Bamboo Circle Co-Chair Appointment
I’m happy to officially announce that I am the newest co-chair of the Boston Neighborhood Chinatown Center’s (BCNC) Bamboo Circle, a network of volunteer young professionals that aim to support and strengthen the Boston Chinatown and immigrant communities!
Join us on Thursday, August 22, 6 PM at the Pao Arts Center for our next Bamboo Circle meeting!
Thank you to the BCNC for this opportunity, and for their coverage of me on their blog, which you can also read below.
Introducing Dana B., our new co-chair of the Bamboo Circle, alongside Bailey K. Since joining Bamboo Circle in 2023, Dana has been a dedicated member and will also be showcasing her talents as a muralist at Pao Arts Center’s 2024 Experience Chinatown. We’re excited to have Dana bring her passion and creativity to this new leadership position.
Introduce yourself.
My name is Dana (she/hers)! I was born in China, grew up in Connecticut, and have lived in the Boston area since 2016 after relocating for college. Currently, I'm a Graphic Designer at an architecture firm and the Assistant Graphic Designer at a theater company. In my spare time, I enjoy visiting art museums; learning about art and design history, attending plays and musicals; collecting mid-century modern furniture; and bothering my cat Ophelia.
What made you decide to join the Bamboo Circle?
“As a transracial adoptee—meaning someone adopted by a family of a different race—I really wanted to connect with others from my biological culture.”
As a transracial adoptee—meaning someone adopted by a family of a different race—I really wanted to connect with others from my biological culture. Growing up, I volunteered in my community a lot so I knew the Bamboo Circle would introduce me to others with similar values. For a while, I was just subscribed to the BCNC and Bamboo Circle newsletters but never participated in any of their events because I was anxious others wouldn't accept me. After I finally attended a meeting, I found it was the exact opposite; I immediately made friends with everyone!
What is your favorite event or memory with Bamboo Circle so far?
This past May we attended a Red Sox game for API Month. I'm not into sports but it was so much fun; I got to talk to Bamboo Circle members in a fun, different setting. Plus, all the money on the tickets we sold went to the BCNC!
What is your vision for BCNC’s Bamboo Circle?
I would love to see the Bamboo Circle host/lead more events, whether that's fundraising or networking opportunities. I want these experiences to help strengthen members' skill sets, while they make friends in the process! Being a part of the Bamboo Circle has definitely made me more outgoing, and I would love it if our group helped members shine in their own unique ways.
What would you tell someone interested in Bamboo Circle?
My only regret is waiting so long to attend a Bamboo Circle meeting! We're very welcoming and like-minded, in the sense we want to support the Chinatown and immigrant communities in any way we can. So if you're unsure, stop by for at least one meeting to see what we're about!
Experience Chinatown is part of Chinatown HOPE, a collective of eight Chinatown organizations, with the aim of coming together to leverage and build upon existing assets to have a greater, lasting impact on working class residents in Boston Chinatown. Join us on September 28th to support Dana and other muralists.
