Wing Luke Museum Advances Community Revitalization Efforts with Bank of America Grant

Rhea-AI Summary

Bank of America has pledged a $1 million grant to the Wing Luke Museum in Seattle, aimed at enhancing community revitalization in the Chinatown-International District. The funding will support capital renovations, safety upgrades, and technology enhancements. This initiative will also promote local businesses through tours and cultural events, addressing challenges faced by the community exacerbated by the pandemic. In 2021, Bank of America invested $2.6 million in 54 nonprofits, reinforcing its commitment to racial equality and economic opportunity in the region.

Positive

• Bank of America contributes $1 million grant to Wing Luke Museum, supporting community revitalization.
• Funding allocated for capital renovations, safety upgrades, and technology enhancements.
• Initiatives promote local businesses and cultural awareness, boosting community engagement.
• Alignment with Bank of America's existing commitment to advance racial equality and economic opportunity through $1.25 billion investment.

Negative

• Pandemic has reduced overall visitor numbers to the museum and local businesses, impacting economic activity.

SEATTLE, Feb. 18, 2022 /PRNewswire/ -- As celebrations for the Lunar New Year 2022 continue, the Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience is announcing new support from Bank of America through a $1 million grant towards the organization's work to enrich the residential and business communities in Seattle's Chinatown-International District (CID). Funding from the bank will support forthcoming capital building renovations, safety upgrades, and technology platform enhancements at the museum. 

"It's been over a decade since we restored the East Kong Yick Building as the Wing Luke Museum's new home," said Interim Executive Director Cassie Chinn. "On top of basic building needs, the pandemic has changed reality for all of us. We're grateful for this funding that helps assure our future going forward."

The pandemic has temporarily reduced the number of overall visitors to the museum, as well as to many of the nearby businesses. In addition to supporting museum projects, the grant will support tech platform enhancements and digital investments to advance work with more than 100 artists and 170+ small businesses though food and heritage neighborhood tours, Japanese American Remembrance Trail tours, Redlining Heritage Trail tours, neighborhood music/arts festivals, and marketing campaigns highlighting the rich stories and offerings of the museum and local businesses, whether small local restaurants, shops, or cultural organizations.  

"It's great to have the Wing Luke Museum conducting the food tours because it brings in new guests into our restaurant and our part of CID. People usually don't know there is a Japantown in the CID and it is important that they provide exposure and history," noted Mike Vu from the Itsumono restaurant in Seattle's Japantown.

Tanya Woo echoes the "welcome back" to the neighborhood sentiment. "My family owns the historic Louisa Hotel located a block from the Wing Luke Museum. We are home to 7 small businesses and 1930's historic jazz murals. I am beyond excited that the Wing Luke Museum will be restarting their heritage tours. These tours fill the sidewalks with people, enhancing the visibility of all our small businesses. They contribute greatly to the economic vitality of our community."

This grant builds on an existing relationship through Bank of America's Museums on Us program and is aligned to the company's effort to advance racial equality and economic opportunity through its $1.25 billion, five-year commitment. 

Many CID residents face barriers to health, social, and economic success. Rapid development in the neighborhood has caused displacement and weakened access to basic needs – issues that have been exacerbated by the ongoing global health crisis.

"The Wing Luke Museum plays an essential role in recognizing and honoring the rich legacy of the Asian American Pacific Islander community in Seattle. Through this grant, they will be able to expand their impact even further, while supporting local small businesses which are vital to our economy," said Kerri Schroeder, president, Bank of America Seattle. "We look forward to working with the Wing Luke Museum to increase economic opportunities for the people of Seattle, especially those who have faced long-standing barriers."

This announcement is the latest in a series of investments that Bank of America has made in the Puget Sound region through nonprofit partners. In 2021, Bank of America invested $2.6 million in 54 nonprofits to support their work in career development, housing, food security, and education.

Wing Luke Museum of the Asian Pacific American Experience
The Wing Luke Museum connects everyone to the dynamic history, cultures, and art of Asian Pacific Americans through vivid storytelling and inspiring experiences to advance racial and social equity. Located in Seatte's historic Chinatown International District in the historic 1910 East Kong Yick Building, the Museum provides a look at Asian American and Native Hawaiian/Pacific Islander heritage, culture, and arts. Visit us and explore Seattle in a new way through eye-opening exhibits and a guided tour of what life was like for early Asian Pacific American immigrants. 

Located at 719 S King St, Seattle, WA 98104; Open Thursday-Sunday 10am-5pm. http://www.wingluke.org

Bank of America 
At Bank of America, we're guided by a common purpose to help make financial lives better, through the power of every connection. We're delivering on this through responsible growth with a focus on our environmental, social and governance (ESG) leadership. ESG is embedded across our eight lines of business and reflects how we help fuel the global economy, build trust and credibility, and represent a company that people want to work for, invest in and do business with. It's demonstrated in the inclusive and supportive workplace we create for our employees, the responsible products and services we offer our clients, and the impact we make around the world in helping local economies thrive. An important part of this work is forming strong partnerships with nonprofits and advocacy groups, such as community, consumer and environmental organizations, to bring together our collective networks and expertise to achieve greater impact. Learn more at about.bankofamerica.com, and connect with us on Twitter (@BofA_News). 

For more Bank of America news (NYSE: BAC), including dividend announcements and other important information, visit the Bank of America newsroom and register for news email alerts. 

Reporters May Contact: 

Max Chan, Wing Luke Museum
Phone: 206-623-5124
max.chan@wingluke.org

Britney Sheehan, Bank of America
Phone: 425-466-0378
britney.w.sheehan@bofa.com                                                                                                 

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SOURCE Bank of America Corporation

FAQ

What is the amount of the grant given by Bank of America to the Wing Luke Museum?

Bank of America has provided a $1 million grant to the Wing Luke Museum.

How will the Bank of America grant impact the Chinatown-International District?

The grant will support renovations, safety upgrades, and help promote local businesses and cultural events in the Chinatown-International District.

What are the expected benefits of the grant for local businesses?

The grant is expected to enhance visibility and economic vitality for local businesses through tours and cultural events.

What has been the impact of the pandemic on the museum and local businesses?

The pandemic has led to a reduction in visitors to the museum and nearby businesses, affecting their economic performance.

How does this grant align with Bank of America's broader commitment?

This grant aligns with Bank of America's commitment to advance racial equality and economic opportunity, part of a $1.25 billion investment.