Culture Series: 9-Man Volleyball & Washington's Chinese Youth Club

Discover the rich history of 9-man, a fast-paced variation of volleyball traditionally played by Chinese and Chinese American communities. With nine players per side and a slightly larger court, 9-man originated in the 1930s among Chinese immigrants in the U.S. The sport is deeply rooted in cultural identity and resilience, providing a space for community and heritage celebration. Since the early 1900s, the Washington Chinese Youth Club (CYC) has created a safe space for Asian youth in the DMV to express themselves through various activities, including athletics.

Join HumanitiesDC and guest curator Ted Gong for a conversation with key members of the Washington CYC as they reflect on the club's enduring legacy and the sport that continues to bring people together across generations.

More About the Curator: Ted Gong retired from the U.S. Foreign Service in 2009 where he worked on policies, laws, and operations related to visas, border security, immigration, refugees, citizenship, and consular services. He led the national effort for Congress to apologize for the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and founded the Foundation to broaden public understanding of its history. President of the DC Lodge of the Chinese American Citizens Alliance, Ted was educated at the University of California in History, University of Hawaii in Asian Studies, and U.S. Army War College in National Strategic Studies. He received a Frederick Douglass FD200 Award in 2019.

Please note: RSVPs are not required for entry, and entry is based on a first-come, first-serve basis. We appreciate your donations, but please note that if the event reaches capacity, donations will not be refundable.

For reasonable accommodation requests regarding access and inclusion, including ASL interpretation, please contact Jimmy Watkins ([email protected]) no later than five business days before the start of this event.

Event Venue & Nearby Stays

Martin Luther King Jr. Memorial Library (New Books Space), 901 G Street Northwest, Washington, United States