By Assunta Ng
Seattle Councilmember Bruce Harrell, BLAM supporter, speaks at fundraiser (Photo by George Liu/NWAW)
If you are wondering how the Bruce Lee Action Museum (BLAM) can overcome a dire economy, just look at its kick-off dinner held last Friday, Oct. 21, at the Imperial Garden Seafood Restaurant.
With more than 200 people in attendance, the event raised a decent amount of money. The idea for the museum received strong support from Seattle City Councilmember Bruce Harrell, who credited the late Bruce Lee as a person who “revolutionalized the self-image of Chinese Americans.”
Bruce Lee Foundation President Shannon Lee, who is Bruce Lee’s daughter, speaks at the fundraiser. (Photo by George Liu/NWAW)
To show his enthusiasm, Harrell said he would propose the idea to the Seattle City Council to give as much as $1 million to the project, if the project succeeds in raising lots of money on its own.
Guess who’s behind the project? All the prominent Lees are behind the project.
BLAM’s board members are Jerry Lee and Perry Lee (not related to one another), and the dinner was donated by wife and husband Christine and Omar Lee, owners of the Great Wall Mall.
None of them are related to Bruce Lee’s family. But the late actor’s family is also involved, including his widow and daughter. A dozen of his former students, who are successful in their professions, were also present at the event.
BLAM can learn a great deal from The Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience, which built its home by raising $23 million from the government and community. (end)