"Today's AsiaTown is a vibrant, growing, diverse neighborhood that reflects its roots in Cleveland Historic Chinatown," says the website of Asian Services in Action, Inc. (“ASIA”).
Michael Byun, Executive Director, Asian Services In Action
Beginning in the 1930's, Cleveland's Chinatown located on Rockwell Avenue between East 21st and East 24th Street - was the hub of the Chinese community. Cantonese immigrants from the Guangdong province in southern China formed a neighborhood where others often spoke the same language and shared similar cultural foods and traditions.
Lisa Wong
Today there are nearly two dozen Chinese dialects spoken in the region. The community is growing and diversifying within the newly defined AsiaTown neighborhood, now bounded roughly by St. Clair Avenue, Payne Avenue, and East 30th and 40th Streets,
George Kwan
Descendants of some of the early families still live in the greater Cleveland area. This exhibit captures portions of their history from old family photos and documents to newspaper images to glimpses into today's family activities.
Wayne Wong
How do they live? What was important to them? How does the legacy of these families and their Chinese culture continue today?"
This is the mission of the Faces of ChinaTown Exhibit at Asian Town Center on 38th Street between Payne and Superior. (2nd Floor).
Interviews and family photographs where supplied by Donald Chan, George Kwan Jr., Tony Louie, Hon Lui, Ying Yu Pan and Lisa Wong. Many of these names you know; some because their families have been in the area for so long and some because this next generation is active in promoting the Chinese culture in Cleveland's new AsiaTown. About 100 people came for the opening of the Exhibit and enjoyed a Kwan Family dragon dance to start the festivities. Enjoy these images from the opening reception.
Kwan Family Lion Dance at Faces of Chinatown
Donald Chan (also as a boy in the photo)
Debbie Yue and husband Vincent Cononico
Bob and Luanne Becker
Radhika Reddy and May Chen
Debbie Hanson
Nar Pradhan and daughter
Padma Pradhan
Lynn Selzer with Analisa and Elena
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