cantonese tutoring with artwork created from Asian foods. Her creativity stems from her extensive fashion industry experience.
“I was a fashion designer for boutiques and department stores, a fabric developer for trading companies, and worked in various merchandising roles,” she shared.
A Flourishing Fashion Career
Before moving to the U.S., Chan worked in retail as a fashion designer, where her collections consistently sold out. She later led fabric development for a company that became an exclusive Asian agent for a well-known U.S. brand.
She also worked for a manufacturing firm specializing in wrinkle-free shirts, helping with product development, marketing, and technical challenges.
“Hong Kong blends Western and Asian designs,” she said. “I love modern Western styles that incorporate embroidery, beading, or innovative fabrics—specialties of many Asian manufacturers.”
A New Chapter: Tutoring and Handmade Crafts
After moving to Denver, Chan found relief from homesickness through crafting. She started making Hong Kongstyle miniature ornaments, which quickly gained popularity on Facebook.
At the same time, a friend introduced her to a family seeking Cantonese lessons, inspiring her to start tutoring.
“I design age-specific lesson plans and use my crafts as visual aids to help students retain language skills,” she explained. Juggling her roles as an artist, tutor, and entrepreneur, Chan stays organized with a structured schedule.
From Homesickness to Artistic Expression
Chan also tutors students in Cantonese. She credits homesickness for pushing her to merge her passions.
“Creating artwork with food and something related to Hong Kong saved me,” she confessed.
In her Denver home, her garage features a hand-painted Hong Kong landscape.
“I painted it during the pandemic so I could feel ‘home’ every time I drove back,” she shared.
Art as a Bridge to Hong Kong Memories
Chan’s paintings reflect cherished Hong Kong memories—festivals, hotpot gatherings, street food, and iconic seascapes.
“These moments bring me immense joy, and I hope my work evokes nostalgia and love for Hong Kong,” she said. She also feels responsible for preserving Cantonese culture.
“There are so few opportunities to study and practice Cantonese in the U.S. I want to be a bridge to keep this special language alive.”
Looking Ahead
Chan relies on word-of-mouth and social media to promote her work, with many loyal customers returning. She envisions an ex hibition, expanding her product line, and experimenting with new artistic mediums.
“My dream is for overseas Hongkongers to think of my work when they miss home. I hope my art brings warmth and happiness.”
Explore Helen Chan’s work at hkccmall.com or follow her on Instagram @rhk.art.
Painting of Hong Kong by Helen Chan in her garage
Denver-based 2-Bit Boyz is a pop duo carving a vibrant space in the world of dance, R&B, and pop music. Comprising Avery Jacob and Logan Chan, the duo is a creative offshoot of the dynamic Afro-Funk collective Beasts of No Nation, where their shared passion for storytelling and genre-blurring sounds first took root.
Inspired by the collective’s energy and artistic ethos, 2-Bit Boyz delivers a fresh, intimate approach to modern music.
Often described as “a slice of life,” their sound is a reflection of everyday experiences infused with honesty, emotion, and imagination. Through thematic and sonic intimacy, 2-Bit Boyz uses music as a prism to refract truth and meaning, exploring human connection, joy, and the struggles that shape our world.
Avery Jacob’s captivating vocals and lyrical depth pair seamlessly with Logan Chan’s rich, groove-inspired keyboard work and meticulous production. Together, they create an inviting sonic palette that spans the euphoric highs of dance music, the sultry soul of R&B, and the infectious hooks of pop.
With their new collection of songs, 2-Bit Boyz strikes a balance between emotional vulnerability and danceable beats, crafting music that resonates on both personal and universal levels. Their sound invites listeners to move, reflect, and lose themselves in the moment.
Debut Performance:
2-Bit Boyz Bring New Music to Life
Listen to them on Spotify
Follow on Instagram @2bitboyz
Website: 2bitboyz.wordpress.com
2-Bit Boyz with Jordan Yewey
Saturday, March 8, 2025
Doors open at 6pm | Show begins at 7pm
Mark your calendars for what will be a personally meaningful and emotionally intimate set, with new music performed by your favorite local Pop Duo. The show is free and open to all.
The first-ever live performance of 2-Bit Boyz will be held at Mutiny Comics and Coffee in Englewood on March 8th, 2025. We are happy to share the space with Jordan Yewey, a Denver singer-songwriter whose vocals and powerful guitar playing convey emotion with a driving rhythm.
Sip a beverage, browse Mutiny’s collections of graphic art, and enjoy a varied musical performance of unique originals and timeless pop classics from 2-Bit Boyz and Jordan Yewey. If you haven’t been to Mutiny’s new space, it’s a cozy dope alt spot right next to the Fellow Traveler in downtown Englewood.
There will be plenty of music, sights, and activities to take in at this meaningful event and we hope you will grace us with your presence to make it truly special for all of us.
Photo credit: Judy Lee
Vaccine Disparities and Hesitancy in Racial-Ethnic Minorities
Written by: Dr. Alok Sarwal and CAHEP team
Vaccination for COVID-19 has been a crucial public health intervention in mitigating the pandemic from 2020 to 2024. Beyond individual and population-level health benefits, vaccination aimed to address the social, economic, and health inequities affecting racialized and minoritized populations disproportionately impacted by the pandemic.
However, these communities continued to experience significant disparities. The effects of the pandemic touched nearly every facet of society in the United States and abroad, including overall health, the economy, and human behavior. Social analysis reveals that the impact of COVID-19 was particularly severe for vulnerable groups—such as those living in poverty, older individuals, people with disabilities, and racial and ethnic minorities—who faced considerable challenges in vaccine access and delivery, leading to higher mortality rates.
The Colorado Alliance for Health Equity and Practice (CAHEP) has played a significant role in COVID-19 response efforts, administering over 30,000 vaccine doses through its clinic and various community sites. Recently, CAHEP launched a project with support from the Colorado Department of Public Health and Practice (CDPHE) to understand the perspectives of stakeholders and community members affected by COVID-19.
As part of this initiative, CAHEP conducted focus group discussions, leader interviews, and pre/post surveys with members of Asian-Pacific American, Hispanic/Latinx, and Islamic Arabic communities to identify barriers related to communication, social determinants of health, equitable access to culturally responsive healthcare, and vaccine hesitancy.
Over 500 individuals were surveyed, and 45 focus groups were conducted across six ethnic communities: Latinx, Chinese, Vietnamese, Korean, Afghani, and Arabic.
Through this process, CAHEP sought to understand:
1. How communities receive information and their trusted sources during a pandemic.
2. How state-community partnerships can address health disparities, social justice, and equitable access to care.
3. The primary reasons for vaccine hesitancy among these groups.
Factors Influencing Vaccine Hesitancy
Vaccine hesitancy results from complex historical, political, and socio-cultural influences. Trust in the healthcare system, policymakers, and vaccine programs determines public perception.
The types of vaccine-related information conveyed by media also significantly impact hesitancy. Community feedback indicated that a lack of trust in government institutions fueled skepticism about COVID-19 vaccines, particularly regarding safety, long-term side effects, effectiveness, and the rapid development timeline. Many ethnic minority groups lacked access to reliable, culturally relevant, and linguistically appropriate information, leading to increased exposure to misinformation and conspiracy theories.
Concerns about long-term vaccine effects—such as potential harm to young children, birth defects, DNA alteration, increased risks of heart problems, blood clots, and infertility—were major deterrents to vaccination.
Community-Specific Barriers
Arabic/Islamic Communities | Among the Arabic/Islamic community, distrust of government agencies was a prominent factor in vaccine hesitancy. In more conservative Muslim groups, religious beliefs played a significant role, with concerns that COVID-19 vaccines might not be Halal. In Muslim-majority countries, Halal certification bodies use the Holy Al-Quran as a guide in determining compliance, and for many, vaccination decisions were framed within religious doctrine. The perception that refusing vaccines aligned with religious principles contributed to lower vaccination rates. Community leaders emphasized that while education and
Korean Focus Group
awareness are crucial, partnerships with religious leaders are equally important for building trust.
Asian-Pacific Communities | Among Asian-Pacific communities, vaccination rates were influenced by socio-cultural beliefs rooted in their countries of origin. For example, Afghan immigrants based their decisions on limited prior exposure to vaccination campaigns. Education levels and length of time in the U.S. were also key determinants.
In some Asian countries, vaccines were imported from India and China in limited quantities, leading to rationed distribution for seniors and immunocompromised individuals.
Many participants in focus groups were unconvinced that the benefits of the COVID-19 vaccine outweighed potential risks.
Asian community leaders highlighted that vaccine hesitancy was also linked to political affiliations, with differences observed between Republican and Democratic voters. Furthermore, individuals of Chinese and Vietnamese descent reported that experiences of racial discrimination and hate crimes exacerbated their reluctance to get vaccinated. However, a strong motivator for vaccination was having a close friend or family member who had suffered severe illness or complications from COVID-19.
fears of exclusion from vaccination programs due to lack of registration with a healthcare provider, and reliance on healthcare through charities and walk-in clinics. Concerns about potential immigration repercussions further discouraged participation in vaccination efforts.
CAHEP’s Role in Addressing Vaccine Hesitancy
Afghan Focus Group
The CAHEP family medicine clinic serves as a safety net for underserved families and has worked diligently to provide necessary vaccinations. Since the onset of the pandemic and in partnership with CDPHE, CAHEP has conducted numerous community-based vaccine clinics across Colorado, ensuring easy access to COVID-19 vaccinations and point-of-care testing. It has served over 25 immigrant groups at churches, temples, mosques, schools, and other community sites. CAHEP also offers multilingual health education and builds trust by delivering culturally competent care. Although the pandemic has ended, the risk of COVID-19 remains, necessitating continued efforts to educate, inform, and provide vaccinations per CDC and CDPHE guidance.
Undocumented Migrants | Undocumented migrants faced additional challenges, including confusion about eligibility,
This project has offered CAHEP and its partners valuable insights into lessons learned and strategies for improving pandemic preparedness and response in the future.
By Chuong Le and Zach Dougherty, 3i Law
Considerations When Starting a Business
Starting a business is an exciting yet challenging journey.
Understanding the legal landscape is crucial for ensuring your business’s success and compliance. Here are the top five things to know from a legal perspective when starting a business.
1
Choose the Right Structure
The foundation of your business lies in its legal structure. The structure you choose will impact your liability, taxes, and funding opportunities. Options include sole proprietorship, partnership, LLC, and corporation. Consulting with a business attorney will ensure you select the best structure for your needs and help you prepare the necessary company documents.
2 Register Your Business
Ensure your chosen business name is legally available and not infringing on existing trademarks. Register your business with the Colorado Secretary of State to protect your name and avoid legal disputes. You will also need to obtain an Employer Identification Number (i.e. Tax ID) with the Internal Revenue Service.
3 Obtain Necessary Licenses and Permits
Depending on your industry and location, your business may require specific licenses and permits to operate legally. Failing to obtain the necessary documentation can result in fines or even closure. Research the requirements for your industry and jurisdiction, and comply with all regulations.
3i Law can help! Contact them at:
4 Use Clear and Comprehensive Contracts
Well-drafted contracts protect your interests and outline the terms of agreements. Before entering into any contracts, it is crucial to consult with an attorney to draft or review your contracts and ensure all key terms are clearly defined.
5 Understand Tax Obligations
Understanding your tax obligations is crucial for staying compliant and avoiding penalties. Work with a tax attorney, accountant, or tax advisor to ensure you meet all tax requirements, including Federal and States Taxes, Sales Tax, and Payroll, and take advantage of available deductions or credits.
By choosing the right business structure, registering your business name, obtaining necessary licenses and permits, drafting clear contracts, and understanding your tax obligations, you can lay a solid legal foundation for your business’s success. Seek professional legal and financial advice to navigate the complexities of business law and ensure your venture thrives for years to come.
Race to the Truth: Exclusion and the Chinese American Story
By Sarah-SoonLing Blackburn Paperback $8.99
Published by Crown Books for Young Readers Mar 26, 2024 | Middle Grade (10 and up)
Race to the Truth: Exclusion and the Chinese American Story is here to show young readers that Chinese American history extends far beyond the railroads. Written by educator, speaker, and professional learning facilitator Dr. Sarah-SoonLing Blackburn, this new addition to the series tells the true story of America, from the Chinese American perspective.
When immigration picked up in the mid-1800s, efforts to ban immigrants from China were quickly instituted. But hope, strength, and community allowed the Chinese population in America to flourish. From the gold rush and railroads to business, animation, and filmmaking, this is the story of the Chinese American experience.
Race to the Truth book unveils the untold history of Chinese Americans
Dr. Sarah-SoonLing Blackburn is an educator, speaker, and professional learning facilitator. She was born in Bangkok, Thailand, into a mixed-race Malaysian Chinese and white American family. A classic “third culture kid,” she grew up moving between East and Southeast Asian countries and the Washington, DC, area.
Blackburn moved to the Deep South in 2009, and she has now lived there longer than anywhere else. Her experiences first as a classroom teacher and then as a teacher educator inform her beliefs about the role that education can and must play in the realization of social justice.
She owes very much to her ancestors, Blackburn spent most of her years in the classroom teaching third and fourth grade.
As a professional trainer, Blackburn focuses on workplace cultures, leadership skills, and diversity, equity, and inclusion. Blackburn has achieved a MA in Social Justice and Education from the University College London’s Institute of Education.
Her doctoral research at Johns Hopkins University explored strategies for retaining rural educators, and her EdD specialization was instruction Design in Online Teaching and Learning.
Learn more about Sarah at sarahsoonling.com. or follow @sarahsoonling
MILE HIGH JACL PRESENTS
MILE HIGH JACL PRESENTS
DAY OF REMEMBRANCE 2025
DAY OF REMEMBRANCE 2025
FREE IN-PERSON EVENT
Sunday, February 16th | 1:00pm - 4:00pm MT
History Colorado Center 1200 N Broadway, Denver, CO 80203
the US military to designate "exclusion zones" to remove anyone of Japanese ancestry from their homes. As a result of EO 9066, 125,000 people of Japanese descent, including Japanese from Latin America, were incarcerated during World War II in concentration camps hastily built inland, including Amache in southeast Colorado, which imprisoned 8,000 people during the war.
The Mile High Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), the oldest Asian American national civil rights organization, sponsors an annual Day of Remembrance event so we won't forget the injustice of World War II Incarceration that happened 80 years ago.
On February 19, 1942, President Franklin D. Roosevelt signed Executive Order 9066, which allowed the US military to designate "exclusion zones" to remove anyone of Japanese ancestry from their homes. As a result of EO 9066, 125,000 people of Japanese descent, including Japanese from Latin America, were incarcerated during World War II in concentration camps hastily built inland, including Amache in southeast Colorado, which imprisoned 8,000 people during the war.
The Mile High Chapter of the Japanese American Citizens League (JACL), the oldest Asian American national civil rights organization, sponsors an annual Day of Remembrance event so we won't forget the injustice of World War II Incarceration that happened 80 years ago.
The incarceration experience had a lasting e ect on the health of Japanese Americans and their descendents. As those of Japanese descent were forcibly removed from their homes following the passage of EO 9066, their lives were upended and they had to adapt to an unfamiliar, hostile environment. The concentration camps were often in desolate and harsh lands, with limited access to nutritious food and medical supplies. The Japanese American prisoners su ered physical and mental stress, and this historical trauma is still felt in our communities today with equally devastating e ects on our health.
The incarceration experience had a lasting e ect on the health of Japanese Americans and their descendents. As those of Japanese descent were forcibly removed from their homes following the passage of EO 9066, their lives were upended and they had to adapt to an unfamiliar, hostile environment. The concentration camps were often in desolate and harsh lands, with limited access to nutritious food and medical supplies. The Japanese American prisoners su ered physical and mental stress, and this historical trauma is still felt in our communities today with equally devastating e ects on our health.
This year's Day of Remembrance will be held Sunday, Feb. 16, 2025, from 1:00pm - 4:00pm MST in the Colorado Room at History Colorado Center. Join us for keynote speaker Dr. Gwenn Jensen, a medical anthropologist and oral historian, to discuss the toll of incarceration on physical and mental health, and to share the stories of the Japanese Americans who were impacted.
If you have any accessibility concerns about the event, please reach out to president@milehighjacl.org no later than February 7th.
