An Intimate Conversation on Vietnamese American Labor, Legacy, and Ethnic Studies
In celebration of AANHPI Heritage Month, the OCC Ethnic Studies Department and the AANHPI Program invite you to join us for a special Spring 2026 Anti-Racist Lunch and Learn featuring a screening and discussion of the documentary Nailed It.
This powerful documentary explores the longstanding history and legacy of Vietnamese Americans in the multibillion-dollar nail industry, highlighting the resilience, labor, and cultural impact of a community whose contributions are often overlooked in mainstream narratives.
Following the screening, we are honored to welcome Dr. Cindy Huynh, Tenured Faculty in Ethnic Studies at San José City College, for an intimate conversation centered on Asian American and Pacific Islander Studies, Vietnamese American experiences, and the role of Ethnic Studies in advancing equity and critical consciousness.
Dr. Huynh’s work is deeply informed by her lived experiences as a first-generation college student from a working-class, war refugee, and mixed immigration status family. Her teaching and scholarship focus on Ethnic Studies, anti-racist education, and critical pedagogies, and her work has been recognized through numerous awards and honors, including a Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition for her service to the Vietnamese American community.
🍱 Lunch will be provided before the presentation from 12:30–12:45 PM and after the event from 2:00–2:30 PM.
Come engage in meaningful dialogue, deepen your understanding of Vietnamese American history and labor, and reflect on the power of storytelling, scholarship, and community in the fight for racial justice.
✨ Open to all OCC students, faculty, and staff.
📌 Extra credit for Ethnic Studies classes may be available only for students who register in advance and check in on the day of the event.
