Join Milwaukee PBS for a special screening that honors the stories, resilience, and enduring legacy of Hmong communities in Wisconsin.
What does it take to build a new life from the ground up?
Thousands of Hmong refugees arrived in Wisconsin—bringing with them resilience, determination, and a deep commitment to community.
Their journeys were shaped by survival and sacrifice, as well as hope for future generations.
PANELISTS
Dr. Chia Youyee Vang is a Professor of History at the University of Wisconsin–Milwaukee, where she also serves as Vice Chancellor for Community Empowerment and Institutional Inclusivity. Her globally focused research is deeply informed by her childhood experiences as a refugee and examines both political and military transformations and the lived experiences of communities affected by war. She is the author of four books, including Prisoner of Wars (2020), Fly Until You Die (2019), Hmong America (2010), and Hmong in Minnesota (2008), and co-editor of Claiming Place: On the Agency of Hmong Women (2016).
Lang Xiong is a veteran advocate for the Hmong community, currently serving as Project Coordinator for the Hmong American Friendship Association and President of Shee Yee Community, Inc. With over 20 years of experience as a multilingual interpreter and a tenure as Vice president of Lao Family Community (St. Paul), Lang has dedicated his life to community empowerment. He is the author of the 1987 English-Hmong-English Dictionary and was honored as the 2011 Hmong Man of the Year for his enduring leadership and service.
Dr. Chris Her-Xiong is the CEO of the Hmong American Peace Academy in Milwaukee.
A refugee from Laos who arrived in the U.S. not knowing English or how to hold a pencil, she became the first Hmong teacher in Milwaukee Public Schools and later founded HAPA to empower students through cultural pride, peacebuilding and academic excellence. Today, the school serves more than 2,000 scholars, and stands as a beacon of hope and opportunity.
ABOUT
Fifty years ago, thousands of Hmong refugees came to Wisconsin to begin new lives.
This documentary explores the lasting impact of those journeys through historical context and personal reflection, highlighting how culture, identity, and community continue to shape Milwaukee and beyond.
Hmong 50: Home in Wisconsin offers a powerful look at the experiences that define this history—from pivotal moments to deeply personal stories.
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