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Schedule

Tuesday, November 14, 2023
6:30 p.m. Film Screening
7 p.m. Panel Discussion
7:30 p.m. Audience Q&A
8 p.m. Drinks Reception

In the summer of 1969, amidst the background of the Apollo 11 moon landing and the civil rights movement, an immigrant Indian family made their way across the United States. During a chance visit to a small Midwestern town, they unexpectedly found themselves on the doorstep of Neil Armstrong's childhood home. One Small Visit tells the incredible true story of Anisha Abraham and her parents as they realize the power of human connection, kindness, and shared humanity.

Join Asia Society Texas for a screening of the short film One Small Visit — awarded "Best Foreign Film" at the LA Shorts International Film Festival 2022 — followed by an in-person discussion with filmmaker and director Jo Chim, joined virtually by producer Morgan Davidoff.

One Small Visit
United States, 2022, 30 minutes
Director: Jo Chim | Language: English

About the Speakers

Jo Chim is the writer, director, and producer of One Small Visit. Jo was born in Hong Kong and raised in West Africa, Canada, and the United States. She’s been a global nomad most of her life. A career chameleon, she’s had multiple roles in the arts, media, and corporate branding for over two decades. After graduating from Brown University she worked in New York and played in Paris before moving to Hong Kong. She returned to North America and pursued acting in theatre, TV, and the occasional Hollywood blockbuster, earning her very own MEAN GIRLS meme.

Now in Hong Kong, she oversees a creative studio for branding and marketing content which specializes in making short form videos for a global private education company. This is Jo's debut as a writer, director, and producer.

Morgan Davidoff served as producer of One Small Visit, and she is a lifelong creative storyteller and someone who thrives in pressure cooker scenarios. Morgan balances her time between various creative developments, a professional problem-solving career, a pro bono role as a Domestic Engineer of Child Development, and an enthusiastic love of spreadsheets.

Morgan holds a BFA in Acting and has launched multiple businesses. Her latest entrepreneurial venture is a premium vegan cosmetic & lifestyle brand, Les Woo, which focuses on female-driven content and products that donate to Intersectional Rape Crisis Centers. Growing up and working with the One Small Visit family has been one of her greatest pleasures. Closing the gender pay gap and commissioning mandatory 12-hour on-set turn-arounds has been a highlight of her accomplishments.

About the Moderator

Rita Touma is a Senior Vice President and Senior Relationship Manager focusing on delivering key banking solutions to healthcare, education, and not-for-profit entities in Houston, South Texas, and Louisiana. Based in Houston, Rita has over 25 years of diversified financial services experience in various roles including marketing and sales, strategic and technology development, and relationship, product, and program management. Prior to joining Bank of America in 2018, Rita was a Managing Director leading national sales, marketing, and business development for a growing healthcare technology company focused on revenue cycle management and patient and provider portals. Prior to that role, Rita was with JPMorgan Chase for 20 years, holding key roles in investment banking, treasury services, government banking, and commercial banking in both New York City and Houston. 

Rita earned her Master of Business Administration from the Columbia Business School in 2002, and a Bachelor of Science degree with a dual major in Finance and Management, with a minor in Political Science from New York University’s Stern School of Business. Rita is FINRA Registered, holding Series 7 and 63 security licenses. Rita is active in local non-profit organizations in Houston, serves on committees at the Asia Society Texas Center and the Greater Houston Partnership, and is a leader in the Bank of America Diversity & Inclusion Council.

Asia Society hosts today's leading voices, providing commentary on events in news, society, and culture. Opinions expressed do not necessarily reflect Asia Society views.

Business and Policy programs at Asia Society Texas are presented by Bank of America, Muffet Blake, ExxonMobil, and United Airlines. Major support comes from Nancy C. Allen, Chinhui Juhn and Eddie Allen, The Brown Foundation, Inc., bp America, and Houston Endowment Inc. Generous funding provided by Anne and Albert Chao, ConocoPhillips, Mitsubishi Corporation (Americas), Regions Bank, and Stephanie and Frank Tsuru. Additional funding is provided by the Friends of Asia Society, a dedicated group of individuals and organizations committed to bringing the best in public programming.

Business & Policy Presenting Sponsors

About Asia Society Texas

Asia Society Texas believes in the strength and beauty of diverse perspectives and people. As an educational institution, we advance cultural exchange by celebrating the vibrant diversity of Asia, inspiring empathy, and fostering a better understanding of our interconnected world. Spanning the fields of arts, business, culture, education, and policy, our programming is rooted in the educational and cultural development of our community — trusting in the power of art, dialogue, and ideas to combat bias and build a more inclusive society.