Our Community, Our Dream

by JANE LEE KWON, Board Chair of KAC National, 2015-16

“To every man, woman and child listening to me today, I ask you to consider the need and examine your skills, and find a way to contribute to the salvation of your city. In return for your investment, in return for your sacrifice, I promise you this: that you will be the richer for what you invest, that you will be the happier for the troubles you absorb, that you will be healthier for the afflictions you confront, for the sake of our city, Chicago.” – Inscribed in the lobby of the Harold Washington Library

It was the perfect inspiration to start my great adventure in America—I left Toronto (yes, I am Canadian!) 17 years ago with a few months’ rent money in my bank account and two years of graduate studies ahead of me, and I had faith that somehow, some way the universe would take care of me and see me through the unknown road ahead.

Now in 2015, I am settled in Chicago, contentedly married to most certainly my better half, John, with three adorable feline children, wonderful friends and family, and a great job. Who I am and the blessed quality of my life today would not be possible without KAC.

2015 KAC National Board Retreat in Orange County, Calif.

The dream of KAC started 32 years ago in 1983, in Los Angeles, when Keith Kim inspired three college students to start an English-speaking, community-based, advocacy organization to take on important issues of the day. KAC National was launched after 1992 in response to the aftermath of the L.A. Riots, which devastated much of Koreatown in Los Angeles—a critical lesson that we needed a national voice and network to deal with such crisis. At the spry, young age of 79, we are most fortunate Mr. Kim is still encouraging, supporting and driving the KAC vision—he would like it to go global and I quite agree that this is definitely a lofty and prudent goal to work towards.

The last several years have been tough for KAC. I make no qualms about it. When I told several local KAC colleagues that I had been nominated for the National Board Chair position, they advised: Don’t do it. But certainly many individuals who are about to embark upon an improbable task have been given the same advice by their loved ones.

Like the 102 first Koreans who first arrived on the Hawaiian shores of America in 1903. Like your parents and mine who left everyone and all that they knew in Korea in the 1960s and 70s, in search of a better future for themselves and their families in an unknown country and culture. What they did was hard. What I have been asked to do is a privileged responsibility. After all, you try looking Keith Kim in the eyes and telling him you can’t do something because it’s too hard.

So it is with great humility, trepidation and awe that I take on the National Board Chair position for the Korean American Coalition. I am fortunate that members of my KAC family—Peter, Ann, Tracy, James, Hansol, Carla, Jenny, and Thomas, as well as my KAC idols Young and Charles—have agreed to come along for the ride. Based upon my 17-year American Dream, I know that where there is a will, there is a way. I ask that you consider the need, examine your skills, and join us as we work together to realize our Korean American Dream.

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