On April 9, 2025, the Wayne State Association of Chinese Faculty and Staff, in collaboration with several other employee engagement groups, hosted a conversation and book signing with Curtis Chin, a Detroit-born Chinese American author of the bestseller Everything I Learned, I Learned in a Chinese Restaurant.
In his memoir, Chin reflects on growing up as a gay Asian American in the 80’s Detroit. Set against the backdrop of his family’s bustling Chinese restaurant, the Chung’s, which was about five minutes’ walk from WSU, the book traces his coming-of-age journey as he confronts rising xenophobia, the AIDS epidemic, and ultimately discovers his voice as a writer and activist.
The event drew over 50 attendees from WSU and the communities nearby and featured the Associate Dean Roland of the College of Education as a thought-provoking panelist. During the Q&A session, Chin spoke about the tragic 1982 murder of Vincent Chin, which occurred near campus, highlighting its enduring significance in the fight against anti-Asian hate.
This event raised awareness of the struggles, resilience, and contributions of Asian Americans in Metro Detroit and beyond.