“establish paradigms for the future…”
Mission Statement
Our mission is to foster the integrity and development of future Korean-American communities by establishing a foundation for academic enrichment, cultural awareness, historical research, and community involvement. Our hope is that this endeavor will promote communal interaction among all Korean-Americans, as well as all people.
Historical Background
Korean-Americans have existed for a century, yet the conspicuous emergence and rapid expansion of the Korean-American community is a relatively recent phenomenon of infused immigration. As our community has grown, so has the disparity and discreteness of its identity. There was a time when local churches defined the character of the Korean-American community and effectively served as district hubs for not only religious, but also secular needs. However, the present-day Korean-American community is recognized more for either its entrepreneurships or its professional and social mobility than for its cohesion. While most 2nd and 3rd generation Korean-Americans have woven themselves into the fabric that is America, most 1st generation Korean-Americans have established pocket communities, insular from the larger community. Such dichotomies, along with competition for profit and status, have widened the breach between many within the community — so much so that few would recognize any cohesiveness among Korean-Americans beyond familial, business, school, or church ties.
SEED recognizes the inevitability and importance of both subsuming into mainstream American society and retaining traditional culture and language. Yet, as the paths of “subsuming” and “retaining” diverge, so will our identity as Korean-Americans. The more varied the Korean-American identity becomes, the greater the need for “common ground” — a center.
SEED was created with the aim of discovering what that “common ground” is and what it should become. In other words, SEED is more than a test prep center. SEED seeks to establish paradigms for the future.
SEED Philosophy & Strategy
Our philosophy at SEED is to be as inclusive and supportive of any endeavor that promotes the advancement of the Korean-American community and cohesion among its many facets. Initially, this will include educational and cultural programs for younger generations, as well as instructional seminars and workshops for older ones. With time, SEED will broaden its scope to include research resources and archives, forums for community debate and self-analysis, and a system of networking among the various churches, businesses, and social, academic, professional, and youth organizations that comprise the Korean-American community.
