VA250 to host ‘What Does Liberty Mean to You?’ panel discussion featuring three first-generation Chinese Americans
VENN
RICHMOND, Va. (WRIC) -- VA250 will host the panel discussion, "What Does Liberty Mean to You?" on Thursday, featuring three first-generation Chinese Americans who will share their experiences.
The panel discussion will be held from 6 to 7 p.m. on Thursday, March 5, at Historic St. John's Church, in partnership with The Valentine Museum and St. John's Church Foundation.
According to VA250, the panelists will discuss their experiences growing up in China, including during the time of Mao's Cultural Revolution, and compare their time in China to their experience in America.
The speakers will also discuss why Patrick Henry's speech is important to them, and why it is important to the U.S. as the country prepares to celebrate the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence on July 4.
According to organizers, the panel discussion will be moderated by Ting-Yi Oei, education director at the 1882 Foundation, an organization based in Washington, D.C. that spreads awareness about the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act, which is also sponsoring the event.
The following panelists will participate in the discussion:
- Daniel Gong, pastor at Aletheia Chinese Church, from the Tianjin Municipality.
- Kefu Huang, Teacher (Mandarin), St. Catherine’s School from the Fujian Province. Huang arrived to United States in 2007.
- Sarah Bice, owner of Sarah Bice & Associates Real Estate, LLC, from Wuhu, Anhui Province. Bice arrived to United States in 1989.
VA250 said attendees will receive a complimentary ticket to The Valentine's exhibit, "Generations: Stories of Asian Americans in Richmond," which will be on display until May 25.
Organizers provided the following guidance regarding Historic St. John's Church:
- Masks are encouraged, but are no longer required.
- Seating is first-come, first-served.
- No food, drinks, gum, candy, strollers, backpacks or firearms are permitted inside the church.
- Bags larger than 16 by 16 by 8 inches are prohibited inside the church.
- Bags are subject to inspection. Backpacks and bags should be left inside vehicles as there is no place for them to be stored inside the church.
The church is located at 2401 E. Broad St. in Richmond.
