About the Project...
Heroes and Legends Award is to recognize and honor our community Heroes and Legends for their lifetime achievement, services, and generosity in making a positive impact on our youth and younger generations.
Discovering our community heroes and legends and documenting their stories and voices has the potential to inspire and motivate young people to become positive social change agents, confront systemic injustices, and promote equality and justice for all. Our annual Heroes and Legends Award is to recognize and honor our community Heroes and Legends for their lifetime achievements, services, and generosity in making a positive impact on our youth and younger generations. There will be a screening of short documentary films of our Heroes and Legends, entertainment, and an award ceremony.
Our Heroes and Legends are carefully researched, reviewed, and selected by our younger generations through their visions, perspectives, and understandings to recognize the greater example of their inspiration and motivation.
On this account, the goal of this initiative is to create personalized mentoring opportunities that cater to young people’s unique needs and aspirations, with the goal of inspiring and empowering them to realize their full potential through lifelong learning. We aim to cultivate a growth mindset in youth and students by providing one-on-one guidance, allowing them to develop the skills, knowledge, and resilience needed to succeed in today’s rapidly changing world.
"Meet Our Hero"
USC Korean American Legacy Lecture Series…
In cooperation with CARE Projects, the USC Dornsife Korean Studies Institute, the USC Korean Heritage Library, and the K.W. Lee Center for Leadership, we are hosting a special lecture series to honor our Heroes and Legends for their lifetime achievements, service, and generosity in making a positive impact on our youth and future generations. The series also highlights the important oral and visual history of our Korean American legacy. You will have the opportunity to meet, listen to, and engage with these heroes, drawing inspiration and connecting with our shared heritage to further our research on important Korean American history.
The USC Dornsife Korean Studies Institute (KSI), founded in 1995, aims to be a leading academic center for Korean studies. With over twelve faculty affiliates and a wide range of courses related to Korea, KSI serves as a dynamic hub for research and education, both at USC and beyond.
The USC Korean Heritage Library, opened in 1986, aims to create a comprehensive collection for Korean Studies, preserving and promoting Korean culture, history, and heritage. In addition to its vast collection, the library hosts events, exhibitions, and educational activities to deepen understanding of Korean heritage, particularly the Korean American experience.
Messages from our team...
"I have been a part of the Heroes and Legend LA team since my freshman year, and I am currently in my second semester of junior year. As a third-year member of Heroes and Legend, I have had a handful of 'once-in-a-lifetime experiences.' From meeting some of my community's hidden heroes and then being able to serve as the bridge from unknown to known, I have realized that I took part in the creation of a legacy.
These experiences have made me more passionate about what we, as a team, do. Each year, our Heroes and Legend team becomes greater, and I am happy to be a part of this wonderful project once again. Cheers to Heroes and Legend 2024!"
Gyubin Kim (17)
North Hollywood High School
When I joined, I learned a lot of life lessons such as time management, but most importantly, becoming a leader. I learned how to take action on my own, setting up zoom meetings for Tia, constantly communicating with you and Tia, and setting up the music program for the reception. I learned how much you can get done by taking action for myself and others. And it brought me so much joy seeing Tia’s expression of happiness when I was able to share her story and hard work she’s done for our community. And I would love to write about other heroes and legends this year to share their experiences and accomplishments.
Daniel Kim (17)
Granada Hills Charter High School
I am so blessed that I got this opportunity in being able to honor my hero through this book. There are so many people whom I look up to and have guided in so many ways. I want to take this chance and rejoin Heroes and Legends because one book is simply not enough for all the amazing leaders helping to cultivate and improve the Korean American Community each and every day. Thank you to Chris for setting this organization up and giving us the time to truly appreciate our heroes properly and through the deserved respect. I’m so excite to continue my journey in writing this book along with all the other members.
Ashley Ham (17)
Harvard-Westlake School
As someone who has been part of the Heroes and Legends team since our very first reception, I'm incredibly proud of how much our team has achieved and how much our members have grown after meeting each hero and legend. Being able to continue this work into the year of 2024 is a once in a lifetime privilege to meet inspirational figures and learn valuable lessons in professional and comfortable environments. Prior to joining our team, I constantly feared about my blurry future, but as I learned and grew through each project, I can confidently say that I'm excited to explore into the unknown stage of my life. But in the meantime, I hope that my contribution to our work in 2024 will honorably recognize more of these figures for their lifetime achievements as we connect and share their stories with the youth.
Celine Hong (17)
The Science Academy
Engaging in this project has not only introduced me to numerous inspiring individuals but has also provided valuable insights into my own character. Through documenting the legacies of remarkable contributors to our community, we have not only enriched our network but also gained a deeper understanding of ourselves. I am grateful for this transformative experience, which has allowed me to further cultivate my interests and passions.
In reflection, I wish to share my personal growth.
Eugene Cho (16)
La Canada High School
I have definitely had new experiences in this group, and have a new, and better perspective of my culture & community!!
Lauren Sun (15)
Ramona Convent Secondary School
Heroes and Legends has been a monumental platform in my life for allowing me to tell the stories of extraordinary individuals. It has allowed me to engage deeply with the community, understand their triumphs and challenges, and contribute to their well-deserved recognition.
Writing the stories about these community leaders is not always easy. It requires a lot of research, interviews, and fact-checking. It also involves a lot of empathy, respect, and honesty. I have to balance the facts with the emotions, the achievements with the failures, the praise with the criticism.
But it is also rewarding. Writing about our community leaders has allowed me to hone my writing skills, build perspectives, and deepen my compassion. It has also connected me with amazing people and opened new opportunities. Ultimately, I have grown as a writer and person through this program.
Matheus Koo (16)
Granada Hills Charter High School
Heroes and Legends has been such a life changing and inspirational experience. Having the opportunity to meet new people around the community is genuinely so eye opening. It recognizes the importance of recording new stories and being able to learn from them. It's moments like these that initiates a new level of sentimality that I haven't valued before. The team is great to have, both the writers and mentors. It has filled my life up with precious knowledge and relationships that are priceless. I can feel supported through my journey to my future endeavors, and I can thank Heroes and Legends for that.
Joy Han (16)
Girls Academic Leadership Academy