Building Our Region’s Korean Communities Exhibition Opening

Join us on Thursday, July 24th, from 6 – 8 PM (doors open 5:30 PM) for the opening of our new exhibition and the 15th Anniversary of the YOK Center! The Civil Rights Institute is proud to introduce Building Our Region’s Korean Communities; presented by Altura Credit Union, with support from Q’Vinc and Irma Asberry, the Dosan Memorial Foundation of Americas, Ken and Mary Gutierrez, the Harada House Foundation and Ariel Savage and Theresa Han Savage. This new exhibition highlights the legacy of Korean Americans in the Inland region and beyond. Developed in partnership with the Young Oak Kim Center for Korean American Studies at UC Riverside—founded in 2010 by Professor Edward T. Chang and named for a decorated Korean American WWII and Korean War hero known for his efforts to bridge ethnic divides—this exhibition highlights the early Korean American community’s fight for homeland independence, their work in the local citrus industry, and the ways they established cultural roots in our region. Curated by Director of Public History Dr. Audrey Maier with insights from Dr. Carol Park of the Young Oak Kim Center, this exhibition offers visitors a chance to explore an often-overlooked chapter of history, deepening our understanding of how Korean Americans have shaped the region’s cultural landscape. A highlight of the display is the story of Pachappa Camp, the first Koreatown in the United States.