Yangmee Lor Yangmee (she/her) co-founded MAI (pronounced ‘my’), which stands for Making An Impact, to present more opportunities to the Hmong community. The organization recently released its first e-magazine highlighting Colorado’s Hmong community (found at: iam-mai.org). The intercultural guide was published by Adams County. Yangmee is also a board member with the National Lao-Hmong Memorial Foundation, which works to to remember the Lao-Hmong’s sacrifices in the Secret War. She is a founding board member with the Asian Chamber Foundation and a board member for Colorado Dragon Boat. She is a life insurance agent who teaches others how to start their own life insurance business, and she also helps create courses and content for life coaches. Connect with Yangmee at: yangmeelor@ffsmail.com, betterfuturefinances.com, or iam-mai.org.
Hmong, Denver
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Sara Moore Connected Culturists
Phong Vo
These community influencers are preserving and sharing Asian culture like there’s no tomorrow, especially encouraging young people to keep the traditions of Asian cultures alive today and for years to come.
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Sara (she/her) is the Executive Director of Japanese, Colorado Dragon Boat, the umbrella organization that encompasses the Colorado Dragon Mixed Race, Boat Festival, Colorado Dragon Boat Film FestiGolden val, and AAPI Emerging Leaders Program. Sara’s passions include rock climbing, hiking, and learning about her Japanese heritage. She can talk on end about her grandfather, Masamichi (Mac) Suzuki who was interned during WWII as a nisei at Tule Lake, California. He later served on the ABCC (Atomic Bomb Casualty Commission) in Hiroshima, Japan, as a OBGYN studying fertility in the victims of the atomic bombs. Connect with Sara at: sara@cdbf.org, cdbf. org, or @COdragonboat.
As leader of the Colorado Asian Cultural Heritage Center (CACHC) and a Deputy with the Denver Sheriff’s Department, Phong (he/him) has dedicated his life in service to the community. Phong started CACHC as a nonprofit in 2005 and has since been keeping the culture of dragon and lion dancing alive and thriving in the Denver community. Through his enduring efforts and vision, the center functions as a safe space for youth to learn, perform, and compete in dragon and lion dancing. As part of his vision, all training and equipment is provided at no cost to ensure Vietnamese, that there are no barriers to community youth having the opportunity to learn about the art and culture. Connect with Phong at: @CACHCdragonlion Denver (Facebook) or cachc.dragon.lion (Instagram).
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Namita Khanna Nariani Namita (she/her) has a Bachelors in Architecture from Mumbai and a masters degree from the University of Colorado Denver, but a heart and soul of a dancer, teacher, and choreographer. She founded Mudra Dance Studio over 25 years ago through which she passes down Indian dance traditions and uses dance as a teaching tool in schools and festivals to promote diversity and inclusivity. Her influence has spanned decades, generations, and borders. She empowers young people —boys and girls— to be authentic and confident. She rejuvenates older people—professionals—to rediscover creative expression. Connect with Namita at: namita@mudradancestudio. us, mudradancestudio.us, or @mudradance.
Indian, Aurora
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100 Asians To Know | Asian Avenue Magazine
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