Founders

Blong & Malia Xiong
Fresno City Council Member 2007-2014

Honor our Past, Acknowledge our Present, Define our Future

Bobby & Noella Vang

It is our honor to have the opportunity to contribute to this wonderful exhibit, in the words of Marcus Garvey, ” A people without the knowledge of their past history, origin, and culture is like a tree without roots.”

Chai Yang
Senior Engineer at Cisco

“Thank you”, to those who sacrificed their lives, endured the struggles, and paved the way.

CHOU KOUA & AH LEE MOUA FAMILY

“To be called a refugee is the opposite of an insult; it is a badge of strength, courage, and victory.”
– Tennessee Office for Refugees

DAN, LYSA, TRINITY, KYLIE, TRISTAN & RONIN VANG

Thank you to all the Great Americans that have helped the Hmong people become a part of the American Fabric.

It is because of your faith, generosity, and love that our journey as come thus far and will only continue get be better. We hope that one day we will be able to help others as you have helped us. We thank God for you and may God continue to bless you and all your loved ones infinitely.

David Xue Lee

Hmong World LLC is proud to be one of the HS40 Founders. Through this ever-changing world we live in, we, the Hmong people are losing our rich culture, language and history that our great ancestors have shed much of their blood to preserve. This is the very least that Hmong World LLC can do to help educate our people about who we are and where we came from to preserve our identity.
– David Xue Lee (Owner, Hmong World LLC)

DEACON SHONG NAI HER & CHUE T. HER

Deacon Shong Nai Her is an active leader of the Hmong Catholic Community within the Diocese of Fresno. Along with his wife, Chue T. Her, they serve the Hmong community of the central valley.
“Anything in life is possible with hard work, perseverance, and determination.”

DR. DOWNING MOUA

Dr. Moua, currently resides in Seattle, Washington and works as a dentist. He attended the University of the Pacific and an alumni of Boston University School of Dental Medicine. He was born in Phoenix, Arizona but raised in Merced, California. His parents resettled in the United States in 1978.

DR. LEE X. YANG, D.C. & PANG VANG

“We never know how far reaching something we may think, say, or do today will affect the lives of millions tomorrow.”
– Dr. B.J. Palmer

DR. LON LOOJ YAJ, D.C.

New Life Chiropractic, 2254 N Fresno St., Fresno, CA 93703, (559) 283-8853
We specialized in treatment of auto accidents, neck and back pain, and sports related injury.

DR. STEVE & ANNEE THAO

THAO CHIROPRACTIC
Established in 2011; Thao Chiropractic was the very first Hmong owned and operated chiropractic clinic (possibly medical clinic of any sort) in the Bay Area.

ELIZABETH CHOUA MOUAVANGSOU, PSYD

To know oneself is to honor one’s history. Hmongstory40 is a reflection of our humble past, a reminder of our progress and an inspiration for our future.

IA VANG SUGAHARA

Born in Long Chang, Laos
Parents are Tong Pao Vang and May Chou Xiong Lived in Fresno from 1980 to 1993, graduated from Roosevelt High 1982 and from Fresno State 1987.

JOHN & KOUA FRANZ
Planning Committee

In honor and memory of the many lives lost during the Hmong Journey, to those who survived and to those who continues to thrive. Dream with your eyes open. With great appreciation to the HS40 Team, thank you for making this exhibit a reality.

JOSHUA, BRANDON, & RACHEL LOR

We want the three of you to remember your roots, learn and treasure your rich history, and never forget your history, language, and culture. Pass our history, language and culture on to your children and help others learn about themselves. Remember that the three of you are our past, our present, and our future. We love you very much. Love, Mom and Dad (Vicky Xiong-Lor & Kyle Lor).

KAO NHIAWA VANG & BAO MOUA

Believe in yourself, don’t give up, and you can conquer your dreams.

KONG, SAMANTHA & XANDER YANG

The children of Xengxue and Pang X. Yang

Kou Vu

LANCE FANG & KENDRA THAO
ED Hmong Womens Heritage Organization

The story and journey of our community proves how incredibly resilient is the human spirit. We are proud to be part of the HS40 and look forward to seeing the many great accomplishments and milestones that we are all heading for.

LANXIENE Y. FANG

The truth needs to be told.
The Hmong people and their sacrifices.

LAR YANG & CHIA XIONG
Planning Committee

“The greatest gift you can give another person is their own history.”

The Hmongstory 40 project is dedicated to our children: Cody, Alex and Jocelyn Yang

LIM / MOUA FAMILY

Dr. PaNhia Moua is a physician anesthesiologist at Kaiser Permanente in the Central Valley (Modesto, Manteca, and Stockton) and has served as the Assistant Chief of the Department of Anesthesiology since 2012. She is married to Dr. Sna Lim, who is a chiropractor and owner of Better Health Chiropractic in Stockton, CA. They have two beautiful children, Nathaniel Visna (age 5) and Elyse Kashia (age 3).

LONG & VIVANXAI HER
Planning Committee

“Migrants and refugees are not pawns on the chessboard of humanity. They are children, women, and men who leave or are forced to leave their homes for various reasons, who share a legitimate desire for knowing and having, but above all for being more.” – Pope Francis

MAO HER-FLORES, DDS & JAMES FLORES, PharmD.
Planning Committee

“Nothing worthwhile in life comes easy.”

Mayta Vu & Tong Kong

Live. Play. Learn.
Life does not have to be easy to be wonderful.

MR. CHAFONG & MRS. MAIKO NHIAVUE LEE
Asia Supermarket, Owner

The Hmong people need to tell their stories. We are proud to support this great effort.

MR. LONG LAO & DR. FENGLALY LEE
Omni Medical Group

This exhibit is not only a tribute to those who sacrificed for us, but also a reflection of our journey and history. Our hope is that this exhibit will be preserved indefinitely for our children.
Thank you HS40.

MYKIE, ANNABEL, & THE 3 BOYS

To our hero Nchaiv Huaj Vaj who went MIA on the frontline in Boualong, Laos in October of 1972.

PANG X. YANG, PharmD

Proud to be a Hmongstory 40 founder. Pillbox Pharmacy is proud to support Hmongstory 40.

PHONG JACOB YANG AND MAO MISTY HER

IN HONOR OF THEIR CHILDREN RYAN, GRACE, AND GABRIEL YANG

Ryan, Grace, and Gabriel: Your roots are intricately rich and strong. Be Proud! Be Brave! Be Bold! Always remember “How wonderful it is that nobody need wait a single moment before starting to improve the world.” – Anne Frank
– Love, Mom and Dad

Scott Bliatout
Asian Village

We would like to thank everyone who has put effort into making this historical exhibit happen. As we continue to grow and progressively advance as a community, let us take a moment to reflect upon our history that has made us so great. Happy Hmong New Year everyone!

TEAM LIMXEEB HERR

We are proud Founders and gave to preserve our Hmong history. Our gift to our children and generations to come.

THONGCHAI XIONG & WINTON XIONG

TC KHW MOOS LOOB

Touleng & Bao Vang

VAKEE LEE & KAY LEE

Vakee Lee and wife Kay Lee, owner of Capital Ag and Specialties in Sacramento, CA proudly support Hmong Story 40. In life as in our businesses, we are passionate about helping our fellow brothers and sisters overcome struggles and hope to continue to be a resource and supporter for our Hmong people.

VAM TXHIAJ KAOCHERPAO MOUA

Son of Zeb Moua and Houa Thao. East Los Angeles, California raised. Bachelor of Illustration in Communication Art from Otis College of Art and Design. Known for “MUAS” and “Muaj Tiag” Clothing Line. Co-founder of Revived Fashion Show. Recipient of HND Impact Award 2015. Lengthy thank you to my family, friends, and my SCX.

XENGXUE YANG, PharmD

Proud to be a Hmongstory 40 founder. Pillbox Pharmacy is proud to support a worthy cause within our community.

YONG LOR

“Culture is like wealth; it makes us more ourselves, it enables us to express ourselves.”
– Philip Gilbert Hamerton

YOUA ZA YANG & NENG CHA

I became a Hmongstory 40 founder to honor all of our Hmong people. Regardless of where we’ve lived: Laos, Thailand, or America, the Hmong are strong and have always endured and overcame incredible hardships.
We are proud that America has presented many great opportunities and we were able to make a good life. As Hmong people we have to know and must always remember our history.