By Lorna Garey
“We do things.”
That’s how Diana Jeong, co-founder and former vice president of the Greater Malden Asian American Community Coalition, summed up the effort to acquire what will become a hub for the city’s large Asian American community. The mood on Saturday, as residents, staff and elected officials gathered for a traditional ceremony to bless the 381 Pearl St. property that GMAACC formally closed on late last week for $1.34 million, reflected that intrepid mindset.
Longtime residents may recognize the Pearl St. address as the former Brandano’s restaurant. It’s around the corner from the Malden Islamic Center, close to the Malden Irish American Club and just down the road from the Malden Italian-American Citizens Club, site of the annual St. Rocco’s Feast.
The Ward 2 neighborhood is, in short, a microcosm of the city’s cultural diversity.
Twenty-nine percent of Malden’s 65,000 residents identified as Asian on the latest census, up from 14.5% in 2000, growth Jeong attributes to the city’s easy proximity to Chinatown and historically affordable housing stock. But until now, the Asian community has split its activities among the Senior Center and other city facilities, the First Parish Church, and the YMCA. The nonprofit group’s purchase of the more than 6,000 square foot former dental research building is the first step to establishing a center for offices, recreation, arts, youth activities, celebrations, education, mental health support and much needed community meeting space that will soon be available.
“GMAACC is on a mission to foster community and a deeper sense of belonging for our AAPI neighbors in Malden and the North Shore. It has been a privilege to partner with them in that effort,” Democratic Whip Katherine Clark, who secured a $1 million grant to help purchase the property, told Neighborhood View. “I’m proud to have brought home the investment necessary to turn their vision of a safe gathering space into a reality. And I’m eager to continue fighting to ensure that every GMAACC member has the tools and resources necessary to thrive.”
That funding was supplemented by local grants, loans and fundraising efforts, including an annual gala. Mai Du, co-founder of GMAACC and a Sifu, or master instructor, at Wah Lum Kung Fu & Tai Chi Academy, said fundraising is an ongoing effort, with a capital campaign on the docket to cover improvements to and furnishing of the new space.
“Community loans and donations had to come forward really, really quickly,” Du said. “So we want to make sure that we recognize folks that are very, very much generous with their pockets and their hearts and their minds.”
GMAACC closed on the building on Friday. But the journey is just beginning.
“We are hoping that the first phase of the renovation will cover about 2,500 square feet,” said Du. “I think the longer term is, within the next few years, deep renovation of the entire building. Before that, we would really have visioning—what does the community want?”
Linda Champion, an attorney-broker who is also president of the Korean American Citizens League of New England, worked for some time with GMAACC to evaluate potential properties to create a space for the AAPI (Asian American Pacific Islander) population north of Boston.
“Places throughout the region were limited, and a lot were very expensive,” said Champion. But the size and location of this building was worth the wait. “The great thing about this organization and this space opening is that all AAPI groups can have a place.”
While the facility will require renovations, it has ADA accessibility, restrooms, kitchen hookups, 12 parking spots, a mix of offices and open spaces suitable for recreation and proximity to both the Wellington and Malden Station T stops, with frequent bus service.
“It’s accessible for everybody,” Jeong said.
Impromptu Block Party
When Du and her team decided to schedule the last-minute celebration, she put in a call to City Hall. Maria Luise, special assistant to the mayor, was able to reach out to neighbors and issue the permits needed to close off a portion of Pearl St.
Luise said Mayor Christenson regretted missing the event due to a family commitment but is fully supportive and sent well wishes, saying his office wants to “congratulate GMAACC on today’s monumental milestone but also thank them for all they have done and I know will continue to do, which is perfectly stated in their motto, Bringing Communities Together in Malden!”
Jeong said state as well as city leadership has been fully behind the effort. State Representative Steven Ultrino attended the blessing ceremony, as did Ward 6 Councilor Stephen Winslow, Councilor at Large Carey MacDonald, Ward 4 and current council president Ryan O’Malley, and Ward 6 School Committee member Keith Bernard.
“Malden is a welcoming community, open to change,” said Winslow. “So many generations were immigrants. People remember—maybe their families came here and struggled, and now they’re part of the fabric of Malden.”
That fabric is indeed diverse. In fact, according to Elena Martinez, Malden’s language access coordinator, based on the student population survey, 59 languages are spoken daily in the city’s households.
The road to get here has been long, but Jeong said the group has received advice and encouragement along the way.
“We met with [State Senator] Jason Lewis and Steve Ultrino and the mayor, and they were very, very supportive,” she said. “From the get go, they were, ‘Let’s come and meet. Let’s talk more.’”
‘Energetic Cleansing’
Du opened the blessing ceremony by inviting those in attendance to burn incense.
“This is a traditional custom, and you don’t have to think of it as a religious thing,” she said. “It’s really just to thank the universe for this blessing, for us to show gratitude.”
The centerpiece of the table was a whole roast pig sourced from a local market versed in how to prepare the animal for its intended purpose. The pig was wrapped in red, the color of celebration, good fortune, happiness, and prosperity in Chinese culture, and was decorated with red bows and greenery to honor the animal’s sacrifice. There was also a chicken and a fish, representing the air, land and sea, and a variety of sweets and fruits.
While those in attendance toured the building, Du and other leaders sprinkled salt and rice around the perimeter. Rice symbolizes prosperity and abundance, while salt purifies and dispels evil spirits and influences.
Alex Pratt, Malden’s strategic planning and community development director, said the mayor’s office worked to advocate to have Congress release the funding secured by Clark.
“This is a miracle in so many ways, finding the right space at the right time, working to make sure that the federal government kept its commitment to our community,” Pratt said. “It’s providing a safe cultural space for a very important part of our community in a way that really strengthens the core of who we are.”
McDonald called the center a physical anchor point for the next generation of GMAACC’s leadership and said that, while the First Parish Church has enjoyed hosting activities, having all the programs under one roof would positively impact relationships.
Du said that there will be a more formal project launch in the future where Malden residents will be invited to tour the building and learn about GMAACC’s longer-term plans.
Those looking to make a donation or get involved can engage through GMAACC’s website or its active Facebook page.
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