Celebrating the 76th Anniversary of Korean Independence
August 15th is National Liberation Day, or "Gwangbokjeol (광복절)", which translates to "restoration of light". It represents the end of a dark era, from 1915 to 1945, during which Korea suffered oppressive rule by Imperialist Japan. We remember those who stood up for Korea's independence during that time, many of whom suffered a great deal and lost their lives in the fight for liberation of their homeland. We would not be here without their sacrifice.
Read on, as we celebrate an American artist who is a descendant of Yu Gwan Sun, a symbolic figure and hero of the movement for Korea's independence.
American Artist Appreciation Month
Dave Young Kim stands in front of his mural Ohgane (2013), which is based on the life of his great-aunt and Korea's national hero, Yu Gwan Sun. Photo by Amada Edwards.
In honor of American Artist Appreciation Month, we are spotlighting Oakland-based muralist Dave Young Kim.
As a second-generation Korean American, Dave draws from cultural history, family stories, and his personal experiences to create large-scale murals exploring his Korean identity and the human condition.
His artistic roots began in his youth when gang culture was at its peak and street tagging was a way to express one’s affiliation and sense of belonging. After what he considered a “spiritually dry” stint in the biotech industry, he obtained an MFA in Fine Arts at Mill’s College. Like many children of immigrants, he finds Korean symbols and traditions both familiar and unfamiliar at the same time.
“The little of Korea that I know was gleaned from a family who left in the 1970s never to look back, and so a Korea frozen in time was handed down to me essentially, while the mother country is currently and rapidly distancing itself from its history.”
Motherland in Symbols Live Auction at this year's RISING TOGETHER Gala
Motherland in Symbols, 2021; to be auctioned at KACF-SF's Sixth Annual Gala
A devoted advocate for vulnerable and marginalized communities, Dave is standing with KACF-SF as we RISE TOGETHER and raise funds for the most critical needs. His latest work, Motherland in Symbols, will be up for auction during our 6th Annual Gala.
Thank you, Dave, for charting new territory for Korean American artists!
Empower Our Community with FREE "How to Report a Hate Crime" booklets
Through a grant from Invest In Others, we partnered with Esther Lim to produce copies of bilingual (English/Korean) “How to Report a Hate Crime” booklets that share important prevention tips - as well as what to do if you are a victim of a hate crime.
Need FREE booklets for your community members? Please email Minha at minha@kacfsf.org!
SKINSHIP by Yoon Choi A forthcoming collection of stories exploring the Korean American experience
We are excited to announce the release of KACF-SF community member and supporter Yoon Choi's new book, SKINSHIP! SKINSHIP is a collection of stories about a constellation of Korean American families, each story a snapshot of the lives of an indelible array of individuals.
Release date: August 17th, 2021
Here's an advance praise by Chang-Rae Lee, Pulitzer Prize finalist and author of My Year Abroad:
“To encounter these achingly truthful, beautiful stories of newcomer Americans is like gazing up at the starry vault of a perfect night sky; it’s immediately dazzling and impressive, and yet the closer and deeper you look, the more you appreciate the sheer countless brilliance of Yoon Choi’s observations of love and devotion and sacrifice.”
Meet Jacqueline Kurzer, one of KACF-SF’s most dedicated supporters!
Jacqueline has been involved in core KACF-SF programs, as a member of the Community Grants Committee and the Karen Ha Scholarship Selection Committee. We are so fortunate to have Jacqueline’s insight and expertise in key areas of KACF-SF’s work.
Please consider joining Jacqueline in supporting our work with a one-time or monthly donation!
"I have committed my life to cultivating equity and access, particularly for communities of color, so the opportunities to support KACF-SF really resonated with me. I look forward to supporting KACF-SF for many years to come! " - Jacqueline Kurzer
Did you know, that only 0.2% of foundation grants in the U.S. are awarded organizations serving AAPI populations? That's 20 cents for every $100.
Your monthly contribution helps us fill this gap in funding, allowing our grantee partners to maintain programs that benefit under-resourced Korean Americans, including meals for isolated seniors, training for healthcare workers, and free and low-cost legal and social services.
Donate now and get a FREE GIFT of Harman JBL wireless bluetooth headphones!
Not only are these the most unique flavors that you won’t find anywhere else, your purchase contributes to a great cause that helps the most vulnerable Korean American populations in the Bay area.
It's BEER for Good. Order your mixed case today before they're gone! (Shipping available within CA only.)
Applications Open for 2021-2022 Community Grants! Applications due September 15
Do you work for, or know of, a nonprofit that serves the Bay Area Korean American community? Applications are now open for KACF-SF Community Grants, which support nonprofits on the frontlines addressing the critical needs of our under-served and under-resourced community members.
Click below to learn more about eligibility details and submission guidelines.
Learn how you can support KACF-SF’s 6th Annual Gala at an upcoming volunteer training. Join us during this momentous time to raise funds for the most critical needs of our community. We can’t do this without you!
Meet like-minded community members and take part in our participatory grantmaking process by joining the Community Grants Committee! Learn more by clicking here.
Join us as we celebrate our community and raise funds for the areas of greatest need. This year's theme, "Rising Together," captures our collective strength and vision of unity. Get your tickets today!
The Korean American Community Foundation of San Francisco (KACF-SF) provides grants and capacity-building assistance to community-based organizations serving the needs of under-resourced Korean Americans in the greater Bay Area. Our mission is to build a vibrant, healthy, and empowered Korean American community. KACF-SF is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization. Your donations are tax deductible.
