Oral Histories

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1. Interview of John Lim

Topic:
Asian American History
Length:
6.5 hrs.
Language:
English
Audio:
Series Statement:
This series includes full-life histories of a number of prominent Korean Americans who represent their community’s tremendous expansion during the period after federal anti-Asian immigration laws were repealed in 1965. The series focuses on the remarkable growth of the Korean American community i...
Biographical Note:
Head of the law firm Lim, Ruger, & Kim, John S.C. Lim. Co-founder of the first Korean American law firm in Los Angeles.

2. Interview of Christopher Pak

Topic:
Asian American History
Length:
5.2 hrs.
Language:
English
Audio:
Series Statement:
This series includes full-life histories of a number of prominent Korean Americans who represent their community’s tremendous expansion during the period after federal anti-Asian immigration laws were repealed in 1965. The series focuses on the remarkable growth of the Korean American community i...
Biographical Note:
Architect. Founder and principal of Archeon Group, an architectural, planning, and interiors firm.

3. Interview of Jimmy Choi

Topic:
Asian American History
Length:
4.2 hrs.
Language:
English
Audio:
Series Statement:
This series includes full-life histories of a number of prominent Korean Americans who represent their community’s tremendous expansion during the period after federal anti-Asian immigration laws were repealed in 1965. The series focuses on the remarkable growth of the Korean American community i...
Biographical Note:
Founding board member of the Korean Resource Center in Los Angeles.

4. Interview of Michael K. Woo

Topic:
Politics and Government
Asian American History
Length:
12 hrs.
Language:
English
Audio:
Biographical Note:
Los Angeles City Council member for the 13th district from 1985 to 1993. Member, Los Angeles City Planning Commission. Dean, College of Environmental Design, California State Polytechnic University, Pomona

5. Interview of H. Cooke Sunoo

Topic:
Asian American History
Length:
7.4 hrs.
Language:
English
Audio:
Series Statement:
This series includes full-life histories of a number of prominent Korean Americans who represent their community’s tremendous expansion during the period after federal anti-Asian immigration laws were repealed in 1965. The series focuses on the remarkable growth of the Korean American community i...
Biographical Note:
Project manager of the Redevelopment Agency under Mayor Tom Bradley. Board member of the Koreatown Youth and Community Center, the Korean Resource Center, and the Asian Pacific Islander Small Business Program.

6. Interview of Tammy Chung Ryu

Topic:
Asian American History
Length:
5.8 hrs.
Language:
English
Audio:
Series Statement:
This series includes full-life histories of a number of prominent Korean Americans who represent their community’s tremendous expansion during the period after federal anti-Asian immigration laws were repealed in 1965. The series focuses on the remarkable growth of the Korean American community i...
Biographical Note:
Judge for the Superior Court of Los Angeles County. Liaison to the Korean American community in the office of the attorney general of California.

7. Interview of Asha Devaraj

Topic:
Asian American History
Community History
Length:
2.25 hrs.
Language:
English
Audio:
Series Statement:
The South Asian Women in Los Angeles series documents the lives of a number of women who are first generation South Asian immigrants and who lived or currently live in the greater Los Angeles area. This project was generously supported by Arcadia funds.
Biographical Note:
Immigrant from India.

8. Interview of Mitali Datta

Topic:
Asian American History
Community History
Length:
2.5 hrs.
Language:
English
Audio:
Series Statement:
The South Asian Women in Los Angeles series documents the lives of a number of women who are first generation South Asian immigrants and who lived or currently live in the greater Los Angeles area. This project was generously supported by Arcadia funds.
Biographical Note:
Immigrant from India.

9. Interview of Kamala Bhaskar

Topic:
Community History
Asian American History
Length:
2.25 hrs.
Language:
English
Audio:
Series Statement:
The South Asian Women in Los Angeles series documents the lives of a number of women who are first generation South Asian immigrants and who lived or currently live in the greater Los Angeles area. This project was generously supported by Arcadia funds.
Biographical Note:
Immigrant from India.

10. Interview of Gyanam Mahajan

Topic:
Community History
Asian American History
Length:
3 hrs.
Language:
English
Audio:
Series Statement:
The South Asian Women in Los Angeles series documents the lives of a number of women who are first generation South Asian immigrants and who lived or currently live in the greater Los Angeles area. This project was generously supported by Arcadia funds.
Biographical Note:
Immigrant from India. UCLA lecturer in the Department of Asian Languages and Cultures.

11. Interview of Shobha Govind

Topic:
Asian American History
Community History
Length:
2.5 hrs.
Language:
English
Audio:
Series Statement:
The South Asian Women in Los Angeles series documents the lives of a number of women who are first generation South Asian immigrants and who lived or currently live in the greater Los Angeles area. This project was generously supported by Arcadia funds.
Biographical Note:
Immigrant from India.

12. Interview of Meena Garg

Topic:
Asian American History
Community History
Length:
2 hrs.
Language:
English
Audio:
Series Statement:
The South Asian Women in Los Angeles series documents the lives of a number of women who are first generation South Asian immigrants and who lived or currently live in the greater Los Angeles area. This project was generously supported by Arcadia funds.
Biographical Note:
Immigrant from India.

13. Interview of Jyoti Keshavan

Topic:
Community History
Asian American History
Length:
1.5 hrs.
Language:
English
Audio:
Series Statement:
The South Asian Women in Los Angeles series documents the lives of a number of women who are first generation South Asian immigrants and who lived or currently live in the greater Los Angeles area. This project was generously supported by Arcadia funds.
Biographical Note:
Immigrant from India.

14. Interview of Don Nakanishi

Topic:
UCLA and University of California History
Asian American History
UCLA Faculty
Length:
12.5 hrs.
Language:
English
Audio:
Biographical Note:
UCLA professor of Asian American studies and education. Director of the Asian American Studies Center.

15. Interview of Johng Ho Song

Topic:
Asian American History
Length:
6.5 hrs.
Language:
English
Audio:
Series Statement:
This series includes full-life histories of a number of prominent Korean Americans who represent their community’s tremendous expansion during the period after federal anti-Asian immigration laws were repealed in 1965. The series focuses on the remarkable growth of the Korean American community i...
Biographical Note:
Executive director of the Koreatown Youth and Community Center.

16. Interview of William Kil

Topic:
Asian American History
Length:
6 hrs.
Language:
English
Audio:
Series Statement:
This series includes full-life histories of a number of prominent Korean Americans who represent their community’s tremendous expansion during the period after federal anti-Asian immigration laws were repealed in 1965. The series focuses on the remarkable growth of the Korean American community i...
Biographical Note:
Attorney at Kil and Sinkov.

17. Interview of John F. Aiso

Topic:
Asian American History
Politics and Government
Length:
3 hrs.
Language:
English
Audio:
Biographical Note:
Lawyer and judge. Director and head instructor of the Military Intelligence Service Language School. Justice of the 2nd District Court of Appeals.

18. Interview of Matsumi Kanemitsu

Topic:
Asian American History
Art
Length:
7.5 hrs.
Language:
English
Audio:
Series Statement:
This series includes interviews with prominent Los Angeles-based visual artists and other members of the art establishment whose careers span the period from the 1920s through the 1970s. It documents the art community of the pre-World War II period and the rise of Los Angeles as a nationally rec...
Biographical Note:
Painter and educator known for lithography and Japanese-style sumi. Teacher at the Chouinard Art Institute and Otis College of Art and Design.”

19. Interview of Wendy Egyoku Nakao

Topic:
Buddhism
Asian American History
Length:
11 hrs.
Language:
English
Audio:
Series Statement:
The Many Branches, One Root series traces the histories and practices of a range of Buddhist traditions and communities in the greater Los Angeles area. Beginning in the early twentieth century, a succession of Buddhist traditions have put down roots in Los Angeles, each one providing spiritual s...
Biographical Note:
Zen Buddhist priest. Abbot and head teacher at the Zen Center of Los Angeles.

20. Interview of Noah Levine

Topic:
Buddhism
Asian American History
Length:
5.75 hrs.
Language:
English
Audio:
Series Statement:
The Many Branches, One Root series traces the histories and practices of a range of Buddhist traditions and communities in the greater Los Angeles area. Beginning in the early twentieth century, a succession of Buddhist traditions have put down roots in Los Angeles, each one providing spiritual s...
Biographical Note:
Buddhist teacher and founder of Against the Stream Buddhist Meditation Society and Refuge Recovery. Author of memoir Dharma Punx.

21. Interview of Shumyo Kojima

Topic:
Buddhism
Asian American History
Length:
4.5 hrs.
Language:
English
Audio:
Series Statement:
The Many Branches, One Root series traces the histories and practices of a range of Buddhist traditions and communities in the greater Los Angeles area. Beginning in the early twentieth century, a succession of Buddhist traditions have put down roots in Los Angeles, each one providing spiritual s...
Biographical Note:
Immigrant from Japan and a Soto Zen Buddhist monk. Head priest at Zenshuji Soto Zen Mission in the Little Tokyo area of Los Angeles.

22. Interview of Frances Nakamura

Topic:
Buddhism
Asian American History
Length:
4 hrs.
Language:
English
Audio:
Series Statement:
The Many Branches, One Root series traces the histories and practices of a range of Buddhist traditions and communities in the greater Los Angeles area. Beginning in the early twentieth century, a succession of Buddhist traditions have put down roots in Los Angeles, each one providing spiritual s...
Biographical Note:
President of Koyasan Betsuin Shingon Buddhist Temple in the Little Tokyo area of Los Angeles.

23. Interview of Karen Hilsberg

Topic:
Asian American History
Buddhism
Length:
5.5 hrs.
Language:
English
Audio:
Series Statement:
The Many Branches, One Root series traces the histories and practices of a range of Buddhist traditions and communities in the greater Los Angeles area. Beginning in the early twentieth century, a succession of Buddhist traditions have put down roots in Los Angeles, each one providing spiritual s...
Biographical Note:
Ordained in the Order of the Interbeing. Trained to teach the dharma under the Plum Village Community of Engaged Buddhism. Translator of works by Ven. Thich Phuoc Tinh, including "The Forty-two Chapters Sutra."

24. Interview of Johanna Demetrakas (2017)

Topic:
Buddhism
Asian American History
Length:
3.25 hrs.
Language:
English
Audio:
Series Statement:
The Many Branches, One Root series traces the histories and practices of a range of Buddhist traditions and communities in the greater Los Angeles area. Beginning in the early twentieth century, a succession of Buddhist traditions have put down roots in Los Angeles, each one providing spiritual s...
Biographical Note:
Filmmaker. Early student of Tibetan Buddhist teacher Chogyam Trungpa Rinpoche and one of the first Los Angeles area dharma teachers in the Shambhala lineage.

25. Interview of Morgan Chu

Topic:
Asian American History
UCLA and University of California History
UCLA Research Centers and Programs
Length:
3 hrs.
Language:
English
Audio:
Series Statement:
These interviews were undertaken with the intention of documenting the rise of Asian American studies at UCLA and the founding of the Asian American Studies Center. However, shortly after this series was begun, the UCLA Asian American Studies Center undertook its own oral history project to docum...
Biographical Note:
Los Angeles attorney. As a student at UCLA was involved in the drive for ethnic studies and the establishment of the UCLA Asian American Studies Center.

26. Interview of Elsie Osajima

Topic:
UCLA and University of California History
UCLA Research Centers and Programs
Asian American History
Length:
1.25 hrs
Language:
English
Audio:
Series Statement:
These interviews were undertaken with the intention of documenting the rise of Asian American studies at UCLA and the founding of the Asian American Studies Center. However, shortly after this series was begun, the UCLA Asian American Studies Center undertook its own oral history project to docum...
Biographical Note:
Administrative assistant and first full-time staff member at the UCLA Asian American Studies Center.

27. Interview of Stephen Morrison

Topic:
Asian American History
Length:
5.7 hrs.
Language:
English
Audio:
Series Statement:
This series includes full-life histories of a number of prominent Korean Americans who represent their community’s tremendous expansion during the period after federal anti-Asian immigration laws were repealed in 1965. The series focuses on the remarkable growth of the Korean American community i...
Biographical Note:
One of the first wave of Korean adoptees to come to the U.S. Creator of the Mission to Promote Adoption, which is known for changing adoption culture in South Korea.

28. Interview of Min Jung Kim

Topic:
Asian American History
Length:
6.2 hrs
Language:
English
Audio:
Series Statement:
This series includes full-life histories of a number of prominent Korean Americans who represent their community’s tremendous expansion during the period after federal anti-Asian immigration laws were repealed in 1965. The series focuses on the remarkable growth of the Korean American community i...
Biographical Note:
Chief executive officer, president, and director at Open Bank.

29. Interview of Kil Joo Lee

Topic:
Asian American History
Length:
6 hrs.
Language:
English
Audio:
Series Statement:
This series includes full-life histories of a number of prominent Korean Americans who represent their community’s tremendous expansion during the period after federal anti-Asian immigration laws were repealed in 1965. The series focuses on the remarkable growth of the Korean American community i...
Biographical Note:
Vocalist, choral director, and activist for the reunification of North and South Korea.

30. Interview of Angela Oh

Topic:
Asian American History
Length:
4.3 hrs.
Language:
English
Audio:
Series Statement:
This series includes full-life histories of a number of prominent Korean Americans who represent their community’s tremendous expansion during the period after federal anti-Asian immigration laws were repealed in 1965. The series focuses on the remarkable growth of the Korean American community i...
Biographical Note:
Lawyer, teacher, and lecturer. Member of President William J. Clinton's President's Initiative on Race.

31. Interview of James Ryu

Topic:
Asian American History
Length:
5.2 hrs.
Language:
English
Audio:
Series Statement:
This series includes full-life histories of a number of prominent Korean Americans who represent their community’s tremendous expansion during the period after federal anti-Asian immigration laws were repealed in 1965. The series focuses on the remarkable growth of the Korean American community i...
Biographical Note:
Korean American founder and publisher of KoreAm journal.

32. Interview of Joanne Kim

Topic:
Asian American History
Length:
4.5 hrs.
Language:
English
Audio:
Series Statement:
This series includes full-life histories of a number of prominent Korean Americans who represent their community’s tremendous expansion during the period after federal anti-Asian immigration laws were repealed in 1965. The series focuses on the remarkable growth of the Korean American community i...
Biographical Note:
Chief executive officer at Wilshire State Bank.

33. Interview of Paul Park

Topic:
Asian American History
Length:
3.3 hrs.
Language:
English
Audio:
Series Statement:
This series includes full-life histories of a number of prominent Korean Americans who represent their community’s tremendous expansion during the period after federal anti-Asian immigration laws were repealed in 1965. The series focuses on the remarkable growth of the Korean American community i...
Biographical Note:
Businessman and dharma teacher at the Dharma Zen Center.

34. Interview of Kim Boone-Nakase

Topic:
Asian American History
Length:
2.8 hrs.
Language:
English
Audio:
Series Statement:
This series includes full-life histories of a number of prominent Korean Americans who represent their community’s tremendous expansion during the period after federal anti-Asian immigration laws were repealed in 1965. The series focuses on the remarkable growth of the Korean American community i...
Biographical Note:
One of the first wave of Korean adoptees to come to the U.S.

35. Interview of Masao Kodani

Topic:
Asian American History
Dance
Music
Length:
6 hours
Language:
English
Audio:
Series Statement:
The Traditional Asian Arts in Southern California series focuses on both immigrants and second- or third-generation Asian Americans who have continued East Asian or Southeast Asian musical, dance, and performance traditions in Southern California. Some preserved their art form by adhering to the...
Biographical Note:
Drummer, hichiriki player, and co-founder of Kinnara, an organization dedicated to the study and performance of traditional Japanese performing arts. Minister at Senshin Buddhist temple.

36. Interview of Florante Ibanez

Topic:
Asian American History
Length:
5 hrs.
Language:
English
Audio:
Series Statement:
These interviews document the lives and contributions of Filipino-American activists in Los Angeles in the Filipino-American identity movement of the 1960s and ‘70s. This project was generously supported by Arcadia funds.
Biographical Note:
Filipino American activist, archivist, and professor of Asian American studies at Loyola Marymount University. Co-founder of UCLA’s Samahang Pilipino Education and Retention (SPEAR).

37. Interview of Waewdao Sirisook

Topic:
Asian American History
Music
Dance
Length:
5 hrs.
Language:
English
Audio:
Series Statement:
The Traditional Asian Arts in Southern California series focuses on both immigrants and second- or third-generation Asian Americans who have continued East Asian or Southeast Asian musical, dance, and performance traditions in Southern California. Some preserved their art form by adhering to the...
Biographical Note:
Performer and teacher of traditional Northern Thailand dance forms. Founder of the dance company Lan Sattha.

38. Interview of Sophiline Cheam Shapiro

Topic:
Asian American History
Music
Dance
Length:
4 hrs.
Language:
English
Audio:
Series Statement:
The Traditional Asian Arts in Southern California series focuses on both immigrants and second- or third-generation Asian Americans who have continued East Asian or Southeast Asian musical, dance, and performance traditions in Southern California. Some preserved their art form by adhering to the...
Biographical Note:
Teacher and performer of Cambodian dance. Co-founder of the Khmer Arts Academy in Long Beach, California, and the Sophiline Arts Ensemble at the Khmer Arts Academy in Cambodia.

39. Interview of Savita Viradia

Topic:
Asian American History
Community History
Length:
3.5 hrs.
Language:
English
Audio:
Series Statement:
The South Asian Women in Los Angeles series documents the lives of a number of women who are first generation South Asian immigrants and who lived or currently live in the greater Los Angeles area. This project was generously supported by Arcadia funds.
Biographical Note:
Immigrant from India. Discusses experiences as a refugee.

40. Interview of Veena Rangappan

Topic:
Community History
Asian American History
Length:
2.5 hrs.
Language:
English
Audio:
Series Statement:
The South Asian Women in Los Angeles series documents the lives of a number of women who are first generation South Asian immigrants and who lived or currently live in the greater Los Angeles area. This project was generously supported by Arcadia funds.
Biographical Note:
Immigrant from India.

41. Interview of Kamala Ananth

Topic:
Asian American History
Community History
Length:
2.25 hrs.
Language:
English
Audio:
Series Statement:
The South Asian Women in Los Angeles series documents the lives of a number of women who are first generation South Asian immigrants and who lived or currently live in the greater Los Angeles area. This project was generously supported by Arcadia funds.
Biographical Note:
Immigrant from India.

42. Interview of Margaret Patel

Topic:
Asian American History
Community History
Length:
2.25 hrs.
Language:
English
Audio:
Series Statement:
The South Asian Women in Los Angeles series documents the lives of a number of women who are first generation South Asian immigrants and who lived or currently live in the greater Los Angeles area. This project was generously supported by Arcadia funds.
Biographical Note:
Immigrant from India. Owner of two restaurants.

43. Interview of Hema Veeragoudar

Topic:
Asian American History
Community History
Length:
2 hrs.
Language:
English
Audio:
Series Statement:
The South Asian Women in Los Angeles series documents the lives of a number of women who are first generation South Asian immigrants and who lived or currently live in the greater Los Angeles area. This project was generously supported by Arcadia funds.
Biographical Note:
Immigrant from India.

44. Interview of Anjana Kamdar

Topic:
Asian American History
Community History
Length:
2.25 hrs.
Language:
English
Audio:
Series Statement:
The South Asian Women in Los Angeles series documents the lives of a number of women who are first generation South Asian immigrants and who lived or currently live in the greater Los Angeles area. This project was generously supported by Arcadia funds.
Biographical Note:
Immigrant from India.

45. Interview of Padma Narasimhan

Topic:
Asian American History
Community History
Length:
3 hrs.
Language:
English
Audio:
Series Statement:
The South Asian Women in Los Angeles series documents the lives of a number of women who are first generation South Asian immigrants and who lived or currently live in the greater Los Angeles area. This project was generously supported by Arcadia funds.
Biographical Note:
Immigrant from India.

46. Interview of Jayashree Madhusudhan

Topic:
Asian American History
Community History
Length:
2 hrs.
Language:
English
Audio:
Series Statement:
The South Asian Women in Los Angeles series documents the lives of a number of women who are first generation South Asian immigrants and who lived or currently live in the greater Los Angeles area. This project was generously supported by Arcadia funds.
Biographical Note:
Immigrant from India.

47. Interview of Jaime Geaga

Topic:
Asian American History
Length:
6.75 hrs.
Language:
English
Audio:
Series Statement:
These interviews document the lives and contributions of Filipino-American activists in Los Angeles in the Filipino-American identity movement of the 1960s and ‘70s. This project was generously supported by Arcadia funds.
Biographical Note:
Filipino American activist. Member of the National Coalition for the Restoration of Civil Liberties in the Philippines (NCRCLP) and Union of Democratic Filipinos (KDP), a political party. Member of the Asian & Pacific Islander American Health Forum and Filippino Task Force on AIDS.

48. Interview of Johnny Mori

Topic:
Asian American History
Music
Dance
Length:
9 hrs.
Language:
English
Audio:
Series Statement:
The Traditional Asian Arts in Southern California series focuses on both immigrants and second- or third-generation Asian Americans who have continued East Asian or Southeast Asian musical, dance, and performance traditions in Southern California. Some preserved their art form by adhering to the...
Biographical Note:
Taiko drummer for the jazz-fusion band Hiroshima.

49. Interview of Ellen Fu

Topic:
Asian American History
Length:
5 hrs.
Language:
English
Audio:
Series Statement:
The Suburban Chinatown series focuses on political and business leaders in the San Gabriel Valley who came to the U.S. in the post-1965 wave of Asian immigration after the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 abolished the quota system based on national origins. The series was undertaken as a ...
Biographical Note:
Immigrant from Taiwan. Realtor for Coldwell Banker George Realty.

50. Interview of May Hsu

Topic:
Asian American History
Length:
4.5 hrs.
Language:
English
Audio:
Series Statement:
The Suburban Chinatown series focuses on political and business leaders in the San Gabriel Valley who came to the U.S. in the post-1965 wave of Asian immigration after the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1965 abolished the quota system based on national origins. The series was undertaken as a ...
Biographical Note:
Immigrant from Hong Kong. Director of CIBT Educational Group and executive director of SE Global Capital, Inc. Board member of the Bowers Museum and chair of the Asian American Senior Citizens Service Center.