On June 29, The Serica Initiative joined more than 750 community leaders, nonprofit professionals, educators, entrepreneurs, elected officials, and young leaders from across North America at the UCA Chinese American Convention, hosted by United Chinese Americans (UCA) at Caesars Palace in Las Vegas. Celebrating both UCA's tenth anniversary and the 250th anniversary of the United States, this year's convention centered on the theme "Thriving Together: Shaping the Future of Chinese Americans," bringing together voices from across generations to explore what it means to build stronger, more connected communities in an increasingly complex moment for Chinese Americans.

Among the convention's many conversations, The Serica Initiative’s Deputy Director Daniel Tam-Claiborne joined a distinguished panel of civic and nonprofit leaders for a panel entitled “What's Next for Chinese Americans? Building Stronger Communities, Broader Partnership, and Greater Impact.”

Moderated by Chen Zhou, Founder and Lead Organizer of the Twin Cities Asian Fair, fellow panelists included Sophia Sheng, Co-Vice Chair of the Board of China Institute of America; Minwen Yang, Board Director of Glow Cultural Center; Nancy Chen, President of Chinese American Women in Action (CAWA); and Lixin Qin, General Manager of International Press of Boston. Together, the speakers represented decades of experience spanning community organizing, cultural institutions, civic engagement, media, philanthropy, and nonprofit leadership.

For Serica, the invitation reflected a growing recognition of the organization's work creating bridges across sectors and communities. The discussion emphasized practical lessons learned from building organizations on the ground. Daniel shared how Serica's mission—to amplify the impact of the Asian diaspora in America—requires looking beyond traditional organizational boundaries. Whether producing award-winning storytelling through Voices Rising, convening artists, policymakers, philanthropists, and business leaders, or creating spaces for dialogue around identity and belonging, Serica has consistently approached community building as an exercise in relationship-building both within and outside the AAPI diaspora.

Several themes emerged repeatedly over the course of the discussion. First was the importance of embracing the full meaning of the phrase Chinese American. Panelists reflected on how the word "American" is not simply a geographic descriptor but an invitation to participate fully in civic life while maintaining cultural heritage. Rather than viewing these identities as competing, speakers described them as mutually reinforcing—creating opportunities to preserve tradition while contributing to the broader American story. 

A second theme centered on moving beyond familiar spaces. While ethnic organizations, language communities, and cultural institutions remain essential foundations, panelists discussed the importance of engaging audiences outside the Chinese American community. Daniel highlighted how storytelling can serve as one of the most effective bridges—using literature, film, public programming, and the arts to invite broader audiences into conversations about history, immigration, identity, and shared belonging. The panel emphasized that meaningful partnerships are built through trust, sustained relationships, and a willingness to meet communities where they are.

The discussion also explored how organizations can amplify their voices despite limited resources. Speakers noted that visibility does not simply come from larger communications budgets but from authentic narratives, strategic collaborations, and consistently demonstrating value to both local communities and broader civic institutions. Serica's experience producing cross-sector programming illustrated how partnerships can extend the reach of relatively small organizations while creating new opportunities for collective impact.

Perhaps the strongest takeaway from the session was that stronger communities are built not through isolation but through connection. The future of Chinese American civic life depends on organizations that preserve cultural heritage while forging new partnerships across the broader Asian American community, immigrant communities, and American civic institutions. 

For Serica, participating in the Fifth Chinese American Convention was an opportunity not only to share our work but also to learn from fellow leaders dedicated to strengthening the Chinese American experience nationwide. We are grateful to UCA, moderator Chen Zhou, and our fellow panelists for creating a thoughtful conversation and we look forward to continuing to build the partnerships that will help our communities thrive together in the years ahead.