“The Dongs, who bought their home from the descendants of Gus Thompson, a former slave, and his wife, Emma, plan to donate the sale proceeds to scholarships for Black students.”
In 1939, amid the exclusionary racial covenants of Coronado, California, which barred non-white individuals from renting or owning homes, the Dongs, a Chinese American family, faced significant housing discrimination. Emma and Gus Thompson, an African American couple with entrepreneurial spirit, opened their doors to the Dongs, offering them a rental and eventual path to homeownership in a community that otherwise turned them away. In a gesture of gratitude for the Thompsons’ pivotal role in their family’s journey, the Dongs are now contributing $5 million to support Black college students, funded by the sale of their Coronado home.
Janice Dong, 86, reflects on the impact of this gesture, envisioning it as an opportunity for students who might not have the means to pursue higher education. Beyond the financial contribution, the Dongs aim to honor the legacy of Emma and Gus Thompson—Gus having been born into slavery—by seeking to have the Black Resource Center at San Diego State University named in their honor.
Lloyd Dong Jr., 81, acknowledges the foundational support the Thompsons provided, stating that their generosity was instrumental in the opportunities and successes his family has enjoyed. “They gave us a beginning, and it’s our turn to extend that kindness,” he said, emphasizing the profound effect of the Thompsons’ generosity on their lives.
The Dong family’s Coronado properties include the Thompsons’ original home at 832 C Ave. and an eight-unit apartment complex next door. Family members estimate the combined value to be worth $8 million. Lloyd Dong Jr. and his older brother, Ron Dong, plan to donate their portions — $5 million.
In the midst of national discussions on reparations, this narrative diverges from themes of redress or restitution, explains Coronado historian Kevin Ashley. The original act by the Thompsons to support the Dongs was a generous offer without expectations of repayment, not a deed requiring atonement. Ashley views this tale as a celebration of the lasting influence of a family’s altruism towards another’s prosperity. As debates about reparations for America’s history of slavery persist, the Dongs’ choice to contribute to the African American community stands as a potentially instructive act of philanthropy.
Ron Dong and his wife, Janice Dong, both retired educators, hold a firm belief in the transformative power of education. “This donation is simply the right thing to do,” stated Ron Dong, aged 86, reflecting on their commitment to giving back through education.
