Our Emmy-award winning documentary series presents "Asian American Pioneers" this spring. The one-hour prime time special will profile how the people of Asia profoundly shaped the modern Bay Area.

The very first asian immigrant arrived to the Bay Area before the Gold Rush and settled in San Francisco's Chinatown. The people of Asia have been excluded, imprisoned and villified. Yet, they fought for their right to stay and work here. And, because of that, Asian Americans have made a big impact in Bay Area politics, arts, philanthropy and, of course, cuisine.

Hear the untold stories of some of those Asian American pioneers and how they're giving back to their communities.

Our interviews include former Congressman Mike Honda, a survivor of internment camps; Vivek Ranadivé, the first Indian-American to own an NBA team; the Filipino entrepreneur who made personal computers possible; and the family who opened up the very first Vietnamese restaurant in San Francisco.

"Bay Area Revelations: Asian American Pioneers" premieres Sunday, April 15 at 7 p.m. An encore presentation will air Saturday, April 21 at 9 p.m.