In the vibrant setting of the Rotary Club of Louisville’s weekly luncheon, an exceptional gathering unfolded featuring Di Tran, a prominent figure in the Louisville community, and Gene McLean, a seasoned journalist with deep roots in the Kentucky horse racing scene. The occasion was timely, as it occurred just weeks before the 150th anniversary of the Kentucky Derby, a cornerstone event of Kentucky’s cultural and economic landscape.
Di Tran, a Vietnamese immigrant who has made Louisville his home for nearly three decades, shared insights into his journey of continual learning and growth within the city. His story is a testament to the enriching experience of integrating into and uplifting the community around him. Di, an advocate for the nail salon industry, highlighted the significance of manicure and pedicure services as an integral part of the Derby culture. He emphasized that for many, getting their nails done is a cherished ritual during the Derby festivities.
Gene McLean, president and publisher of The Pressbox, enriched the luncheon with tales from his extensive career covering Kentucky’s horse racing scene. Having grown up in a family deeply connected to horse racing, Gene’s personal anecdotes and professional experiences offered a fascinating glimpse into the world of thoroughbred racing. He spoke with passion about the evolution of the Kentucky Derby and its profound impact on the local economy and culture.
This meeting underscored the unique intersections of community, culture, and industry that define Louisville. It served as a reminder of the dynamic interactions that contribute to the city’s charm and vitality, particularly highlighted by the anticipation surrounding the landmark 150th Kentucky Derby. Both Di Tran and Gene McLean exemplified the spirit of mutual learning and community engagement, embodying the core values championed by the Rotary Club of Louisville.
In the heart of Louisville, Kentucky, there is a story that weaves together the threads of culture, cuisine, and community—a narrative that belongs to Di Tran, a Vietnamese local with a profound love for Latino food. It is a tale not just of culinary exploration but also of the universal language of smiles, shared across cultures, and the power of food to bring people together.
Di Tran’s journey mirrors that of many immigrants, beginning with a move to the U.S. in 1995 with no English skills, communicating through the international language of gestures and goodwill. Like him, the two female workers at Supermercado Guanajuato #2, with their limited English, convey warmth and welcome through their smiles and broken phrases. In their exchange of origins, “Vietnamese” meets “Guatemala,” and in their smiles, a shared understanding.
HOT HOT OFF THE OVEN ORDER of Flatbread
The essence of Di Tran’s story is fusion—a fusion that transcends the mere blending of culinary traditions. His innovative use of flatbread, reminiscent of his childhood in Vietnam, cutting it into noodle-like strips or wrapping it around thinly sliced cabbage, creates a delightful tapestry of tastes and textures. Yet, the fusion goes deeper, symbolizing the harmonious blend of different backgrounds and experiences that contribute to the vibrant tapestry of American society.
Louisville, known for its southern charm, has become a canvas for this beautiful convergence of cultures. Di Tran’s love for hot-off-the-oven flatbread, wrapped with Asian-style meats, creates a shared experience that resonates not just with him but with everyone who calls Louisville home. It’s a city where the warmth of its people, whether native-born or immigrant, creates an environment as nurturing and comforting as the food they share.
Through Di Tran’s eyes, Louisville’s beauty shines not just in its landscapes but in the faces of its people—caring, loving, and embracing diversity. The city’s spirit echoes his memories of a childhood in a mud hut where everyone was caring—proof that regardless of our origins, the human experience, at its core, is shared. Di Tran’s life and his food are testaments to the fact that fusion isn’t just about creating new flavors; it’s about crafting new communities, new connections, and a new understanding of what it means to be home.
PS: In a harmonious blend of compassion and beauty, Di Tran founded the Louisville Beauty Academy. Rooted in Kentucky and flourishing with two campuses, this state-licensed and accredited college has become a beacon of learning for a diverse community. It stands as a proud institution where Latino, Asian, and European immigrants, among others, receive not only education but a place to bloom. This academy celebrates the spirit of inclusivity and empowerment, embodying Di Tran’s dedication to providing opportunities for all, uniting the strands of God’s beauty in every individual’s dream.
Today, Louisville is abuzz with anticipation as the Jewish Family & Career Services (JFCS) hosts the MOSAIC Awards Honoree Luncheon. This prestigious event is more than just a ceremony; it’s a vibrant tapestry woven with stories of resilience, diversity, and community service. Among the honorees is Di Tran, a testament to the spirit of determination and entrepreneurship. However, the spotlight shines equally on all the remarkable individuals who have come together to celebrate their shared commitment to workforce development and community enrichment.
The MOSAIC Awards are a tribute to those who have left behind their familiar surroundings, high-ranking positions, or humble beginnings in their countries of origin to start anew in the United States. Each honoree’s journey is unique, yet they all share a common thread: a relentless pursuit of self-improvement and societal contribution. They have embraced workforce development not only as a means of personal growth but as a way to add value to the society that has welcomed them with open arms.
The luncheon is a melting pot of cultures, with honorees hailing from diverse backgrounds such as Vietnam, Afghanistan, Iran, Iraq, Bosnia, Mexico, Cuba, Somalia, Guatemala and more. Despite their varied origins, they all share a dedication to uplifting the immigrant community and integrating them into the workforce. Many of these individuals have achieved high levels of education in the U.S., while others have transitioned from having limited English proficiency to becoming successful entrepreneurs and professionals.
The MOSAIC Awards symbolize love, family, inspiration, and inclusivity. They celebrate the hard-earned successes of those who have faced and overcome significant challenges. The stories shared at the luncheon are a powerful reminder that adversity can be transformed into opportunity, and that diversity is a strength that propels Louisville and the state of Kentucky forward.
As the honorees share their experiences and aspirations, the room is filled with a sense of unity and purpose. Each individual, in their own way, is contributing to the fabric of the community, pulling others along with them to achieve greatness. The MOSAIC Awards Honoree Luncheon is not just an event; it’s a testament to the enduring spirit of hope, resilience, and collective progress that defines the city of Louisville and its vibrant immigrant community.
Di Tran himself shared, “I am among the great of all honorees here and felt small in contribution to the Louisville city and Kentucky State, and I am learning hard to accelerate my rate of contribution like all of you here in the room.” His eagerness to learn and contribute further highlight the essence of the MOSAIC Awards – a celebration of individuals who are not only achieving personal success but are also dedicated to uplifting those around them.
On the serene grounds of Veterans Memorial Park, Jeffersontown, KY, stands the newly inaugurated Tri Ân Monument — a symbolic, steadfast marker, paying tribute to not only the undaunted veterans of the Vietnam War but also casting a light on the ceaseless vitality of the Vietnamese-American community. The tales of valor from both USA veterans and South Vietnamese allies have forever inscribed a saga of sacrifice and brotherhood, spanning continents and echoing through history.
In the harrowing aftermath of the Vietnam War, the narrative progressed, bringing forth another chapter: the exodus of Vietnamese refugees. Individuals like Di Tran, now a serial small business owner and author in Louisville, Kentucky, began a quest, fleeing the only home they knew, to seek refuge in a promising land across the vast ocean. The tales of Vietnamese refugees like Tran aren’t merely stories of survival but epitomize an indomitable spirit to create, to build, and to weave into the fabric of American society.
Yet, within these stories of past pain and triumphant survival, lies a pivotal narrative – one that evolves from the remnants of bygone struggles into a vibrant tapestry, defining not only where we come from but, significantly, where we stand now, and the direction in which we are headed. The Vietnamese immigrants and their ensuing generations, setting deep roots across the expansive United States, have come to symbolize a profound truth: The value of our shared humanity is engraved not in our past or our origins but in our daily deeds and our shared future.
Take, for instance, the burgeoning Nail Industry in the USA, a sector that has blossomed into a staggering $10 billion+ annual industry. The Vietnamese-American community has played a pivotal role in transforming this industry, demystifying the luxury of nail care from an exclusive privilege of Hollywood celebrities to an accessible indulgence for the common citizen. Through endeavors in such industries, the Vietnamese community has not merely constructed businesses; they’ve established vital connections, fostering a symbiotic growth that enriches both the individual and the society in which they’ve nested.
Moreover, a powerful testament to the allegiance and dedication of Vietnamese-Americans towards their adopted homeland is visibly apparent in the military. Thousands of individuals of Vietnamese origin, spanning 1.5, 2nd, and now 3rd generations, are serving with utmost pride and dedication in the USA military, embodying the virtues of loyalty, bravery, and unyielding commitment to safeguarding the land that has become home.
Monuments like Tri Ân stand not merely as remnants of a tumultuous past but as an eternal flame, illuminating the path of unity, resilience, and collective prosperity. This is not merely a symbol for Vietnamese-Americans but is a beacon for all, conveying a message that our shared histories, while sometimes scarred by wars and displacement, bind us together in a shared future that we are collaboratively creating.
The Vietnamese community, much like all immigrant communities, illustrates a quintessential American tale: one where our origins, fraught with their unique challenges and triumphs, contribute to a greater American narrative. We rise, not as disparate stories, but intertwine as a collective saga, continuing to weave a future that honors our past, celebrates our present, and lights a torch for the generations yet to come.
The Vietnamese in America stand proud, not merely as contributors but as invaluable chapters in the magnificent American story. It’s in every enterprise embarked upon, every military uniform adorned, and every future dream nurtured where we affirm our unwavering commitment: To build, to honor, and to perpetually contribute towards a future where every story is cherished, every sacrifice acknowledged, and every contribution fuels our shared American dream.
With Di Tran, this is Hoàng Đức Nhã was a notable figure in South Vietnam during the era of the Vietnam War, holding a significant position as an advisor to President Nguyễn Văn Thiệu. President Thiệu was the head of state in South Vietnam from 1965 to 1975, and Hoàng Đức Nhã was known to be one of his closest and most influential advisors.
Nhã held numerous roles during Thiệu’s presidency, including being involved in the realm of media relations and psychological warfare. He is often associated with managing and controlling the media and information dissemination in South Vietnam during the Thiệu administration, crafting the government’s narrative and managing its image during a particularly tumultuous and polarizing period in Vietnam’s history.
As an advisor to President Thiệu, Nhã was involved in various aspects of governance and policy-making and was often seen as a controversial figure due to his influence and the various strategies implemented, especially regarding media censorship and control.
It’s noteworthy that the history and the characters from the Vietnam War era are complex and multi-faceted, with diverse narratives stemming from the different perspectives and sides of the conflict. While some see figures like Nhã and Thiệu in a particular light due to their actions and policies during the war, others may have contrasting views based on their experiences, loyalties, and interpretations of the historical events.
