From Refugees to Neighbors: 50 Years of the Hmong Journey in Minnesota and America

Over the past 50 years, the Hmong community has transformed from newly arrived refugees to an integral part of Minnesota’s cultural, economic, and civic life. In this talk, Ka Vang shares personal stories, community milestones, and hard-earned lessons about adaptation, identity, and what it means to become American while preserving culture and tradition. The presentation will highlight both the struggles and successes of the Hmong experience—from survival and sacrifice to leadership and innovation. Most importantly, it will look ahead to the next generation and explore what the future of the Hmong community can contribute to Minnesota and the nation.

Ka Vang is a Hmong American writer, poet, playwright, and social justice champion born in Long Cheng, Laos, at the send of the Vietnam and Secret War. After immigrating to the United States in 1980, she settled in Minnesota, where she became one of the first Hmong American journalists, writing for the St. Paul Pioneer Press and the Chicago Tribune before taking a senior leadership position with Minnesota Public Radio | American Public Media.

She is best known for preserving and sharing Hmong stories and folklore through her writing, including her award-nominated children’s book, Shoua and the Northern Lights Dragon. Her work explores themes of bicultural identity, diaspora, and the experiences of Hmong women.

Vang currently serves as Vice President of Equity and Community Impact at Meet Minneapolis. And she is also a contributing columnist for the Minnesota Star Tribune. In 2024, she was recognized by the Twin Cities Business as one of the region’s Top 100 Business Leaders and leading BIPOC executives for her impact in advancing diversity, equity, and inclusion.