Metairie’s Lucy Chun has worked for years in the community, fostering relationships both business and social. Her latest appointment will help her shape the future of New Orleans.

Chun is the only Asian American selected to serve on the International Engagement subcommittee of the New Orleans Tri Centennial Celebration Committee for 2015-2018. Among other services, she will highlight and update the Asian American contributions in the development of our multi-cultural and multi-ethnic city and state.

“The Asian Americans in our city and state are diverse. Their roots reach many Pacific Rim nations and areas. Their achievements trumpeted their presence,” Chun said.

According to the 2010 Census, 84,000 Asian American reside in Louisiana and more than 25 percent of them live in greater New Orleans. Vietnamese make up 55 percent of the total, Chinese make up 15 percent; the Indians make up 11 percent and the combination of Korean, Filipino and Japanese make up 10 percent.

Both the Filipino Americans and the Chinese Americans were among the earliest settlers in our city and state, Chun said. Around 1766, the Filipino settlers, who were forced into service in the gallon trade, jumped ships in Mexico to escape the brutality of the “Spaniards.”

The presence of the Chinese Americans in Louisiana can be traced to 1860s. They were recruited to replace the emancipated slaves to work in the plantations in the post-Civil War South, Chun said.

New Orleans mayor Mitch Landrieu is pictured with Lucy Chun, who was recently named to the International Committee of the city’s Tri-Centennial Celebration Committee.Courtesy of Lucy Chun

Some of them worked in the plantations in Louisiana, including in the Millaudon/Merrill Sugar Plantation in Jefferson Parish. They later left the plantations to pursue a better life.

Many of them came New Orleans and worked as laundrymen, cigar makers, shoemakers, cooks, fishermen, merchants, woodcarvers and other trades in the city. New Orleans was once the home of two main Chinese neighborhoods. From 1880s to 1937, a Chinatown was developed on 1100 block of Tulane Avenue; and  in the 1940s, another small Chinatown was developed on Bourbon Street.

Chun plans to further bring up the past and present contributions of the Asian Americans with her new post. Chun has also been elected 2016 president of the New Orleans Chinese Association (NOCA).

The association, established in 1970, aims to strengthen cooperation and friendship among the Chinese Americans; to promote and preserve Chinese culture and heritage; and increase the academic, professional, and social status of the Chinese Americans.

Chun will continue to carry on the ideas and ideals of the association. Among other plans, Chun wishes to hold cultural and fun activities that will further cement the friendship among its members; pave the road for communication and cooperation between the Chinese American community and mainstream society; and to increase the voice and visibility of the Chinese Americans.

“While preserving and promoting the Chinese culture, the association also promotes good citizenry, encourages civic involvements, community services and volunteerism,” Chun said.

She is also a leading commercial realtor who has promoted investments, and business between New Orleans and Asian nations, particularly China and Taiwan.  Between 2014 and 2015, Chun had attended many business meetings and conferences in Guangzhou, Wenzhou, Shanghai, Beijing, Hong Kong, An San and other places.

Since the 1990s, she has promoted the “Pilot Immigrant Investor Program” for New Orleans Central Business District, bringing Asian and international clients to invest locally.  She also specializes in EB5 investments and consulting work for Asian, as well as international investments.

Most recently Chun was the only person invited to participate in the “Southern USA Overseas Chinese Community Leaders Returning Mission,” held from March 27 to April 1 in Taiwan. The mission provided an overview and update on current political and economic developments in Taiwan.
“In addition to business and investments, I also wish to promote the cultural, academic, and scientific, medical, high tech, tourist and other exchanges between New Orleans and China, as well as other nations and areas in Asia,” Chun said.

For further information about NOCA, write toLucychun88@gmail.com.