“Asian Americans for Equality would like to congratulate the 2016 honorees. AAFE is proud to be a community partner of the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce.” - Chris Kui, AAFE Executive Director
LOW INTEREST LOANS FOR NEW YORK BUSINESS OWNERS
AAFE-affiliate, Renaissance Economic Development Corporation, offers low-interest loans to New York-based business owners and entrepreneurs. Renaissance looks forward to establishing a strong working relationship with members of the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce. Renaissance loan products and services include: • • • •
Loans of up to $100,000 with interest rates of 4% and up 60-hour entrepreneurship training course for new & aspiring business owners Workshops on topics such as how to master e-commerce, negotiating a lease, financial literacy and how to use Quickbooks accounting software Professional counselling clinics with CPAs and attorneys
www.aafe.org
Launched in 2014, the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce is a multicultural membership association of entrepreneurs, business owners, and civic leaders in the most dynamic and diverse community in the United States.
MISSION We foster economic growth, inclusive diversity, and shared prosperity of our community through advocacy, networking and education.
ADVOCATE Navigate rules and regulations. Develop a common agenda. Fight for our community.
NETWORK Connect with our community of entrepreneurs, business leaders and residents. Help build a strong, diverse, and sustainable community!
EDUCATE Develop the tools and resources to start or grow your business. Learn about the issues and how to get involved in our community.
A Better Tomorrow
Board of Directors & Executive Officers Christopher Kui, Chair Renaissance Economic Development Corporation
Simon Gerson, President Gerson Properties LLC
Taehoon Kim,Vice President Regen Acupuncture PC
Michael Hing Lam, Secretary Century Homes Realty Group LLC
Mike Wang, Treasurer Politan Real Estate
Don Capalbi Queensboro Hill Flushing Civic Association
Michael Cheng Epos Global Management
Ellen Kodadek Flushing Council on Culture and the Arts
Alice Lee Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield
Alfred Rankins Lewis Howard Latimer House Museum
Maureen Regan Green Earth Urban Gardens
Leo Zhang Law Offices of Geng & Zhang, PPLC
John Choe, Executive Director (ex officio)
A Better Tomorrow
Welcome Dear Friends, Thank you for joining the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce and helping us celebrate our second year of amazing community service! Over the past year, the Chamber has accomplished much to strengthen our community: expanding credit and financial literacy with East West Bank, World Financial Group, and Chhaya CDC; cleaning up the Prince Street Triangle with Crown Container and GW Printing; partnering with Monroe College to launch the Flushing Tech Boot Camp; collaborating with GrowNYC and Empire Blue Cross to promote health and nutrition at our new greenmarket; completing the first Flushing Commercial District Needs Assessment with the NYC Department of Small Business Services; hosting with Flushing High School the second season of our FNO night market for local entrepreneurs; and crowdsourcing neighborhood improvement projects through SOUP microgrants. There is a lot more work to be done – as we re-imagine our future. Many of our mom-and-pop stores and longtime professionals face growing hardship and often do not have the resources or assistance they need to keep their business thriving. With your support, we can continue to provide a strong support network for local entrepreneurs, advocate for better transit and infrastructure investment in Flushing, and establish new models for funding community initiatives. The Chamber is committed to fullfilling our potential as the most dynamic and diverse community in the United States and the fourth largest commercial district in the region, advocating for more resources and better services, educating and empowering our members, and uniting the diverse voices that make up Greater Flushing. Thank you for participating in the future of our community. Let’s work together for a better tomorrow!
Chris Kui Chairman
Simon Gerson President
John Choe Executive Director
A Better Tomorrow
Chamber Highlights
Featuring the Best of Flushing
“
Delve into New York’s diverse culture by roaming through Flushing’s community market, back for its second installment. Local entrepreneurs will keep the neighborhood buzzing with a vast array of food, fashion, and live music. — The New York Times
”
The Flushing Chamber continues to promote our vibrant and diverse community through “Flushing Night Out” and other economic development programs, which generate positive visibility, boost neighborhood pride, and serve as an economic hub to support local entrepreneurs, artists, and residents.
A Better Tomorrow
Chamber Highlights Community Relations and Outreach Greater Flushing SOUP at the Old Quaker Meeting House, we aim to create a vibrant Flushing, encouraging local businesses to work with community partners to build a better neighborhood.
The Chamber continues to find ways to connect commerce with community. From establishing the new Maple Playground Greenmarket, a collaboration with GROW NYC and Empire Blue Cross to the
Neighborhood Improvements The Flushing Chamber advocates for a better commercial district that benefits businesses, residents, and visitors. For years, the City refused to take action against landlords violating the sanitation code. Instead, the City fined business owners for residential trash accumulating at the Prince Street Triangle. In May 2016, the Flushing Chamber teamed up with two members, Crown Container Co. and GW Printing Co., to install trash bins and forced the City to take responsibility. The Chamber is also working actively with the City’s Department of Transportation to identify and address safety and congestion issues for pedestrians and vehicles within Flushing community. The City is now investing over $7.8 million to upgrade infrastructure along Main Street: sidewalks will be widened to improve safety; water mains, catch basins, and fire hydrants will be installed; and the roadway will be rebuilt. Construction will take place at night and is expected to be completed by Summer 2017.
A Better Tomorrow
Chamber Programs Looking Ahead to 2017 November February March April May June - Aug July - Nov October
Blue Ribbon Panel Lunar New Year Reception Annual Membership Meeting Greater Flushing SOUP Green Expo/Job Fair Flushing Night Out Weekly Green Market Annual Gala
NETWORKING MIXERS
SEMINARS & WORKSHOPS
Come join our monthly networking events and meet the movers & shakers of our community.
We host monthly workshops on relevant financial and business topics with industry experts
JOIN THE FLUSHING CHAMBER! We provide a range of member benefits and multiple opportunities to network with entrepreneurs, promote innovative products and services, as well as generate referrals through our directory, website, and social media platforms. Please visit our website www.flushingchamber.nyc to get the latest update on our events and sign up to join our mailing list!
A Better Tomorrow
Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce Draft Statement of Principles July 29, 2016 The Members of the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce, believing that the fair conduct of business and the ethical pursuit of profit is essential to the shared prosperity of Flushing, Queens, and the United States of America, do hereby openly and publicly commit to the following business practices as a matter of standard policy: • We will make every effort to provide quality merchandise, products and services at fair and reasonable prices. • We will improve, maintain and protect the appearance of our businesses, our business community, and our shared environment. • Our Employees will be treated fairly, paid promptly for their work, be clearly informed of their rights and obligations under the law. • Our Customers will be welcomed into our establishments and treated with dignity and respect. We recognize that the customer experience at one business reflects our entire business community. • We will follow City, State and Federal laws to the best of our ability. In the event that a law is incomprehensible, unfair, or detrimental to the conduct of our business, we will advocate through the democratic process to change the law. In adhering to these principles of business, we expect an accountable government and public administration. We expect public services to be provided equitably and public servants to be honest and fair. We expect that our elected and appointed officials will be responsive to the needs of our community. We will discuss this Statement of Principles with a Blue Ribbon Panel on Wednesday, November 30, 11am, at Flushing Town Hall. Please RSVP to john@flushingchamber.nyc.
A Better Tomorrow
Mistress of Ceremonies
Van Tieu Reporter
Van Tieu is a NY1 Television News reporter and a proud secondgeneration Vietnamese-American. Van’s parents were “boat people,” Vietnam War refugees who escaped the war-torn country by fishing boat. As soon as she could walk and talk, she helped with several family businesses, from selling nuts at the local flea market to bussing tables at her mother’s restaurant. Her family’s story of the American experience is one of the many inspirations that drove her to tell stories as a journalist. Van earned a master of science degree at Columbia University Graduate School of Journalism in New York City. For more than ten years, her career has taken her across the country. She has lived in in New York, California, Nevada and North Dakota to work for CNN and NBC affiliate stations. Van has had the honor of interviewing presidential candidates, Hillary Clinton and Dr. Ben Carson. Her reporting has led to medical school policy changes at the University of Nevada Reno and citations for irresponsible landlords. As an associate producer at CNN, she helped launch Piers Morgan Tonight and was a part of the Emmy award-winning coverage of the 2012 election night and the Peabody award-winning continuing coverage of the 2010 Gulf oil spill. She believes the best stories give voice to the voiceless and foster dialogue between communities. She is also an active member of the Asian American Journalists Association.
A Better Tomorrow
Neighborhood Hero
Liu Tee Shu Flushing Chinese Business Association
Liu Tee Shu immigrated to New York with her husband and children from Taiwan in 1975 and like many new immigrants, worked as a seamstress in Chinatown, Manhattan, to help support her family. She eventually operated eight successful restaurants in New York. After 28 years in the restaurant business, Liu Tee Shu now dedicates all her personal time to charitable events and strongly believes in giving back to the community. She founded the Chinese American Women’s Commerce Association in 2006. Under her leadership, the Association has become a symbol of commitment to improving the rights and welfare of women. She is also an active supporter and contributor to the Flushing Senior Center, the American Cancer Society, and the Asian American Business Women’s Association. In September of 2010, after serving for many years as a member of the Board of Directors, Liu Tee Shu was elected the President of the Board of Directors of the Flushing Chinese Business Association (FCBA), the first woman to hold the position in the group’s 28-year history. FCBA fosters commercial and economic development and promotes harmony among ethnic groups and enhances the political awareness and economic strength of the community. She just stepped down from her current role of President at FCBA and will remain an active Board member serving the community. Her goal is to make Flushing an even better place to live and work.
A Better Tomorrow
Neighborhood Hero
Evan Jerome
Monroe College
As Senior Vice President at Monroe College, Evan Jerome oversees undergraduate and graduate degree programs as well as off-site continuing education in both domestic and international markets. Evan is passionate about assisting Flushing and Queens in our continued growth by offering our residents, community members, organizations, and businesses, educational resources through Monroe College. As a fearless advocate for education in our community, Evan partnered with the Flushing Chamber to offer two innovative programs to local business owners and residents. The first program, “English Now!” offers free intermediate-to-advanced English literacy classes in Flushing. This program developed from Evan’s understanding of the need to address a major challenge facing Flushing’s business community: the lack of high-quality English language learning opportunities for new immigrants and professionals seeking to advance their careers. The second program Evan launched with the Flushing Chamber is the new “Tech Boot Camp,” which is designed to meet the growing demand for entry-level IT professionals with enhanced technical knowledge and coding skills. Evan Jerome has worked at Monroe College since 1997. In October 2013, Evan decided to make a bold move and bring Monroe College’s King Graduate School to Queens by offering classes to students interested in pursuing an MBA. Through Evan’s leadership, Monroe has also expanded their MBA course offerings and started Master of Public Health classes.
A Better Tomorrow
Neighborhood Hero
Paul Yoo
Korean American Association of Queens
Paul Yoo was inaugurated as the President of the Korean American Association of Queens (KAAQ) on May 2012. Mr. Yoo is currently serving his third term as the President of the Korean American Association of Queens (KAAQ), which represents over 200,000 Korean Americans. Under Paul Yoo’s leadership, KAAQ’s work is now recognized by many elected officials and funded by the City of New York. Mr. Yoo is well known for his hard work and many achievements. Mr. Yoo was also a Korean translator at the 109 Precinct. Mr. Yoo has helped support the proclamation of January 13th as the Korean American Day through the City of New York and New York Senate. Mr. Yoo helped to establish the Murray Hill Merchants Association and was involved in the beautification of Murray Hill Station as well as the renovation of the 149th Street Bridge. As a committed community leader, Mr. Yoo initiated many cultural programs including the multi-cultural Mukjagolmok Festival at Murray Hill Station in 2013, the Korean-Indian Independence Day Celebration in August, and the Annual Korean Night at the New York Mets Citi Field.
A Better Tomorrow
Neighborhood Hero
Rev. Richard McEachern Macedonia African Methodist Episcopal Church
The Reverend Dr. Richard O. McEachern is an Itinerant Elder of the African Methodist Episcopal Church. He pastored First Hempstead AME Church in Hempstead, Long Island and Bethel Tabernacle AME Church in Brooklyn, New York. He now serves as the Senior Pastor of Macedonia African Methodist Episcopal Church. Rev. McEachern currently serves as President of Macedonia Plaza Community Development Corporation, where he is responsible for leading the development of 143 units of affordable housing, a $45 million project that was completed in December 2014. He also serves as President and Chief Executive Officer of Macedonia Community Development Corporation, which distributes food to over 400 community residents, and hot meals through its Soup Kitchen Ministry. Prior to becoming a full-time pastor, Rev. McEachern worked for Turner Construction Company for 23 years. In September 1994, he held the position of Director of Community Affairs and was responsible for the overall management of Turner’s Small, Minority and Women-Owned Business Enterprise Program, Youth Force 2020, and School of Construction Management Program. Rev. McEachern is a member of Community Planning Board 7 in Queens, the Board of Trustees of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, the Board of Examiners for the New York Annual Conference, Ministerial Alliance of NYC, the NAACP, and Omega Psi Phi Fraternity. A native of Winston-Salem, North Carolina, Rev. McEachern earned his Bachelor of Science degree in Architectural Engineering from North Carolina A&T State University and his Masters of Divinity from New Brunswick Theological Seminary. Rev. McEachern is married to the Rev. Ellen Canty McEachern. They are the proud parents of two wonderful children Nia and Richard II.
A Better Tomorrow
Community Partners Platinum Sponsors Gerson Properties Asian Americans for Equality
Silver Sponsors
The Law Offices of Gary S. Park, P.C.
Bronze Sponsors
Century Homes Realty Group LLC Concerned African-Americans of Flushing Consolidated Edison Crown Container Co. Epos Development JTV Global Marks Paneth Monroe College Onex Real Estate Partners/The Grand At Sky View Parc Sheraton LaGuardia East United Credit Education Services United States Army
Audio Visual Stage Sponsor HOS Events
Beverage Sponsors
Union Street Wine and Spirits Frank Ko & E Realty International
Community Sponsors
Cushman & Wakefield Danny’s Steakhouse & Oyster Bar Dynamics World Kanghan Family Health Center Korean Community Services Queens Botanical Garden Shinhan Bank
Special Thanks Entertainment
The Session Band & The Legends of Motown Revue youtube.com/hurdlehoops
Laff Lab Comedy Club laff-lab.com
Floral Arrangements
Maureen Regan & Green Earth Urban Gardens greenearthurbangardens.org
Gala Planning Committee
Taehoon Kim (Chairman), Lisa Antonelli, John Choe, Michelle Gavin, Alice Lee, Sam Li (Director of Event Production), Shweta Parmar, Edna Rutledge, Maureen Hoon, and Helen Yang
Journal Printing AMAX Printing amaxprinting.com
Journal Graphic Designer Marcia Hu
marciamhu@gmail.com
Raffle Prizes & Coupon Book
Michael Lam, James Liao, Michael Cheng, Taehoon Kim, Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield, Flushing YMCA, Don Capalbi, Leo Zhang, Maureen Regan, Dr. Byungchul Kang, Queens Tribune, Michael Wang, Gerson Properties, Korea Taekwondo, Phil & Son’s Pizzeria, Reliance Star, Ellen Kodadek, Shweta Parmar, Regen Acupuncture, Jane Nguyen & Arbonne, Danny’s Steakhouse, Flushing Town Hall, Main Dental Group, New York Epicurean Events, Yumcha Yoga, A Fancy Thyme Catering, T-Swirl Crepe, Bodhi Fitness, Helen Yang & Mugwort Consulting
Venue Staff
Sheraton LaGuardia East Hotel sheratonlaguardiaeast.com
Video Production Brian Pai
brianpaigraphics.com
Volunteers Angela Wong, ChongJin Lee, Dee Wu, Mason Chen, Marcia Hui, Tiffany Huang, Sandy Qui, Suzy Qu
Want to Improve Our Community?
Submit Your Proposal & Get Funding! Questions? Contact Cody@FlushingChamber.NYC
CONGRATULATIONS and BEST WISHES to
*** HONOREES *** Liu Tee Shu Paul Yoo Evan Jerome Rev. Dr. Richard O. McEachern Concerned African-Americans of Flushing Post Office Box 527885 Flushing, New York 11352
Alfred Rankins, PRESIDENT
proudly supports
the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce and congratulates the 2016 honorees on their achievements! 143-26 41st Ave, Flushing, NY 11355 (347) 374-1006 info@eposglobal.com www.eposglobal.com
Congratulations to the 2016 Honorees & the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce!
Crown Container has been serving the Greater Flushing community for more than 60 years, and we are pleased to support such a wonderful and strong community. We have made so many friends over the years and have seen Flushing grow enormously. We look forward to the next 60 years!
Gerry and David Antonacci Crown Container Co. 12646 34th Ave. Flushing, NY 11368 718-335-6845 www.crowncontainerco.com License # NYC BIC 307
Gerson Properties is a proud sponsor of the Greater Flushing Chamber of Commerce supporting and advocating for our vibrant business community.