David Liu believed in the power of change.
He had a bias for action.
He was energized by the civil rights movement.
Over his life, David took on roles as a scholar, software engineer, linguist, businessman, entrepreneur, and educator. Motivated by the work of Martin Luther King Jr., he became a community organizer as well, working with colleagues to unite the Asian American community in Chicago as a civic force and voting bloc.
He saw the urgency of that time in our time.
The challenges facing the Asian American community today are as compelling as those that drove David and his colleagues. From the stark realities of the COVID pandemic, and up through the current moment, the need for more visible AAPI platforms remains a civic imperative.
His ideas drive our mission: Meet the moment.
Following David’s passing in 2024, his widow, Huey, and his children, Jean and John, established The Liu Pursuits Foundation in David’s honor. The foundation is committed to rekindling the energy that he so visibly and effectively brought to the Asian American community in Chicago in communities across the nation.
“The Liu Pursuits Foundation is a tribute to my father, David Liu, who was a tireless advocate for AAPI issues. His life and work have inspired me to bring his vision to this moment."
Jean C Liu — Executive Director, The Liu Pursuits Foundation