Americans in Focus
A series of short features that celebrates the human spirit and the will of people who overcome any obstacle to achieve greatness. Americans in Focus tells the stories of past and present Americans of diverse backgrounds who have excelled in life and professions that initially were considered outside the realm of possibility for a person of color.
During the month of May 2009, FSN celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage Month with new stories of courage and heart.
Kristi Yamaguchi: Always Dream
A half hour show covering the life and extraordinary achievements of Kristi Yamaguchi (1992 Winter Olympic Gold Medal Figure Skating Champion). Kristi shares inspirational stories about overcoming her fears, making difficult choices as she learned about her heritage. She emphasizes the importance of her family and encourages everyone to make their dreams come true by setting high goals and persevering through adversity
To see the Americans in Focus Library page click here
AMERICANS IN FOCUS SHORT VIGNETTES: ASIAN PACIFIC AMERICAN HERITAGE MONTH 2009
Philip Ahn -Actor / U.S. War Supporter Philip Ahn was the first Korean American born in the United States and is the first Asian actor to receive a star on Hollywood Blvd.
James Wong Howe - Cinematographer James Wong Howe, A.S.C. is considered one of the greatest American cinematographers. He was one of the first to use deep-focus cinematography, photography in which both foreground and distant planes remain in focus.
Sara Pol-Lim Sara Pol-Lim is a current Executive Director of United Cambodian Community. Her appreciation of life and positive attitudes are the result of the surviving spirits from the Khmer Rouge half decade of genocide in Cambodia.
Her Vang - Hmong He began Hmong Manufacturing in his garage in Kansas. Business has grown into major manufacturer for acrylic products. Her Vang is living the American Dream.
Chien Shiung Wu - 1st Lady of Physics Chien Shiung Wu was a Chinese-born American physicist with an expertise in radioactivity. Her nicknames included the 'First Lady of Physics,' 'Chinese Marie Curie,' and 'Madame Wu.' She died after her second stroke on February 16, 1997.
Chinese Men of Steel In 1865, Central Pacific officials hired 50 Chinese laborers to lay down a section of track. Their work was so well done; they decided to recruit more Chinese men. In the end, nearly 12,000 Chinese railroad workers were hired to perform dangerous work that white men refused to do.
100th Infantry Battalion Historically, the unit is referred to as the 'Purple Heart Battalion,' with the motto 'Go for Broke'. The all-Japanese American unit was the most decorated unit in World War II.
Lisa Yee Co-owner and creative director of Magic Pencil Studios, she's written and directed creative projects for Fortune 500 clients, led creativity seminars for dairy farmers, and been featured in the Wall Street Journal for her obsessive workaholic behavior.
Leyna Nguyen - TV anchor/humanitarian Leyna Nguyen is an Emmy Award winning journalist. She also runs a non-profit foundation, Love Across the Ocean, that benefits an under privileged school for children in Vietnam.
Katherine Sui Fun Cheung Cheung became the first Chinese American woman to be a licensed pilot. Cheung was later inducted into the Aviation Hall of Fame and the Smithsonian's National Air and Space Museum enshrined her as America's first Asian American aviatrix.
Susan Ahn Cuddy - Gunnery officer Cuddy felt joining the Navy was a way to help free Korea from the harsh Japanese Colonial Era rule and was eager to join the Navy to fight the Japanese.
Philip V. Vera Cruz In 1948, he was an organizer in a key strike by Filipino asparagus workers. He continued to organize farm workers and was instrumental in the start of the United Farm Workers, serving as the highest-ranking Filipino American officer from 1971 to 1977
AMERICANS IN FOCUS SHORT VIGNETTES: BLACK HISTORY MONTH 2009
Oscar Micheaux - Film Director First African-American film maker who according to the Producer's Guild of America was the most prolific African American - if not most prolific independent - filmmaker in American cinema.
Melvin B. Tolson 'Great Debaters' In 1935 Melvin B. Tolson led a group of newbie debaters to a national championship. Tolson was a debate coach at Wiley College in Marshall, Texas.
Robert Smalls-Civil War Hero In 1862 Robert Smalls, a 23-year-old mulatto slave was employed by Confederates in Charleston, S.C. as pilot of Planter, a transport steamer.
Mary Edmonia Lewis - Female sculptor Edmonia Lewis has inspired generations of minority artists for over 130 years. She boldly breached barriers of race, ethnicity and gender.
Dr. Patricia Thomas - Pathologist Dr. Thomas is a Harvard graduate who is known as national expert on pathology and cytopathology and is committed to empowering others to make a difference in the world.
Shane Evans - Illustrator Shane's incredible work, with its simple lines and playful color schemes has been widely published in children's books and African American nonfiction titles.
Bessie Coleman: African-American pilot Elizabeth 'Bessie' Coleman popularly known as 'Queen Bess,' was the first African American to become an airplane pilot, and the first American aviator of any race or gender to hold an international pilot license.
Ken Hamblin - Author, photographer Early in his career Ken Hamblin became the first African American photographer at the Detroit Free Press in the 1960's.
Dr. Mae Jemison - Astronaut Dr. Mae Carol Jemison is an American physician and a former NASA astronaut. She became the first African American woman to travel in space when she went into orbit aboard the Space Shuttle Endeavour on September 12, 1992.
To see the Americans in Focus Library page click here
Alvin Ailey: Dance Theatre founder Founded dance company that earned a reputation as one of the most acclaimed international ambassadors of American culture, promoting the uniqueness of the African-American cultural experience and the preservation and enrichment of American modern dance.
NAACP- 100TH Anniversary Charlie Harris Jr. co-owner of the law firm Seyferth, Blumenthal and Harris is the first African American to serve as president of the Missouri Bar. He is also the recipient of an NAACP award for diversity.
Tom Bass-Equestrian Trainer Tom Bass was a world-famous rider and trainer of fine show horses. He was born into slavery in Boone County and grew up in Mexico, Missouri.
Sonie Ruffin - Quilter and Artist Sonie is a textiles artist, master quilter and author. Sonie's art quilts can be found in permanent collections at galleries, museums, private and corporate collections.
Mary Ann Shadd Cary - Attorney Mary Ann Shadd Cary was the first African American female attorney in the United States. She attended Howard University Law School and graduated in 1870.
Clara Luper - Civil Rights Activist Clara Luper became the advisor for the Oklahoma City National Association for the Advancement of Colored People (NAACP) Youth Council in 1957.
Kevin Hall - Deaf Pro Golfer Kevin Hall has overcome the challenges of being African American and deaf to become a professional golfer. Kevin was the first African American to earn a golf scholarship at Ohio State University.
Cathy Hughes - Radio One founder As owner and chief executive officer of Radio One, Inc., Cathy Hughes is in charge of the largest African American-owned radio broadcasting company in the United States.
Ernie Barnes - Artist Ernie Barnes is an American Neo-Mannerist artist and former professional football player. He is one of the most collected artists in America.
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