Last Thursday, Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California celebrated our 38th Anniversary under the stars with with an intimate gathering at the Westin Bonaventure Hotel in Downtown Los Angeles. Our theme this year was RISE UP: United in Action. With API guests and allies from the worlds of social justice, arts and entertainment, we honored stellar individuals and organizations who rose up against the tide of anti-Asian hate this year.
Our 38th Anniversary VIP reception was the first in-person gala we hosted in two years, and many were eager to gather and celebrate. In years past, our event included a Chinese banquet style dinner with over 1000 guests, but this year we broke tradition with just a couple of hundred guests at an outdoor and pandemic safe cocktail party.
Our CEO Connie Chung Joe, who celebrated her one-year anniversary, recapped the past year by saying:
“We, Asian Pacific Islanders, are fighting for our rights as we never have before. We voted in record numbers, we protested by the thousands, and we spoke out to say “America, if you believe in racial justice, you must stand in solidarity with us. We will no longer be rendered invisible.”
Among the APIs from entertainment, fashion, music and media were Zoe Chao, Kelly Hu, Avantika, Tia Carrere, CaliStar and more. Guests participated in a digital campaign effort to continue the fight against hatred, in which they were asked, “What can we do to rise up against hate?” Among the responses were “strengthening our communities,” the importance of “telling our stories of pain and resilience,” and that “representation starts at all levels, and starts with you.”
Emceed by longtime friend of Asian Americans Advancing Justice Southern California, ABC7 news anchor David Ono, the program included heartfelt, empassioned remarks about our honorees’ own experiences with racism and their own pledges to continue the fight.
Among those remarks were:
” I accept this award with a pledge. I pledge to keep fighting — alongside you — to advance justice for our diverse AAPI communities.”
Honorable Rob Bonta, CA Attorney General
2021 Public Service Award
“I learned that no matter what we do… in whatever field, we all have a part in the visibility and voice of our community and we have to keep doing something with it and for it.”
Melvin Mar, Producer/Activist
2021 Public Image Award
“The 5 D’s are simple, to Distract, Delegate, Document, Delay, and Direct. We must continue to rise up and unite in action to stop anti-Asian hate.”
Ken Jeong, Actor/Activist
2021 Public Image Award
“While we will continue to collectively work to move our communities forward, we also need to accept that change takes time and sacrifice. We need to acknowledge those who’ve come before us paving the way so we can have the opportunities we have today.”
Benny Luo, Founder and CEO, NextShark
2021 Community Partner Award
“Our next generation is no longer keeping quiet, no longer keeping their heads down. We are being vocal and standing up for our community.”
Hong Lee, Advocate
2nd Annual Joseph Ileto Courage Award
Our virtual gala live streamed the next day where the general public participated in our celebrations and rallied against anti-Asian hate.
Experience the gala again here.
Scroll down for more photos.
