2026 Cultural Voices

Cultural Voices
Seeds of Impact
Thursday, May 28, 2026

mHUB
1623 W. Fulton St., Chicago, IL 60612
11:30 am - 1:30 pm

Doors open at 11:00 am. Lunch provided.

Tickets

Regular Admission: $150
Livestream Access Only: $35

Education and non-profit rate available. Please email [email protected] for more information.

Entrepreneurship has long been a catalyst for opportunity within Asian American communities-driving economic mobility, generational wealth, and cultural leadership. Cultural Voices 2026: Seeds of Impact brings together Asian American entrepreneurs, business leaders, funders, and community partners to explore how innovation, resilience, and identity shape lasting impact across Chicago.

Hosted by the Chinese American Service League (CASL) - the largest and most comprehensive Asian American social service organization in the Midwest - Cultural Voices honors AANHPI Heritage Month by honoring the legacy of those who came before us, celebrating the leaders and builders among us today, and investing in the next generation who will carry this work forward.

Why Cultural Voices Matters

Seeds of Impact is built around three interconnected ideas:

• Honoring Our Legacy - Asian American entrepreneurs and community builders have shaped Chicago for generations. Their resilience, sacrifice, and vision created the foundation we stand on today.
  
  
• Celebrating Our Present - Today's leaders are expanding what's possible - driving innovation, building businesses, and strengthening neighborhoods across the city.
  
  
• Building Our Future - The next generation of Asian American leaders is already here. Seeds of Impact creates space to invest in them - through mentorship, resources, and community.

Sponsorship opportunities available. Contact [email protected] to find out more!

Keynote

Threads of Resilience: Entrepreneurship and Community in Chicago's Asian American Story

Delivered by
Alison Chung, Founder & President of TeamWerks

Ms. Chung is the founder and President of TeamWerks, a Chicago-based technology firm specializing in computer forensics. Prior to establishing TeamWerks, Ms. Chung served as Chief Information Officer at one of Chicago's top five law firms. Through her practices the law firm was one of the early pioneers of integrated technology. Ms. Chung began her career as an Assembler language programmer and then a Systems Engineer at IBM Corporation. After IBM, Ms. Chung moved to the Chicago office of PWC. 

Ms. Chung has lived in the United States since she began her studies at Wellesley College. After completing her B.A. degree from Wellesley, she earned an M.A. from Stanford University and an M.B.A. from the University of Chicago. She attended Executive programs at Harvard Business School and the Harvard Kennedy School. Ms. Chung has built her career in the Chicago area. She is active in numerous professional and community associations and is committed to organizations that promote education and cultural growth. Ms. Chung has been featured in Chicago Tonight, Chicago Tribune, Chicago Sun-Times, Crain's Chicago and The Wall Street Journal. The New York Times came to Chicago to film a segment on Ms. Chung and TeamWerks. 

She sits on the board of the Women's Business Development Center and Rush University Medical Center.

Moderator

Abin Kuriakose, Chief Strategy and Innovation Officer, World Business Chicago

Panel

CASL Community Leadership Award

The CASL Community Leadership Award recognizes community members for their roles as community leaders, mobilizers, engagers, and active volunteers serving for the betterment of the Chinese and immigrant communities in Chicago

2026 Honoree
U.S. Senator Dick Durbin

Program Agenda

11 AM
Check-in opens and lunch service begins

11:30 AM

Welcome

Community Leader Award Presentation - U.S. Senator Dick Durbin

STEM Scholarship Presentation

Keynote - "Threads of Resilience: Entrepreneurship and Community in Chicago's Asian American Story"

Cultural Voices Panel

1:00 PM
Networking

Growth Partner

 Community Builder