KOREAN BUSINESS LEADERS GIVE BACK TO COMMUNITIES THEY SERVE
Over twenty-three years ago Phil Chang and his family arrived in the United States after traveling half-way around the world from their home country of South Korea. Phil, who passed away on April 15th at the age of 36 quickly, embraced the American entrepreneurial spirit. He began his working career by driving a school bus and from there he moved on to working at Pizza Hut, soon he established a family business that included a fish market and seafood restaurant. Later they moved into the convenience store business, The Chang "Fairway One Stop" Convenience Stores and a family mobile phone business, Spectrum Wireless.
Business was a huge part of the Chang family lifestyle, but what Phil was most well-known for was his love for people. The Chang's convenience stores that are located in High Point, Winston-Salem, and Greensboro operate in predominantly African-American communities. It is these customers that the Chang Family want to give back to, because it was always Phil's dream to make a difference in those communities. "Phil loved his store and his customers," states his brother and business partner, John Chang. "His customers were his friends, they enabled us to grow our business and now we want to give back to them to thank them and to honor the memory of our brother."
To accomplish this the Chang Family has established the Phil Chang and Friends Memorial Scholarship Fund with the High Point Community Foundation. This fund will underwrite two scholarships each year for deserving African American high school seniors who live in the communities the Chang businesses serve. These one-year scholarships will be directed to Winston-Salem State University and North Carolina A&T University. "I have been so inspired by the Chang's love for Phil and their the desire to give back," shared Paul Lessard, Director of the High Point Community Foundation. "When a business invests back into a community they serve, especially when it invests in the youth of that community, it becomes obvious that the commitment is one of the heart. I know that Phil would be very proud."
Phil's legacy will live on through this scholarship program that will be kicked off on September 19th at the Oak Hallow Golf Course in High Point, North Carolina. It is fitting that golf will be the vehicle through which these funds will be raised as Phil loved to play the game. "Golf was one of Phil's true passions" remembers David, Phil's brother and business partner. "Phil loved to be out on the golf course with his brothers and his friends having a great time and just enjoying life."
It is the family's dream that Phil will live on through this scholarship program so that his wife, Hye Joo and his two daughters, Mia and Gina, will have a tangible reminder of the husband and father who was so dedicated to them. "Phil had to move to America without Hye Joo and for five years they had to live apart while Phil built a life for her in the Triad," states Kristen, Phil's sister. "My brother would send her tapes telling her about their new home and all he was doing to build a life for them. Once she arrived they were inseparable. Phil worshiped Hye Joo and his daughters- they were his pride and joy."
This pride and joy will continue to grow through the Phil Chang and Friends Memorial Scholarship Fund and for Hye Joo, Mia and Gina, and the entire Chang family as they prepare to celebrate the life of a beloved brother and give back to the community he loved.