Thank you for joining our Community Social at the Convoy District!
We loved coming together with the Asian Business Association of San Diego, Convoy District Partnership, and Pacific Arts Movement last week, for a winter social celebrating small food businesses and Asian/Pacific Islander (API) stories in San Diego!
Gathering at the lively Cross Street Chicken and Beer in the heart of Convoy was the perfect way to spend a clear winter night before Lunar New Year.
About Convoy District
Convoy District is home to more than 350 Asian/Pacific Islander (API)-owned business establishments and for decades it has been a gathering place for API families and organizations. It proudly stands among the largest Pan-Asian business districts in the United States.
“What was once a handful of small mom-and-pop stores in the 1980’s and 90’s has now grown into a thriving neighborhood led by multi-generational entrepreneurs that have opened hundreds of businesses over the years.”
Growth + the spirit of Convoy
Today, Convoy is seeing a generational shift in community leadership and ownership of its numerous small food businesses, as well as an expanding footprint, growing number of visitors, and looming questions about mobility challenges and development. Yet the spirit and essence of the neighborhood continue to burn bright as ever.
The new generation of small food business owners has stepped up, with not only deep homage to their homes and heritages, but also creativity, tools for advocacy, and a commitment to embracing diversity and inclusion in their neighborhood. The neighborhood seems more alive than ever before — clearly no longer just a place for the API community to gather, but for all who may have once been called an ‘other’ to feel comfort and belonging.
Learn more about Convoy District past and present on the Convoy District Partnership website ↗
Walking Tour of Convoy Street with Kathleen Dang
The event kicked off with a walking tour down a section of Convoy Street, guided by Kathleen Dang, lifelong Kearny Mesa resident, API organizer, culture tender, and coalition builder. Kathleen shared tidbits about the neighborhood, its history, and significance to immigrants and their families.
Click on the map image above to see the full PDF.
Community Eats episode screening
Presented by Pacific Arts Movement, Community Eats (Season 1, 2, and 3) is a series that showcases San Diego API chefs' stories, influences, and cuisine. Launched in 2020 through the Pac Arts marketing internship, this annual series, in partnership with the Asian Business Association, celebrates local API businesses while sharing inspiring narratives and delicious food with the community.
The Alliance is grateful for voices like Pac Arts Movement, who has put on over 20 years of the San Diego Asian Film Festival and continues to uplift the stories of communities who often go unheard.
Asian Business Association, Convoy District Partnership
Asian Business Association and Convoy District Partnership are the organizations behind numerous activities on Convoy including fundraising for freeway signs commemorating the area as an important historic, cultural and commercial district; commissioning the utility box murals; organizing Convoy district business and community leaders each month for meetups and advocacy opportunities; representing the neighborhood through countless City and County initiatives; and advocating for longtime Convoy community in the face of future development.
Look for a Convoy “tower” coming later this year — a neighborhood sign like those announcing the Gaslamp, the Boulevard, or Hillcrest, but vertically oriented as many API languages are traditionally written!
Thank you!
Thank you to all who joined us for this fun evening. We hope you made a new connection, learned about the community on Convoy, or simply enjoyed a delicious meal!
Look out for future social hours this year!
