Ethnic diversity adds richness to a society, and recognition of cultural and historical identity adds warmth to the heart of a person residing far away from home. While celebrating and bragging the melting pot diversity in Pittsburgh and U.S. in general, I privately still find myself homesick once every a while. So on the 19th of October, 2012, when I was making acquaintances with several established Chinese countrymen/countrywoman in a Vibrant Pittsburgh function in August Wilson Center, I was seemly brought back to China. It’s a good feeling. Especially I got to know Ms. Fanglin Deng, who serves as the Vice President of Chinese Association for Science and Technology--Pittsburgh Chapter (CAST-P). That day, she dressed up in a very elegant and oriental fashion, which really made me feel like being at home.
During this Vibrant Pittsburgh event, topics such as accomplishments, new opportunities, and obstacles of immigrants contributing to Pittsburgh’s social and economic development, and the direction of immigration policy development, were discussed. Dr. Xiaoyan Zhang, as an entrepreneur guest speaker, shared his story about his company, KIT Solutions, LLC, creating high-paid tech jobs for local talents and utilizing big data methods to equip government departments to make better societal decisions. As a Chinese, I was very proud of him. And very pleased about being present to witness and celebrate his success. As a community development and social entrepreneurship young professional, I knew I would be talking to him some more. It turned out that with the help from my father and his friend, I was able to connect Dr. Xiaoyan Zhang with Mr. Zhenyao Wang, one of the most influential social movement champions in China. As they say ”what you sow, you reap.”
I believe Pittsburgh is the right place to be for someone like me who wants to know the essence and efforts needed to transform a city through its community development efforts. As a matter of fact, in some Chinese newspapers, Pittsburgh has already been identified as a good learning example for community transformation.
Beer winning trivia @ Vibrant Pittsburgh, KIT Solutions LLC, and CAST-P
1. Vibrant Pittsburgh’s mission is “Embrace inclusion, ensure the Pittsburgh region’s growth by attracting, retaining and elevating a diversity of talent and promote the region nationally and internationally as a diverse, welcoming region of opportunities.” The major areas where Vibrant Pittsburgh’s projects are involved include immigration, employment, and cultural integration. Currently its Executive Director is Melanie Harrington.
2. KIT Solutions LLC was born out of a notion: combining social science and information technology to create innovative solutions in support of data-driven social service program management. In 1998, the first software product, the Performance-Based Prevention System (PBPS) was developed and implemented in the state of Pennsylvania to support statewide drug prevention. The Bureau of Drug and Alcohol Programs, 50 single county authorities, and 150 local service providers utilized this PBPS. Over the past 15 years, KIT has partnered with state and federal government agencies to identify, understand and enhance their decision-making process. As a trusted advisor, KIT offers ongoing expertise in the collection and utilization of data to more than 2,400 organizations and 30,000 end-users in the U.S. Its founder is Dr. Xiaoyan Zhang, PH.D sociology from University of Pittsburgh, of Chinese origin.
3. The Chinese Association for Science and Technology - Pittsburgh Chapter (CAST-P) is a non-political, non-profit organization chartered in the greater Pittsburgh area. Its missions are to promote China's economic reform while bringing prosperity to both China and the US by facilitating channels for technological, commercial, and cultural exchange between the two countries, to promote opportunities and environments for Chinese professionals to network and exchange information, and to promote greater understanding of Chinese traditional culture in the United States. CAST-P has over eight hundred members. Most of them are Chinese professionals working in science and technology fields in the greater Pittsburgh area. In addition to providing member benefits, sponsoring various sports activities and organizing annual picnic, CAST-P also holds monthly meeting and educational seminars on various subjects including new technology, tax and insurance, law and finance.
Your ID @ Vibrant Pittsburgh
In which prestigious Pittsburgh Club did Vibrant Pittsburgh host its JASP Annual Dinner on November 5th, 2013?
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