With a shower of gold-colored confetti and the cutting of a festive red ribbon, more than 100 people celebrated the grand opening Friday of the New England Asian American Cultural Center in Milford.
Located in an industrial park at 49 Research Dr., the new center brings together the operations of Wu Dang Kung Fu Academy and Aiping Tai Chi to offer martial arts, dance and educational programs to serve the area’s growing Asian population.
The center aims to be the “premier destination in New England for Asian American cultural programming including school field trips and community events,” according to a statement.
The presence of more than a dozen local politicians at the grand opening highlighted the growth and increasing clout of the state’s Asian American communities.
Asian Americans accounted for more than half of Connecticut’s population growth over the past 10 years and now make up 5% of the state’s population, Lt. Gov. Susan Bysiewicz said. The state also became the first in the nation this year to mandate the teaching of Asian American and Pacific Islander history in public schools.
Citing the recent rise in anti-Asian violence, Bysiewicz said “now more than ever, it’s really important to increase visibility of our Asian and Pacific Islander communities, especially our wonderful entrepreneurs. We’re so grateful for community centers like this one that celebrate respect, diversity and unity.”
The new cultural center adds to Milford’s business community and brings much-needed diversity to the town, Chamber of Commerce President Michael Moses said. Center founders Shirley Chock and Jack Guo have been engaged entrepreneurs in the town for years, he added.
“I know their energy and their focus and their passion for it,” Moses said of the new center. “It’s going to make our community and our business community that much better.”
Friday’s event also featured a speech by Deputy Consul General Jin Qian of the Chinese Consulate in New York, who stressed “peaceful coexistence” between the U.S. and China in a time of strained relations. Cross-cultural efforts like the new center can help “build trust instead of walls” he said.
“Inclusiveness brings creativity, and cooperation brings winning results,” Qian said.
Contact Liese Klein at lklein@newhavenbiz.com.
