January Newsletter

PRESIDENT’S NOTE

A New Year And A New Start Welcome to 2024 and AK Connection’s first newsletter in a long time! Our new board of directors has put together a great slate of programming and events and I’m excited to share them with you. Each event we put on requires several hours to plan and execute. I’m so thankful to have such an engaged and resourceful board to help. They are fantastic, each and every one of them! I hope you can attend an upcoming event to meet them yourself. I know the past couple years have been super tough for many of us. My wish is that AK Connection can once again be a presence in the community to provide a moment of respite during these times. I can hardly wait for the events to start so we can gather once again as friends, neighbors, sisters, brothers, and, as always, KOREANS!   -David Moschkau, AKC President WHAT'S NEW Design our 2024 T-shirt Calling all artists and graphic designers! Here’s your chance to create a design for our 2024 AK Connection t-shirt and other swag. The design requirements are simple:  Reflect our shared background as Minnesotans and Koreans  Include the words “AK Connection” Be easily adapted to t-shirts, sweatshirts, mugs, and tote bags  Be respectful (e.g., no profanity)  In addition to bragging rights, the winning designer will receive a free 2024 membership to AK Connection worth $250, which includes our 2024 AKC t-shirt and waived entrance fees to our paid events, such as Korean cooking classes.  Send your submission to [email protected] by March 1 at 5 p.m. CT. Your submission must include your full name and email address, a digital file of your design in JPG format, and a brief explanation of how your submission meets the design requirements.  The AKC Board will then review all designs and select a winner, who will be notified by the end of March. We know we have a lot of talented artists in our community and we’re excited to see what you create!  UPCOMING EVENTS Jan. 13: Book Reading & Signing with Dr. Sara Docan-Morgan You’re invited to a special book reading and signing event with Professor Sara Docan-Morgan on January 13 from 3-5 p.m. at Open Book in Minneapolis. Dr. Docan-Morgan, a fellow Korean adoptee, recently released “In Reunion: Transnational Korean Adoptees and the Communication of Family.” Her book details how transnational Korean adoptees, who have reunited with their birth families, navigate identity, family, and belonging.  We’ll serve light snacks and Open Book has a cafe if you’d like to purchase coffee or other beverages. This event is free and we are limited to 40 people so RSVP now to reserve your spot! Learn more about her book and get a special pre-order discount code!  RSVP Jan. 20: January Social Join us on Jan. 20 from 6:30-10 p.m. for our January Social. This event will be held at Arbeiter Brewing in Minneapolis and AKC will provide food. We encourage you to dress up (e.g., blazers, slacks, skirts, dresses, etc.) No need to RSVP — just show up! A Look Ahead at 2024 Events Look for more details soon on our Facebook group, Instagram, website and this monthly newsletter! February:  Seollal (Lunar New Year) Celebration  March:  Korean Adoptee Panel on Birth Country and Birth Family Search; "The Name Jar" Performance Viewing with Theater Mu April:  AKC Membership Drive Event May:  Children's Day Gathering  June:  Athletic Event July:  International Conference on Adoption Research Event August:  Summer Picnic September:  Chuseok Celebration  October:  Kimjang (Kimchi Making) Class  November:  Friendsgiving Social  December:  Korean Adoptee Artist and Maker Showcase