CASL’s Spring Luncheon Celebrates AANHPI Heritage Month with Cultural Voices
May 19, 2025 — The Chinese American Service League (CASL) marked a vibrant milestone during its annual Spring Luncheon, held at the Union League Club of Chicago, coinciding with Asian American, Native Hawaiian, and Pacific Islander (AANHPI) Heritage Month. The event launched the new Cultural Voices series, emphasizing storytelling as a vital thread weaving together diverse experiences and shaping a shared future.
Moderated by ABC 7 Chicago’s Cate Cauguiran, the luncheon featured a thoughtful panel discussion with award-winning authors Susan Blumberg-Kason (When Friends Come From Afar), Gloria Chao (American Panda), Sonali Dev (The Vibrant Years), and Monica Eng (Made in Chicago: Stories Behind 30 Great Hometown Bites).
The panel explored the power of storytelling through the lens of AANHPI identity, experience, and community, highlighting how narrative can uplift, complicate, and expand understandings of AANHPI lives beyond stereotypes. Panelists discussed the challenges and rewards of navigating the creative industry, approaches to representing culture with nuance and care, and the importance of storytelling that honors both heritage and everyday joy.
“[Indian culture] is a culture that has huge celebrations. That has almost stifling tight bonds in every relationship. It comes with a lot of pain, but it also comes with a lot of humor. My idea is to refuse to separate those two things” said Sonali Dev.
A key moment of the afternoon was honoring Illinois State Representative Theresa Mah with the Community Leader Award, recognizing her dedicated work advancing equity and inclusion.
‘The work that I do, being the voice of my constituents, and those in communities just like ours across Illinois, it is such a privilege. Because I get to do the work that improves people’s lives, that makes things easier. When my parents were struggling, I wish they had a champion. I am so fortunate and privileged to be able to do that for my constituents” said State Representative Mah.
CASL unveiled its refreshed logo and brand identity, designed to reflect the organization’s growth and ongoing commitment to serving Chicago’s AANHPI community and beyond.
“CASL is evolving, not in our mission, but in our scale, in our direction, and in our voice. We’re growing, we’re launching new programs, we’re preparing to open a second campus. We’re stepping more fully into advocacy and systems change. And with all of that comes the need for a visual identity that reflects who we are becoming, without losing who we’ve been” said CASL Board Member Jed Lam.
Video and additional highlights from the event are available upon request.
Visionary Sponsors: Chinatown Parking Corporation, U.S. Bank
Impact Partner Sponsors: ComEd, Lakeside Bank, Synchrony
Champion Sponsor: ABC-7 Chicago
Silver Ox Sponsors: Busey
Bronze Horse Sponsors: Bonnie Fong & Robert Levin, Paul Pai & Christine Ghee
About CASL
Founded in 1979, the Chinese American Service League (CASL) is the largest and most comprehensive community-based nonprofit serving Asian Americans in the Midwest. CASL supports individuals and families across four essential areas: health, human services, education, and advocacy. From early learning and senior care to legal assistance, housing support, and citizenship services, CASL helps thousands of Chicago-area residents build healthy, stable, and empowered lives.