Center for Empowering Refugees and Immigrants

In recognition of the Hewlett Foundation’s 50th anniversary, the Hewlett 50 Arts Commissions initiative supports the creation and premiere of 50 exceptional works of performing arts. This grant will support the Center for Empowering Refugees and Immigrants in developing and presenting “A Deepest Blue” a dance performance by choreographer Prumsodun Ok. The work, which melds traditional Cambodian and Japanese myths, premiered in the San Francisco Bay Area in spring 2024.

Center for Empowering Refugees and Immigrants is a community-based mental health and social services agency in Oakland, Calif., that serves refugees and immigrants affected by war, torture, genocide or other forms of extreme trauma. It provides services in 15 languages, serving many from Southeast Asian refugee and immigrant communities as well as from Afghanistan, Nepal, Tibet, Bhutan, and India. This grant is one of several made to support organizations serving Asian and Pacific Islander communities, in the Bay Area and beyond, in response to the rise of violence against these communities in 2020 and 2021.

In recognition of the Hewlett Foundation’s 50th anniversary, the Hewlett 50 Arts Commissions initiative supports the creation and premiere of 50 exceptional works of performing arts. This grant will support the Center for Empowering Refugees and Immigrants in developing and presenting "A Deepest Blue" (working title), a multimedia dance performance by choreographer Prumsodun Ok. "A Deepest Blue" melds traditional Cambodian and Japanese ocean myths to contemplate humanity’s relationship and responsibility to nature.