News & Events

August 2009 Event

The APO would like to express our gratitude to everyone who came out to support the collaborative networking event: BL²END presents: "A New Conversation" which was held at DeVos Place. Turnout was amazing; it was very encouraging to see familiar faces and exciting to meet new ones. We would also like to extend a special thanks to Eddie Tadlock and his organization the Convention Arena Authority, SMG and BL²END for hosting this year to make the event a successful one.

All the organizations involved including the many attendees that came to participate in the event successfully delivered a great amount of wish list items as well as monetary contributions to the Kids Food Basket.

Host Organization
BL²END Business Leaders Linked to Encourage New Directions - http://www.grblend.org

Partner Organizations
Asian Professionals Organization
Grand Rapids Young Professionals - http://www.gryp.org
West Michigan Hispanic Chamber of Commerce - http://www.hccwm.org
Young Nonprofit Professionals Network - http://www.ynpn.org/ggr

Thank you again and we look forward to seeing all of you very soon at our next event!

June 2009 News

Congratulations to outgoing APO President, Susan Im on receiving the Asian Center's 2009 Amazing Asian Award! Susan, an immigration attorney with McShane and Bowie, has made a positive impact on
Michigan's immigrant community seeking to establish a new life in this country.

In addition to her professional service, Susan has served on the Governor’s Advisory Council on Asian Pacific American Affairs (ACAPAA), is a member of the American Immigration Lawyers Association
(AILA), is on the board of In the Image and is a founding member and the outgoing President of the Asian Professionals Organization (APO). Susan’s service to the Asian and non-Asian community has
emphasized advocacy, partnership, diversity awareness and community outreach.

The Asian Center's Amazing Asian Awards recognize the dedication of individuals and entities who have worked tirelessly and selflessly to improve the quality of life of Asian Americans in our
community. The award ceremony was held on May 14, 2009.

The APO wishes to thank Susan for all of her service to our organization and to our community.

APO First Annual Golf Scramble

The Asian Professionals Organization held our first annual golf scramble on Monday, May 18, 2009 at Centennial Country Golf Club in Grand Rapids, Michigan. Proceeds from this event will help support APO programs including our Mentorship/Scholarship Program.

APO Mentorship/Scholarship Program

The Asian Professionals Organization (APO )is pleased to announce the launch of our 2009 Mentorship/ Scholarship Program. The APO Mentorship/Scholarship Program is intended to inspire college students to successfully achieve their dreams by offering a support system that is shaped by experience and insight from local working professionals. This program was born with a vision to inspire diverse students to develop and expand a strong professional network, learn excellent communication skills, build self-confidence, promote innovation, and foster the entrepreneurial spirit.

APO will select one student for a two to three month mentorship program. Upon successful completion of the mentorship program, the student will receive a $1,000 scholarship. The mentorship program will be tailored for the individual student. It may include job shadowing, lunch opportunities with area business professionals, organizing volunteerism, grant writing, surveying, fund raising, and marketing. The student will help plan APO and other APA events, as well as spend time working on projects with the Grand Rapids Chamber of Commerce.

For detailed information on requirements and how to apply, please download APO Mentorship/Scholarship Program form. Deadline to apply is May 31, 2009. The selected individual will be notified by July 31, 2009.

April 2009 APO Career Networking Event

The APO held its first annual career networking event on April 30, 2009 at the Steelcase University.
The event was very well attended by professionals from various industries. The event consisted of a panel discussion Q&A followed by interac tive “speed networking” rounds for individuals to practice and receive critique of networking and communication skills.

Panel members included Denny Gillem of Business Network International; Floriza Genautis of Management Business Solutions, Inc.; and Cindy Molnar, APO Board member and independent Career Consultant

APO JANUARY 2009 KICK-OFF EVENT

Many thanks to all who braved the snow on January 29, 2009 to attend APO’s event at Centennial Country Club!  Special thanks to Centennial Country Club (www.centennialcc.com) for hosting the Asian Professionals Organization by providing their lovely venue and delicious appetizers and to the Chinese Martial Arts Center (www.michigancmac.com) for its spectacular performances and dragon dance!  We are extremely fortunate to have an organization like CMAC here in Grand Rapids, offering martial arts classes taught by a world-renowned martial arts instructor, Coach Wang Fang (“Coach Kelli”).  The owners of CMAC are long-time APO supporters, Tina Hoang and Brandon Lai.

The APO also extends a special thank you to the following generous donors of gifts for APO’s drawing last evening:

- Steelcase, Inc. for donating the fantastic Leap Chair, www.steelcase.com

- APO member Alice Kennedy’s jewelry business, Bohemian Excess, for donating a gorgeous necklace, www.bohemianexcess.com

- APO member Abigail Bradley for donating her beautiful art piece and a $100 gift certificate for her art, www.bradleystudios123.com

 Congratulations to the following APO members that won our fabulous prizes last evening:

-APO member Brandon Lai who won the Steelcase Leap chair

-APO member Rita VanderVen who won the Bohemian Excess necklace

-APO member Cynthia Wright who won Abigail Bradley’s art piece and $100 gift certificate