Yiwa Lau
劉綺華
The platform that I am engaging in this year, on court, is homelessness. Throughout my adolescent years, I have always been passionate about providing resources to the less fortunate. In high school, I spearheaded a volunteer organization for students to engage and build relationships with the homeless.
After befriending people on the streets over the years, I have come to know their stories and their needs. As a connector, I want to bring the appropriate resources to the homeless community so we can together, address the issue of homelessness while preserving their dignity. Christ Centered Communities has been an organization that I have actively been a part of before joining the Miss Chinatown court. We provide food twice a week to our guests, hand out supplies, and ultimately provide a safe space for people experiencing homelessness. I want to build new relationships I am excited to be able to continue this working relationship with Christ Centered communities, an organization that is so close to my heart.
Mentor: Cheyenne Peng, Alibaba Pictures, US Production Executive
Sponsor: Myung H. Lee/Ji Y. Kim and Global Dreambuilders Foundation
Growing up, Yiwa went to Saturday Chinese classes. Although it gave her a basic knowledge of the language, it still didn’t instill an excitement to understand who she was as a Chinese American. It was not until Yiwa attended the Beijing Film Academy for her Bachelor degree, that she fell in love with her culture. The experience allowed her to direct and produce various short films in China that were selected for screening in the US. Spending 4 years with local Chinese in Beijing was a paradigm shift. Yiwa hopes to give other Chinese Americans the same experience, no matter their socioeconomic status. Everyone is entitled to understand his or her heritage at a deeper level.
Being part of the pageant has been a new sisterhood experience for Yiwa. She has had the ability to be connected with pioneers and industry leaders that champion for the causes of the Chinese American community.
Yiwa would like to thank her mentor Cheyenne Peng, Alibaba Pictures, US Production Executive.