What we witnessed at the The Broad Museum expansion Groundbreaking ceremony -

HÀ GIANG

“The artist is the medium between what is and what could be.”

Joanne Heyler, founding director and president of The Broad Museum, opened the groundbreaking ceremony with a quote by Keith Haring — the artist who devoted the last years of his life to fighting for AIDS patients.

She said:

“A city, or even a nation, facing adversity is only going to be made more polarized if it doesn’t make space for art. Art and artists help us weather the discomfort of that space between knowing and not knowing.”

The echo of her words lingered in the air long after the applause faded.

That morning, no one spoke of the plunging stock market, global tensions, or the rising cost of living. Instead, the space was filled with a quiet optimism — a rare feeling these days — and a collective spirit of service to the community.

I was fortunate to receive an invitation from Mindy Duong, FVP, Corporate Content, Social Media & Growth at East West Bank, to attend the groundbreaking ceremony for the expansion of The Broad Museum, located in the heart of Los Angeles.

I had heard of the museum — its striking architecture and contemporary art collections — but it wasn’t until I stood there in person, experiencing its mission in action, that I truly appreciated the leadership’s commitment to free and open public access to art.

Likewise, I knew that East West Bank was a leading partner of The Broad. But it wasn’t until I heard Dominic Ng, Chairman and CEO of East West Bank, speak in a tone more like a conversation among friends than a formal address, that I began to understand the depth of his relationship with Eli Broad, the museum’s late founder.

The expansion of The Broad is a $100 million project, set to open ahead of the 2028 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles. The new building, measuring 55,000 square feet, will connect to the existing museum through a third-floor entryway, leading to an outdoor exhibition courtyard — all part of the vision to bring art to an even broader and more diverse public.

During his remarks, Dominic Ng shared how his connection with Eli Broad began more than 25 years ago:

“As a kid, I dreamed of being an architect, but I ended up becoming a banker. Banking has its own rewards — I get to work across many industries, meet people from all walks of life. And as part of giving back, I’ve had the chance to meet so many philanthropists who are deeply engaged in the community.”

“I remember when I was chair of United Way, trying to break a fundraising record within nine months. Eli was the last person I called. He came in, gave the largest donation, and helped me break the record for United Way of Los Angeles.”

“Later, when he opened The Broad and invited me to be the museum’s leading partner, I asked, ‘East West Bank? This is usually a role for the big guys — JP Morgan, Bank of America, Wells Fargo… Are you sure?’ But Eli, being Eli, always did things differently. He said, ‘Yes, you. East West Bank. I don’t want anyone else. Besides, you’ll be the largest bank in LA soon enough.’”

Eli Broad was right.

Under Dominic Ng’s leadership, East West Bank has become the largest independent bank headquartered in Southern California. And The Broad has grown into one of the city’s premier cultural institutions — ranked alongside the Getty Center, LACMA, and the Natural History Museum. Visitor numbers far exceeded expectations, with more than 6.3 million people passing through its doors since opening — four times the original estimate.

Since 2017, East West Bank has supported The Broad as a lead partner, funding online programs, exhibitions, and youth education initiatives. The bank’s role extends far beyond sponsorship — it’s a true partnership in public engagement and cultural inclusion.

At the event, Dominic Ng announced that East West Bank is extending its partnership with The Broad through 2037. When asked by Tôi Yêu Tiếng Nước Tôi whether the bank plans to expand outreach to the Vietnamese community in Little Saigon, he replied:

“We care deeply about the Vietnamese community in Westminster, San Jose, and even across Los Angeles. Many of our branches have a significant number of Vietnamese clients. In fact, we’ve been serving this community for over 30 years — and we’ll continue to invest in it. You can count on that.”

Mindy Duong mentioned that prominent businesses in Little Saigon such as Thuan Phat (Shun Fat) Supermarket has long been a client of East West Bank, and that East West Bank is reaching out to the media to build a deeper connection and help more businesses in the Vietnamese community.

Thanks to Mindy, and thanks to East West Bank. One can only hope this is the beginning of a new, shared journey between a leading Asian American bank and the vibrant Vietnamese American community of Little Saigon.

For more information about The Broad Museum, contact Joanne Heyler at jheyler@thebroad.org or visit their website: https://www.thebroad.org/

For more information about East West Bank, contact Mindy Duong at Mindy.Duong@eastwestbank.com or visit their website: https://www.eastwestbank.com/