Black Asian Coalitions Across Generations

Black Asian Coalitions Across Generations is a two-day exploration of how artistic and organizing practices have bonded Black and Asian American communities and inspired their mutual collaboration, coalition-building, and liberation. In the midst of ongoing historical and contemporary racialized violence that impacts both communities in different ways, this event celebrates the film, fine arts, and political organizing that emerges from the union of these two communities.

Through a public panel and discussion featuring Black and Asian artists, historians, and organizers across multiple generations, followed by a reception, and an intimate screenwriting workshop (the following day), the organizers hope to plant seeds of dialogue, celebration, and collaboration toward shared futures that support our collective safety, liberation, and wellbeing.

Panel & Reception
Monday, May 1, 6:30-9:30 p.m.

This cross-generational dialogue explores how community-informed artistic and organizing practices can deepen coalition-building between two communities as well as heal historical wounds. We will also discuss the challenges that come with building solidarity across culture, identities, and generations. The public panel will close with a mixer where attendees can continue discourse and deepen their collaborative relationships. It will also serve as a space of creating safety, celebration, and mutual thriving among Black and Asian communities. This event will begin with a meditation by Black and Chinese dharma practitioner and screenwriter Nico Cary, followed by a presentation by Black feminist historian Michele Mitchell (NYU Department of History) that will ground us in a collective necessity for coalition building to imagine alternative futures. This will be followed by a discussion that include all the presenters, performers as well as local organizers Rohan Zhou-Lee (The Blasian March), Yves Tong Nguyen (Red Canary Song), and Sumaya “Nazar” Bouhbal (The Young Lords Collective). The night will conclude with a short musical performance by Japanese American folk musician/activist, Nobuko Miyamoto (A Grain of Sand) followed by a reception with snacks, refreshments, and tablers (Bandung Residency, Red Canary Song, the Young Lords Collective, and the Blasian March).

The Workshop
Tuesday, May 2, 1:00-4:00 p.m.

There has been a historical lack of stories about Black and Asian kinship, struggles, and coalition-building in film and literature. If the stories we tell define our culture, and our culture re-imagines the fabric of society, how may our communities build deep coalitions toward alternative futures without stories to guide them? Inspired by the learnings of the panel on the previous day, this narrative and character-development workshop strives to plant seeds of collaboration between Black and Asian aspiring storytellers. Guided by an experienced Black and Chinese screenwriter and dharma meditation facilitator Nico Cary, and co-facilitated by filmmakers Jess X. Snow and Casiano Hamer, participants will partner up to develop a concept for a narrative film, play, or novel.The workshop aspires to have participants leave with actualized collaborators and the seeds of a screenplay, TV show, short story, or novel that they can continue developing.

This workshop invites participants with a deep interest and/or demonstrated history in artistic, activist, or scholarly work around coalition-building and kinship. We encourage any level of screenwriting experience. We encourage participants with a shared history of collaboration and friendship to apply together as pairs. We also encourage collaboration between writers/scholars and writers/organizers.

Applications to the workshop are due Thursday, April 27 at 12:00 p.m. ET. The workshop will be capped at 20 people.

COVID-19 & NYU campus access guidelines: This is an in-person event, open to the public. Registration is required. All attendees must be able to present proof of being fully vaccinated against COVID-19 and boosted with an FDA-authorized or WHO-listed vaccine. Non-NYU guests may be asked to present a government-issued photo ID which matches the name on their registration. Please do not attend if you are feeling sick as some panelists are immunocompromised. Masks are encouraged.

Accessibility note: The venue is on the 12th floor, and accessible via an elevator. For any access needs, please email Casiano Hamer at crh401@nyu.edu.