Homer Zhang, author of Desert Gems: Achievements of Chinese-Americans in Arizona History.
By Brad Wu
When I volunteered at a senior center, I stumbled upon a hidden gem—a dust-covered book on a bookshelf that chronicled the history of Chinese Americans in Arizona. More than just a historical account, the book celebrated the invaluable contributions of Chinese Americans to the region and included a fascinating collection of images—early documents, unearthed relics from tombs, and other historical artifacts.
Eager to share this eye-opening discovery and contribute to the ongoing effort to preserve Chinese American heritage, I sought out the book’s author, Homer Zhang, a 73-year-old historian dedicated to documenting and preserving this rich history. Through my interview with him, I gained deeper insights into the struggles, resilience, and achievements of the Chinese American community in Arizona—stories that deserve to be remembered and shared.
English subtitle of the Interview is coming soon.
Homer Zhang (left), Brad Wu (right). 2025. Chandler, Arizona.
About Arizona Chinese History Association —
Homer Zhang : “Our historical association was established quite early—around the year 2000. Back then, a few of us who shared this interest began paying attention to the history of Chinese people’s activities in Arizona. Little by little, we collected a lot of information and many stories. We felt that these things shouldn’t be lost—they needed to be preserved.
“We started interviewing the early Chinese immigrants who came to Arizona, or their descendants. Some of them were already very old, so we quickly recorded their voices and took photos to preserve their stories. Some of these stories were truly moving and historically significant.“
The “Desert Gems” series is a collection of books focused on the history, culture, and arts of Chinese Americans in Arizona. Over the course of thirty years, the author conducted extensive interviews, collected materials, and organized records, with many of the articles published in various newspapers and magazines. Through decades of work in the Chinese American community, the author was fortunate to connect with many community leaders and members, gaining insights from all sides and learning about a wide range of people and events. In the process, he uncovered a wealth of valuable historical materials. Many elders and pioneers contributed source materials, books, clippings, and photographs. Desert Gems represents a compilation, editing, and publication of over a century of Chinese American history. After its release, Desert Gems was preserved as a documentary resource by the Library of Congress as well as numerous major libraries and museums. The series has helped spread the stories of Chinese pioneers in Arizona and their contributions to local culture more broadly.
CONTACT US IF YOU HAVE STORIES TO SHARE.
info@genscura.org