FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
October 13, 2023
LOS ANGELES, CA —Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California (AJSOCAL) hosted their 40th Anniversary Gala:40FORWARD with a vibrant celebration on Thursday, October 12th, 2023 at the Vibiana in Los Angeles.
Nearly 600 guests – including AAPI (Asian American and Pacific Islander) artists, leaders, and allies – gathered to pay tribute to the evening’s theme, United in Action: 40FORWARD, honoring four decades of unwavering dedication to the community and a future of continued leadership, advocacy, and unrelenting commitment to progress. The evening honored the forward momentum of the AAPI social justice movement through the presentation of the Joseph Ileto Courage Award and the Ruby Hero Awards, the latter established for AJSOCAL’s landmark year.
Highlights of the evening include Asian American action hero and actor Daniel Wu (American Born Chinese) presenting both the Joseph Ileto Courage Award and a Ruby Hero Award to Brandon Tsay, the Monterey Park Lunar New Year Hero who disarmed the mass shooter at his family’s ballroom studio. AJSOCAL’s President Emeritus, Stewart Kwoh, presented Walter Wang and Shirley Wang of the Walter & Shirley Wang Foundation with a Ruby Hero Award for the indelible mark their global philanthropic efforts have made for the AAPI community. Their work has led to $40 million in funding the fight against anti-Asian hate, education, drug abuse prevention, medical relief and research. Kristenne Reidy, a family member of a victim in the Lunar New Year shooting, also took the stage to honor U.S. Representative Judy Chu with a Ruby Hero Award for her AAPI leadership spanning over 40 years. The event was emceed by journalist David Ono, a long time supporter of AJSOCAL.
Among artists in attendance were: Hip Hop Poet jason chu, Actress Joyce Liu-Countryman (NO RETURNS), Actor & Producer, Yoonj Kim (TAKEPART LIVE), Filmmaker Bao Nguyễn (BeWater), Comedian Joe Wong, Musician Calista Wu, and Actor Daniel Wu (American Born Chinese).
Joining AJSOCAL’s board of directors as leaders of the AAPI community were: AJSOCAL CEO Connie Chung Joe, journalist Denise Dador, Former CA State Assembly Member the Honorable Mike Eng, Assembly Member Mike Fong, Philanthropist Krista Kleiner (former Miss Philippines), AJSOCAL Founder and Civil Rights Attorney Stewart Kwoh, Activist Angela Oh, ABC7 Anchor David Ono, United Talent Agency Agent Emily Song, Hero and Advocate Brandon Tsay, Philanthropists Shirley and Walter Wang.
Connie Chung Joe, CEO, AJSOCAL remarked during the program, “With some 90 staff who speak more than a dozen languages, AJSOCAL is uniquely positioned as the nation’s largest legal service and civil rights organization for Asian American Pacific Islanders to protect and fight for our communities in times of need. We did that with the El Monte Thai Garment Workers, with the 1992 LA Uprising (Saigu), during Covid with emergency Disaster Relief Assistance to Immigrants and earlier this year after the Monterey Park Lunar New Year shooting. We continue to do so today with the rise in anti-Asian hate. Although our community may be vulnerable, we are NOT WEAK. And although we may be exploited, we are ENTITLED TO JUSTICE. It is because of these 2 principles that AJSOCAL has existed for 40 years and we will continue to carry our fight into the future.”
Daniel Wu, Actor, remarked, “As an actor, I play heroes on screen but Brandon is a real life hero. We are all familiar with his heroism when he disarmed the Monterey Park shooter who entered his family’s ballroom after killing 11 people earlier that evening. Since that night in January, Brandon has risen to national prominence by speaking out about anti-Asian hatred and violence. ”
Brandon Tsay, Lunar New Year Hero, remarked, “I wasn’t planning to be any kind of a hero in January. It was almost a reflex reaction to protect the people inside my family’s ballroom. I hope that more people will have that same reaction in the face of hate.”
Walter and Shirley Wang, Philanthropists, remarked, “Anti-Asian hatred must end. We urge all of you here tonight, to join us in the fight for social justice, to keep the AAPI movement strong and growing. Get involved and speak out. Your voice matters”.
Judy Chu, U.S. Representative, stated in a pre-recorded message, “ I’m especially excited to receive this award because my connection to AJSOCAL goes way back. Stewart Kwoh recruited me as one of the founding board members in 1983. 40 years later, AJSOCAL continues to play a critical role in so many important issues, from redistricting, to fighting anti-Asian hate.”
PHOTOS
https://advancingjustice.smugmug.com/40th-Gala-PRESS-SELECTS
Title Sponsor
Bank of America
Ruby Sponsors
Bird Marella
Chung Intervivos Trust
Comcast | NBCU | Telemundo
LA County Supervisor, Hilda Solis
Jamison
Nielsen
Panda Restaurant Group
Plum Spring Foundation
Southern California Gas Company
UPS
Wells Fargo
The Walt Disney Company | ABC7
99 Ranch Market
Co-Chair
The Capital Group Companies
The Cabanilla Family
GRoW @ Annenberg
JPMorgan Chase
Munger, Tolles & Olson LLP
Pacific American Fish Company, Inc.
Red Boat Fish Sauce
Southern California Edison
U.S. Bank
LA Mag | Pasadena Mag
Cadillac
Flame Sponsor
Walzer Melcher & Yoda LLP
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Media Contacts:
Liza Ameen, Communications Director – lameen@ajsocal.org
Liana Lang, Communications Specialist – lliang@ajsocal.org
Nic Vivas, Publicity Consultant – vivasnic@gmail.com
