Asian Pacific American Day
Michigan State Capitol
Keynote address, May 19, 2009
Les Wong, President Northern Michigan University

This is a very special moment for the Asian Pacific American population of Michigan and it is a special moment for all of Michigan.

I want to thank Governor Granholm for her leadership and foresight in establishing a couple years ago the Advisory Council on Asian Pacific American Affairs within the Michigan Department of Civil Rights. MDCR's support from its leadership to the entire staff is deeply appreciated. Her foresight planted the seed for an even more important and permanent venue for the APA community.

This more permanent venue will give voice and presence to the Michigan Asian Pacific American community through the newly approved Commission on Asian and Pacific American Affairs. In addition to the Governor, I want to thank legislative leadership and our own APA community leaders for persisting in a collective vision to establish the right kind of venue for the APA community to step respectfully into the 21st century. Special accolades go to Dr. Sook Wilkinson for her tireless work in bringing the commission about, and for speaking honestly and forthrightly about our community. Northern Michigan University is proud to have her as a recently appointed member to our Board of Trustees. The suit of armor common to trailblazers fits her well as she will be one of the very few APA Trustees on a university governing board in the country, let alone in Michigan. Again, thank you Governor Granholm for such an impeccable appointment.

Asian Pacific Americans hold a number of key economic, legislative, educational and community positions, throughout this wonderful state and this country. At the national level, what a special feeling to see President Obama add three APA's to his cabinet in former Governor of Washington State and now Secretary of Commerce Gary Locke, Dr. Steven Chu, Secretary of Energy, and retired General Eric Shinseki in the Office of Veteran Affairs. In 2009, what a fresh breath of air for me to look at this country's highest level of leadership and see someone from the APA community – an auspicious start.

There is much more to do, especially in Michigan. The complexity of our community's makeup is one of the least understood and recognized demographics. And when you are not understood or recognized, it is clear that you are invisible. And when you're invisible you're subject to stories and perceptions not your own. That is why it is so important to have Michigan APA citizens step forward to take leadership positions, whether it is on their local school board, city or county commissions, university boards of trustees or at non-profits like the food bank, women's shelters or community action groups.

We cannot become complacent about our vigilance and readiness to meet tomorrow's challenges. I'm proud to be one of the few APA presidents of a public baccalaureate institution in America. Of the public 4- year schools numbering about 1800, I believe there are 6 of us. However, our numbers as presidents of community colleges and private colleges are increasing. And it was a signal event when an APA, Dr. Jim Yong Kim, became the first APA to take the helm of an Ivy League university (Dartmouth) this past fall. Remember it's only a start.

Higher education has been my life and it is a vocation that has helped me leave the Chinatown ghetto's of East Oakland, California. I care very much about its direction and what it means to a number of East Oakland street urchins like me to improve myself through education. It is the dream my parents held throughout their life. It is the dream collectively believed in by our community.

APA's need to shed our cultural shyness about civic and public life and step forward. Leadership is not easy and it is not easy when times are as challenging as they are and will be. But there is no better time than now. The young APA scholars and leaders that I hang out with must be willing to step into the light, experience the heat and realize that students, families and communities of all colors and cultures are seeking the honest and determined leadership APA's can provide. That is why I applaud those that have stepped forward before me and I look forward to the many more to come. Perhaps our highest moral responsibility is to make sure we contribute to the leadership pipeline coming after us. We need to look behind us with confidence to see faces and cultures like our own, who will take the mantle of leadership when the opportunity arises.

Thank you for this wonderful honor of sharing a thought with you today. I invite you all to come to the U.P. and to Northern Michigan University. It's not that far, it's not that cold, and you'll see a community embracing diversity and world cultures in surprising ways. Thank you for this honor today.