Three Generations of Leadership in San Diego’s Early Chinatown

In nearly every Chinese American community, someone is eventually called the “Mayor of Chinatown.” While meant as a title of respect, it often reflects values and expectations shaped by outsiders. This presentation introduces a wide range of early leaders—each with distinct qualities that resist easy categorization. Beginning with San Diego’s first Chinatown, we’ll trace different paths to leadership, including the generational legacies of the Tom and Quon families. Along the way, we’ll reconsider who gets called “mayor”—and why. By doing so, this talk offers a more nuanced view of San Diego’s earliest Chinese leaders and a fresh lens for understanding leadership in other Chinese American communities.