Meet Cat Bao Le, Executive Director of the Southeast Asian Coalition

Name: Cat Bao Le

Years in Charlotte: 4

Neighborhood: East Charlotte

Occupation: Executive Director at SEAC

Let’s get some business out of the way. Give us a little background on yourself.

I am Vietnamese American, but I was born and raised in London where my parents resettled after the refugee camps. My family moved to California when I was 10, and since then I’ve been anchored in many places but mainly moving abroad. It’s funny because being a Californian, whenever I could travel it was rarely in the U.S. other than to visit New York (I admit…it’s very Cali-centric). So coming to the South and now laying down roots is surprising even for me who my family calls a nomad.

What brought you to Charlotte?

A short-term project.

Describe your eating habits in 3 words. 

Fresh, clean, and quick.

Favorite drink?

Ribena

Tell us about SEAC. 

SEAC is a grassroots organization, which means that we are community based and community fueled. Being grassroots means basically we are not sitting on a massive budget (laugh). But we do have a lot of love and community support which I wouldn’t change even if we had a larger budget. SEAC has a small team, and I see each team member as an organizer for the people-power that we must mobilize to get work done!

To be more concrete however, SEAC is anchored in the specific needs of the Southeast Asian American refugee community (our programs are in English but we also serve in 7 different languages). However everyone is part of the SEAC family and we are pretty diverse. We are focused on building community empowerment through a youth program, civic engagement program, and advocacy program. I see SEAC as doing work to ensure our communities have a voice, as well as add to the collective fight for justice for all communities in North Carolina.

Where is your office?

We are on Central Avenue, in the heart of what people call the International Corridor.

Why does Charlotte need a group like SEAC?

North Carolina has the 3rd fastest growing API (Asian and Pacific Islander) population in the nation, growing 85% from 2000 – 2010. Moreover, North Carolina leads in all southern state as being home to the fastest growing API population in the region. The changing face of the “New South”, includes us. Across the board more needs to be done to understand and include our communities, as well as other emerging populations in the South.

Typical bedtime?

I am ok with midnight, but it fluctuates regularly. My ultimate goal is 10:30 pm though!

Most rewarding project you’ve been involved with.

I really love to see growth in people, and I get to see that daily. Moreover I get to build those opportunities, and that may be the biggest perk of my job.

Building a program for youth and refugees in high-need neighborhoods has been deeply rewarding. When I see youth expand how they see themselves, how they own their histories, and how they see their futures – that empowerment is beyond rewarding.

I also love providing a space for people who are driven in social justice work to have a home, access to mentorship, and professional development. There are not enough opportunities here, and I think it’s a responsibility to nurture more people from within the community. Our projects innately take risk, imagination, and hard work to accomplish– but when I see people come out more ready for the next thing (as well as with a more informed analysis of the world and movement work), I feel I’m doing what I’m supposed to.

Favorite lunch spots.

When I treat myself, I get a Le’s sandwich (chicken) in Asian Corner Mall. I usually take it to-go but finish it before I get to my office because it’s so darn good.

Describe your typical day at the office in one sentence. 

Never the same, never mundane.

If you have one dinner left in Charlotte, where would you go?

Pho Daravan, I love their eggrolls and papaya salad. The owners (Sai and Van) treat you like family.

What do you think are some of the most common misconceptions about refugees and immigrants in the Charlotte area?

That one group is a better ‘immigrant’ than the other. That creates an idea of second class citizenship that we have seen in American history with women’s rights, Jim Crow, and so on. We have to move beyond that.

How can Charlotteans get involved with helping immigrants and refugees?

Come break bread with us! If you like food, come to the Southeast Asian Street Food Festival!

June 6, 2015 at the Midwood International Cultural Center, 1817 Central Avenue, Charlotte, NC 28205. Proceeds go to our youth program and it’s free admissions!

Favorite way to unwind when you take a break from doing good. 

Think of new jokes to test out on my partner (laugh). I’m not really a funny person, but I like to attempt. It’s hit or miss.

I also Craigslist whatever my current obsession is, it’s usually pretty random — mannequins, small church buses, even living things like fish and dogs. It’s not really to buy, sometimes it’s to turn on my creative side and imagination – but Craigslist also tells you a lot about a location. Right now I’m on a mission for a small vintage camper which I can park in the yard to create a retreat for guests, it’s a dream item. I’m definitely a bargain hunter…get it from my mama.

Genre that gets the most play on your iPod.

Definitely that old school Hip Hop, Too Short makes me feel at home. On Sunday night there’s nothing for my soul like the oldie station. It’s sorta a ritual.

Finish this sentence: I love Charlotte because…there’s this buzz in the air that things are on the up and up. I love that feeling.

SEAC  | Facebook
4938 Central Avenue Suite #101
Charlotte, NC 28205
(704) 531 3853