culture

Columbia University Asian American Alliance presents

cultureSHOCK: evolution

About the Asian American Alliance at Columbia University

One of the largest organizations at Columbia University, the Asian American Alliance has over 1,200 members on its mailing list represented by all schools and disciplines of the undergraduate, graduate, faculty, and administrative population of the University as well as individuals and organizations beyond Columbia. Our executive board comprises of 30 students from Columbia College (CC), the School of Engineering and Applied Sciences (SEAS), and Barnard College (BC). The Asian American Alliance works with groups of all types and of all backgrounds including student of color organizations, progressive groups, student government, political organizations, community service organizations, off campus groups, student conferences, and the University administration.

Founded in the spring of 1995, the Asian American Alliance (AAA) is a student organization that strives to serve the Asian Pacific American (APA) community at Columbia University. AAA is a collaborative organization that seeks to work with APA and all student of color groups at Columbia to reach out to members of the university and the outside community at large. In this way, we aim to promote understanding, foster dialogue and create a sense of awareness within Columbia University. Our purpose is to educate ourselves and others, to organize and to mobilize. We seek to cultivate a common understanding and a greater respect for the APA community. The APA community at Columbia University is in a perpetual state of transformation. Inherent in the structure and goals of our organization is the ability to change in conjunction with evolving issues facing the APA community. Nevertheless, AAA will remain true to its fundamental goal of serving our community by dedicating itself and its resources to student activism.

AAA is the main programming body for Asian-American interest activities and community service, and is the host of art exhibitions, cultural performances, lectures, political forums, and seminars on campus all throughout the year. Recent past achievements include: Founding and hosting the annual Crossroads High School Leadership Conference

Creating the Asian American Health Disparities Panel

Hosting the New York City Asian American Student Conference (NYCAASC) in 2007 and 2009

Poll Monitoring with the Asian American Legal Defense Fund Hosting a panel and workshop concerning identity and HIV/AIDS

Raising over $1,300 for Asha for Education, a non-profit organization based in India Participating in a Korean American voter registration drive based in Flushing, Queens Conducting statistical research and polling on the effects of discrimination in Brooklyns public schools Hosting the AAA movie marathon, including the documentary Who Killed Vincent Chin? And Better Luck Tomorrow

Co-organizing a rally to raise awareness about ending sweatshop labor at the Saigon Grill restaurant on the Upper West Side

cultureshock: about the show

One of our largest events of the year and one of the highlights of the Columbia University student calendar is our charity performance showcase, cultureSHOCK. This event consists of a production run entirely by undergraduate students, the first segment showcasing both well-known and up and coming Asian American performers, followed by a fashion show that features both high end and eccentric, new, Asian American designers. cultureSHOCK embodies a movement toward a stronger appreciation for Asian American talent and art by showcasing a diverse blend of performances. This is a highly publicized, prominent event that draws audiences of about 700 people, representing both current Columbia University students and alumni, student groups from numerous other colleges, and residents from all over the NYC metropolitan area.

All photos from cultureSHOCK 2010-2011: AAApocalypse by Tiffany Chen

cultureshock 2012: evolution

evolution. n. a motion incomplete in itself, but combining with coordinated motions to produce a single action The Asian American narrative is evolving, growing, changing. We are transforming. As a collective, Asian Americans are adopting a stronger voice, a stronger power, and a distinctive aesthetic and artistic influence in the larger community. We will no longer allow our culture to be defined by others; rather, we will define our culture, a culture so uniquely conceived of through an amalgamation of our original heritage and the mainstream. But there is no concrete end, nor does one single person define the Asian American identity. It is adaptive, responsive, visible in the whole, and the narrative will continue to shift as a result of these forces coming together. Our theme, evolution, captures these dynamic elements of Asian American culture and identity.

Why should you sponsor?

Your sponsorship of cultureSHOCK 2011 will not only afford you the unique opportunity to impact the growing Asian American community, but also allow you to publicize your company to the entire Columbia University population: undergraduate and graduate students, faculty, employees, and alumni. The event will be publicized for months and across campus through more than 500 posters, 600 flyers, 700 programs, and media publications of the event. This open event will also be publicized to the larger tri-state area university and college populations. CultureSHOCK 2011 is expected to attract over 900 students including many of these students from outside of New York City.

Increase visibility of your company or service on Columbias campus

Contribute to a prominent charity cause

Promote yourself to students, faculty, and alumni, before and after the show

Establish a long term relationship with students and student groups

Demonstrate support for the Asian American community

About the charity:

Committee against anti-Asian violence
One of the most important reasons for sponsorship is for the benefit of our partnership with the Committee Against Anti-Asian Violence (CAAAV), a group that organizes initiatives for justice for Asian Americans in New York City and across the country.

Founded in 1986 in New York City, CAAAV has been actively responding to acts of violence against Asian Americans. A community-based, grassroots organization, CAAAV serves as a voice for the oppressed and a raises consciousness about issues affecting the communities they represent. An example of their work is their Chinatown Justice Project, which organizes Chinatown residentsyouth, low-wage workers, and tenantsagainst community-wide displacement and gentrification in order to preserve Chinatown as a neighborhood for working class Asian immigrants. CAAAV has an undying dedication towards justice for Asian Americans and has demonstrated their ability to enact tangible changes.

Estimated expenses

Sponsorship from corporations

Ticket sales

Co-sponsorships from other Columbia University student organizations Funding from outside organizations that share AAA central mission

Sponsorships from establishments in the local Morningside Heights neighborhood

YES! Id love to sponsor AAAs cultureSHOCK

If you would like to make a financial contribution, please fill out the following form and send it to us, with enclosed payment, to the address below: Donation Amount: $_____________________ Company Name: _______________________ Signature: ____________________________ Date: ______________

$200 for a full page $100 for a half page $50 for a quarter page

Accepted Forms of Payment

We accept cash and checks. If you would like to send a check, please make it payable to Asian American Alliance (AAA) - Columbia University. Please mail to: Lerner Hall 2920 Broadway c/o Gloria Chang Columbia University Please direct any questions to our treasurer, Gloria Chang (gyc2108@columbia.edu). Thank you for your time!

Contact information

Co-Director of cultureSHOCK; Co-Social Chair sr2719@columbia.edu 410-533-4083

Co-Director of cultureSHOCK; Co-Social Chair kl2545@columbia.edu 646-894-6578

Asian American Alliance Chair aw2508@columbia.edu 646-269-2188

Treasurer gyc2108@columbia.edu 714-552-6357