Transforming Communities Through Love: The Story of The Love Tower at Ashah

Stories

September 10, 2024

Every day, we see the effects of division and misunderstanding around the world. Families, friends, and neighbors often find themselves divided by differences that seem impossible to bridge.

The founders of The Love Tower at Ashah understand these challenges deeply. They have dedicated themselves to creating a space where love, kindness, and compassion can flourish and bring people together.

The Love Tower at Ashah was born from a simple yet profound belief: that love has the power to heal and unite us. Through music, art, dance, and meditation, they aim to inspire individuals to choose love over division and kindness over conflict.

We invite you to read their touching story through a heartfelt interview with Asian Hustle Network and join their mission to create a more loving and united world.

The Origin and Significance of The Love Tower

The turmoil of 2020 was a year of immense challenge and reflection. Political unrest and a surge in Asian hate crimes exposed deep divisions within our society. In the midst of this chaos, a group of individuals came together with a shared vision: to address the growing disconnect and foster unity through love and compassion. This vision birthed The Love Tower at Ashah, an AAPI-led non-profit 501(c)(3) organization committed to promoting mindfulness, kindness, and joy through music, art, dance, and meditation.

“We realized that without recognizing our shared humanity and embracing our differences, the future for our children would be grim. Instead of fueling divisive conversations, we asked ourselves how we could highlight and nurture the aspects of our society that unite us,” Sissy Lee, one of the founders shared. “We believe that love, both for ourselves and for each other, is the most powerful force to bridge divides and heal our communities.”

A Mission Rooted in Love

The Love Tower at Ashah grew organically from a group of individuals from diverse backgrounds, united by the belief in creating a better world. Their mission is to build a community that values love, respect, and unity above all. They aim to create spaces where people from all walks of life can come together, learn from one another, and celebrate their differences.

“It is not just a physical structure but also a symbol of hope and inspiration for all those who seek to make a positive difference in their lives and the lives of others,” Sissy added.

Programs That Transform

At The Love Tower at Ashah, a variety of intentional programs are offered to amplify love and promote mindfulness, kindness, compassion, and joy:

The Music Enhanced Heart Meditation Experience: This program integrates live or recorded music with guided meditations and visualizations to deepen feelings of love and compassion.
Children’s Programs: Designed to promote emotional well-being, mindfulness, and creativity among children, helping them manage emotions, develop self-awareness, and build confidence. These programs are also integrated into schools to support both students and teachers.
Sound Therapy Sessions: In collaboration with local experts, these sessions include sound healing, meditation, and breathwork to foster relaxation, alleviate stress, and enhance mind-heart coherence.
Creative Healing Arts & Body Movement: This program combines mindful music, creative expression, and fluid movement to ignite creativity, alleviate stress, and cultivate a deeper connection with love and self-expression.

Overcoming Challenges with Compassion

One of the most significant challenges faced by The Love Tower at Ashah was understanding that love is multifaceted. It encompasses self-love, love for the community, love for neighbors, and more. This challenge is universal, but the founders have tackled it by creating programs and events that foster a safe and supportive environment for emotional expression.

“We invite everyone to join us in this journey. We aim to attract individuals and communities who align to help us resolve this challenge together, fostering a world where love, kindness, and compassion are at the forefront,” Sissy shared.

Achievements and Impact

The integration of The Love Tower’s programs into elementary schools stands as one of the founders’ proudest achievements. By nurturing the next generation with values of love, kindness, and compassion, they hope to create a ripple effect that will shape a brighter future.

They view themselves as the ancestors of tomorrow, believing it is their duty to lay a foundation for a more compassionate future. By embedding their programs in schools, they are planting seeds of empathy and understanding that will grow into meaningful change.

The involvement of notable figures like Marianne Williamson, André Duqum, and Sol Rising has enriched their mission, highlighting the widespread resonance of their vision.

Founders’ Stories

Sissy Lee

Sissy Lee, a dedicated philanthropist and entrepreneur, serves as the co-founder and Director of Programs at The Love Tower at Ashah. She is passionate about creating a brighter future for the next generation and has made significant strides in supporting children and educators. Beyond her work with schools, Sissy is committed to uplifting homeless and underprivileged communities in Los Angeles, tirelessly raising funds for essential causes.

Crystal Chao

Crystal Chao is a mother, seasoned entrepreneur, and investor. Her passion for spreading love led her to co-found The Love Tower at Ashah, where she serves as the Financial Officer. Crystal is fulfilling her lifelong dream of fostering love and unity to create a better world for everyone.

Michael “Shungunna” Resurreccion

Michael “Shungunna” Resurreccion, a consultant and founder of Resurreccion Media, is a devoted family man committed to catalyzing positive change within humanity. As the Executive Director of The Love Tower at Ashah, he channels his passion to create a meaningful impact.

The Asian Hustle Network played a pivotal role in connecting the key co-founders of The Love Tower at Ashah. Michael joined the AHN community shortly after AHN was formed and soon invited Crystal to join. Crystal attended AHN’s first SoCal event, where she invited Sissy to volunteer.

The Love Rising Festival: Celebrating Unity and Love

A significant part of The Love Tower’s mission is The Love Rising Festival—a festival fundraiser designed to ignite a revolution of love and unity while raising funds for the organization, to be conducted on October 19-20, 2024 at the California Historical Citrus Park. The festival offers live performances by renowned artists, impactful activities with influential speakers, sponsor activations, and a variety of unique vendor experiences.

Visit thelovetower.com/loverising for more information.

How to Support The Love Tower

Here are some ways that you can support and be involved with The Love Tower to help them sustain their transformative programs:

Join The One Million Love Legacy Campaign: Aimed to have 1,000,000 people donate $143 (Meaning “I Love You”) to have a loved one’s name engraved within the tower walls.
Financial Contributions: Donations help cover program costs, construct the tower, and support staff and volunteers.
Volunteers: Passionate individuals can assist with events, programs, and spreading the mission.
Sponsorships and Partnerships: Businesses can sponsor events or programs, providing essential funding and resources.
In-Kind Donations: Contributions of goods and services, such as use of venue spaces, community collaborations, event supplies, online and offline promotions, help reduce expenses and enhance offerings.
Community Engagement: Attending events, spreading the word, and participating in initiatives help build a supportive community.

Join the Journey

The Love Tower at Ashah invites everyone to join their mission to create a more compassionate and united world. For more information, visit their website at www.lovetoweratashah.com or connect with them through their social media accounts:

Facebook: The Love Tower at Ashah

Instagram: @thelovetower

TikTok: @thelovetoweratashah

LinkedIn: The Love Tower at Ashah

News

The Price of Perception: What You’re Paying for in Luxury Goods

What makes a luxury product cost so much? The short answer is perceived value. But perception is a fragile thing: it shifts, it evolves, and when it does, things begin to get complicated.

Take a luxury handbag, for example. Whether it’s Gucci, Prada, Louis Vuitton, or Hérmes, many of us are willing to spend thousands for that one beautifully crafted accessory. Why? Because we associate these brands with European sophistication, centuries of artisanal craftsmanship, and impeccable quality. We buy more than a bag; we buy into a story.

Now, imagine buying a bag labeled Made in China. If it’s affordable, you might not care. But if it has a luxury price tag? You might pause. The label alone could influence how you value the item.

The kicker is: Remember the bag you treasure from your favorite luxury brand? Based on the claims of factory workers and viral TikTokers, many high-end luxury products are manufactured in China, then shipped to Europe, to be relabeled and sold as European-made.

This controversial debate has sent the internet into a tailspin, asking: Are we paying for craftsmanship or the illusion of origin?

This is where soft power comes into play. It shapes how we see the world. We look at Hollywood movies and see the U.S. as a place filled with great dreams. We see the beautiful K-pop stars and K-drama idols, and we want Korean beauty products to fulfill our desire to be pretty like them. Customers don’t crave an expensive handbag because it’s objectively better; they buy it because of what luxury products emotionally and symbolically mean to them.

But in the wake of trade wars and rising consumer awareness, people are beginning to question the true value behind the price tag. Is it about where the product is made, or where we believe it’s made?

Whether this TikTok trend is a fleeting controversy or a wake-up call, one thing is certain: when perception changes, so do buying habits. And that could reshape the entire future of an industry.

https://www.tiktok.com/@sen.bags_/video/7494196205917097262?q=made%20in%20china&t=1745296877126

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Growing up Cambodian in North America, Deena Kong often felt invisible—a feeling that followed her from Canada to the U.S. and ultimately inspired her to write Grateful Being Me, a book to help children understand representation matters.

Deena Kong with her book Grateful Being Me (Photographed By: Jamie Sutera) — Deena Kong with her book Grateful Being Me *(Photographed By: Jamie Sutera)*

Seeing Herself in Stories

Growing up Cambodian in North America, Deena often felt invisible.

“I truly believed as a child that no one else could relate to these feelings I was experiencing,” she shares. “That’s why I wanted to share my story with others.”

Raised by supportive parents, Deena became a passionate reader, ultimately leading her to create a book that would help children from similar backgrounds see themselves represented.

“Representation matters,” Deena explains. “When a child wanders through a library or bookstore, they should be able to find themselves in the stories and pictures. I hope Grateful Being Me encourages self-acceptance, celebrates diversity, and promotes inclusion by empowering children to connect with one another.”

*Grateful Being Me (Photographed By: Jamie Sutera)*

The Making of Grateful Being Me

Finding time to write proved challenging while working full-time as a Government Contractor in Ethics & Compliance and raising a family. Yet Deena’s determination to promote diversity and inclusion kept her going until her book was ready for publication.

“Modeled after my real-life experiences, this book follows a young girl named Rosila on her adventure in an unfamiliar place,” Deena says proudly.

The story chronicles Rosila’s first day at a new school in a new country, where she discovers what makes her unique and learns the power of self-love.

“Rosila’s first language isn’t English, so her vocabulary stands out,” Deena notes. “She brings ethnic foods that seem unusual compared to typical American cafeteria lunches. The story captures her nervousness about how classmates will react as she navigates this new environment and makes friends.”

Through Grateful Being Me, Deena offers a powerful tool to help children understand they belong anywhere. The book thoughtfully explores the complex emotions children face when encountering unfamiliar situations, ultimately showing them that their uniqueness is something to be celebrated.

Connect

Instagram: @bydeenakong

Website: Deena Kong

Purchase your copy of Grateful Being Me on Amazon, Barnes & Noble, Walmart, or Books-A-Million.

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Thuy has always been a proud Vietnamese at heart. In April 2024, Vietnamese American R&B artist Thuy made history at Coachella as the first official solo Vietnamese American artist to grace the well-known music festival. This year, a video clip of her Coachella speech has become widespread, sending out a powerful message to young Asian girls out there.

Thuy, a Vietnamese American R&B artist, shares empowering words for Vietnamese American girls. (Image source: PAPER Magazine)

Originally from the Bay Area, Thuy revealed that she grew up in a traditional family, hence, shaping her as a former optometric technician. However, weekend karaoke sessions with her family have brought her musicianship to life, sparking an interest that soon flourished. Taking a leap of faith and moving to Los Angeles (LA) for a music career, Thuy has proven to herself that the leap was a must, especially with the well-liked hit “girls like me don’t cry.”

Beyond her musical talent and captivating stage presence, Thuy’s performance at Coachella stands for something way greater—the well-deserved representation of Vietnamese Americans and Asian Americans in general. Her success challenges traditional expectations within Asian American households, where creative careers are discouraged due to the fear of instability associated with the jobs. Moreover, this is also a significant step forward in diversifying the music industry and amplifying underrepresented voices.

‘This moment doesn’t happen for Vietnamese American girls like me,” Thuy reflected during her Coachella performance. “I am so honored to be here today to be the first official solo Vietnamese American.”

https://www.tiktok.com/@thuyuniverse/video/7492153731891399978

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Blogs, Development

Is Your Homepage Welcoming or Driving Visitors Away?

Your homepage is like a party host—it either welcomes guests with open arms or sends them running for the exit. So, how can you ensure your homepage draws in visitors? Here are some tips:

Prioritize Essential Information

Modern users have short attention spans, so your homepage must prioritize essential information. Clearly state what you do, why visitors should care, and how you solve their pain points. The more straightforward this is, the less likely users will leave confused or frustrated.

Keep It Simple

Simplicity is key in navigation, layout, and messaging. While visitors may not convert immediately, an intuitive and engaging experience encourages them to explore further and return later. Avoid clutter, streamline choices, and guide users effortlessly to what matters most.

Build Confidence

Most importantly, your homepage must build confidence. People dislike feeling lost or unsure, so eliminate complexity. Use clear descriptions, trusted testimonials, and logical organization to make visitors feel comfortable and informed from the first click. A confident user is far more likely to stay, engage, and eventually convert.

Create Your Irresistible Homepage!

Why AHN Solutions?

A homepage carries a lot of significance and can make or break your website. Let AHN Solutions be your ultimate wingman, transforming your digital front door into an experience visitors will love to stay for.

Book a FREE call with us

If you want to learn more about our services, visit the AHN Solutions website at asianhustlenetwork.com/services/

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