Contact Information
Mailing Address: 12112 Lymestone Way, Cooper City, FL 33026
Phone Number: 954-431-7484
Fax: 954-431-8573
Email: kmoolsiri@aol.com
Website: www.thaiflorida.org

Mission:
The primary purpose is for the development and advancement of Thai-American relations in Florida and to conserve and promote the Thai Culture and Buddhism.

History:
The Thai-American Association of South Florida has been incorporated since October 7, 1986 as a non-profit organization.

Accomplishments:

The Queen’s birthday/ National Mother’s Day

The King’s birthday/ National Father’s Day

Songkran Day

Loy Kratong Day

Regular Events:
The annual Asian Culture Festival is held every year on the first weekend of March at The Fruit and Spice Park in Homestead, Florida. For more information, visit www.asianculturefestival.org

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Contact Information
Email: bplong@sun-sentinenl.com
Website: www.thaiflorida.org

Mission:
To provide a means of association and support among Asian American and Pacific Islander journalists.
To provide encouragement, information, advice and scholarship assistance to Asian American and Pacific Islander students who aspire to professional journalism careers.
To provide to the Asian American and Pacific Islander community an awareness of news media and an understanding of how to gain fair access.
To research and point out when news media organizations stray from accuracy and fairness in the coverage of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders.

History:
Founded in 1981 by a few Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) journalists who felt a need to support one another and to encourage more Asian American and Pacific Islanders to pursue journalism at a time when there were few Asian American and Pacific Islander faces in the media.

Accomplishments:

Regular Events:

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Contact Information
Mailing Address: 6250 NW 28 th Way, Ft. Lauderdale, FL 33309
Phone Number: 954-956-8828
Fax: 954-956-8827
Email: contact@anatoliaculturalcenter.com

Mission:
Contribute to our diverse community.

History:

Accomplishments:

Regular Events:

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Contact Information
Mailing Address: 444 S.W. 2nd Avenue. Miami Riverside Center, Suite 945. Miami, Florida 33130
Phone Number: 305 416-1800
Fax: 305 416-1803
Website: www.apabasfla.org

Mission:
Combat discrimination against all minorities and to promote diversity in the legal profession.

History:

Accomplishments:
As an affiliate of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association (NAPABA), APABA’s goals and objectives coincide with those of NAPABA, including working towards civil rights reform, combating anti-immigrant agendas and hate crimes, increasing diversity in federal, state, and local government, and promoting professional development.

Regular Events:

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Contact Information
Mailing Address: 4505 SW. 193 Avenue, Sunrise, FL 33321
Phone Number: 954-7410-8130
Email: Stemschool@yahoo.com
Website: www.apabasfla.org

Mission:
Helping our community to grow in faith and action through the dissemination of Islamic knowledge.

History:

Accomplishments:

Regular Events:

6th Minority Mentoring Picnic co-sponsored by APABA.

NAPABA's Annual Convention.

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Contact Information
Mailing Address: 11699 SW 147th Ave, Miami, FL 33196
Phone Number: 305-408-0400
Fax: 305-386-2195
Email: isom@islamicschoolofmiami.org
Website: www.islamicschoolofmiami.org

Mission:
To create enduring values by providing high quality dynamic services based on the principles of Ahl-AlSunnah Wa-AlJamat

History:

Accomplishments:

Regular Events:

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Contact Information
Mailing Address: 11699 SW 147th Ave, Miami, FL 33196
Phone Number: 866-567-7635
Email: info.at.saharafl@gmail.com
Website: www.saharafl.org

Mission:

History:

Accomplishments:

Regular Events:

CITIZEN DIPLOMACY:

The Board also partners and facilitates with Council of International Visitors in promoting the citizen diplomacy by hosting visiting delegations. The Board offers diversity workshops, arranges their visits with various County agencies and provides them assistance during their visits to our community. According to Miami Council of International visitor’s figures the impact to Miami Dade County economy during the last one year was as follows;

SAHARA:

The Board has taken the social responsibility to serve the needy in the community, very seriously. It co-founded SAHARA, with the Women’s Fund of Miami to help the Asian victims of domestic violence. SAHARA has since become an independent 501c3, not for profit organization. It has helped more than 60 victims in the last three years. Its range of services deals from providing family counseling to psycho-therapy; legal assistance, to enable the victims to become economically independent; rescuing the victims and placing them in safe place. Often many generous members of the community help directly the victims who they refer to SAHARA for support and assistance.

UNIVERSAL HERITAGE INSTITUTE HEALTH CLINIC:

The Asian community is undoubtedly very proud of this project. This provides free preventive medical care to the needy and un-insured. The Clinic was started by Muslim community of South Florida, including the Muslim members of the Board. It is administered by Muslim physicians and healthcare workers. Seed money was provided by Commissioner Javier Souto of District 10. The Clinic operates two days on a part time bases. The projections for a fully functional Clinic based on five days would have an enormous economic impact. Recently the Clinic began serving Fast Track patients referred by the Miami Dade County Department of Health and Jackson Hospital.

For his preparation Aydin chose to work with Ismael Salas, trainer of WBA featherweight champion Yuriorkis Gamboa, and strength and conditioning coach Jorge Rojas.

"I am very happy to be in the USA and working with a great coach like Ismael Salas and his team", said Selcuk. "He is very experienced and an excellent coach. I think we are a good team as well. I am absolutely convinced that Collazo will have no chance when he faces me. I will become champion of the world."

Salas believes in his new fighter as well: "Selcuk is a strong fighter with a champion's mind. He's got the skills, the heart and the willpower to become world champion. He is working very hard already and he will be on the top of his game when he faces Collazo. Still it won't be an easy fight. Of course, Collazo is very dangerous, very tough and very strong. But Selcuk is stronger. If we focus on our work and make no mistakes we will win this fight."

Selcuk Aydin still fighting word world title on June 5th in Istanbul

THE CHINESE FESTIVAL

Every February of each year an average of 10,000 people attend to the Annual Chinese New Year Festival held at the Miami Dade College – Kendall Campus. People come to watch the entertainment, taste the diverse and tasty foods, and buy Asian products. The Chinese celebrations are introduced by the lion and dragon, and bring in good luck and prosperity. The New Year is one of the most important celebrations for Chinese; it denotes a new beginning; it is a time for reunions with family and friends to give thanks for what has transpired the previous year and to welcome a new year.

A Legend describes that Buddha had asked all the animals to meet him on Chinese New Year. Twelve animals came and Buddha named a year after each animal; people born in that animal’s year would have qualities of that particular animal. The year 2009 is the year of the Ox; those born under the Ox are loyal, fearless, hardworking and friendly. President Obama was born in the year of the Ox. CBS news anchor Amara Sohn and AAAB Board member Lisa Hu Barquist were the Mistresses of ceremony this year. More than 175 vendors and approximately two hundred performers participated in the event. Many performers and celebrity traveled to attend to the celebration. During the last three years this festival also hosted the Chinese Consul General from Houston.

The economic impact of this event on Miami Dade County is estimated to be approximately $ 300,000 which is generated from business activity, park fees; insurance; performers cost and bed tax generated from guests staying in hotels.

THE ASIAN CULTURE FESTIVAL

The cultural diversity of Asia is highlighted in the Asian Cultural festival which is held on the first weekend of March at the Fruit and Spice Park; it is the largest Asian festival, which draws more than ten thousand fans from across the tri- county area. A large number of Asian Consulates and local organizations representing various Asian countries place booths showcasing their respective countries. The program is full of Cultural performance with supple acrobats, Taiko drummers, and a fashion show with attractive models presenting their colorful traditional Asian costumes. This event attracts two hundred plus vendors merchandizing, Asian art, craft, jewelry, and costumes; tropical plants and fruits; and a variety of Asian cuisine. The participation of a large number of out-of-town performers contributes to Miami Dade County economy generating close to $400,000 in sales, park fee, hotel rental, and taxes, insurance, and cost of other services. It brings a much needed income to several small businesses who set up their shops at the event.

GREEN DAY CELEBRATION

On April 29, each year, the Asian Board, the City of Miami and the Consulate General of Japan in Miami sponsor the Green Day at the Japanese Garden. The event is originally rooted in the birthday celebration of the King; currently it has taken a new meaning, in order to celebrate the environment. This has vendors who provide food and tents, and makes a serious cultural and environmental statement about the community that values healthy environment. It also provides the Asian American Advisory Board to maintain an effective partnership with the Japanese Consulate and the City of Miami.

MIAMI HONG KONG DRAGON BOAT RACE

When the Asian colors float over the waters of Biscayne Bay, it presents the most spectacular mix of Asia and South Florida—dragons, water, sand and palm trees. Economically, this event is the most powerful. The Miami Hong Kong Dragon Boat Festival Miami estimated impact combined with a National Open Water Swimming Championship, wakeboard waterskiing, skate boarding and other activities. Over 800 dragon boaters, 1000 swimmers and 20,000 spectators for 4 days has and estimated impact of 2 million dollars on the Miami Dade economy.

PAKISTAN INDEPENDENCE DAY FESTIVAL

The Pakistan Cultural Society celebrates the Independence Day Festival at the Bay Front Park on the third Saturday of August. Bay Front Part counts represent approximately five thousand people. Pakistan Cultural Society estimates that over all economic impact of this event is close to $150,000 dollars.

SOUTH FLORIDA DRAGON BOAT RACE

This is the second Dragon Boat Race that takes place during the third weekend of October at Haulover Park in Miami Beach. Approximately five thousand people attend the event; it is co-sponsored by Miami Dade County Cultural Affairs.

ASIAN HERITAGE MONTH CELEBRATION

The month of May was declared, October 29, 1992. It was intended to honor the achievements of the Asian/Pacific Americans and to recognize their contributions to the United States of America. May was selected for the recognition because two significant events in history took place in that month: Japanese immigrants first arrived in the United States on May 7, 1843, and the transcontinental railroad was completed on May 10, 1869 (Golden Spike Day). Miami Dade County Asian American Advisory Board celebrates this month in collaboration with many partners with the Miami Dade College, University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Jackson Healthcare Center, and the V.A. Medical Center.

This celebration is finally accompanied by an Award ceremony where the County Commissioners present the Certificate of Appreciation to the Planning Committee members of the participating organizations. This year, Chairman Dennis C. Moss presented the certificates during a lunch ceremony at the Stephen P. Clark Center.

4th Annual Florida Turkish Festival:
Anatolia Cultural Center, which represents Turkish-Americans living South Florida, brought a world-wide event to Fort Lauderdale's Huizenga Plaza on February 20th and 21st, 2010 for two days. Near 8,000 South Floridians were treated to an incredible event featuring heart simulating live music and amazing sight of the most diverse dancing on stage as well as to various art craft and delicious food from Turkey. A world-known calligrapher came all the way from Turkey and showcased this lost art of writing. The Blue Star Folk Dancing Group presented a variety of Turkish folk dance pieces from traditional dances to modern choreographies keeping the spirit of the dance. The participants had a chance to win a vintage $500 U.S. banknote with a market value of $2,000. There were several attractions for the minors’ entertainment. See more information on 4th Annual Florida Turkish Festival

To truly experience another culture, one must travel to the country and live as the locals do - enjoy the delicious food while discussing the mundane and the extraordinary with the locals on their native soil. The next best way to experience the same is through quality cinema which instantly takes us to another country, letting us experience that which is universally common to all while enjoying and respecting the differences amongst us.

Visit and learn about the countries and cultures of countries in Asia through the Asian Film Festival this year.

Dates: TBA
Venue: TBA

The Community Outreach Committee was formed to proactively engage the Asian American community to educate the public about the goals and work of the AAAB. To that end, the Committee works with governmental entities, educational institutions, local hospitals, and other Asian organizations to further the Committee’s goals. The Committee will have informational booths at various events and festivals throughout the year and will speak about the AAAB at other events where the AAAB is a sponsor or where the Committee is invited.

The Asian American Advisory Board congratulates the Iranian American community for being the recipient of the Most Outstanding Cultural Exhibition at the 20th Annual Asian Cultural Festival held during the weekend of March 6 & 7, 2010 at the Food & Spice Park in Homestead, Florida.

The Iranian cultural exhibition tent was beautifully decorated with many cultural artifacts and displays, including multi-media presentations of Perespolis and the ancient civilization of Iran.

Throughout the Festival, there were musicians playing two unique Iranian musical instruments, the Sehtar and the Santor. Additionally, the tent displayed a beautiful Haft-Sin, which is a traditional spread featuring decorated items for Nowruz, the Iranian New Year. Many Iranian American organizers inside the tent were dressed in traditional Iranian folkloric clothes. There was also a group of Iranian dancers from Washington, D.C., who performed traditional Iranian dances on the main stage, which pleased the crowd in attendance.

This was the first time the Iranian American community collaborated with the Asian Cultural Festival of South Florida.

Whereas the status of Asian Americans has long been ignored and has been underrepresented in the halls of government and other public and private institutions, the Board of County desires to recognize the contributions of Asian Americas to the cultural, political, social and economic life of Dade County. On July 21, 1997 the Asian-American Advisory Board was created in an advisory capacity to the Board of County Commissioners, the County administration, and the community. This board has to be composed by twenty-six (26) permanent residents and electors of the county who shall have knowledge and interest in the Asian community living in the County. Each of the thirteen County Commissioners appoints two members for a period of three years. The quorum necessary to hold a meeting and take any action is of fourteen (14) members. The meetings are open to the public and are called by written notice of the fourteen members.

The board focus is to empower the Asian community by engaging public officials, connecting with other communities and educating the community at large about the Asian issues and needs. In order to achieve its goals the Board woks individually and collectively representing the Asian diversity in Miami Dade County Is also serves as a advocate and supporter of the Asian Americans in Civic, cultural, commercial and community affairs.

POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE ASIAN AMERICAN ADVISORY BOARD

1. To serve in an advisory capacity to the County Commission, the County administration, the community, and all agencies and persons in Miami Dade County, Florida with respect to matter pertaining to the Asian community of Miami Dade County.

Currently the Board does not have activities projected in this topic; nevertheless, the Board has advised the community on a range of issues like the vandalism at a mosque in Kendall area. This intervention produced noticeable results encouraging a community out reach effort by the mosque leaders, and engagement between the mosque and the Commissioner Joe A. Martinez.

2. To formulate and recommend policies, plans, programs and services and to coordinate the activities of governmental entities and non-governmental agencies pertaining to the Asian community.

At this time the Board does has not recommend any policy, plan, program or service to coordinate the activities of the governmental entities. However, the Board has worked with agencies such as the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the US. Department of Justice on the following programs:

1. 1. TSA staff training material
   2. TSA Body image screening

The board has the capability to work with community partners to develop policy recommendation about the following issues:

• Provisions for Asian Americans in the new immigration policy.
• Cultural Sensitivity training of the law-enforcement.
• Incentives by Procurement Department to invite Asian Business community.
• Incentive recruitment by Police, Fire, and Mass transit departments.

3. To serve as a medium for responsible persons to utilize and consult with in attempting to understand and address the various complex problems affecting the Asian community in Miami-Dade and to make findings and recommendation to the County Commission and the County administration regarding such matters.

Presently the Board has no activities in this area, but is essential to develop a strategy to asses the specific needs of the Asian Americans in Miami-Dade. The use of community needs assessment tools appears to be central in order to develop effective involvement.
The tools that may be used in the process of evaluate the Asian-American community needs can be:

• Focus Group Interview with sister organizations, religious groups and academic institutions to gather the opinions and ideas from that small, targeted group of citizens.
• Public Issues that involve residents to express their concerns about community issues, problems, and needs.
• Community Survey Questionnaire gathers information about the local attitudes regarding precisely defined issues, problems or opportunities.
• Interviews can be very useful when looking for in-depth information on a particular topic.
• Asset Mapping can be used to cataloguing local community assets and resources to meet community objectives. The goal is to identify and utilize assets that the community already has and direct them to better the community rather than to focus on problems and needs.

4. To recommend solution to the social, economic, cultural and political problems in the Asian community, as well as to serve as liaison between the Asian community and the Miami-Dade County community at large.

• The Board co-founded SAHARA in collaboration with the Women’s Fund of Miami to assist the victims of domestic violence.
• Board worked very closely with the Muslim students of the University of Miami to establish and prosper the Downtown Project to feed and provide other assistance to the homeless population. Commissioner Souto contributed the seed money for this project.
• The Board also assisted Universal Heritage Institute to establish the Medical Clinic.
• NANAY Asian Community Center has undertaken project to assist home-owners in financial distress.
• The Board has an excellent record serving as a liaison between the Asian community and the community at large, as well as the County Officials, Commissioners and the community like cultural programs; festivals; inviting public and elected officials to Asian celebratory events.
• The Board has provided advise about establishing Non-For Profit Organizations to various groups.

6. To encourage and attract Asian business to Dade County, to assist Asian business located in Dade County and to promote economic development, especially job creation in Miami-Dade County.

In this area the Board has not much for the business opportunities for the Asian community. However The Board should reach out to prominent Asian businessmen to make recommendations how the Board can assist the community; what it can do to help potential business men and women in Miami Dade County.

7. To foster relationship with public officials and maintain formal channels of communication so that the Asian concerns are effectively transmitted and heard.

This aspect is one of the strongest areas in the Boards community building process. The Board is actively engaged with at least 11 of the 13 commissioners.

8. To promote positive images and concepts of Asian and Asian Americans as well as promote their many contributions to our society.

The Board has a strong history of community building through community outreach. On the other hand, the Board should develop guidelines with defined goals and objectives in this area.

9. 9. To build coalitions with various community groups to address issues of common concerns, such as advocating positive legislation regarding immigration and advocating legislation to strengthen the penalties for racially motivated crimes.

· In the area of social issues, SAHARA stands out as an excellent example of cooperation with the Women’s Fund of Miami in creating the institution.
· The Board assisted the Kendall mosque in building coalition with interfaith group to engage police and address the bigotry and hate crime against the mosque helping engage Commissioner Martinez’ office in this matter.
· The Board should utilize its legal expertise available and have opinion papers on various pending issues and legislations like immigration, education, equal employment opportunity for the Asians as well as economic-education and opportunities for Asian business men and women.

10. To promote the cultural heritage of Asian Americans.

There is a long list of Asian cultural calendar that routinely promotes Asian culture through various exhibits, displays, and festivals in Miami Dade County throughout the years. The Board could consider a landmark project like building an Asian Cultural Center or Art center to find a permanent place to highlight Asian cultural heritage. Also, the Boar should encourage and assist in citizenship and voter registration.

11. Eliminate ignorance and bigotry towards Asian Americans.

At the present time the Board is working with the program A world of Difference of thee Anti-defamation League ADL to develop a cultural sensitivity education program. This program would be designed to be introduced as part of the program No Place for Hate.

12. To conduct studies through fact-finding and analysis of problems encountered by Asian community members.

By partnering with schools and student associations to develop research studies about Asians in South Florida could be another resource of information about the assets, needs and problems of the community. The board can also work with Asian Studies Program, the Middle East Center, other individuals and institutions to encourage studies in these areas.

13. The board shall report at least annually to the Commission as to its activities, findings and recommendations.

· This year, the Board prepared an Activity and Performance Report which presents an overview of the Asian Boards achievements.
· Asia at a Glance is another publication will be available

14. To perform such other duties as may from time to time be assigned to it by resolution of the County Commission.

• Though the Board was never assigned any duties by virtue of any resolution, the Board played a very critical role in post nine-eleven community outreach incentive in collaboration with the United States Department of Justice.

Ahmad (Adam) Tavakoly     (Past Chair)                     

Ahmad (Adam) Tavakoly obtained his bachelor’s   degree in electrical engineering from Florida International University.  He is the president and CEO of CompuSource.Net, an information technology consulting firm, specializing in web design and hosting, as well as e-commerce solutions and telecommunication technologies.   Tavakoly is a member of the Progress Club of Miami, Public Affairs Alliance of Iranian America (PAIAA) and the Iranian Professional Association.

Barnaby Min, Esq.     ( Chair)      

Barnaby Min is the former Zoning Administrator for the City of Miami, which oversees the City’s Zoning Department and reviews and approves all plans for development within the City.  He was previously an attorney with the City of Miami’s Attorney’s Office.  Min has also served as the Bar Counsel at The Florida Bar and as the Assistant State Attorney with the Miami-Dade State Attorney’s Office.  He is currently an Arbitrator with the Office of the Attorney General and Volunteer Guardian Attorney for the Guardian Ad Litem Program. 

Min is the past President of the Asian Pacific American Bar Association of South Florida and a member of the National Asian Pacific American Bar Association. He is a Board member of the Florida Lawyers Assistance, Inc. and a previous Board member of the Dade County Bar Association.

Min is a recipient of the “40 Under 40” Award by the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation for his leadership and involvement in the community and the “Legal Advocacy Award” from the Voices for Children Foundation, Inc., for his volunteer representation of abused, abandoned and neglected children involved in the legal system.

Mehmet Ulutas, P.E.     (2^nd Vice Chair)        

Mehmet Ulutas obtained his bachelor’s degree in mechanical engineering from Istanbul Technical University, the oldest and most reputable university in Turkey.  He later earned his master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Miami, and also his master’s degree in   business administration (MBA) 

Ulutas is a licensed professional engineer in the states of Florida and New York.  He is currently the associate vice president of T.Y. Lin International Group, a global, multi-disciplinary engineering services firm recognized for excellence in signature bridges, aviation, architecture, roads, highways, fueling, environmental and other engineering planning and design.

 

Ulutas is the past executive committee member of Crescent Chamber of Commerce.  Ulutas is also the past vice chair of the Turkish Student Association at the University of Miami.

Nick Vicera     (3^rd Vice Chair)        

Nick Vicera is a Filipino American.  He obtained his master’s degree in econometrics from Yokohama National University in Japan on a scholarship grant from the Japanese government. Shortly afterwards, he worked for the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) of the United Nations (UN) in Vienna, Austria as a nuclear material statistical analyst.  He co-developed the computerized nuclear safeguards inspection procedure effectiveness evaluation system of the Agency that monitors the compliance of UN member countries’ nuclear plants according to the provisions of the Non-Nuclear Proliferation Treaty (NNPT) of the United Nations.  He later worked for the Vienna-based Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries (OPEC) as an oil energy analyst calculating oil production quota among OPEC member countries. 

Vicera emigrated to the U.S. in 1991 and now works for Miami-Dade County as a computer programmer. He developed the computerized real estate property re-valuation appeals process of the Value Adjustment Board of the county.  He also helped develop the paperless traffic courts hearing system of the county, considered the first in the U.S.

Vicera is a recipient of the “Hometown Hero Award” from the United Way of Miami-Dade and Broward Counties, Miami Herald, and Burger King Corp. for his volunteer work in organizing sports tournaments for Asian American youth and parents in an effort to prevent drug abuse and smoking among youth.  He is also a recipient of “Plaque of Recognition” from the Miami-Dade Police Department Police Citizen’s Academy for his volunteer work in improving police/community partnership. 

Kwok-Cheng (Manny) Wong  (Ex Officio Immediate Past Chair)     

Kwok-Cheng (Manny) Wong is of Chinese descent and was born in Havana, Cuba.  He came to the U.S. when he was eight years old.  He graduated from Pace University in New York and worked briefly in the real estate market before starting his own company, the Fullei Fresh, of which he is now the CEO.  Fullei Fresh grows hydroponic sprouts along with a wide range of sprouts, including organic sprouts.  Wong was past vice president of the International Sprout Growers Association.

Wong is very active in the local Miami community.  He is a member of the Latin American Chamber of Commerce (CAMACOL), Friends of Miami Marine Stadium and Citizens on Patrol (COP) of the City of Miami Police Department.

He serves in the board of directors of the World Kwong Tung Community Association and was the past chair of the Miami-Dade County Asian American Advisory Board.  He is the past president of the Chinese-American Chamber of Commerce and past vice president of the Miami Overseas Chinese Association and Miami Dragon Boat Club.

Melissa Fung Braynon     (Board Member)

Melissa Fung Braynon is of Chinese-Jamaican decent and is a native of Miami-Dade County.  She received her bachelor’s degree in psychology and sociology from the University of Florida and her master’s degree in mental health counseling from Northeastern University.  

Braynon is a licensed mental health counselor in the State of Florida and has dedicated her professional career to working with children as a child and family therapist and as a public school educator.  Currently, Braynon works as a program supervisor at the Institute for Child and Family Health, one of Miami’s oldest and largest community health centers. She also serves on the Juvenile Justice Transition Board of the Eleventh Judicial Circuit.  

She is married to Florida State Senator Oscar James Braynon II of District 36.  They have two sons Oscar James III and Brandon Glen.

 Naser Effekhari, M.D.     (Board Member)    

Nasser Effekhari is a medical doctor and obtained his degree in medicine from Tehran University.  He specialized in physical medicine and rehabilitation and sub-specialized in electro-diagnostics. 

Effekhari is a diplomate of the American Board of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation.  Before he went into private practice, Effekhari served as the chief of the Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation at the Veterans Administration Medical Center in Miami.  He is currently an associate clinical professor of the Department of Rehabilitation Medicine at the University of Miami and a medical staff of Mercy Hospital, University of Miami Hospital and South Miami Hospital. 

Effekhari has been a subject of biographical record in Marquis Who’s Who in America, 1998.  He is a founding member and past president of the Iranian Cultural Society of South Florida.

Tohfa Eminova     (Board Member)

Tohfa Eminova is a theatre specialist and a musician. She obtained her master’s degree in music from the Azerbaijan State University of Culture and Arts. After graduation, she taught the history of theatre and ballet in Baku School of Choreography.

In 1993, she worked at the Azerbaijani Parliament, first with the Research and Prognosis Centre and later with the Women and Development Centre. In 1995, she worked as a member of the Commission of Audit of the Trade Union of Cultural Workers of Azerbaijan.

She immigrated to the U.S. in 2000 and earned her associate's degree in medical assisting at Keiser University. She now works as a plastic surgeon's assistant at Strax Rejuvenation while currently pursuing a degree in nursing at Keiser University.

Eminova serves as the president of the Azerbaijani-American Cultural Association of South Florida.

Sadrul H. Fasihi      (Board Member)          

Sadrul H. Fasihi is a retired computer analyst.  Since retirement, he has volunteered at the UHI Community Care Clinic and served as its past president.  The UHI Clinic is a volunteer-driven, non-profit, non-government medical facility that provides free health care to the low-income uninsured residents of South Florida by means of office visits, lab work, x-rays and specialty referrals. 

Nazifa (Nazy) Given     (Board Member)       

Nazifa (Nazy) Given  was born in Kabul, Afghanistan and emigrated with her family to the United States in 1968. She received her bachelor’s degree in architecture from the University of Tennessee and currently serves as a senior project designer and manager of PJB Architects, an architectural firm that produces projects ranging from custom residential to retail, commercial, educational and industrial.

Given served as president of the JROTC Booster Club at MAST Academy during the time when her two daughters attended the school.  She has also donated her time doing volunteer work for the Parent Teacher Student Association of MAST Academy and Fairchild Tropical Botanical Garden in their programs for autistic children and Alzheimer’s patients.  She is a regular participant of the MCJJ’s Interfaith Clergy Dialog meetings representing her Muslim faith.  Given is a lay member of the Ethics Committee of VITAS Innovative Hospice Care.

Josephine Shih Gordy    (Board Member)              

Josephine Shih Gordy is of Hong Kong and Australian descent.  She is a business entrepreneur and owns AlkaLife International that produces and markets natural alkaline water.  The company was co-founded by her late husband, Sang Whang.

Gordy is secretary of the board of the National Alliance to Nurture the Aged and the Youth (NANAY) and is also the secretary of the board of the Chinese American Benevolent Association.  She is a board member of the Asian American Federation of Florida and Organization of Chinese Americans – South Florida Chapter.

Joseph Johnson, Ph.D.     (Board Member) 

Joseph Johnson holds a doctorate degree in business and is an Associate Professor of marketing at the University of Miami.  His research interests include: developing models for profitable customization of marketing promotions, measuring and managing of brand equity, new product valuation, financial implications of marketing strategy, measuring the effectiveness of social media, developing frameworks for successful entry into emerging markets and the dynamics of financial bubbles.

His research has appeared in leading journals such as the Journal of Consumer Research, Marketing Science, Journal of Marketing, Journal of the Academy of Marketing Science, Journal of International Marketing and Journal of Optimization Theory and Applications. His paper on market entry strategies into India and China won the Paul Root Best Paper Award from the Journal of Marketing in 2008. His research on financial markets has been featured in Financial Times of India, MSNBC and Kiplinger’s Personal Finance. He has appeared on the TV news show Nightly Business Report to discuss consumer financial decision making.

His teaching interests include Strategic Brand Management, New Product Introductions, Marketing Strategy and International Marketing. He is a member of the Mathematical Society of America and has been mentioned in Marquis Who’s Who in America, 2012.

Johnson has worked and consulted extensively in India, Middle East and here in the U.S. in B-to-B and B-to-C contexts such as industrial pumps, steel, decorative and industrial paints, petroleum refining, banking, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, hospitality and branded gourmet coffee.

Meital Stavinsky, Esq.     (Board Member)

Meital Stavinsky was born and raised in Israel.  She obtained her law degree from Tel Aviv University.  Stavinsky is a practicing attorney at Greenberg Traurig.  She has been instrumental in developing the firm's Israel practice.  Stavinsky's practice focuses on sustainability and government relations.  She primarily advises Cleantech companies in the areas of renewable energy, alternative fuel transportation and infrastructure, energy efficiency, water and waste treatment, green materials and green buildings.  She often serves as a speaker at conferences and seminars in the United States and Israel on Cleantech and Israel related matters. 

Stavinsky is a Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design accredited professional (LEED AP) of the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) that promotes rating systems of the design, construction and operation of high performance green buildings, homes and neighborhoods.

Prapapis “Patti” Pitayapisut, ARNP, Ed.D.     (Board Member)

Prapapis “Patti” Pitayapisut obtained her bachelor’s degree in nursing from Mahidol University in Bangkok, Thailand and her master’s degree in nursing from Florida International University. She earned her doctorate degree in healthcare education from Nova Southeastern University (NSU) on a full scholarship from NSU and Florida Association of Community Colleges. 

She is a senior associate professor of the School of Nursing at Miami-Dade College (MDC) and co-chair of the Student Affairs Committee of MDC. She is an advanced registered nurse practitioner (ARNP).

Pitayapisut is an active community service volunteer. As an educator, she volunteers for the Miami Book Fair International. As a registered nurse, she volunteers in several health fairs in Miami and organizes the “Shaking for Shaping,” a nutritional health fair at the Wat Buddharangsi Temple of the Thai community in Homestead. Pitayapisut is a former board member of the Thai-American Association of South Florida

Adrianne Aiko Thompson    (Board Member)

Adrianne Aiko Thompson is sansei (third-generation) Japanese-American.  She obtained her master’s degree in teaching English to speakers of other languages (TESOL) from Columbia University, Teachers College and her bachelor’s degree in Spanish and global studies from the University of Iowa. 

After almost nine years of teaching English at various colleges and universities in Japan, Thompson returned to the U.S. with her husband, who is Cuban-American, and their daughter in 2001.  She is currently a senior associate professor at Miami Dade College, where she has taught English for academic purposes since 2002.  She was a recipient of the 2012 John & Suanne Roueche Excellence Awards, which celebrate outstanding contributions and leadership by community college faculty and staff.

Thompson was a founding member of the Asian Pacific American heritage committee at Miami Dade College, which started to host events in 2004.  Since then, she has helped organize events every year, supporting Asian cultural activities at various campuses.  Thompson began studying Japanese tea ceremony at Florida International University in 2009, and she continues to study tea ceremony each week at her tea master’s home.  She is an active member of the Chado Urasenke Tankokai South Florida Association and Japan Cultural Foundation of Miami.

Xuejun (Jim) Yu, Ph.D.     (Board Member)

Xuejun (Jim) Yu received his bachelor’s degree in Chinese language and literature from Jiangxi University in China and pursued advanced studies at Fudan University in Shanghai. He received his master’s degree in communications from the University of Hawaii and was a Parvin Fellow of the East-West Center in Honolulu.  He later earned his doctorate degree in international communications from the University of Florida.   

Yu is the director of the Confucius Institute of Miami Dade College.  He previously taught Chinese language, culture, and communications at Jiangxi University (China), the University of Florida, Stetson University and the University of Central Florida. He was the co-founder of “China” Exploritas Program at Stetson University, one of the largest continuing education programs on China in the U.S.

Outside of academia, Yu worked for major U.S. corporations and universities organizing Asian community events throughout the U.S., particularly in the areas of Chinese cultural entertainment and international education. He served on the editorial board of the Chinese-language publication, U.S. Digest.

As far as his community leadership and academic accomplishments, Yu received awards from the Association for Education in Journalism & Mass Communication, Broadcast Education Association, the University of Florida, the Orlando Chinese Professional Association, and the Chinese Language Teachers Association (Florida Chapter).   

He currently serves as chair of the Board of Directors of the Contemporary Chinese School of South Florida (Miami Campus) and as a member of the Board of Directors of the Chinese Culture Foundation (Miami).