On 9 May, we welcome Curtis Chin at the City Campus. He will present his new book: Everything I learned, I learned in a Chinese restaurant.

In his memoir, Curtis describes different periods of his life: growing up as a working-class Asian-American in Detroit, a highly divided city in the 1970s between black and white populations, his experience as a first-generation student at the University of Michigan, and coming out in the Chinese immigrant community. Despite all these challenges, the passages from his childhood mostly evoke warm memories. Growing up in a Chinese restaurant in Chinatown greatly nurtured and shaped him into the person he is today.

About Curtis Chin

Curtis Chin (b. 1968) co-founded the Asian American Writers' Workshop in New York City. He co-wrote comedy series for television, then transitioned into social justice documentaries. Chin has shown his films at more than 600 venues in 20 countries, including the White House. He has written for CNN, the Detroit Free Press and the Boston Globe, among others. He took several awards for his work (ABC/Disney Television, New York Foundation for the Arts...) His essay in Bon Appetit was selected for Best Food Writing in America in 2023 and his short documentary ‘Dear Corky’ premiered on American Masters (PBS). He is currently working on a new docu series on the history of Chinese restaurants in America.

Reception

After the book presentation, Chinese tea and snacks from the restaurant Mico & Jon will be offered.

Practical information

9 May 2025 - 11.30 a.m. until 12.30 p.m.

City Campus UAntwerp, Het Brantijser, room S.SJ.117, Sint-Jacobsmarkt 13, 2000 Antwerpen (City Campus map)

Participation is free of charge but registration is mandatory.