[1] From 2009 to 2019, the executive director was Mabel Teng,[2] a former member of the San Francisco Board of Supervisors and former a City Accessor-Recorder.

As a compromise, founder J.K. Choy struck a deal with the developer for a 20,000 square foot facility dedicated to community cultural activities.

After some political tensions between CCF and the heavily Nationalist majority faction in Chinatown, work began on the Chinese Culture Center facilities on January 27, 1973.

Early activities were marked by a desire to be non-controversial and non-political because of tense Taiwanese-PRC relations and factions within Chinatown.

The center began hosting workshops and classes on Mandarin language, folklore, martial arts, music, painting and calligraphy, crafts, drama, dance, and shadow play.

Following relaxation of US-PRC relations, CCC began sponsoring public lectures on Chinese arts and culture by scholars.

[5][6] Notable public art projects include: Notable arts-based interventions include: CCC's education initiative was dedicated as the Him Mark Lai Learning Center in 2013, serving as the hub for its tours, both Chinatown Walking Tours and California Roots Excursions,[14] as well as lectures, which were rebranded as Thought Leader Seminars.

Past seminar leaders include Timmy Yip, Gordon H. Chang, Yu Xinqiao, and Elizabeth Sinn.