Author: doanfoundation

The Doan Foundation was privileged to serve as a community partner and sponsor at this year’s 2nd Annual Lao Food Festival in San Diego. We joined community leaders, LAOSD board members, and volunteers for the opening ceremony on both days. Our founder, Dennis Doan, delivered a speech emphasizing the significance of preserving culture. It was a true honor to contribute to such a meaningful event.

Preserving and sharing cultural heritage not only enriches individual communities but also contributes to a broader tapestry of global understanding and unity. By honoring and safeguarding their traditions, communities reinforce their identity and resilience, creating a foundation for cultural pride and cohesion.

Moreover, when communities open their doors to share their heritage through festivals like the Lao Food Festival, they invite others to learn and appreciate diverse customs and values. This exchange fosters empathy, breaks down barriers, and promotes cross-cultural dialogue and collaboration. It’s through these interactions that we build bridges of understanding, celebrating the unique contributions of each culture while finding common ground that transcends differences.

At events like these, such as when Dennis Doan spoke about preserving culture at the Lao Food Festival, the significance goes beyond the celebration itself. It becomes a moment of connection, where diverse voices unite in appreciation of shared humanity. This collective effort not only preserves cultural richness but also paves the way for a more inclusive and harmonious society, where heritage is cherished and diversity is celebrated as a source of strength and inspiration for generations to come.

We want to express our sincere gratitude to everyone who attended “Spring Love,” the 2nd Annual Doan Foundation Gala Fundraiser. The night was truly surreal. We were captivated by the incredibly talented youth dancers, moved by our impactful guest speakers, dazzled by the fire dancer, and entertained by award-winning musicians. We are immensely grateful for our supportive donors. The energy throughout the evening was extraordinarily uplifting.

We want to give a special thank you to the dozens of our wonderful sponsors and community partners for going above and beyond to help make the night as incredible as it was and for helping us sustain our mission and accomplish our goals.

Thank you to our Board of Directors, Dr. Thao Ha, Vu Nguyen, Kalvin Le, and Lori Kongmalay for giving us the foundation we need to succeed.

Thank you to the Office of Councilmember Kent Lee for going above and beyond to support organizations like ours in recognition.

We can’t put into words how grateful we are to be surrounded by such selfless individuals who support us. It will be hard to top this year’s event, but we look forward to surprising you next year. On behalf of the children we serve, thank you!

We were honored to receive two certificates of recognition at this year’s 2nd Annual Doan Gala. These certificates are more than mere pieces of paper. They represent the very souls of the dedication and resilience of the underrepresented communities we serve. Moments like these bring the community together to celebrate the work we’ve done, the lives we’ve changed, and the barriers we’ve broken, making every effort worthwhile. We extend our heartfelt gratitude to the Office of Councilmember Kent Lee for recognizing and acknowledging our work and for their unwavering support of the community. Thank you to the Vietnamese Federation of San Diego for recognizing our role in championing underserved creatives and for their comprehensive support, whether through providing equipment for our events, forming partnerships, or promoting our cause. We are deeply humbled to stand alongside such esteemed leaders in this sector.

A message from our founder:

“I’m honored to finally announce that I have been sworn in as a 𝗖𝗢𝗠𝗠𝗜𝗦𝗦𝗜𝗢𝗡𝗘𝗥 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗔𝗥𝗧𝗦 & 𝗖𝗨𝗟𝗧𝗨𝗥𝗘 for the 𝘾𝙞𝙩𝙮 𝙤𝙛 𝙎𝙖𝙣 𝘿𝙞𝙚𝙜𝙤.

I want to extend a special thank you to the Office of Councilmember Kent Lee for the nomination, the appointment by Mayor Todd Gloria, and the San Diego City Council for the unanimous confirmation.

I am profoundly honored to be the first Vietnamese American to serve in this esteemed role as a representative for District 6, and I extend my heartfelt gratitude for granting me a seat at the table and a platform to influence crucial decisions for the city that nurtured me, particularly the neighborhoods that shaped my roots, and for the people with whom I shared both growth and struggles. The recognition that an individual, such as myself, brought up from humble beginnings, could be acknowledged through my steadfast commitment is genuinely awe-inspiring. I look forward to the opportunity to work alongside the other outstanding Commissioners for Arts and Culture.

When I was first approached in early November about this opportunity, I was overwhelmed. However, as the initial adrenaline rush subsided, I came to the epiphanic realization that every endeavor and sacrifice in my life had been leading me to this defining moment. My passion for the arts, a force I live and breathe, was not just about being a “tattoo artist” as I perceived myself; it has transformed me into a proxy for the arts and the people. To bring The Doan Foundation for the Arts to its pinnacle, I was determined not to let this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity slip away.

I am deeply thankful for the trust vested in me with this responsibility. I pledge to contribute to positive change, foster new opportunities, and serve as a dedicated voice for our marginalized communities. Together, let us, the commissioners, embark on a journey of transformation and progress for the betterment of all.”

Today marked a historic milestone for the API community in San Diego, as we proudly witnessed the proclamation of the entire year of 2024 as the Year of the Dragon – the first of its kind in history. It was a momentous occasion, with influential leaders from the San Diego API community coming together in solidarity to emphasize the importance of this recognition.

I felt deeply privileged to attend and be a part of this historical movement. These dedicated individuals and organizations have long been the unsung heroes of our communities, and it was gratifying to see their tireless efforts finally acknowledged.

We extend our heartfelt gratitude to Mayor Gloria and the San Diego City Council for recognizing the significance of this celebration for us. We would like to especially extend our appreciation to Councilmember Kent Lee and his office for their unwavering commitment to amplifying the voices and providing a platform for our minority communities.

The importance of arts and culture in our lives can not be overstated, yet it is often overlooked. It is the very essence of our unity. Culture must be cherished, and traditions shared to foster greater understanding and love within our community.

On behalf of The Doan Foundation for The Arts and all the other San Diego organizations, we thank you for welcoming us, acknowledging us, and hearing us.

Some of our Doan Foundation board members got a chance to attend the Viet Film Festival Launch Party this past weekend in celebration of their 20 years of relentless advocation and elevation of minority filmmakers. This event was jaw-dropping, thanks to the VAALA’s Collaboration with The Vietnamese Podcast by Kenneth Nguyen and their title sponsor, Remy Martin, with the seamless coordination of Quyen Zi.
We had a chance to participate in the Louis XIII tasting and meet the whole supportive community throughout the Western hemisphere that have helped make this festival a success over the past two decades, as well as meet so many new faces.
It’s truly an honor for The Doan Foundation to be a proud sponsor of the Viet Film Fest for the second year in a row, and many more to come. We stand by their mission and the work that they do year round for the next generation of creatives all around the world.
Thank you to our Doan Foundation Chair, Dr. Thao Ha for giving us an exclusive look into the work that she’s done as President of the Vietnamese American Arts & Letters Association.

We firmly believe that the holistic development of our next generation necessitates an equal amount of dedication beyond the confines of the classroom, complementing the efforts made within it. Recognizing dance as both an engaging hobby and a potential career path, we understand its profound impact on the social, emotional, and intellectual growth of teenagers, particularly those from marginalized communities. Dance, in its various forms, has been scientifically proven to foster essential social skills, instill discipline, nurture creativity, and serve as a physical and mental sanctuary. In line with our commitment to supporting youth empowerment, we take great pride in sponsoring the 2023 Youth Breaking Championships. By providing this platform, we not only celebrate talent but also create a vibrant space for personal growth and artistic expression. This sponsorship exemplifies our dedication to nurturing creativity and providing opportunities that extend beyond traditional education, enriching the lives of young people and fostering a stronger, more inclusive community.

We are honored to be able to contribute to Finest City Dance. who has been a beacon of positive influence in our community by keeping kids off the streets through the power of dance. Their commitment to promoting dance not only as an art form but also as a means of personal development is commendable. By offering structured dance programs, they provide young people, especially those facing socioeconomic challenges, with a constructive outlet to channel their energy and creativity. Through dance, Finest City Dance instills valuable life skills such as discipline, teamwork, and resilience, helping participants build confidence and a sense of achievement. Their efforts contribute significantly to creating a supportive environment where youth can thrive and grow, making a lasting impact on the community’s well-being.

We are deeply grateful for your invaluable support in making the first Doan Foundation Gala event an overwhelming success. The evening was truly enchanting, with an atmosphere of unwavering positivity and high spirits. It surpassed all expectations, creating a truly perfect experience.

We would like to extend a heartfelt thank you to all our sponsors. Your selfless contributions, whether in the form of monetary support or in-kind donations, made this event possible and allowed us to fulfill our mission.

A special mention goes to Alana Austin and Jermaine Rocacorba, representatives of Councilman Kent Lee, whose surprise recognition of our attending Scholarship Recipients will forever remain a cherished memory for them. Your gesture has illuminated their paths and will continue to inspire them for years to come.

Our gratitude also extends to the dedicated members of our Board of Directors:

– Dr. Thao Ha, Chair

– Vu Nguyen, Vice Chair

– Lori Kongmalay, Secretary

– Kalvin Le, Treasurer

Your guidance and wisdom have been instrumental in the foundation’s growth and success.

We would like to express our heartfelt appreciation to our exceptional volunteers, whose collective expertise far surpassed the demands of their assigned tasks. Your seamless execution of the night’s activities played a pivotal role in its success. You are the backbone of our foundation, and we are truly grateful for your unwavering dedication.

To our inspirational performers, your presence ignited the night with a spark of brilliance. Our DJ, who effortlessly resolved any obstacles, turned challenges into triumphs. Our MC, Tre, skillfully guided the event to success. And our media team, thank you for capturing every significant moment, preserving them for posterity.

Last but certainly not least, we want to express our deepest gratitude to our cherished family, friends, and guests. Your love and support have infused the Gala with an immeasurable warmth and sense of community. It is your presence that truly embodies the spirit of a Gala event.

Once again, thank you all for your indispensable contributions in making this Gala event an extraordinary celebration of our mission and the lives it touches.

As minorities, we often hear about the “American Dream”. It’s the reason why our parents and grandparents left their homes and made the sacrifice of traveling to this country; in hopes of establishing a better, fruitful life with the freedom to obtain those dreams if they wished to pursue them.
Although there have been a fair share of obstacles for many generations, with some still existing to this day- minorities have finally been able to start break free of our social restraints. Together, united through culture and the need to preserve that very culture- we’ve been able to show this land full of immigrants that our very existence is much more beautiful when we are blessed with the bridge of understanding through our customs, foods, and arts.
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@sabaideefest was the first of it’s kind. Guests, artists, and vendors came from all over the United States to support this 2 day event. It was the first and largest Lao, Thai and Hmong music & food festival ever in the United States. The concept was unheard of and many deemed it impossible. But the roaring of the crowd of thousands proved otherwise.
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We had the privilege of hanging out at the booth with our sponsors @ladykong.co and @magixstyx and also neighbored the members of the Lao Community Service Center all the way from Seattle, Washington as well as take photo opportunities with @kinnalyseattle @pomfoundationofficial . We were also blessed to meet and discuss our mission with community leaders such as @taiwestminster Tai Do, former Mayoral Candidate and Councilman of the City of Westminster. We also finally got to see one of the talented musical artists for our upcoming Gala, @heartbreaka perform on stage for the first time!

Crowd photo by @sabaideefest, Group photo from @thi2raw

Organizations across the United States are helping to spread the word from our community partner, Vietnamese Boat People!!

Share your story on the 4th Annual Mỹ Việt Story Slam!

This year’s theme is Ba, Mẹ ơi (roughly, “Dear Dad and Mom”)

It’s hard to imagine our parents having lives before us. Have you thought about how much you actually know, or want to know, about their pasts and what shaped them into who they are today? This year, season 6 of the Vietnamese Boat People podcast showcases narratives of individuals uncovering the lives that their parents once lived. And if you’re a PARENT who has something you’ve always wanted to share with your kids, we invite you to submit as well!

Five Storytellers will be selected and featured in a live event and on the podcast, plus each will receive $300 and a bag of swag from their sponsors!

​They want to feature YOUR story. For the first time, the Mỹ Việt Story Slam is open to storytellers from ALL OVER THE WORLD, not just the U.S. 

Learn how you can participate by visiting vietnameseboatpeople.org/storyslam

This year, we were fortunate enough to be a sponsor for the Holiday of Hope 2022 celebration at Oceanside High School, which primarily serves the northern portion of San Diego. Mr. Nguyen, Vice-Chair of The Doan Foundation and board member of North County/Oceanside Promise, has helped organize this event for several years.

The primary objective of this annual event is to unite the community, families, and organizations such as the school district and local police departments, for a night of mutual support and community building in a world when isolation is all too common due to the prevalence of electronic devices. We got to see kids having fun and families sharing a moment of happiness together unhindered by technology. The value of that in and of itself is immeasurable.

This year, the Doan Foundation was able to fund the sponsorship of multiple families in need of assistance. We anticipate accomplishing much more in the years to come.

Though our organization’s main objective is to launch the professional lives of young creatives, we must never lose sight of the fact that the foundation for success is laid in the family.