Help Us Share an Overlooked Texas Story of Chinese Immigrant Resilience

Hi I am June Xu, the founder and president of Asian American Art & Culture Initiative. Two Years ago, I started planning the exhibition Roots Unveiled to reveal Asian American history in Texas, which has been often overlooked and under-represented

When we began our research, our curator, international Asian diaspora expert Xuhua Zhan, and I uncovered an autobiography titled Miss Chou. This discovery set us on a journey to trace the legacy of her family. What followed was extraordinary—a chain reaction that led to a family reunion after 70 years of separation, while also revealing an unexpected personal connection, as I discovered I am remotely related to this family. Truly resonate to the theme of the exhibition: Roots Unveiled

At just 10 years old, Joe Lung left Kaiping, China, with his older brother and journeyed across the Pacific to Texas. He worked on the Houston & Texas Central Railroad before opening one of downtown Austin’s most popular cafés. More than a business owner, Joe quietly acted as a private banker-lending money to fellow immigrants and helping them survive and build new lives in a land that was often unwelcoming. He also sent money home to build Long Hui Lou Tower, a fortified watchtower that later sheltered villagers during wartime.

His daughter, Inez Lung Lee, carried his legacy forward. In 1919—the same year women in America won the right to vote—she became the first Chinese woman admitted to the University of Texas at Austin. Facing the dual barriers of racial exclusion and gender discrimination, she persisted, devoting more than 30 years to teaching girls in southern China, even during WWII. Traveling back and forth between China and the U.S. with wartime supplies and medicines, she was remembered by Austinites as a wartime hero.

We found out about this story and delve into searching for more information was a by-product of our exhibition. Because of this investigation, we found the family that resided both sides of the Pacific. Separated by war, time and language, they finally reunited at the exhibition in Austin.

This is not just a family story—it is an overlooked Asian American immigrant story and a truly original Texas story that deserves to be told.

We are creating a video art performance using music, contemporary dance, and archival imagery to bring Joe and Inez’s journey to life. Our goal is to complete the project by January 2026, so it can premiere during AAPI Heritage Month—coinciding with the centennial of Joe Lung’s passing. Your support will help fund production, editing, and public presentations in Austin, Houston, and other major Texas cities. Together, we can ensure this story of resilience, generosity, and legacy is finally shared.

Our fundraising goal is $12,000, which will support completing the video project and hosting two premiere events—one in Houston and one in Austin. We are grateful to have already received a $1,500 donation, bringing our remaining goal to $10,500

Donate today to help us preserve and share this powerful legacy of resilience, generosity, and Texas history.