Community members gathered in Seattle’s Chinatown-International District (CID) on Feb. 25 for a fundraising event supporting Dr. Julie Kang’s campaign for a special election to the Seattle City Council.
Hosted by local leaders, small business owners, and student and young professional activists, the event highlighted a broad, intergenerational coalition behind Kang’s vision for public service.
Food for the evening was donated by Tai Tung Restaurant, a CID institution famously known as Bruce Lee’s favorite restaurant. For many attendees, Tai Tung represents more than a dining destination—it is a living symbol of Asian American history and resilience in Seattle.
The location also held personal significance for Kang. For 12 years, through a National Endowment for the Humanities (NEH) grant, she hosted summer dinners for out-of-town educators studying Asian Pacific Islander history at the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience. The meals at Tai Tung extended the learning experience, offering culture, community, and shared history. This year, however, the NEH grant was defunded, making the gathering both celebratory and bittersweet.
Speakers highlighted Kang’s decades-long commitment to education, civic engagement, and community-building. Small business owners praised her advocacy for neighborhood vitality and economic opportunity, while students and young professionals shared personal stories of mentorship and inspiration.
The event served not only as a fundraiser but also as a celebration of culture, mentorship, and civic responsibility. In a moment when public humanities funding faces uncertainty, the community’s support underscored a shared belief—that history, representation, and local leadership matter.
The evening closed with gratitude for the food, the fellowship, and the collective commitment to building a Seattle where community voices continue to shape the future.
For more information about Dr. Julie Kang’s priorities, visit JulieforSeattle.com.
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