NOTE: We are still looking for board members. If you are interested, please submit a copy of your resume and a letter of intent to Kevin Xiong at kevin.xiong@shadesofyellow.org or xiongkevy@aol.com.
Chair
Pheng Thao has been an advocate in different areas of social change for the last five years with experiences in sexual violence, child abuse/neglect, social justice, and currently domestic violence. Conversely, he has had experience and training on working with youth sex offenders and men who are sentence to Batter Intervention Programs. He currently works at Project P.E.A.C.E., a local domestic violence intervention program located in Brooklyn Center. His main role at Project P.E.A.C.E. is community outreach and violence prevention. Pheng does training and presentations on teen healthy relationships and domestic violence to police officers, paraprofessionals, high school students, and community members. In addition, he does presentations and trainings on working with domestic violence related Asian Pacific Islander individuals. He sits on several community organization boards whose mission and goals are violence prevention/intervention and social change. Pheng holds a Masters in Liberal Studies from the University of Wisconsin – Milwaukee with an emphasis on cultural awareness and an undergraduate in Law Enforcement from Minnesota State University – Mankato.
Vice Chair
Oskar Ly has a Bachelors of Science Degree in Human Resources Development and a minor in Industrial Relations and Retail Merchandising at the University of Minnesota, Twin Cities. She is a MBV alumni and continued volunteer, Orgins Fashion Show producer – hosted at Hmong American New Year 2009, MN Arts Board grant recipient, freelance artist and designer, and events planner and performer.
Secretary
Bic Ngo is an assistant professor of Culture and Teaching in the Department of Curriculum and Instruction at the University of Minnesota. Her research examines “culture” and “difference” in the education of immigrant students, and the implications for theorizing immigrant identity, culturally relevant pedagogy, and anti-oppressive education. Her work has explored the experiences of Hmong American high school students, college students, parents, and community leaders.
Treasurer
Keo Chang earned her degree in Mathematics from the University of Minnesota. Most of her professional experience has been in the insurance and financial services industry for a total of nine years. Keo is passionate about helping improve the Hmong community. Some of her past and current community and volunteer services include: the Hmong American Partnership Board, Hnub Tshiab: Hmong Women Achieving Together Board, Shades of Yellow Board, the Hmong National Development Steering Committee, Professional Hmong Women Association Steering and Leadership Committees, St. Paul Public Schools Hmong Mentorship Program, and the Community School of Excellence Community Education Program. She has also co-sponsored many events and organizations such as: Hmong American Partnership, Friends of Scouting, Hmong Women Circle Girl Scouts, Professional Hmong Women Association, MN Hmong New Year Celebration, Zaj Lus Dragonspeakers Toastmasters Club, Community School of Excellence New Year, Hmong National Development, Hmong Resource Fair, and MN Hmong Chamber of Commerce.
Board Member
Dr. Thai Lee is currently a resident physician at St. Joseph's Hospital in Downtown St. Paul. He has many years of experience working with at-risk youth both in and out of the GLBT community. He is also an HIV/AIDs educator and have spent time speaking to high school students about safe sex and STD prevention. Dr. Lee also has an interest in developing healthcare programs for the Hmong community and human rights advocacy.
Board Member
Chao Xiong is a staff writer at the Minneapolis Star Tribune, and has written for the Des Moines Register, the Wall Street Journal and Newsday. He has a journalism and art degree from the University of Iowa. He is active in the Asian American Journalists Association, and serves as watchdog of local media coverage of Asian American communities. Chao grew up in Des Moines, Iowa and has lived in Minneapolis for five years.