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Funding & Sustainability
Silk Road Cultural Collective is committed to building a sustainable future through a balanced combination of grants, sponsorships, community donations, in-kind contributions, and earned revenue from educational programs, cultural performances, and public presentations.
Since our founding, we have been honored to receive support from community partners, local businesses, individual donors, and public audiences who believe in our mission to preserve and celebrate Chinese and broader Asian heritage. These investments help us expand educational programming, develop new cultural experiences, preserve historical collections, and provide free or low-cost community events throughout Greater Cleveland.
As we continue to grow, we remain committed to developing long-term partnerships with foundations, corporations, government agencies, educational institutions, and community organizations while expanding earned-income opportunities that strengthen both our mission and our long-term sustainability.
Why It Matters in Cleveland
Greater Cleveland is home to a vibrant and diverse community, where cultural understanding helps strengthen neighborhoods and bring people together. As a nonprofit rooted in Cleveland’s historic AsiaTown, Silk Road Cultural Collective creates authentic educational experiences that make Chinese and broader Asian heritage accessible, engaging, and relevant to audiences of all ages.
Through public programs, school partnerships, library workshops, cultural festivals, and living history demonstrations, we inspire curiosity, foster cross-cultural understanding, and celebrate the traditions that have enriched Northeast Ohio for generations.
Where We Serve
Based in Cleveland’s historic AsiaTown, Silk Road Cultural Collective proudly serves communities throughout Greater Cleveland and Northeast Ohio. We partner with schools, libraries, museums, municipalities, festivals, and community organizations to deliver educational programs and cultural experiences that are welcoming, interactive, and accessible.
Whether presenting a hands-on workshop in a classroom, demonstrating historical armor at a community festival, or collaborating with local organizations on public events, our goal is to make Chinese and broader Asian heritage a meaningful part of everyday community life across our region.
Current Community Partners include:
- Asian Services in Action
- AsiaTown Voice Radio
- Cleveland Asian Festival
- Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation
- ClevelandPeople.Com
- Cleveland Public Library
- Cleveland TV20
- City of Cleveland
- City Council Ward 8
- Cuyahoga County Library
- Erie Chinese Journal
- Freshwater Cleveland
- India International News
- Margare Wong and Associates
- Media Design Imaging
- MetroHealth
- MotivAsian for Cleveland
- MidTown Cleveland
- OCA Greater Cleveland
- Ohio Arts Council
- One Cleveland
- St. Clair Superior Development Corp.
Adminsitration – Nick Muhlbach is a Cleveland-based filmmaker and editor whose work supports cultural storytelling, heritage preservation, and community engagement. He has collaborated with organizations including OCA Greater Cleveland, the Cleveland Asian Festival, and the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation, contributing to programs such as One World Day and the World on Stage series.
Through film, editing, and visual media, Nick helps document and amplify the stories of Northeast Ohio’s diverse communities. His work reflects a commitment to sharing culture, building connection, and preserving the experiences that shape Cleveland’s multicultural identity.
Administration – Ewyn Pokras is a Cleveland-area nonprofit professional, community leader, and longtime volunteer dedicated to cultural, charitable, and community service initiatives throughout Northeast Ohio. She has been involved with Cleveland One World Day since 2015, helping with fundraising, resources, marketing, vendors, and performances, and has also been active with the Cleveland Asian Festival and AsiaTown Center. Since 2019, she has served as Auxiliary Committee President, Board Member, and Shelter Liaison with the Northeast Ohio SPCA, supporting fundraising and resources for the no-kill shelter. Her community involvement has also included Make-A-Wish, Night Market Cleveland, the Cleveland Professional 20/30 Club, and other charitable organizations. She was recognized in 2018 as one of Northeast Ohio’s Top 25 Under 35 Movers & Shakers for her professional accomplishments, civic engagement, and philanthropic service. Ewyn is also a corporate member and alliance partner of the Greater Cleveland Chinese Chamber of Commerce and has professional working proficiency in Mandarin and Cantonese.
About Us
Rooted in Cleveland’s Historic AsiaTown
Silk Road Cultural Collective is a Cleveland-based 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization rooted in the heart of Cleveland’s historic AsiaTown. We are dedicated to preserving, celebrating, and sharing Chinese and broader Asian history and culture through authentic educational experiences, living history, community engagement, and the performing arts.
From our home in AsiaTown, we partner with schools, libraries, museums, municipalities, businesses, festivals, and community organizations throughout Greater Cleveland to make history accessible, interactive, and meaningful for audiences of all ages. Through hands-on programs, cultural demonstrations, workshops, and performances, we invite people to experience—not just learn about—the traditions, stories, and artistry that have shaped Asian cultures for centuries.
Our work strengthens cultural understanding, encourages lifelong learning, and builds meaningful connections across communities. As a growing nonprofit, we are committed to developing sustainable programs through grants, sponsorships, donations, earned income, and collaborative partnerships that preserve these living traditions while expanding access to arts and cultural education throughout Northeast Ohio.
Rooted in AsiaTown. Shared across Greater Cleveland.
Our Historical Inspiration
The Silk Road was one of history’s greatest networks of cultural exchange, connecting civilizations across Asia, the Middle East, Africa, and Europe through the sharing of ideas, art, technology, traditions, and commerce. More than a trade route, it fostered understanding between diverse cultures and left a lasting impact on the world.
Inspired by this legacy, Silk Road Cultural Collective embraces the same spirit of cultural connection by preserving and sharing Chinese and broader Asian heritage through authentic educational experiences, community partnerships, and the performing arts. Rooted in Cleveland’s historic AsiaTown and serving Greater Cleveland, we continue that tradition by bringing people together through learning, culture, and shared experiences.
Founding Directors
PRESIDENT — Johnny K. Wu
Johnny K. Wu is an award‑winning Cleveland filmmaker, cultural producer, and trilingual entrepreneur (English, Spanish, Mandarin) who leads the Silk Road Cultural Collective. With a media company founded in 1998 and more than 25 years of production experience, Wu brings documentary craft, public programming expertise, and nonprofit leadership to SRCC’s mission of preserving Tang and Ming dynasty legacies through replica armor exhibitions, hanfu showcases, sword demonstrations, and immersive community events across Northeast Ohio.
A co‑founder of the Cleveland Asian Festival (which draws tens of thousands of attendees annually), Wu’s work spans 14+ distributed films, documentary projects about Cleveland’s Chinatown, and sustained community partnerships that connect cultural education to local audiences. He leverages deep historical knowledge and trilingual outreach to expand program access, support artists, and build economic and educational opportunities for Cleveland’s neighborhoods.
VICE PRESIDENT — Dan Hanson
Dan Hanson is a Cleveland-based entrepreneur, author, and advocate for cultural diversity. With a background in mathematics and as the founder of Magnum Computers Inc., he brings business leadership, communications experience, and community connections to the Silk Road Cultural Collective. As co-founder of SRCC alongside filmmaker/Civic Leader Johnny K. Wu, Hanson helps present Tang and Ming dynasty Asian armor, hanfu, and heritage through live events and exhibitions that engage audiences across Northeast Ohio.
Hanson also serves as President of the Cleveland International Hall of Fame Board, Co-Chair of the Cleveland Asian Festival, Executive Board member of the Cleveland Cultural Garden Federation, and publisher of ClevelandPeople.com. Through his writing, media work, and intercultural initiatives, he continues to build bridges across communities and strengthen Northeast Ohio’s cultural landscape.
SECRETARY — Annie Pu (Ying Pu)
Annie Pu (Ying Pu) serves as Secretary of the Silk Road Cultural Collective and brings more than 20 years of leadership as founder, owner, publisher, and chief editor of the Erie Chinese Journal, a Chinese-language newspaper that has connected Northeast Ohio’s Asian communities since 2003. A first-generation immigrant from Shanghai, she has built a lasting platform for bilingual communication, community news, and cultural connection across the region.
Annie has played a vital role in strengthening Asian heritage visibility and cross-cultural understanding in Northeast Ohio. Her leadership includes guiding community journalism through the pandemic, supporting outreach in both print and digital formats, and helping coordinate initiatives that uplift and connect local Asian communities.
Board Members:
Michael Powell
Michael W. Powell is a longtime Cleveland community volunteer and independent researcher of Mongol history and culture. He has been involved with the Cleveland Asian Festival for more than 15 years and with the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation and its annual One World Day celebration for over a decade. Through this work, he supports public cultural programming, historical education, international understanding, and the diverse communities that make Cleveland a welcoming and globally connected city.
Oanh Loi-Powell 
Oanh Loi-Powell is a longtime Cleveland community leader, cultural-program organizer, and volunteer whose work advances civic engagement, STEM education, and cross-cultural understanding. She serves as President of the Northeastern Ohio Science & Engineering Fair, is a board member of the Cleveland Asian Festival and the Cleveland International Hall of Fame, and serves as a garden coordinator for Cleveland One World Day with the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation. She is also known for hands-on community service, including sewing and donating more than 700 protective masks to Northeast Ohio health-care providers and care facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Aigerim Alibek
Aigerim Alibek is a cultural leader, nonprofit founder, choreographer, performer, and arts educator committed to strengthening communities through culture, education, and the performing arts. With more than 30 years of performing experience and 15 years of teaching experience, she has developed and led artistic and cultural initiatives that promote cultural heritage, encourage artistic excellence, and create meaningful opportunities for community engagement; her students have become laureates and prize winners at international competitions in Kazakhstan, Georgia, and Spain. Aigerim holds a degree in International Relations following five years of specialized academic study, a background that has strengthened her interest in cultural diplomacy, international collaboration, and building connections among diverse communities. Since 2023, she has served as an Ambassador of the Kazakh Community in Cleveland and has taught Flamenco and Character Dance at Cleveland Ballet Theatre. She is the Founder and President of Kazakh Garden and Kazakh Cultural Garden, a nonprofit organization. Active in city festivals, multicultural events, and community initiatives as a choreographer, performer, and organizer, Aigerim uses the arts as a platform for cultural understanding, community engagement, and meaningful connections among people from different backgrounds.
Ila WAdhi
Ila WAdhi is a Cleveland-based community organizer and student leader who promotes multicultural awareness and supports international students, particularly through her work with Permias Cleveland, the Indonesian Students Association of Cleveland. As a core organizer, she helps build community among Indonesian students and expatriates in Greater Cleveland while coordinating regional cultural programs that connect local and international organizations. Her involvement includes helping promote large-scale events such as the Southeast Asian Festival at Edgewater State Park, featuring food, traditional performances, and cultural exhibits, and collaborating with the Cleveland Cultural Gardens Federation on programs at Centennial Peace Plaza, including World on Stage: International Student Day, which showcased Dayak Indonesian dance and diverse student ensembles such as Case Western Reserve University’s Spartan Bhangra. She also participates in and supports other multicultural activities in the area, including Lunar New Year celebrations in Cleveland’s AsiaTown.
Heritage Performers (24+ Communities): Led by leadership + Rotating Cast
Silk Road Cultural Collective’s Heritage Performers and Cultural Representatives represent 24 diverse heritage communities and bring a wide range of cultural, artistic, educational, and community experience to the organization. The group includes individuals from both Asian and non-Asian backgrounds who share an interest in cultural heritage, education, performance, and community engagement.
Members contribute expertise in traditional and contemporary music, dance, martial arts, historical interpretation, traditional clothing, cultural demonstrations, and other performing arts. They participate in public programs and events while also providing input into program development, cultural representation, and community outreach.
As an important part of the Collective’s volunteer leadership and cultural network, the Heritage Performers help shape the organization’s programming and growth. Their diverse perspectives help ensure that Silk Road Cultural Collective presents Chinese and broader Asian heritage in an inclusive, respectful, educational, and engaging manner for audiences throughout Cleveland, AsiaTown, and Northeast Ohio.
In addition to the 24 core heritage communities, Silk Road Cultural Collective has relationships with additional cultural and performing groups that have expressed interest in participating in future programs and events, creating opportunities for continued growth of the organization’s cultural network.
