“Hmong Story 40 is a joint effort from many people from throughout the state of California. It represents a collaborative that shares a common vision. This exhibition will provide a rare and intimate opportunity to connect with the Hmong people. From the past to the present, Hmong Story 40 will construct a different narrative that is still absent within the Hmong community and the general public at large.”
2015 marks 40 years since the Hmong people fled from Laos to Thailand, eventually migrating to the United States. To commemorate this special anniversary, Sacramento hosted the Hmong Story 40 exhibit preview launch event at the Sacramento City Unified School District Serna Center on Saturday, May 2, 2015. We were honored for the opportunity to represent our EGUSD TOR project at the event.
The program began at 4:00 p.m. with Masters of Ceremony, Darrel Woo, SCUSD Board President, and Koua Franz, Director of Communications and Learning, Stuart Foundation.
Jose Banda, SCUSD Superintendent, welcomed attendees and Lar Yang, the Hmong Story 40 Project Director, shared the vision of the Hmong Story 40 project. Patrick Kennedy, Sacramento County Supervisor, Allen Warren, Vice Mayor/Sacramento City Council Member and Steve Ly, Elk Grove City Council Member, also spoke at the event before opening up the exhibit.
The exhibit showcased photographs, stories, fine art, and artifacts of the Hmong experience.
The Hmong Story 40 project will:
- Plan and Organize an exhibition commemorating 40 years of Hmong history
- Provide a different scholarly perspective of history by including personal community stories
- Honor Hmong elders, preserve and document Hmong history for future generations
- Enrich the community by educating them about Hmong history, culture and identity
- Build a positive, powerful vision and momentum for the future
The Sacramento preview event really kicked off the excitement for the Hmong Story 40 month long, FREE exhibition of Hmong history that will take place in Fresno, CA in December of 2015. The Hmong Story 40 exhibition will travel to Merced, CA in the Spring of 2016 where it will then move to Sacramento, CA – creating a great opportunity for our EGUSD students and staff to attend.
Gail and Kathleen
