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Celebrate Asian-Pacific American Heritage Month With Us

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AAPI Making a difference in 2021

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Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebrates the contributions of one of the fastest-growing groups of people living in the United States. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders contain multitudes. They are a global community with a homegrown and unique perspective on America.

Their diversity expands continents and demographics. The hopes and dreams of the AAPI community are America at its finest, and its people and traditions are those that are tightly stitched into the fabric of the nation. The American dream is alive and well within the AAPI community, and we've gathered so many of those dreams here throughout this inspiring list of individuals.

We're publishing The GMA Inspiration List as the community asserts its voice - speaking out and standing up as anti-Asian violence has spread amid the COVID-19 pandemic; defining itself on its own terms; and increasing awareness of their collective history and future in the United States.

The month of May is a time to remember those who have enriched the community and others with knowledge, pride and respect. We recognize that work, those struggles and the vision for the future of the AAPI community, and reflect on the idea that their history is at the heart of American history. Welcome to the GMA INSPIRATION LIST: Who's Making AAPI History Right Now?

Good Morning America and ABC News asked influential AAPI leaders, celebrities, intellectuals, entrepreneurs, athletes and more to nominate fellow members of the community for the list. It's important to note: the vastness of the AAPI community means it has deep ties in countries of origin, which includes the rich Asian global diaspora. To honor the global community, we've provided space for nominators who do not identify as American. Most of the nominations on the list are rising stars on the cusp of becoming household names, whose influence, we believe, will become monumental. They are those who are doing the work, gaining success and sharing their talent ... and making history right now.

America, meet the next generation of AAPI excellence.

James Hong nominates Chris Naoki Lee

As an actor who has been a part of this business for nearly 70 years, it has been inspiring to see the rise in work from the Asian community, and I am proud to acknowledge Chris Naoki Lee as an up and coming artist. This industry certainly tries to put you in a box, or tries to make you stay in your own lane, but just as I had learned to weave my career into what it is today, I see Chris making similar bold choices as well. Not only does he work as an actor, but he continues to adapt and evolve in the fields of writing, directing, and producing. We are even collaborating on two different projects, each of which push the conversation for further AAPI inclusion and exposure. One project is an animation feature filled with adventure, shadow puppets, and the lores of my family history in China, while the other is a live action film that deals with identity as a young Asian American in today's modern world. Chris has been integral to bringing both of these visions to life, and it is humbling to see that he carries the same hustling mentality as myself. Though we shall see if his hustle is as strong as mine when he gets to my age! All jokes aside, I look forward to seeing what Chris does next, especially after his directorial debut film, "Dinner Party," which deals with relevant dialogues about race and diversity. In this industry, it has not been an easy road for all of us within the Asian community, and I am fortunate and grateful to help inspire the next generation of Asian artists. And Chris Naoki Lee, is already on that path.

Margaret Cho nominates Robin Tran

My favorite comic right now. She's an Asian American trans woman who just slays me every time I see her. I love her cynical outlook and brilliant observations. She's the fantastic artist we need right now to challenge everything. Robin is my hope for the future of Asian Americans in comedy.
Margaret Cho is a comedian, actress and host of the podcast "The Margaret Cho."
Jon M. Chu nominates Madeline Park

Following the slew of AAPI hate crimes, many of us felt anxious for our own safety and for the safety of our fellow AAPI community members, especially our elders. Madeline Park took the worry she personally felt while riding the subway and turned it into action. Maddy created Cafe Maddy Cab, a community-led fundraising initiative to pay for cab rides for some of the most vulnerable members of our community: Asian elderly, Asian women and Asian members of the LGBTQ community. By combining her beautiful, selfless act of wanting to protect the community, with the recognition of the power of digital platforms, Maddy was able to raise awareness and create effective change. Starting with her own donation of $2,000 to the fund, Cafe Maddy Cab has since raised over $100,000 -- proving that we all truly can be the change we want to see in this world. Our future is bright with young activists like Maddy.

Jamie Chung nominates Justin Chon

I'm kicking off AAPI Heritage month by nominating a fellow actor and filmmaker Justin Chon. An unapologetic, versatile and bold story teller, Justin had early success as an actor for 15 years but was left wanting more. We started in the business around the same time and from firsthand experience, I'm telling you that the amount of roles for AAPI actors were slim to none. And were often lacking backstory, significance and specificity. Roles that were usually written by non-Asian writers. Justin took control of his own narrative by writing, directing and starring in his 2017 film, "Gook," a fictional take on his experience growing up in Southern California after the unjust verdict of the policemen who viciously beat Mr. Rodney King. He pivoted tones soon after with his next film, "Ms. Purple," an intimate and raw story of a young woman left to pick up the pieces of her broken family, the duties bestowed upon children in the face of an ill and dying parent and the powerful journey of finding your way back with a sibling you thought you lost. I am in constant awe of his unwavering commitment to tell profound, authentic stories of the AAPI experience. And with his next buzz-worthy film, "Blue Bayou," he continues to break glass ceilings, making a seat at his own damn table, paving the way for other storytellers that look like us.

Freida Pinto nominates Kiran + Nivi

When I heard Kiran + Nivi sing for the first time on Instagram, I was blown away and felt such a sense of pride. I immediately recognized their genius employment of Indian classical music into their covers and original songs. These twin sisters could sing before they could speak and have taken destiny into their own hands by letting their voices take them from their home in San Diego into people's hearts all around the world. The duo draws from their Indian heritage, blending English-language pop music and Carnatic (Indian classical music) techniques, creating new, cross-cultural connections. Kiran + Nivi compose their own swaram (Indian solfege) sequences to go along with the words they sing, introducing Carnatic music to their fans on TikTok and Instagram. I strongly believe their talent, their grace, their own backstory, their bond as sisters has all the makings of future musical sensations. They told me they are inspired by Adele and Billie Eilish, among others, and I can't wait to see those collaborations happen someday.

Charles Melton nominates David Yi

Activist, founder and author David Yi has revolutionized the beauty space through his site, Very Good Light, and in 2021, continued his mission to promote "beauty beyond the binary" by launching his skin care line, Good Light. Witnessing him enact change by championing AAPI voices has inspired me to do the same. As a fellow Korean American, it is both liberating and comforting to know that there are allies in this world who are relentless in their pursuit to uplift our community. Because of David's courage and support, I have been able to cultivate my own voice and join in on the conversation. David represents true allyship through accountability and because of him, an infinite number of voices that didn't exist will now be heard.

Dr. Sandra Lee nominates Stacy Chen

I love when I notice someone on television and social media who has found her "thing." Has found a way to get her points across, connecting with complete strangers, telling stories and conducting interviews that inspire people to improve their lives and the lives around them. When I saw Stacy Chen doing this as an Asian American journalist, mixing her own personality including light-hearted irreverence in with serious subject matter, it really made me pause and smile. And the surprise and pride I had to realize we both herald from the same high school that fosters this spirit. She's got it, that little something that flickers there but never extinguishes. The hunger, the intelligence and humor, the ability to entertain while also educate and ultimately inspire others to really listen to the important conversations we are having, and learn from them. This, I believe is how we can create a world that is more accepting, a kinder and ever inspiring place to be. She produces stories that she deeply cares about and tells these stories in such a way that we, the viewer, realize we care in the same way and want to help effect change in positive ways. Stacy Chen is just starting to make history and I look forward to watching where she goes. I, like so many others, want to go along with her on this ride!

Alan Kim nominates Christina Oh

I would love to nominate Christina Oh as a person who is making AAPI history. She is an Oscar-nominated producer for producing my movie, "Minari." Also, she is the nicest person I ever met. While we were filming "Minari" together, she gave me lots of hugs, bought me juice and let me play games on her phone. But that's not the only reason I am nominating her. She is a very hardworking producer and has made more than 15 movies, including "Minari," "Okja" and "The Last Black Man in San Francisco." Throughout her films, she is telling not only Asian American stories, but universal human stories. I think that's why people love her movies.

Ki Hong Lee nominates the team at Asian American Drug Addiction Program, Louis Tse and Jane Nguyen

The folks over at Asian American Drug Addiction Program (AADAP) have been making AAPI history since 1972. After converting a hotel that was known for prostitution and heroin addicts into a drug-treatment facility for the community at large, they haven't looked back. Under their motto of "People need People," they offer a comprehensive "whole person" approach in their treatments and adopt the Hawaiian concept of "Ohana," meaning "family." No one likes to admit they are struggling, but AAPIs need to know that there is an organization that was created with their specific cultural factors in mind. I, for one, am ashamed that I didn't know about AADAP sooner. This organization needs to be recognized for their tireless commitment to helping our community and should be the first stop for AAPIs seeking help.

Back in 2015, Louis Tse was a grad student studying mechanical engineering at UCLA graduate school. He started noticing students were sleeping in classrooms, student lounges and even in their cars. Once he realized that these students were houseless, he decided to form Students 4 Students, a shelter for homeless college students run entirely by their peers. In order to finance the shelter, he became houseless himself, moving into his car for the next two years in order to help those in need. The first student-run shelter started at UCLA, then spread to USC and other campuses are slated to join. When I first met him, I knew of his tireless work for the community. But what blew me away was his humbleness and empathetic heart for everyone in need. Oh, did I also mention he's a spacecraft engineer working at NASA? He is essentially a rocket scientist by day and solving houselessness by night. No big deal.

Jane Nguyen was living in Koreatown in 2018 when she noticed that there was a significant rise in the homeless population in her neighborhood. A homeless shelter was proposed, but there was a huge opposition from the community. In turn, Jane and other like-minded volunteers formed Ktown for All, a volunteer-run organization aimed at helping their houseless neighbors. They hand out care packages, distribute meals and even host a "Power Up" where the unhoused can come and charge their tablets and phones. I love their "Zine," a weekly newsletter that informs the houseless with current news as well as a breakdown of the resources that can be found throughout the city. I would call Jane an advocate for the houseless, community organizer, leader and an activist. But she says that she didn't set out to be these things. She simply saw a need and decided to do something to help people living in her community. I think she may be more comfortable with the label of "friendly neighbor," but for the sake of this list, I would add "history maker" as well.

Jason Scott Lee nominates Arianna de Lena, Leslie Wiser, Mai Nguyen, Kristyn Leach, Scott Chang-Fleeman

I feel this is such important work taking place literally on American soil that it should be recognized and addressed. Arianna de Lena of Kamayan Farms, Leslie Wiser of Radical Family Farms, Mai Nguyen of National Young Farmers Coalition, Kristyn Leach of Namu Farm and Scott Chang-Fleeman of Shao Shan Farms -- these are our quiet heroes plugging away, squeezing out a living beyond the celebrity and politics of our current society. Gaining insight and wisdom through simple willfull action and attending to the health and nutrition of our communities at a clean, basic level.

Jessica Henwick nominates Amanda Nguyen

In 2014, Amanda Nguyen was fighting to have her rape kit kept in the system. Massachusetts had a six-month limit at the time, after which a victim had to pay to stop the state from destroying the kit. It was worse in other states -- New Hampshire only kept the evidence for 60 days, Florida for 30 days. So Amanda decided to rewrite the law. She created a bill that established the right to have the evidence of a rape kit preserved without charge. It passed in 2016. Amanda's bills have impacted millions of sexual assault survivors. And her work highlighting the recent crimes against Asian Americans has been seen by millions more. It's so tiring having to constantly fight for what's right, but Amanda is relentless. I'm incredibly inspired by her and I know she's going to continue making AAPI history. Did I mention she's training to be an astronaut, too?

Danny Pudi nominates Kuhoo Verma

I nominate Kuhoo Verma, as a rising artist on the stage and screen. A few years ago, I performed in "Shabash!" an evening of South Asian theater at the Lincoln Center. During that show, I met Kuhoo. I remember watching her sing a song from the musical "Monsoon Wedding," and I was instantly moved by her electric stage presence and soaring voice. Soon after that, I saw her perform in "Octet" at The Signature Theatre. Her lovely character work in that show earned her a Lucille Lortel Award for outstanding featured actress in a musical. On screen, she has also delivered a memorable performance in "The Big Sick" and she has a new movie called "Plan B" on Hulu, which will further showcase her hysterical comedic timing and dramatic range. Kuhoo is the real deal. Whether it's on the stage or the screen, I'm excited to see where she goes next!

Yeri Han nominates all Asian parents

All Asian parents who are putting down roots on a new soil and building a life away from their homeland have inspired me. Throughout the film "Minari," I thought about their lives and how they'd feel. It's hard to even imagine how much courage it took and how much sacrifice it would have required for them. I believe our generation exists with their sacrifice and effort as a foundation. That desire for the next generation to live a better life than theirs, to be happier and to be more equal continues to us today. We shall not let their efforts be in vain. I express my love and respect to these true pioneers.

Plastique Tiara nominates Xiao Zhen Xie

Xiao Zhen Xie is a 75-year-old Asian American woman who fought off an attacker with a wooden board. Her scenario could've been just another story of the rising violent bigotry that has been put on Asian Americans during the COVID-19. However, she chose to courageously defend herself and not let hate win. After Xie's story went viral, nearly $1 million dollars were donated in support of Xie's courage. She now plans to donate the money to the Asian American community to fight racism. Xiao Zhen Xie is a leading example of a modern day hero: courageous, humble and selfless.

Kelly Mi Li nominates Tammy Cho, Michelle Hanabusa, and Sam Hyun

We must always come together and spread love in the face of hate. Tammy Cho, Michelle Hanabusa and Sam Hyun are doing this with their organization, Hate Is A Virus, and more in the AAPI community.

Tammy is the co-founder and CEO of Hate Is A Virus, a nonprofit founded in response to the rise in Asian hate crimes that aims to amplify, educate and support the AAPI community. She also co-produced "Hidden Narratives," a podcast highlighting the impacts of COVID-19 on our AAPI community. Her dedication to dismantling discrimination and racism has united many in this movement.

Michelle supports the AAPI community as the co-founder and COO of Hate Is A Virus. She is also the founder and creative director of a community-driven streetwear brand called We Are Uprisers that releases apparel collections in alignment with community issues. One of these drops was the #HATEISAVIRUS collection where all profits were donated to the Hate Is A Virus fund to give back to our AAPI community.

Sam is currently the chairperson of the Massachusetts Asian American Community and communications manager of Hate Is A Virus. He focuses on amplifying and mobilizing the community to uplift the work being done and build towards the society we all deserve. He seeks to inspire us to imagine the impossible because he believes it can become a reality through unified and collective effort.

I have partnered with Tammy, Michelle and Sam to launch the commUNITY Action Fund for Hate Is A Virus to raise $1 million dollars for our AAPI community. The fund will bring funding and support to mental health, security, education and more on a local and national level. It's been absolutely so inspiring seeing the work these three have put forth to uplift our AAPI community!

Asia Jackson nominates Samantha Tan

Samantha Tan is breaking barriers in a male-dominated field and she's having fun (and looking good) while doing it. There aren't a lot of women represented in motorsports, let alone women of color, so it's amazing to me to see a young woman of color making history in such a seemingly exclusive industry. To me, Samantha embodies what it means to have a dream and chase it unapologetically, which I think is a great message for a lot of Asian American girls and young women who usually grow up in more conservative or traditional households. Young women need to know that their passions and dreams are valid, and that they can achieve anything they put their minds to. Samantha had a dream when she started racing at just 16 years old -- then she ended up making history by becoming the first-ever Asian female winner in the renowned Dubai 24H race. Samantha's story really resonates with me, as someone who has also taken a non-traditional career path and I think stories like hers are so powerful -- especially for Asian American and Pasifika communities.

Kim Chi nominates Chef Jon Kung

I nominate chef Jon Kung from Detroit as my up-and-comer who is making AAPI history currently! He's starting to become a rising star on social media, slowly gaining a dedicated, underground fan base, especially on TikTok, due to his thoughtfully crafted content. His specialty is Chinese cuisine but his content isn't just about cooking Chinese food. In every cooking video, he shares a careful balance of philosophy, family, heritage and tradition, all while presenting traditional Asian cooking and ingredients to a modern audience in a seductive way. He's a role model that I wish I had growing up -- the ingredients and smells that non-Asian folks shamed me for growing up -- he's teaching the new generation not only there is no shame but, in fact, we are so cool. His body of work is so cool that it's caught the attention of the anime world, where animation distribution companies now hire him to create beautiful dishes and recipes based on new animes about to be released, further catching the eyes of modern audiences. Asian cuisine is no longer orange chicken and fried rice, but something much more magical under the careful guidance of Chef Jon Kung. He was my best kept secret, but I believe it's time to release this babe of a chef to the masses! I truly believe he has the power to change the perception of how the Westerners view Asian cuisine!

Keiko Agena nominates Will Choi and Jully Lee

There are people who complain and people who create. Will Choi is the latter. Seeing the lack of Asian representation in the Los Angeles comedy scene, he created a juggernaut. "Asian AF" is a hit Asian American comedy variety show that has featured both prominent and rising Asian American talent to sold out audiences throughout the nation. It has grown into an influential platform for getting Asian American comics-actors seen by people in Hollywood in part by headlining major comedy festivals like SF Sketchfest and Clusterfest. Not only is Will an exceptional producer, he is an exceptional performer as well. He recently appeared on Netflix's "BoJack Horseman" and will be featured in upcoming episodes of Nickelodeon's "The Casagrandes." His charm and comedy chops made me an instant fan and he is on track to break through to a much wider national audience.

Jully Lee is a powerhouse in the Los Angeles theater scene. Someone who can effortlessly switch between drama and comedy, Jully gives the kind of performances that are permanently etched in your memory. No shrinking violet, Jully has become a leader in the community. At a recent awards ceremony, her name was mispronounced and a picture of another actress was used to represent her. She spoke out, and with the backing of East West Players, helped to galvanize the community to reject the callous way Asian Americans are sometimes treated. She is the current artistic director of the Cold Tofu improv company, volunteers with numerous community organizations and is helping to launch a new Theatre for Youth program this year! She is quickly becoming a familiar face to television and film fans as well and she is only getting started. I cannot wait for more of the world to know Jully Lee.

Michael Yo nominates Jon Park

Jon Park is unapologetically himself. Mainstream media might not know him yet, but he's huge in Asian communities. An incredibly prolific battle rapper, actor and activist raised in the heart of K-Town and forged by South Central's Project Blowed, Jon (better known by his alter ego, Dumbfoundead) is an Asian artist who stands for standing out. Born in Argentina to a family of South Korean immigrants, Jon's mother crossed the U.S. border with him and his sister when he was only 3 years old. Jon cites his pride as an Asian American man as stemming from growing up with hip-hop: "I came up in a rap crew of seven other Black kids. Seeing their unapologetic Blackness that they portrayed made me understand that you have to be unapologetically you. It didn't make me want to be Black, but it made me want to be unapologetically me." Asians have a history of being "the invisible race," relegated to being compliant, quiet and in the background. Jon is an artist who refuses to be unseen. Jon said to me, "Our culture is loud and vibrant and we're ready to be heard," and his art unabashedly echoes this sentiment tenfold. A regular at Black Lives Matter rallies and Stop AAPI Hate rallies, Jon has and continues to stand in solidarity with any and every marginalized group. "It was easy for me to do, it wasn't even a question." Last summer, he took his mom to a BLM protest, even though he never imagined she would ever come out to something like that because of the huge language barrier. "Instead of giving up on our parents because of a language barrier or a generational gap, I decided to stop making those excuses and actually reach out." Despite the language barrier, everyone knows love and hate. All it takes is a conversation. Jon Park as an artist and as a human, represents solidarity and togetherness while still never forgetting or leaving behind what makes you and your culture unique.

Brianne Tju nominates Youn Yuh-jung

I'm really inspired by seeing Youn Yuh-Jung in "Minari," as well as witnessing her receive well-deserved recognition. I grew up watching Meryl Streep, Judi Dench and other prolific women getting to gracefully age in this business, but my heart feels so full to see an Asian woman, like Youn, on screen. When I watch her, I see my mother, my grandmother, my future. It feels both empowering and comforting.

Chin Han nominates Ken Liu and Ted Chiang

Science fiction writing is a genre that is fascinating in that it can both shape our futures, and also serve as a historical record of the time and preoccupations in which the stories are written. Which is why I am nominating Ken Liu and Ted Chiang, two of today's best sci-fi writers who elegantly and mind-bendingly capture the nuances and challenges of life as we know it, sometimes fraught, sometimes sublime, with our complex plurality and diversity as a species. Using stories of extraterrestrials, fantastical aliens, colonization and mankind in its various guises as allegories, they resonate and speak equally to the journeys of immigrants, foreigners, minorities and, ultimately, anyone who finds themselves searching for a way to belong in the 21st century.

Richa Moorjani nominates Sheherazaad

I nominate Sheherazaad, a young and multitalented South Asian American artist whose music transcends the barriers of language, with a haunting voice that stirs something deep in my soul. Her original lyricism gives voice to the feelings of the yearning towards one's homeland, taking ownership of one's hyphenated identity and embracing the darker corners of ourselves. She blends different styles together to create experimental sounds that have never been heard before, both celebrating and evolving what we have known as South Asian music. For so long, the diaspora has needed music that reflects and highlights our unique experience of living outside our homeland and dealing with struggles of bicultural-hood, and Sheherazaad's debut album, Khwaabistan, is like medicine for the diasporic soul. Also, I should mention she self-produced, wrote, recorded and released her debut album all from her bedroom while quarantined in 2020.

Dallas Liu nominates Alan Kim

My nomination goes to the young and up-and-coming Alan Kim! He's such an authentic and talented actor already. I definitely see him having a very successful career in this industry and his potential has already been shown in "Minari." His role was very entertaining to watch and his early success has motivated me to work even harder. I truly wish him all the greatness the world has to offer.

Justin Chon nominates Bing Liu

In the docu-world, Bing Liu has made such incredibly loving pieces. "Minding the Gap" was my favorite documentary of last year. I'm very excited to see him move to narrative filmmaking as he has a sensitivity in his storytelling that brings tremendous empathy towards our community.

Bing Liu nominates Jason Wu and Julian Aguon

I deeply admire people like Jason Wu, who is a staff attorney with The Legal Aid Society in New York City, working with communities of color to preserve and expand affordable housing. On top of his day job, he's active in his local legal services union, is on the municipal board in East Harlem, and sits on the steering committee at GAPIMNY, a queer and trans AAPI organization that provides political education and mutual aid.

My second nomination is Julian Aguon, whom I first discovered on the progressive Asian American podcast "Time To Say Goodbye" talking about his new book, "The Properties of Perpetual Light," a searing multimedia rumination on colonization, the environment, love, grief and power. Julian is an attorney by trade and, with his legal firm Blue Ocean Law, has taken the United States to court for environmental and military encroachment in Guam. Julian's and Jason's dedication to fighting on behalf of and empowering those most vulnerable in their communities is, in my eyes, history in the making.

Ella Jay Basco nominates Ruby Ibarra

Many might know Ruby Ibarra as a dope MC, hip-hop artist and spoken word queen, but not only is she a rapper, she is also a real-life scientist! Ruby majored in biochemistry at UC Davis, and is currently working for a biotech company on COVID-19 test kits and developing a vaccine. Born in the Philippines before immigrating to California's Bay Area, Ruby uses her music to talk about her culture and share her racial experiences here in the United States. And she can rap in three languages: Tagalog, Waray and English! When I first heard Ruby's music, I immediately knew I wanted to work with her. She is a big inspiration of mine and I really admire how she uses her lyrics to fight for social justice issues. This makes her the perfect counterpart for my song "Gold," which is an anthem for the AAPI community to uplift each other and celebrate our greatness.

Russell Wong nominates Petra Johnson

I love the artistry, excellence and relentless determination Petra Johnson brings to the art of dance. A finalist at the 2019 Spotlight Awards (an award also given to Misty Copeland in 1997), a participant in the 2021 Prix de Lausanne and now a member of the San Francisco Ballet, she is also an accomplished pianist and has played in Carnegie Hall in 2018. Of Korean heritage, Petra Johnson is on a mission to become a world-class ballerina, choreographer and concert pianist.

Momona Tamada nominates Nicole Kang

Nicole Kang is such a light and has the rare ability to diffuse her bright energy in any situation. She uses her voice and platform to create as much meaningful change as possible, which is why I have decided to nominate her. Although I have only known her for a short amount of time, she has shown so much support towards me and others. The world needs more people like Nicole!

Alexandra Cuerdo nominates BUBBLE_T

I have to honor my love for Bubble_T, the New York City party collective founded by Nicholas Andersen, Karlo Bello, Stevie Huynh, Paul Tran and Pedro Vidallon Jr. Post-election in 2016, these visionaries pushed back and created a safe space "where Asians rule, but everyone is welcome." Bubble_T was the first party I went to that centered queer Asians. And it happened to be the best dance party in town. I fell in love with the sheer joy of Bubble_T, the boldness of its vision, the inclusivity that made everyone feel like they were on the inside, like they were meant to be there. At one Bubble_T, I danced inside a Boba Dome at MOMA PS1 with hundreds of queer Asians, vibrating to the beat, floating dollars toward the reigning drag queen. The experience -- and the energy -- was sublime. Bubble_T gave us the space to be, to come together, and to fall in love, over and over, with ourselves. It changed my life to experience that freedom. Through Nick, Karlo, Stevie, Paul and Pedro, I found my chosen family in New York. I was inspired to come out at work, as a queer Asian director. And I was moved to create -- I took my first published photographs at Bubble_T, directed a documentary on the party and am now working on a television show inspired by it, called "All I Want Is Everything." During the pandemic, the Bubble_T community shifted its resources to organizing rallies for social justice, including last summer's historic Rally for Black Trans Lives, and recently, Protect Asian Lives, a solidarity rally for queer AAPIs. In a time of rising violence against Black and brown communities, Bubble_T has been a bright star -- proof of the power of our collective community. I can't wait till we can all dance together again. You're all invited to the party.

Shannon Dang nominates Charles Yu

Charles Yu is an award-winning writer, author and recently published a 2020 National Book Award winner and New York Times Best Seller, "Interior Chinatown." Written as a fictional screenplay, this novel is an ambitious Hollywood satire, rooted in historical truth around the Generic Asian Man. Many readers discovered "Interior Chinatown" during a global pandemic, social justice movement and rise in Asian American hate crimes. "Interior Chinatown" allows audiences to process and reflect on race, pop culture, immigration, assimilation, and Hollywood's tropes and Asian stereotypes. Charles Yu does a wonderful job of using humor, heart, truth and inspiration to spark conversation. He's received the National Book Foundation's 5 under 35 award, been nominated for two Writers Guild of America awards for his work on the HBO series "Westworld," and has written for shows on AMC, FX, Facebook Watch and Adult Swim.

Academy Award-winning husband and wife filmmaking duo E. Chai Vasarhelyi and Jimmy Chin nominate Kim Yutani

Jimmy Chin and E. Chai Vasarhelyi would like to nominate Kim Yutani as a member of the AAPI community who is making and defining history in our society. Throughout her career, Yutani has been at the forefront of championing diverse and independent voices in the film industry. In her role as director of programming for the Sundance Film Festival, Yutani fosters developing talent, giving artists the chance to bring their work to a wider audience. Yutani's approach to programming is driven by her creative instincts and tastes that span genres. In just the last year, longtime Sundance-supported filmmakers Isaac Lee Chung and Shaka King brought their respective films -- "Minari" and "Judas and the Black Messiah" -- from premieres at the festival on to both critical and commercial acclaim (and Oscar wins). Through Yutani's dedicated work, up-and-coming filmmakers are given a broad platform to tell their unique and poignant stories. She has also led the creation of Sundance Film Festival: Hong Kong, broadening the scope of the festival and its reach beyond just US borders. Thank you, Kim!

Eva Pilgrim nominates Simon Kim

Simon Kim is the owner of Cote, a Michelin star Korean steakhouse. In the midst of a pandemic when restaurants were particularly hard hit, Simon chose to give back to his community as he was also trying to figure out how to keep his business alive. Cote raised money for Asian American charities in the midst of rising hate crimes. The restaurant raised money to support Black-owned businesses last summer as protests across the country called for racial justice. They also made sure their fellow neighbors had the most basic need met: food. Simon told Men's Journal, "With so much suffering, we increased our charitable efforts to our community. No matter what, we are New Yorkers. When tragedy strikes, we don't wait for the government, we step up, we protect our own. For us, that meant giving 3 percent of sales (of $25,000) to City Harvest who, in turn, feed our most vulnerable neighbors. Linking up with Frontline Foods, we gave $10,000 and 1,000 meals so far, dropping them off at hospitals for healthcare workers. As a team, this was a real turning point for us emotionally. Never was it more obvious that we weren't showing up for the dollars and the cents. Caring for people around us gave us a sense of purpose." Cote has been able to survive. The restaurant is open again. They have been shipping meal kits across the country through Goldbelly for much of the pandemic. And Simon was even able to open up a new restaurant in Miami -- something he had planned to do before the pandemic hit. All the way, he's chosen to show his gratitude by giving back to the community as they continue to support and cheer for him.

Juju Chang nominates Esther Lim

They say knowledge is power. And that's what Esther Lim wanted to put into the hands of vulnerable elders in the AAPI community. Inspired by fear for her own parents' safety, the 32-year-old operations director for a surfwear company took it upon herself to answer the question, "What can one person do?" She took action. With $4,000 of her own money, she wrote and published booklets in English and Chinese. The pamphlets explain how to report a hate crime and how to avoid being targeted ("don't go out alone," "bring a whistle"). Lim then spent another $6,000 to launch a website. After raising another $26,000 in donations, she's added versions in Japanese, Korean, Vietnamese, Tagalog and Thai. The handbook explains how to memorize English phrases such as "Someone is following me. Can you stay next to me until it's safe?" Lim pinpointed a weakness in AAPI hate reporting. Many of the victims don't speak enough English to be able to report racial slurs or racists attacks. And they don't feel comfortable talking to law enforcement. Lim is trying to fill that gap with knowledge and guidance. A true AAPI inspiration.

Zohreen Shah nominates Humanitarian Ann Lee

Ann Lee is no stranger to disaster relief, pairing to form the nonprofit CORE with Sean Penn after the 2010 earthquake in Haiti killed 250,000. They continued bringing relief in places like Puerto Rico, the Bahamas, and various parts in the United States. Lee's recent efforts included setting up mass COVID-19 testing sites at Dodger Stadium and many other sites around the country, which then turned into mass vaccination sites. Her priority has always been equity and her drive is motivated "mostly out of rage - when you see that a lot of these things hit underserved neighborhoods the most, you get the sense of injustice... it shouldn't, and it does not have to be that way."

CeFaan Kim nominates NYPD Deputy Inspector Stewart Loo and FDNY Fitness Coordinator David Lin

NYPD Deputy Inspector Stewart Loo. He not only served as the commanding officer of the NYPD's Asian Hate Crimes Task Force, but he created it. It was his idea. Now retired, he delayed his retirement by a year to make sure this task force was up and running. His dedication and devotion to the AAPI community is what drove him. He always put the community first.

FDNY Fitness Coordinator David Lin, who is also the president of the FDNY's Phoenix Society (AAPIs in the FDNY). When he's not working he is constantly in the community, supporting nonprofit organizations, community groups, you name it. Never off the clock, always serving.

Both of these two have been vital bridges between the community and city services.
CeFaan Kim is a reporter at ABC News station WABC-TV in New York City.
Dion Lim nominates Asian American Young People

Traditionally, Asians are taught to keep quiet and not cause trouble. At the beginning of the pandemic when I started regularly reporting on attacks against Asian Americans - even my own mother asked me to stop because it was bringing negative attention to "our people." But this new generation is getting bold because they're frustrated (like me), and have had enough of the racism, hate and violence. They're speaking out about crimes they've witnessed or hate they've experienced because they know it raises awareness, which is the first step to making real change. Young people aren't just activists but activating others to hold rallies, starting movements or just offer words of support during these times. Eventually, the older generation will come around, as my mom did when months later she told me she was proud of the work I was doing. Speaking out is a powerful thing.
Dion Lim is a news anchor and reporter at ABC News station KGO-TV in San Francisco.
Reena Roy nominates Sahaj Kohli and Nik Sharma

In a time when so many have been struggling with their mental health, Sahaj Kohli is trying to normalize getting help, which can often be stigmatized and inaccessible, particularly in communities of color. Kohli is the founder of Brown Girl Therapy, dubbed the "first and largest mental health community for children of immigrants." The platform helps create a safe space for honest dialogue & offers helpful resources for mental wellness, like a directory of "culturally sensitive" therapists and digital self care packages, helping revolutionize the world of wellness for so many people.

Nik Sharma, this talented Indian-American chef/writer, says it all in this line from his deeply personal cookbook, Season: "Mine is the story of a gay immigrant told through food." There and on his blog "A Brown Table," he eloquently writes of his journey from India to California, sharing innovative recipes along the way. Sharma fuses the flavors he grew up eating in Mumbai with a modern American twist. By marrying two distinct flavor profiles, he's also, in a sense, helping marry the two cultures. His food is symbolic of the immigrant experience: it's not only a source of nostalgia & comfort, but also a way to share your culture with others in an approachable (& delicious!) way.

Ashan Singh nominates Bohan Phoenix

As our nation's racial conscience continues to receive a much needed gut check, Bohan Phoenix is making sure that Asian-American voices will not be sidelined. The Chinese-American rapper from Hubei, but based in New York has spent the past year not only amplifying his own community, but holding them accountable, too. As protests ensued following the death of George Floyd, Bohan challenged Asian-Americans working in the hip-hop industry who were profiting off the historically Black artform, to put their money where their mouth is, and match donations to Black Lives Matter movement. Bohan forced uncomfortable conversations - causing members of the Asian hip-hop community to confront their own privilege and outwardly acknowledge their predecessors not just performatively, but financially. Bohan and his collective LoveLoveNYC, have made their brand synonymous with unity - and they've been relentless in spreading that message. As attacks increased on Asian-Americans in the past several months, Bohan was back speaking out through his music and on social media against the hate and violence maligning Asian-Americans across the country. Bohan has a new song "But I Still Love You" releasing everywhere this Friday, May 14th. All proceeds from the track will be donated to #HATEISAVIRUS - an AAPI founded non-profit focused on dismantling racism and hate. Blessed to call Bohan a brother and a friend - and couldn't be prouder to see him put the community on his back.

Lucy Yang nominates Lily La and Tony Trinh

Lily La and Tony Trinh immigrated decades ago, filled with hope and hard work. For 30 years, they built a humble and popular dry cleaning business in Brooklyn, and raised their children in the shop. They were living the American dream. When COVID shut down their store and they were left with no means for survival, they did not despair. They turned their talents for tailoring into sewing masks. Panicked New Yorkers could not get enough masks in the beginning of the pandemic, so, the Las came to the rescue. They used their son's lacrosse stick to give them away. The mom-and-pop business has donated more than 10,000 masks while not knowing how they would pay their rent or feed their family. They lost weight and sleep. But they did not lose their faith. A year later, they are now open again. But business has not returned, since most folks are still working from home. The Las find themselves on the brink of losing everything. Lily has carpal tunnel from sewing so many masks. As dark as tomorrow looks, they have no regrets. They spent their confinement giving to others. So even if their second home, their precious dry cleaning shop, will have to close, they remain deeply grateful they were able to end their careers on such a beautiful note. That is their American story.
Lucy Yang is a reporter at ABC News station WABC-TV in New York City.
Nina Pineda nominates Vilma & Liz Kari

On March 29, 65-year-old Filipina American Vilma Kari was walking to church in Times Square when she was viciously punched in the face and had her head kicked to the curb repeatedly after being told "you don't belong here" by a convicted murderer. The video of the daylight attack went viral, not just for its brazenness, but because three men in a lobby failed to help the victim. One even closed the door as a barely conscious Vilma struggled on the sidewalk. While this American citizen said she initially didn't want to draw attention to herself, Vilma's daughter Liz convinced her shy mother to, in her words, "be louder." Now this mother-daughter duo are raising their voices to convince others "we belong here," and encourage AAPI survivors of hate crimes to no longer be silent and speak out. They will use their experience to be part of a movement for change and hope to influence those who are victimized or witness any people being targeted by bias crimes to speak up.
Nina Pineda is a reporter at ABC News station WABC-TV in New York City.
Liz Cho nominates Dr. Yoko Furuya

Dr. Yoko Furuya is quite simply a medical hero. Dr. Furuya, a first-generation Japanese American, is the chief epidemiologist and medical director of Infection, Prevention and Control at NewYork-Presbyterian hospital in New York City and she is one of the best in her field. She played a critical role during the pandemic in understanding how coronavirus affects the body. She was also the driving force behind NewYork-Presbyterian's response to the pandemic. Dr. Furuya was one of the few who early in 2020 intimately understood COVID-19, what the virus was capable of and how best to protect hospital workers as sick patients overwhelmed medical facilities as COVID took hold of NYC. She suddenly found herself sacrificing time with her family and working endless hours to develop life-saving hospital guidelines, such as what's the most protective PPE? And how to test and screen sick patients? What do health care workers do if they feel sick? Those were all questions that Dr. Furuya researched and solved. Her protocols remain in place and are constantly evolving. Without her expertise and guidance, the battle against COVID in NYC could have been far more difficult and the casualties even greater. Last spring while Dr. Furuya was on the subway after a grueling shift at the hospital, a man walked up to her and yelled, "You Chinese b----. COVID ruined my life. I want to punch you in the face." Dr. Furuya said nothing. She was far too scared and worried about her safety. But what she wanted to say to that man is, "I'm American. I'm a doctor. I'm working to help people. Why are you yelling at me? What am I doing to you?" She told me, "I was working so hard to beat COVID and to help other people. And yet, I was being blamed."
Liz Cho is a news anchor at ABC News station WABC-TV in New York City.
Judy Hsu nominates her father Fun Yuen Hsu

Many in the Chicago region and around the world knew him as Grand Master Fun Yuen Hsu. He dedicated his life to sharing his love of the Asian culture through the teachings of Chinese martial arts, earning the highest of accolades and the following of tens of thousands of students from around the world. He was invited to teach from Taiwan to Singapore, from New York to Los Angeles, but he eventually based his Tai Chi Academy in Chicago. His life's journey began in a farming village in Southern China, leaving home as a teenager when war broke out. He would not see his family again until he was 50 years old. His father had long passed. His mom, old and frail, held on to see her oldest child one more time. She passed a day later. For close to four decades, my dad humbly and quietly taught thousands of students in America the love of Chinese martial arts, never realizing he was indeed making history along the way. Although the classes were about Tai Chi, the lessons were about embracing each other's culture. He passed away before the pandemic, but his inspiration lives on in all of his students and in me.
Judy Hsu is an anchor at ABC News station WLS-TV in Chicago.
Ravi Baichwal nominates Dr. Rahul Sharma

Dr. Rahul Sharma recently partnered with a Chicago university theater department to train and coach students, faculty and administration around skill building related to diversity, leadership and conflict resolution. Previously, he trained Evanston's police department on mental health response integrating diversity and community concerns. Sharma also addressed employees at Howard Brown Health Center for a virtual training on self-care and preventing burnout, integrating live sitar to his address. He is co-chair of the Diversity & Equity Committee for City of Chicago's Year of Music 2020 Campaign and is former chair of the division on South Asian Americans. Sharma was associate professor at the Illinois School of Professional Psychology and chair of its diversity concentration for 13 years, teaching and supervising clinical work. He also served as director of the University of Chicago's Resources for Sexual Violence Prevention, reporting early on to then-Associate Dean Michelle Obama. Sharma's completed and forthcoming publications include a book chapter on men's roles in addressing domestic violence in South Asian communities, and on cultural competence in treating inter-partner violence perpetrators. His commitment to address sexism and violence against women won him an award from the Vagina Monologues' V-Day Celebration. Sharma is also founder and bassist/sitarist for the award-winning music group Funkadesi, which includes diverse members who are musicians, activists, educators and healers. He has used music as a vehicle for advancing emotional intelligence, leadership and cultural competence. Recently, the band presented an experiential plenary session for conference-goers, with each participant learning a specific cultural rhythm to contribute to a whole-group performance, reflecting the power of diversity and community. In 2017, Sharma was the recipient of the Joyce Foundation Award, a commission to co-write a musical piece, "Quantum Englewood," to provide arts opportunities for youth in high-risk environments. The piece was performed by hundreds of musicians in late 2018.
Ravi Baichwal is an anchor at ABC News station WLS-TV in Chicago.
Cate Cauguiran nominates Maria Ressa

Maria Ressa is a Filipino-American journalist and co-founder of Manila-based news site, Rappler. Ressa defines what it means to be a "Warrior of Truth": fearlessly fighting for accountability with a steadfast dedication to becoming the worst enemy to corruption and misinformation. Her efforts to, as she put it, "shine the light" and "hold the line," have both leveled those who sought to abuse power while empowering others who might not have been afforded the opportunity. She stands as an example of inspiration to her country, her colleagues and the next generation of truth warriors.
Cate Caguiran is a reporter at ABC News station WLS-TV in Chicago.
Eric Horng nominates Dr. Ankit Bharat and Cassandra Ma

Dr. Ankit Bharat is the director of the lung transplant program at Northwestern Medicine in Chicago. He performed the world's first double-lung transplant on a COVID-19 patient and, with skill and compassion, continues to advance this pioneering work. Bharat's groundbreaking surgery has drawn the attention of doctors around the world who are now seeking his knowledge.

Cassandra Ma is the founder and executive director of Reclaim13, an organization based in suburban Chicago that aims to end sex trafficking and exploitation of children, and to help survivors heal. Through education and prevention efforts, she has helped change the course of thousands of lives.
Eric Horng is a reporter at ABC News station WLS-TV in Chicago.
Yukare Nakayama nominates Lisa Ling

Lisa Ling is a journalist who is a part of the Asian community who has been helping not only the Asian community, but communities all across the board. Her show, "This is Life with Lisa Ling," has given viewers a perspective of many different lives. Her contributions to journalism have been vital and necessary, especially during these trying times.
Yukare Nakayama is a community journalist at ABC News station WLS-TV in Chicago.
Nydia Han nominates Katie Lu

I nominate the inspiring Katie Lu, a high school junior and award-winning playwright. Her original radio play, "Pandemic," launched in February of this year. It follows a college student as she navigates being Chinese American during the COVID-19 pandemic, while learning about her family's experience in America during the Great Depression and amid the Chinese Exclusion Act. Katie earned first place recognition at the Philadelphia Young Playwrights Annual Playwriting Festival in 2020. "Pandemic" draws a parallel between [the Chinese Exclusion Act] and the rise of anti-Asian American sentiment with the COVID-19 crisis," said Katie. "However, in such a bleak story, I see my play as a sense of hope." Katie is definitely one to watch!
Nydia Han is a consumer investigative reporter and news anchor at WPVI-TV in Philadelphia.
Jaclyn Lee nominates Thu Pham

I can't think of a more deserving person than Thu Pham, co-founder of Càphê Roasters, Philadelphia's first and only Vietnamese coffee roastery. Her mission is two-fold: to share Vietnamese-AAPI culture through delicious coffee while also raising up a neighborhood. The coffee is primarily sourced from Vietnam and other Southeast and East Asian regions. Her business is located in the Kensington neighborhood of Philadelphia, an area that is rife with crime and battling a major drug epidemic. Pham's goal is to use her company to revitalize the neighborhood while attracting other small businesses along the corridor. Part of her proceeds also go to 12 Plus, a Philadelphia nonprofit that partners with local public high schools to increase educational equity. Talk about leading by example!
Jaclyn Lee is a reporter at WPVI-TV in Philadelphia.
Christie Ileto nominates Eugene Thomas

An activist, a mentor and the founder of nonprofit Power Circle, Eugene Thomas started his work in the very same neighborhood of Frankford where he grew up. To his family and the kids he helps, his name is "Buddha." Mixed with Korean and African American, Eugene knows all too well the importance of Black and Asian solidarity, especially now. Both the African American and Asian American communities have a history of clashing, but also have a shared experience of being profiled because of their race. It's something he uses to be a living and walking example of how two communities can work together. He's been actively calling attention to AAPI hate and working with Asian American leaders in the city to spotlight the issues happening in the community. At a time when gun violence is rampant in Philadelphia, he uses Power Circle to help teens stay out of the streets, including Blasian biracial teens by helping them get access to resources, get involved in programming and gain confidence about being Asian.
Christie Ileto is a reporter at WPVI-TV in Philadelphia.
Dale Yurong nominates Retired Major General Antonio "Tony" Taguba

Retired Major General Antonio "Tony" Taguba has never backed down from a battle, so he set out to right a historical wrong. The U.S. Army veteran spearheaded an effort to formally recognize more than 250,000 Filipinos who served the United States during World War II. Many were promised citizenship and benefits, but the offers were rescinded after the war. Most of those veterans have already passed, but Taguba strongly believed it was necessary the country recognized their service and sacrifices made during the war. In 2016, Taguba saw his dream realized as the Filipino Veterans of World War II Congressional Gold Medal Act was signed into law. It is the highest civilian honor bestowed by Congress. Commemorative events continue to be held around the country with veterans or their surviving family members receiving bronze replicas of the medal. It is a history lesson no longer lost on the younger generation. Taguba also serves as a mentor for young Asian American leaders. His work exemplifies the need to understand the past before we can move forward.
Dale Yurong is a news anchor at KFSN-TV in Fresno, California.
Linda Ha nominates Amanda Nguyen

Amanda Nguyen is the epitome of strength and is making AAPI history now. During her senior year of college, she became a sexual assault survivor. Nguyen quickly learned no national legislation provided rights and protections for people who have experienced sexual violence. In 2016, she wrote the Sexual Assault Survivors' Bill of Rights, which aims to provide survivors with the right to a rape kit procedure at no cost and the requirement that kits be preserved for 20 years. Nguyen is the founder and CEO of Rise, a civil rights organization that advocates for survivors' rights and assists people in writing and passing bills. Nguyen was nominated for a Nobel Peace Prize, Time 100 Next, Forbes 30 Under 30 and received the Nelson Mandela Changemaker Award. She is also credited for sparking a national conversation about anti-Asian hate crimes and incidents after posting a viral video calling for better media coverage. She also wants to be an astronaut!
Linda Ha is a race and culture journalist at KFSN-TV in Fresno, California.
Margot Kim nominates John Cho

John Cho's teaching goes far beyond his classes at Fresno City College, where he is an instructor in Cultural and Women's Studies. He is a tireless advocate for students of color and the community. He serves as one of the primary organizers of the annual Asian Fest at Fresno City College and leads the John Cho Lion Dance Team, which performs throughout the Central Valley sharing culture, history and goodwill.
Margot Kim is an anchor and reporter at KFSN-TV in Fresno, California.
Pooja Lodhia nominates Asian American healthcare workers

It is tough enough being tasked with fighting a dangerous virus that has killed millions of people and shut down economic systems around the world. But, what if you were receiving racist insults and threats at the same time? It's happening to Asian American health care workers all around our country and many of them say they have even experienced racism while working to save patients. Asian Americans make up 6% of the U.S. population, but 18% of the country's physicians and 10% of its nurse practitioners, according to the U.S. Bureau of Labor. I appreciate all health care workers, but this month, let's give special recognition to our Asian American health care workers, who have been on the front lines of so many battles this year.
Pooja Lodhia is a reporter at KTRK-TV in Houston.
Elita Loresca nominates Anne Aaron

Anne Aaron is a Filipino engineer and the director of video algorithms at Netflix since 2011. She was recognized as one of the 43 most powerful female engineers of 2017 by Business Insider and by Forbes one of "America's Top 50 Women in Tech" in 2018. She is proud to be a role model to young girls and to prove to the world that women can "belong in tech."
Elita Loresca is a meteorologist at KTRK-TV in Houston.
Miya Shay nominates Tammy Tran Nguyen

The daughter of two Vietnamese immigrants, Tammy Tran Nguyen founded the KNOWautism Foundation after her son, Reagan, was diagnosed with autism. Since its founding in 2013, KNOWautism has helped fund the diagnosis and treatment of autism for hundreds of families. Whether it's paying for expensive diagnostic testing or helping families get back on their feet after Hurricane Harvey, Tammy and her nonprofit have made a significant impact. In addition, Tammy has helped break the silence many Asian American parents self-impose by talking about challenges faced by their own children. She is already changing the conversation about autism and changing perceptions about speaking out among AAPI families. Families touched by her work and that of KNOWautism are leading healthier, happier lives, and are thriving despite the challenges of autism.
Miya Shay is a reporter at KTRK-TV in Houston.
David Ono nominates Bing Chen

I would like to nominate Bing Chen as an everyday hero in the AAPI community. He is the founder of Gold House, a nonprofit that was created to unify Asian American communities. Together, Asians and Asian Americans can have greater power to fight for more authentic multicultural representation and equity in entertainment, business and civil rights. With Bing as the articulate spokesperson and leader, Gold House has become a respected support system that is giving voice and strength to many minorities today who would not have had it just a few years ago. Gold House is a dynamic idea that is now a force, thanks to Bing Chen.
David Ono is a news anchor at KABC-TV in Los Angeles.
Denise Dador nominates Patricia Kinaga

Patricia Kinaga is a local lawyer who does many things to help our local community. She volunteered her expertise to Asian Americans Advancing Justice to help clients fight their hate crime cases and abuse in the workplace, especially that notable case where the organization helped free and garner restitution for Thai garment workers who were basically held prisoner for years. She is also a documentarian who did a doc about how breast cancer is so underrepresented in the AAPI community and she founded Asians and Pacific Islanders with Disabilities of California (APIDC), an organization that helps Asian Americans dealing with disabilities in California. It's a group that already feels invisible being disabled and now, these young people are also dealing with hate issues. She has created leadership programs and platforms for them to learn how to make their voices heard. She is also working with local lawmakers to help create meaningful collaborations to help change policies following this year of Asian hate. Patty lives in Pasadena. She is married with two kids. One in high school and one in college. She is a caring mom, who is very interested in helping her kids become changemakers.
Denise Dador is an Eyewitness News Health Specialist at KABC-TV in Los Angeles.
Rob Fukuzaki nominates Dae Ho Suk

I am nominating my long time ABC 7 sports producer and good friend, Dae Ho Suk. He's the G.O.A.T. of producers in my opinion, but is also the most "woke" person I know. He is constantly enthralled with fighting injustice in society and fighting racism, and not just Asian hate but for all races, pounding the pavement on social media or using our broadcasts when appropriate to educate, and make a difference in our society and community. Angered by the hate, but inspired to be a part of the movement to stop injustice and promote equality. He inspires me.
Rob Fukuzaki is a sports anchor at KABC-TV in Los Angeles.
Tony Cabrera nominates Troy Laureta

Filipino-American music director Troy Laureta is making AAPI history by using the success he's found in mainstream music to put Filipino music in the spotlight -- something most aren't familiar with. I believe it's important to get to know (and appreciate) other cultures, and music is a great way to do that. Troy's worked with a number of artists -- everyone from Ariana Grande to David Foster. Now, he's helping Original Pilipino Music (OPM) cross over into the spotlight for all to enjoy. His new album features singers from both Asia and America, including his sister, Cheesa.
Tony Cabrera is a reporter at KABC-TV in Los Angeles.
Reggie Aqui nominates Dr. Monica Gandhi

Every time there is a new COVID-19 headline, I immediately turn to one source to get her take: Dr. Monica Gandhi. Early on in the pandemic, I started seeing her talk about COVID in terms that anyone in San Francisco could immediately understand. By comparing the pandemic to the disease that devastated a generation of gay men in our community, she compassionately and intelligently encouraged us, and her medical colleagues, to rethink COVID-era policy. Her vast experience with HIV/AIDS at UCSF informed her to think in terms of "harm-reduction" rather than fear and shame tactics that history has shown do not work. I believe her expertise locally (and now nationally) has saved and also improved lives during this past year. She deserves our thanks.
Reggie Aqui is a news anchor at KGO-TV in San Francisco.
Veronica Miracle nominates Bing Chen

Bing Chen, the founder of Gold House, has not only created the most incredible collective of thought leaders and cultural influencers in the Asian American community, he is helping inspire the next generation of leaders through his work. It's an honor to see his incredible vision unfold through Gold House.
Veronica Miracle is an anchor and reporter at KABC-TV in Los Angeles.
Amanda del Castillo nominates Dion Lim and Ruby Ibarra

Dion Lim is a name that has become synonymous with AAPI advocacy. As her colleague, it's easy to notice her influence and outreach are being amplified by her empathy toward victims of AAPI hate. She's used her platform to uplift the community and I believe her impact has the potential to inspire real change.

Also, I believe Filipino-American rapper Ruby Ibarra has found a way to incorporate real world issues into her work. I've followed her for a few years now and have always appreciated how she's taken on topics like race, equity and social justice. She's also been a champion for the AAPI community. Ibarra's lyrics have the potential to influence so many more young people and she is using her platform to help jumpstart the dialogue for these much-needed conversations.
Amanda del Castillo is a reporter at KGO-TV in San Francisco.
Frances Dinglasan nominates Cherie Querol Moreno

Eighteen years ago, Cherie M. Querol Moreno founded the Alliance for Community Empowerment (ALLICE), an all-volunteer nonprofit educating the community about abuse through free presentations and resource fairs. She helps older adults gain access to affordable transportation as coordinator of Got Wheels! for nonprofit Peninsula Family Service. Cherie is a seasoned Filipino American journalist working to prevent intimate partner, elder and family abuse through her stories as executive editor of Philippine News Today, and correspondent for Inquirer.net and Positively Filipino.
Frances Dinglasan is a weather and traffic reporter at KGO-TV in San Francisco.
Chris Nguyen nominates Nathan Chen and Ashlyn So

In dominating men's figure skating in recent years, three-time world champion Nathan Chen has shown remarkable skill, strength and staying power on his journey to the top. His blend of talent and athleticism is not only redefining his sport, but is also setting a positive example for youth. All Americans should be proud of his success and the class in which he has represented our country on the international level.

Ashlyn So, 13, is an emerging fashion designer in the San Francisco Bay Area who has blossomed into a youth activist during the COVID-19 pandemic. When Asian elders were being attacked locally, she decided to take a stand by organizing a rally and march to denounce the violence. The event was attended by thousands! So has since become a powerful voice for change and an inspiration to generations of Asian Americans.
Chris Nguyen is a news anchor and reporter at KGO-TV in San Francisco.
Sandhya Patel nominates Peggy Li

I would like to nominate Peggy Li, a San Francisco jewelry designer who's showing her support for the AAPI community. She's raising awareness and donating proceeds from her fortune cookie and ox necklaces to Save Our Chinatowns and Feed + Fuel Chinatown to #StopAsianHate. It's so nice to hear about people like Peggy taking a stand! As an Asian American and mother of three kids, I want my kids to grow up being respectful of all races and cultures, just as I was taught by my parents. It saddens me to see the escalation of hate crimes around the country. There is no room for them in this day and age, and especially in a pandemic when we should be uniting, not dividing the country! It's time to turn the tide and stop the hate!
Sandhya Patel is a meteorologist at KGO-TV in San Francisco.
Kristen Sze nominates Rick Ramos

Rick Ramos is an AAPI everyday hero! The Filipino American and martial arts instructor has devoted himself to combatting the rising tide of attacks on the Bay Area's Asian American community. Ramos has spearheaded an effort marshalling fellow martial artists to teach self-defense classes for free. They hold workshops throughout the Bay Area, with a special emphasis on empowering the elderly. For those who cannot attend in person, they've created videos teaching simple self-defense techniques and awareness. In addition, Ramos and friends also train the volunteers who have signed up through the United Peace Collaborative to patrol Chinatown, to help keep the community safe. They also raise funds so that the volunteers have drinks and snacks during their shifts.
Kristen Sze is a news anchor at KGO-TV in San Francisco.
Amber Rupinta nominates Rev. Nicanor Austriaco

As a Filipino-American Catholic priest, molecular biologist, professor and MBA student, Father Nicanor Austriaco is the definition of service to others. Austriaco is a biology and theology professor at Providence College (PC) in Providence, Rhode Island, who is leading his student researchers in developing a low-cost, shelf-stable, oral-based vaccine that would be easy to transport and administer to underserved communities and developing nations. Austriaco was invited to join the OCTA Research group and is now one of the scientists helping lead COVID-19 response in the Philippines. In addition to his work in the community and classroom, Father Nic is also a beacon of light in a dark time, helping with the incredible grief and loss caused by the pandemic. After losing my father to the virus on Thanksgiving, I can say firsthand it has given me great peace and comfort to hear my dad's fellow countryman Father Nicanor's insight into God's providence in a pandemic.
Amber Rupinta is a news anchor at WTVD in Raleigh-Durham, North Carolina.
David Louie nominates Christine Chen and Maulik Pancholy

Christine Chen is a behind-the-scenes adviser helping to lead the fight against acts of AAPI hate. When people are looking for a trusted leader who can reach and mobilize the AAPI community at the local and national level, they turn to Christine for guidance. She cuts across racial, ethnic, geographic and political lines. She works quietly, seeking no attention or credit. Chistine is national executive director of APIA Vote in Washington, D.C.

Maulik Pancholy is an author, actor and activist who is addressing bullying against AAPI children, including those who identify as LGBTQ+. In some communities, more than half of AAPI students report that they have been bullied. He is mobilizing a national virtual rally on May 18 and is drawing on his network of Hollywood friends to support the effort. He's often described as the nicest, most humble, non-attention-seeking person people know. Maulik chairs the group Act to Change and is a fellow Northwestern University alumnus.
David Louie is a reporter at KGO-TV in San Francisco.
Randall Park nominates Julian Maha and Michele Kong

I nominate Julian Maha and Michele Kong, the co-founders of Kulture City, a nonprofit organization dedicated to creating a world of accessibility and acceptance for those with "invisible disabilities." These are disabilities that are difficult to detect on the surface, sensory processing needs that affect one out of every six individuals, including my amazing daughter Ruby. Julian and Michele, and the incredible team at Kulture City, work hard to provide training and transform public spaces to be sensory inclusive, and to fight for justice for those whose disabilities are often misunderstood, if taken into account at all. They are amazing people dedicated to making this world a better place, not just for folks like Ruby, but for all of us.
Randall Park stars as Agent Jimmy Woo in Marvel Studios' "WandaVision".
Sherry Cola nominates Ally Maki

Ally Maki is a force of nature. Not only is she a hardworking and brilliant actress, but she also created Asian American Girl Club, which has truly amplified the voices in our community. She has single-handedly opened up powerful conversations, from highlighting female AAPI authors to creating merchandise that we can all wear proudly. She's the perfect example of someone who uses a platform for good and for a real purpose. She inspires us to lift each other up and put competition in the past. I'm grateful to be in her orbit and to be able to call her my sister.
Sherry Cola plays Alice Kwan on the Freeform series, "Good Trouble".
Ronny Chieng nominates U.S. Congresswoman Grace Meng

U.S. Congresswoman Grace Meng, serving her fifth term in the United States House of Representatives, has fought for a seat at the American legislative decision-making table in what is oftentimes a very thankless job not just as an U.S elected official, but also one from New York, where we hate almost everyone in charge. In her capacity as the first and only Asian American member of Congress from New York State, she has led with class, effectiveness and honor. Her office is very accessible to all her constituents and she has consistently used her voice in Congress to fight for the betterment of all Americans, including underrepresented Asian Americans across the nation.
Ronny Chieng will appear in Marvel's upcoming film, "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings" and "Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.", coming soon to Disney+.
Don Lee nominates Steven Yeun

Steven Yeun has inspired so many by making tremendous achievements in not only acting, but also producing. Excited to nominate my Korean brother and fellow actor for making AAPI history. Proud to be his friend.
Don Lee will appear in Marvel Studios' upcoming film, "Eternals"
Chloe Bennet nominates Linh Nguyen

I first met Linh Nguyen in traditional 2020 style, over Zoom. The call was made up of a revolving door of advisors, fundraisers, consultants, anyone who could help us with our mission to inspire the AAPI community to actually vote. It wasn't an easy task. Despite the fact that we are the fastest growing minority, we still, at that point, had the lowest voter turnout. The election was rapidly approaching, and we were in desperate need of direction. While the AAPI community is a gorgeous melting pot of so many different cultures and generations, figuring out how and where to focus our energy was an incredible challenge. At one point, a bigwig advertising genius even asked "why try?" Frankly, that particular call was relatively soul crushing, and we were all losing steam. The next thing I know, a smooth, radio-like voice calmly addresses the anxious group...

"I'm just gonna say it; it has to be Georgia, y'all." The voice was speaking from the confines of a tiny zoom square, yet somehow, effortlessly commanded the attention of everyone in attendance. This was Linh Nguyen. I didn't know her well back then, she was new to our RUN AAPI team, but I remember genuinely being affected by her presence despite literally not being in her presence. There was urgency in her stillness, and a warm precision in the way that she communicated. She oozed a deep understanding of what we were fighting for. For her, like us, it was personal. And she had the years of experience working as a grassroots organizer and for massive political campaigns like Cory Booker for President, and Beto O'Rourke for Senate, to back up how deeply it meant to her. She went on to pitch a detailed plan, one where we focused all of our budget, time, and energy into the state of Georgia.

I don't mean to be dramatic (I do), but Linh quietly, yet strategically, rewrote the history of our country. She devoted and led our AAPI voter outreach efforts in Georgia, then she was hired to oversee the AAPI strategy for the Senate runoffs in January. Remember how that ended? Linh showed the power of the Asian American voice when we are united and engaged! She has everything it takes: the experience, the work ethic, the passion, the drive, and most noticeably, she's just a really rad human being. Keep an eye on Linh Nguyen. Where she goes... change follows.
Chloe Bennet starred as Daisy Johnson on the ABC series "Marvel's Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D."
Cheryl Burke nominates Maki Hsieh

I am nominating Maki Hsieh as the person I see making history in the AAPI community. She has truly been a guiding light to the Asian community. She is a superwoman who juggles so many parts of herself. She's a classically trained violinist, concert pianist and 13-language vocalist. She has headlined EDM and crossover performances in stadiums, arenas and festivals such as EDC Las Vegas and Burning Man -- her artistic ability is quite incredible. However, I got to know Maki closely through her role as the CEO of the Asian Hall of Fame. I was inducted in 2020 and quickly saw all of the philanthropic work Maki does on the daily. When COVID-19 took over the country, Maki spearheaded a relief concert to help the Asian Hall of Fame raise awareness of its COVID-19 Medical Relief Fund. It helped deploy 25,800 PPE to 71 organizations. Most recently, Maki has been a warrior for the #StopAsianHate movement. She released her own call to action and has demanded changes to the hate crime policy. She has continued to spotlight all of the programs the Asian Hall of Fame offers and has helped give inductees like myself a chance to vocalize why this movement is so important. Maki continues to pave the way for Asians everywhere and her hard work should be recognized not only during AAPI Heritage Month but every day.
Cheryl Burke is a professional dancer on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars".
Fala Chen nominates Asian parents

I nominate our Asian parents, especially those first generation immigrants, who came to this country for a better life for their children. They make imprints in our AAPI history with all the sacrifices and struggles they go through, and with their bravery in adapting to a new country despite culture and language barriers. They are hardworking, resilient, patient, and creative. It has been heartbreaking to watch our elderly parents become targets of hate in this country recently, as they deserve our support and respect.
Fala Chen will appear in Marvel Studios' upcoming film, "Shang-Chi and the Legend of the Ten Rings"
Aubrey Anderson-Emmons nominates Nick "Your Korean Dad" Cho

I'm a Gen Z kid and when I was thinking of who to nominate, I wanted to spotlight someone from the AAPI community that my generation can relate to. Naturally, I turned to TikTok. I have chosen to nominate Nick "Your Korean Dad" Cho. Nick Cho is more than just a rising digital media star with more than 2.6 million followers on TikTok. He is one of the pioneers of the third-wave coffee movement, a leader, teacher and expert of the coffee industry, and co-founder of Wrecking Ball Coffee Roasters. But to my generation, Nick Cho is an uplifting beacon of light for Asian youth around the world. Nick's social media presence is a kind and gentle voice of acceptance and compassion for all kids, showing the world what a loving AAPI dad looks like, and collaborating with and amplifying AAPI businesses and artists. His videos always make me smile and laugh, and he really is the Korean dad that anyone would love to have!
Aubrey Anderson-Emmons starred as Lily Tucker-Pritchett on ABC's "Modern Family".
Carrie Ann Inaba nominates Bing Chen

I would like to nominate Bing Chen because he is leading the unification of AAPIs across industries. Just a few of his achievements include creating a market for AAPI films via Gold Open (which culturally consults and promotes every major AAPI film) and investing in the next generation of AAPI-led small businesses. He is a force in the community and is making history by uplifting AAPI voices.
Carrie Ann Inaba is a judge on ABC's "Dancing with the Stars".
Domee Shi nominates Sandra Oh

A person I believe is making history right now, and perhaps has been for a long time, is Sandra Oh. I've been a fan of hers since "Sideways," when she blew me away with her fiery performance. I've always been inspired by her refusal to be typecast and the sheer variety of characters she's embodied. She gave hope to shy, nerdy Asian Canadians like myself growing up that we can make it in the entertainment industry.
Domee Shi will direct the upcoming Pixar feature "Turning Red".
Peyton Elizabeth Lee nominates Melvin Mar

Melvin Mar has long been a champion of AAPIs in entertainment. I have had the immense pleasure of working with him and witnessing firsthand the power of his work pushing Hollywood towards a place of inclusion. He produced the groundbreaking series "Fresh Off the Boat" that forever changed the course of AAPI representation in the media and is currently producing "Doogie Kamealoha, M.D.," the AAPI-centric reboot of "Doogie Howser, M.D." Melvin also serves on the advisory council of The Asian American Foundation (TAAF), a powerful new force and funding source for accelerating opportunity and prosperity for AAPI communities.
Peyton Elizabeth Lee is set to star as the lead role on "Doogie Kamealoha, M.D." coming soon to Disney+.
Ashly Burch nominates Aparna Nancherla

I want to nominate Aparna Nancherla! Not only is she an incredibly funny stand-up and actor, but she uses her platform to shine a light on issues of mental health. She's hilarious, but also vulnerable and open with what she struggles with. I really admire her and I think she's making an incredible impact on not just the AAPI community, but the world as a whole.
Ashly Burch voices Molly McGee on Disney Channel's "The Ghost and Molly McGee".
Leela Ladnier nominates Jameela Jamil

Jameela Jamil may be best known for her role on "The Good Place," but she also plays Auntie Pushpa on Disney Junior's animated series, "Mira, Royal Detective." I play Mira and, funny enough, we have never met, so my only experience of Jameela is from her social media. She uses her personal and "I Weigh" platform to expose the beauty and "wellness" industry, and encourage others to honor their accomplishments and not just their appearance. Whether it be pulling the veil off Photoshopping, calling out celebrities for endorsing unhealthy products, standing for LGBTQ rights, eviscerating body shaming, promoting pay equity between men and women, tearing down misogyny at every turn or being open about her own mental health, she recognizes her position and uses it to empower others. As a young artist who strives to use any success I may achieve to advocate for issues I care about, I admire that Jameela shows that one can enjoy the benefits that come from being a celebrity and use that privilege to be of service.
Leela Ladnier voices Mira on Disney Junior's "Mira, Royal Detective".
Devyn Nekoda nominates Awkwafina

For AAPI Heritage Month, I would like to highlight Awkwafina. Breaking stereotypes, she is a triple threat in the entertainment industry, making history as an Asian woman. She has always been vocal about social injustices and stands up for what's right. She is a huge role model for myself and so many other young Asian women who want to make a difference in the world.
Devyn Nekoda can be seen on "Sneakerella" coming soon to Disney+.
Maulik Pancholy nominates the board of ActToChange.org

At a time of increased violence, racism and xenophobia against Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders, nonprofits and social justice organizations on the ground have done the hard work of supporting our communities. As a co-founder of the AAPI anti-bullying nonprofit ActToChange.org, I know firsthand how tirelessly our all-volunteer board has worked to uplift young people -- across time zones and at all hours of the day and night. They are often behind-the-scenes, unsung heroes. So, today, I nominate our board: Rebecca Lee, Jill Yu, Belinda Lei, Ru Bhatt, Josef Canaria, Elaine Dang, Mindy Kordash-Shim, Richard Leong, Jamie K. Lok, Saad Qureshi, Anthony Reyes, Nancy Tien and Dikshant Rajbhandari for all they do to make the world safer for AAPI youth.
Maulik Pancholy can be heard on "Mira, Royal Detective" on Disney Junior.
Matthew Sato nominates James Hong

James Hong is legendary!! He's been at the forefront paving the way for Asian American Pacific Islanders in the film industry from the start. I was lucky enough to star in feature film with him. He was one of the nicest guys. His credits are so rich. Working steady since the 1950s...That's something to respect! And even with his recent projects: he continues to make history. I am so proud to have had the opportunity to work with such a talented man.
Matthew Sato can be seen on "Doogie Kamealoha, M.D." coming soon to Disney+.
Mapuana Makia nominates Jude Weng

Jude Weng is a Taiwanese-born, Castro District-raised film and TV director. Jude leads her teams with a genuine enthusiasm, love for storytelling and a tenacious drive to tell stories authentically -- most recently with "Finding 'Ohana." Above all, she does it with humor and kindness, and a deeply endearing and needed leadership in our ever-changing culture and climate.
Mapuana Makia can be seen on "Doogie Kamealoha, M.D." coming soon to Disney+.
Wes Tian nominates Awkwafina

Awkwafina, an Asian American rapper and actress -- how many times do you get to hear that? Awkwafina found her passion at a fairly young age. She started rapping on her own when she was in her early teens. Awkwafina went from a niche artist to a well-known, award-winning actress when she won best actress at The Golden Globes for "The Farewell." And who can forget her hilarious role as Peik Lin in "Crazy Rich Asians," which also broke ground with its all-Asian cast.
Wes Tian can be seen on "Doogie Kamealoha, M.D." coming soon to Disney+.
Sway Bhatia nominates Cathy Yan

I used to think the idea of breaking into the entertainment industry meant you had to look a certain way. I never thought I'd have a chance, given my ethnicity. Even though representation has thankfully been a topic of conversation as of late, women with Asian backgrounds have been largely absent. However, I genuinely feel things are changing. Headlines tend to focus on the lack of diversity in front of the camera, but what about behind the camera? A film takes many moving parts. It's not just actors who are working hard and breaking barriers, but also filmmakers, writers and directors. Cathy Yan is one such game-changer and she is making her mark in the industry. She is a young Chinese American woman who moved to America at 4, graduated from Princeton and New York University, and initially worked as a Wall Street Journal reporter before pursuing a film career. She directed and wrote "Dead Pigs," but the film "Birds of Prey" really put her on the map, and allowed more people to take notice of her work. Ms. Cathy earned her place as being the first Asian woman to direct a superhero movie. And she is now the first female Asian director on "Succession," where I have had the privilege of working with her. I remember the sense of pride I felt when I first saw her on set and it has been an honor to share our mutual experiences on such a hit show. I am inspired by her work, her desire to create change and not wait for it, her ability to create impactful pieces of art and by her leadership as a director. I am inspired by her, period. She is a creative genius and has been carving her own path in this tricky business. We are game-changers in our own way.
Sway Bhatia stars on "The Mighty Ducks: Game Changers" on Disney+ and HBO's "Succession".
Jay Hayden nominates Daniel Dae Kim

In addition to being an incredible actor, Daniel Dae Kim is a force with his activism for Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders. He recently spoke at a congressional hearing urging Congress to pass a bill to stop AAPI hate crimes. If you haven't seen it, you need to go find it and watch it. That's what a leader looks like. You're an inspiration, Mr. Kim. Thank you.
Jay Hayden stars on ABC's "Station 19".
Avantika nominates Chloe Zhao

I nominate Chloe Zhao. She is making history as not only a member of the AAPI community, but also as a woman. From directing a film that took home a whopping 3 Oscar wins in one night (including her historic win as the first woman of color to be awarded for Best Director) all the way to directing one of the most anticipated Marvel films of the year, she is truly an inspiration to every person of AAPI heritage! In the film industry it is especially hard to catch a break if you are of AAPI heritage. But women such as Chloe Zhao are creating opportunities for young, upcoming AAPI actors, directors, producers, etc., to blaze their own trail into Hollywood. Women like Chloe Zhao give hope to every talented individual that dreams of following their passion in the film industry. And for that, she deserves the utmost recognition.
Avantika will star in the upcoming Disney Channel Original Movie "Spin."
Malala Yousafzai nominates Jasmine Kapadia

At 16 years old, Jasmine Kapadia is a gifted Chinese Indian American poet from the Bay Area in California. I first read her work on Assembly, the Malala Fund's digital publication for young women. We published a short poetry collection she wrote amid the COVID-19 crisis and rise in hate crimes against Asian Americans called, "tiger balm cures all but the smell trails." "This project began as an exploration of a culture I sometimes feel removed from," Jasmine explains. "It finished as a testament to the strength and beauty of my culture." Jasmine's work draws on her identity and the complexities in her experience as an Asian American. She is not afraid to challenge and reclaim the labels or stereotypes society places on her. And like all great poetry, Jasmine's writing is personal, yet universal. Her powerful words lift up the stories of other members of the AAPI community and give voice to their search for belonging. She writes about their anger and grief in the face of incalculable loss while documenting her ancestors' stories in verse. Jasmine is an inspiring example of how age does not have to limit your ambition. She is already accomplishing such incredible things through her poetry -- and it's exciting to see her words connect with so many readers. I encourage everyone to seek out her writing.
Malala Yousafzai is co-founder of the Malala Fund.
Senator Tammy Duckworth nominates Erika Moritsugu

Erika Moritsugu is a powerful voice for the AAPI community in the White House. Although Erika only recently started her senior-level role as deputy assistant to the president and AAPI senior liaison, I have no doubt that President Biden is already benefiting from her counsel, policy expertise and strong relationship-building skills. Erika brings with her a wealth of experience working in both the legislative and executive branches, as well as advocating for working families outside of government, and I look forward to working with her to build on and expand the Biden administration's efforts to protect and empower the AAPI community.

Congresswoman Marilyn Strickland nominates Joe Bushnell

This year's heritage month comes at a time when anti-AAPI hate crimes are at an all-time high, underscoring the crucial importance of teaching AAPI history, having visible leaders who reflect the communities they serve and honoring those making historic contributions to our community. A U.S. Marine Corps combat veteran who has served our nation and the South Sound for years, Joe Bushnell is doing just that. If elected, Joe will be the first Cambodian American to serve on the Tacoma City Council. Joe's energetic contributions to our community range from serving as a Tacoma Public Utilities board member and a small business advocate, to board chair of the South Tacoma Neighborhood Council and as a volunteer with Toys for Tots. Joe was born and raised in Tacoma. His mother immigrated from Cambodia and his father is a lifelong Tacoma resident. Joe has always been dedicated to serving not only the AAPI community here in the South Sound, but all of our workers, families, small businesses and traditionally underserved communities. It's my honor to nominate Joe for his extraordinary public and military service, and for making history in our city.

Congresswoman Judy Chu nominates Ambassador Katherine Tai

My nominee for rising star is Ambassador Katherine Tai, who, having been unanimously confirmed to serve as U.S. trade representative, is one of the highest-ranking AAPIs in President Biden's administration! The unanimous support she earned at a time when the Senate rarely does anything unanimously is a testament to her incredible talents. I got to know Katherine and experience her skill firsthand when we worked together on the Ways and Means Committee on important trade issues, such as the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, where she displayed a vast knowledge of the current and coming trade challenges. Aside from her excellent work and contributions to our nation's trade policy, I want to highlight the historical weight of her nomination. Ms. Tai is the first Asian American and the first woman of color to serve in the U.S. trade representative role, breaking barriers and clearing the way for others to follow. As a trailblazer for the AAPI community and a leader in our country, I am delighted to nominate her to the GMA Inspiration List.

Congressman Ted Lieu nominates Jihee Huh

I am proud to nominate Jihee Huh, my constituent and an outstanding leader within the Asian American and Pacific Islander community, for the Good Morning America Inspiration List. Jihee does more before 7 a.m. on any given day than most people do in a week, and she does it with infectious energy and a smile. Jihee currently serves as the Asian Pacific Islander American public affairs commissioner for the State of California. She also serves as vice chair of the Pacific American Fish Company (PAFCO) and is the co-founder of Pete's Seafood Club. Jihee has always been a fighter for democracy, human rights, and a free and fair press. She is an active life trustee for Southern California Public Radio and in 2018 was selected to be on the executive committee of Human Rights Watch Los Angeles. Jihee believes in providing increased opportunities for education. She and her husband Peter established a scholarship fund at Amherst College to support underserved Asian students. Jihee also co-founded the Los Angeles Coalition Foundation for Embrace Unity, which supports underserved scholars from diverse communities to learn about civic engagement and empowerment. I was honored to have Jihee join me for my recent virtual town hall on combating anti-Asian and antisemitic intolerance, during which she highlighted the importance of ensuring all Americans have access to accurate news and information, and called for an end to AAPI hate and bigotry. It's almost not fair how multitalented Jihee is. She's also an awesome flute player.

Amanda Nguyen nominates Dr. Connie Wun

Dr. Connie Wun has dedicated her life to ending racial and gender-based violence. She is a trailblazer in this work as the executive director of AAPI Women Lead and someone who every day exemplifies what it means to be an inspiration. AAPI Women Lead strengthens the progressive political and social platforms of Asian and Pacific Islander communities in the U.S. through the leadership of self-identified AAPI women and girls. Dr. Wun established AAPI Women Lead to identify and share AAPI women-identified, women and girls' stories of struggle, survival and leadership.

Congressman Ro Khanna nominates Dr. Swati Mohan

After a year full of isolation, heartbreak and rising intolerance, the Mars Rover landing in February 2021 stands out as a moment of optimism and light as our country pulls out of this pandemic. If you watched the landing live, you were listening to Dr. Swati Mohan, a proud Indian American from my home state of California. She brought the entire country along with her as the Rover touched down on the surface of Mars, a landmark event for scientists and viewers alike. And she did it all proudly wearing a bindi. For young AAPI kids, Dr. Mohan stands as a proud example of what they can dream of achieving in our country. They aren't limited by their hometown or their accent: the American dream is just as much a reality for them as it is for anyone else. We may one day find evidence of life on Mars thanks to Dr. Mohan's work. That's why I'm proud to nominate Dr. Swati Mohan in honor of her tremendous place in AAPI history.

Dr. Simran Jeet Singh nominates Raveena Aurora

During a long and difficult year, I've found refuge in the soul-soothing music of Raveena Aurora. Her gentle voice brings me calm. Her carefully curated words give voice to a new vision. It's imagination and escapism, and at the same time, it's cohesive and real. Raveena's worldview is infused into her music -- and so are her influences: a keen observer will sense touches of R&B, soul, jazz, rock and South Asian music all throughout her tracks. And it's not just her music that's mesmerizing. Raveena's music videos are delightful and enthralling, too. I was stunned to learn that she's involved through the whole process, including writing her songs, directing her music videos and creative directing visuals all along the way. Raveena told me that she tries to "transport people to a dreamy universe that has a focus on spirituality and healing." I love that description of her multifaceted artistry. It's not just music. It's a vibe. And moreover, it's not just imagined. Raveena's vision is a real one. While I was initially drawn to her music for its Norah Jones-type energy, I stayed because of its authenticity. You can find Raveena creating this world in whatever space she's in, through her music, her videos or even on social media. She's consistent about her commitment to spirituality and justice -- values she attributes to her Sikh upbringing -- and it's that consistent authenticity that makes her work all the more appealing.

Christine Chen nominates Carol Manilay-Robles, Vivian Sanderlin and Filipino American nurses

I nominate Carol Manilay-Robles, Vivian Sanderlin and all our Filipino American nurses who are the backbone of the health care industry. According to the National Nurses United, Filipinos account for 4% of registered nurses across the U.S. In California, they constitute nearly 20% of registered nurses.

Carol serves as a nurse manager at the ABP Health Center, where she is a source of positive light for patients, family members and her co-workers. Carol coordinates the care plan for all residents, as they depend on her to meet their needs, and special requests of family members. She goes beyond her scope of duties in order to make someone's day special or improve the overall quality of care for all residents. Beyond her long hours as a nurse, Carol serves as president-elect of the Philippine Nurses Association, Metro D.C. chapter, and is the current chair of the Communications and Marketing Committee of the Philippine Nurses Association of America (PNAA). She extends herself above and beyond the call of duty volunteering in the community, from vaccine education awareness, to navigating the virtual space helping chapters and Filipino nurses across the country connect with each other during the height of the pandemic, providing support to one another and sharing their COVID-19 experiences. She is the backbone to nurses all across the country by delivering impactful messages advocating for our Filipino American nurses and the AAPI Community.

Similarly, Vivian Sanderlin exemplifies the thousands of Filipino nurses who have sacrificed their own safety and continue to make a positive impact in the health care community. She is a retired County of San Diego Public Health nurse and currently serves as the chairperson of the COVID-19 Vaccination Program for the Philippine Nurses Association's San Diego (PNASD) chapter. She has coordinated hundreds of volunteer hours that have resulted in the administration of 5,000-plus life-saving vaccines. Vivian is a strong advocate, representing the Filipino and Asian Pacific Islander community on the County of San Diego COVID-19 Advisory Board and assisting in the establishment of a PNASD COVID-19 Taskforce. We give our thanks to the thousands of Filipino nurses who have sacrificed their own safety, and are dedicated to providing optimal and compassionate health care in hospitals, nursing homes, community clinics, schools and residential care.
Christine Chen, the founding executive director from 2006-2008 returned to APIAVote in January 2011 to serve as its current Executive Director.
Boston City Councilor Michelle Wu nominates Quincy City Council President Nina Liang

Quincy City Council President Nina Liang has broken barriers again and again, creating opportunity and space for so many who have been traditionally marginalized in politics. The city of Quincy, Massachusetts, has the highest concentration of Asian American residents anywhere in the state, but it wasn't until 2015 that residents saw their first Asian American woman councilor when Nina was elected to represent her hometown at the age of 26. Last year, Nina was elected by her fellow councilors as the city's first-ever Asian American city council president. She knows this community and her hardworking constituents well, having helped run a family business with several restaurants in the greater Boston area before entering politics. As one of the few AAPI elected officials in the state, she has spoken out for immigrant residents in the face of a hostile federal government, fought for racial equity and social justice, and pushed for jobs to be accessible to all. Nina also serves as executive director of Emerge Massachusetts, an organization focused on opening doors for progressive women to run for office, where she continues to mentor others who will break down their own barriers across the state.

Nadya Okamoto nominates Anaya Balaji

I am so inspired by Anaya Balaji every single day. She's 13-years-old and finishing up middle school this spring, and has already written her first book and is the youngest member of our Itsaugust.co team. She inspires us every day to think boldly and schools us on Gen Z trends on a daily basis. This APAHM, I am really inspired by the collective celebration of diversity within the AAPI community. The AAPI label is such a broad term that is supposed to encapsulate dozens of different ethnicities -- and in many ways, it makes the identity confusing, but it is also a beautiful term that brings us together in solidarity. As an East Asian American, I am really proud to nominate Anaya, a South Asian teenager based in Texas, who continues to do work at the grassroots level to normalize periods in her own community, and brings so much energy and passion to our team at August. When I think about the AAPI up-and-coming leaders who are making history, it's not just the people with big platforms and social media followings, it's the dedicated young people who work every day to learn, listen and take action.

Mayor Farrah N. Khan nominates Mary Anne Foo

When Mary Anne Foo was 9 years old, her parents gave her a children's book series on civil rights. She wanted a Barbie. She was given these books because when her mother was 9, she was taken from her home and placed in a Japanese internment camp during WWII. Today, Mary Anne serves as the founder and executive director of the Orange County Asian and Pacific Islander Community Alliance (OCAPICA), a nonprofit that serves the diverse underserved communities in Southern California with health, mental health, policy and civic engagement, youth leadership and education, and workforce development. Mary Anne has dedicated 30 years of her life to serving the public, and continues to be a leading voice when it comes to speaking up and working on behalf of the API communities. I first met Mary Anne about 10 years ago at a social event, where she quietly moved around the room, and if you didn't pay attention, you would have no idea she was the force behind all those who were there, including the speakers. And in these past few years, I love how she has developed and implemented strategies for voter registration, the census count and now, to counter API hate. Her years of work can be seen in the improved health care, updated policies and youth engagement throughout Orange County and Southern California. There isn't an organization in Orange County that hasn't benefited from her input and expertise. I know I rely on her in my role as mayor for the City of Irvine, with 45% of our population who identify as API.

Evie Jeang nominates Rosalyn Patamakanthin Vasquez

I admire Rosalyn Patamakanthin Vasquez for being a powerful voice for marginalized communities, particularly the AAPI immigrant population in the United States. She's fluent in Thai and has been one of the leading voices in Thai Town Los Angeles, home to the biggest Thai population outside of Bangkok. I met Rosalyn in law school. She wanted to become an attorney because she saw firsthand how her own immigrant parents struggled for representation and support as small business owners. Now, for more than 20 years, Rosalyn has been helping Thai business owners and immigrants with a range of legal issues, often where language has been a barrier toward receiving justice and fair treatment. Most recently, Rosalyn was recognized by the Thai Consulate General for her help with a Thai immigrant woman who had been the subject of slave trafficking and abuse. Rosalyn rallied the Thai CDC and other resources to help local officials rescue this woman, who is now being reunited with her family after several years in captivity. Rosalyn did all this pro bono, just like in her many community roles -- she's head of the Thai Chamber of Commerce, president of the Thai New Year/Songkran Festival and former president of the Thai Association of Southern California. After her work in 2005, when she traveled to Thailand as a children's crusader to save Thai orphans after the tsunami, the king of Thailand appointed Rosalyn to his prestigious Siam Council. She returned to the U.S. to continue her work as an attorney advocating for children's rights, representing the State of California in the California Department of Social Services and later with the California State Board of Equalization. She's continuing her work as a community advocate and has been on the frontlines of #StopAsianHate campaigns in L.A. She has a heart of gold and has dedicated her life to advocating for the rights of all people.

​​Tavae Samuelu nominates Melisa Laelan and Micronesian workers in the meatpacking industry

Melisa Laelan is a committed Marshallese advocate in the Pacific Islander community, and as founder and executive director of the Arkansas Coalition of Marshallese (ACOM), she is a trusted leader that has fought for health equity with many Compact of Free Association (COFA) community leaders to restore Medicaid eligibility and access for COFA citizens. COVID-19 only exacerbated health disparities for COFA citizens, especially for those who are still affected by the radiation from the U.S. military test bombings that took place on the Marshall Islands during World War II. In addition, the U.S. meatpacking industry relies heavily on immigrant workers, including Marshallese and other Micronesians that have faced financial, health, housing, and food insecurities because of COVID-19 infections and deaths, having to quarantine in multigenerational households. We will continue to follow the lead of COFA leaders like Melisa and uplifting the stories of Micronesian essential workers in the meatpacking industry because it is part of our responsibility.
Tavae Samuelu is the executive director for Empowering Pacific Islander Communities (EPIC).
​​Pabitra Khati Benjamin nominates Narbada Chhetri

As the director of organizing and programs, Narbada Chhetri has helped build a home away from home at Adhikaar (meaning "rights" in Nepali) for the last 13 years. Everyone knows her as "Didi," whether it's a member, community partner, an elected official or a donor. Didi means "elder sister" in Nepali, and it's a testament to her loving and fierce nature. With an illustrious 30-plus-year career in human rights in India, Nepal and now to the United States, Narbada Didi leads with her heart. She is a driving force in the domestic workers' rights movement since the early days of NDWA, when the first-ever Domestic Workers Bill of Rights was established in New York in 2010. Narbada Didi's energy pushed this bill over the finish line and now this law is a template for a federal bill, and other bills of its kind that have successfully passed in 10 different states and cities across the country. Narbada Didi brings joy and a bold desire to empower those marginalized to be centered in our movements. Her dedication to service is spiritually rooted - she helps labor trafficking survivors and immigrants in detention escape horrific conditions, and ensures that they have the support and community they need to thrive. In her spare time she is a mediator and she never says no to people in need. On top of supporting individuals and communities, she also encompasses a big-picture movement, thinking while mentoring new organizers to grow Adhikaar. It's why I thought it important to recognize and show Narbada Didi that we see her and we recognize the work she's done fighting for social justice for all.

​​Luna Ranjit nominates Asha Magrati and Deepak Rauniyar

Asha Magrati and Deepak Rauniyar are filmmakers with a mission, highlighting untold stories from of Nepali communities as well as teaching and mentoring aspiring filmmakers in the United States and in Nepal. The duo co-founded Aadi Productions to produce innovative, socially-conscious movies that raise difficult ethical questions. Their second feature film, White Sun, directed by Deepak with Asha as one of the lead actors and the casting director, tells the story of the country in transition by focusing on one family going through funeral preparations after the patriarch dies. Set in the hills of Nepal, the film has resonated with audiences worldwide and has won numerous international awards. Their upcoming short film captures the struggles of Nepali immigrants in New York, and the next feature film in development is focused on racial injustice in Nepal. Asha and Deepak immigrated to the U.S. in pursuit of their dreams and are now investing in the next generation of filmmakers. With their personal experience of navigating structural barriers raised by caste, class, ethnicity, they are committed to creating opportunities for storytellers from historically marginalized communities.

​​Lhadon Tethong nominates Pema Doma

I am constantly inspired by the positivity and power of Pema Doma. Pema is a Tibetan-American living and breathing the work of a compassionate change-maker. She is a grassroots organizer and nonviolent warrior for justice with the group Students for a Free Tibet, based in New York, where she organizes thousands of students and youth. Born in Boston, the daughter of Tibetan refugees, Pema has been active in the fight for social and political justice from the time she was in high school. I am so moved by Pema's thoughtful and inclusive leadership -- always leading by example, advocating for the rights of the Tibetan people to live in freedom and dignity, while being the truest of allies to our brothers and sisters fighting for rights and respect in communities across the U.S. and around the world. Whether it is the Black Lives Matter Movement, or the movement for rights and democracy in Hong Kong or Myanmar, Pema is there speaking truth to power and bringing people together to fight for real and meaningful change. She exists so far from the Asian "model minority" trap that has existed in the U.S. for too long. To me, Pema IS the embodiment of the future of activism from the AAPI community: fierce and kind, powerful and thoughtful, unyielding and infinitely creative and strategic.

Felicia Singh nominates Shivana Jorawar

Shivana Jorawar is the co-director of Jahajee Sisters, a movement-building organization, led by Indo-Caribbean women, committed to creating a safe and equitable society for girls and women. Shivana has worked tirelessly in the Indo-Caribbean community of Richmond Hill to provide relief for survivors of gender-based violence. I am so proud to know Shivana because her organizing has reached so many women and girls throughout our community. She is a powerful and influential force leading the way in helping heal trauma through arts, leadership development and grassroots organizing. I am proud to nominate her GMA Inspiration List for Asian American Pacific Islander Heritage Month!
Felicia Singh is running for New York City Council District 32 in Queens.
Steve Aoki nominates Yumi Nu

Yumi Nu is not only my niece, but she's also a triple threat: model, body-positive advocate and singer-songwriter. At such a young age, she's already done so much to empower women, encourage body acceptance and redefine beauty standards. Above all, she's breaking barriers and making history while doing it -- becoming the first Asian plus-sized model ever in Sports Illustrated's swimsuit edition. It's always been in the Aoki blood to never stop chasing your dreams and Yumi is not only an embodiment of that, but she's also inspired me to continue being the best that I can be. It is this reason alone why I know she'll inspire many generations to come, not only through her trailblazing feats as a model, but also through her music. Growing up, the punk and hardcore scene was such an integral part of what made me into the artist I am today, so seeing Yumi embrace her uniqueness as a body-positive Asian model with raw musical talent has been such a dope experience as her uncle. She's not only musically diverse, but her creativity has immeasurable potential, with her song "Camouflage" having been featured in Forever 21's Forever Female line. Yumi -- the impact that you will have on this world is only commencing. Never stop dreaming and never stop chasing.

apl.de.ap nominates Rosalina Lydster

Rosalina Lydster is a thought-maker at crafting stories that push forward the AAPI voice, which is as important as ever for being seen as equal in today's society. I met Rosalina years ago at a Grammy event when she provided jewelry for my bandmates and I. Over the years, we've kept in touch. Most recently, she was an executive producer for the show "House of Ho," which did a great job of discussing the cultural and family dynamics that Asians across the diaspora encounter, and the dynamics of trying to maintain the lessons from their mother country while forging a way forward in the United States. This is just the start for Rosalina, though. In a time where Hollywood is searching for independent artists with new perspectives, Rosalina is a refreshing and necessary change.

Far East Movement nominates Dumbfoundead

Dumbfoundead is someone we always knew was special. We still remember going to neighborhood cyphers in Koreatown where he'd be serving everyone as a 12-year-old. Watching him grow into a respected artist, actor, writer and Grammy-nominated producer is a win for a community that's desperate for leaders. He's also been an advocate for great talent, being an early co-sign for artists like Anderson .Paak and Awkwafina, and being one of the founders of 88Rising. We're proud to represent and support Dumbfoundead at Transparent Arts as he continues to push boundaries for himself and our people.

JinJoo Lee nominates Daniel Henney

Daniel Henney is a Korean American actor who came to Korea about 15 years ago to debut in a Korean drama. At that time, it was a culture shock to see a "mixed race" actor on Korean TV. Everything must've been challenging for him: language, culture, surroundings, etc. I realized how hard it was when I came to America to pursue my dream. He wasn't fluent in the Korean language when he started but he continued to challenge himself. It didn't take long for people to notice his presence. His appearance inspired many artists with different racial backgrounds to pursue their dreams. Daniel Henney has also been working nonstop both in Korea and America. I think he helps engage two different cultures with his talent. It's always hard to be the first to pave the road, especially when nobody's done it before. You have to be brave enough and crazy enough. He also influences people around the world to adopt dogs instead of buying them. It's so great to see someone like him have a voice, trying to make a difference. I can't wait to see him in so many more movies and TV shows in America. He is coming in hot! Get ready, America!

Karen O nominates Michelle Zauner

To me, nothing is more golden than an artist who brings me to tears -- not by a cheap hook or pressing an obvious button, but by excavating their soul and putting their heart on the chopping block. Michelle Zauner does that, it's in her song "Till Death" off her Japanese Breakfast project's record, "Soft Sounds from Another Planet." Now there is an instruction manual to her catalog of records in the form of the deepest of memoirs: "Crying in H Mart," her story of self-discovery through impossible loss and the bonds that carry us through, in her case, Korean food and, of course, music. I think of the book and her records as the perfect companion pieces ... maybe I need to get going on that memoir after all. When I started out, there were no Korean American or half-Asian lead singers that I could relate to, nor were there memoirs that felt so close to home. Thankfully, that's finally changing. It's nice to know there are more like you out there. I feel in good company with Michelle. She has a blazing heart and talent. Once you catch a glimpse you can't look away.

Japanese Breakfast (aka Michelle Zauner) nominates Luna Li

Luna Li is a phenomenal songwriter and multi-instrumentalist that we will have the honor of touring with this fall. She often makes videos of herself composing, arranging and producing full songs, juggling instruments like guitar, bass, violin and harp, all with incredible skill. She just inspires me greatly and everyone should check out her music.

Chloe Flower nominates Julia Kestner

Asian American history and representation has been noticeably absent from mainstream media. Seeing Julia Kestner's Asian empowerment illustrations featured by Instagram's #StopAsianHate campaign pop up on my explore page earlier this year really caught my eye. I love spending time on Julia's Instagram exploring her educational, empowering and beautiful work. The intersection between Asian culture and mainstream media is rare and greatly needed. For that reason, I nominate artist, illustrator and activist, Julia Kestner as an AAPI individual making a difference in our communities. As an Asian American woman and musician, I have always felt a strong sense of Asian pride, something my parents instilled in me at a young age. Sadly, not every Asian has had that same experience. More often than not, crimes and racist experiences against Asians (and other minorities) are what make it to mainstream media. When Asian experiences do appear in pop culture, it is often through stereotypical representation and a whitewashed lens. More than ever, it is crucial that we share experiences and stories that celebrate the beautiful and diverse Asian community. Using media, entertainment and news to share the beauty of Asian culture can help be educational and preventative while simultaneously empowering our Asian brothers and sisters. Artists like Julia Kestner are doing just that. During a time when I felt angry, helpless and scared, Julia's art turned my fears into triumph. Thank you, Julia, for sharing your art with the world. You make me proud to celebrate my heritage and I can't wait to see what the future has in store for you.

Jake Zyrus nominates Troy Laureta

Troy Laureta is a Filipino American musical director and producer. What I love about Troy is that even though he was born and raised in the U.S., he continues to represent his Filipino roots through his music and his work. He has broken down walls as one of the leading Asian American musical directors, and has worked with David Foster, Ariana Grande, Andrea Bocelli, Nicole Scherzinger and myself, just to name a few. His passion for music is infectious, and his phenomenal arrangements make his artists feel world-class and international. Troy continues his work with his vocalist sister, Cheesa, as active promoters of Asian representation in the mainstream entertainment industry. His recent album, "Kaibigan" (meaning "Friend") features Filipino and non-Filipino artists and musicians from all over the world singing Tagalog music, also known as Original Pilipino Music, or OPM, which is something groundbreaking for South East Asia. Being a proud Filipino, I am ecstatic that Troy is making moves to open more doors for Asians to make it in the music business. He is a Filipino pride, and it is heart-warming that despite all his success and accolades, he is humble enough to remember, represent and celebrate his Asian heritage.

MILCK nominates Kabzuag Vaj

Kabzuag Vaj is someone I am thrilled to shout from the rooftops about because she is an authentic, brave and committed trailblazer. She is by no means what I consider an up-and-comer, as her work transcends any state of being known or unknown. Her work is truth. I learned about Kabzuag's work as I was mourning the loss of George Floyd and Breonna Taylor. I coped with the pain by immediately studying the ecosystems of grassroots organizations. I heard about this mighty org, Freedom Inc., that was building solidarity between Hmong and Black populations in the Midwest. Kabzuag founded this org over 20 years ago, and the organization remains strong and committed. Talking with Kabzuag is incredible because she has a beautiful and heartfelt way of educating and empowering people. I felt blessed to have been able to talk to her about how gender plays a huge role in the AAPI hate movement. In fact, it was just a week before the Atlanta shooting in March 2021 that she was helping me to really see that women fall victim to hate crimes more so than do men. In fact, she has been working to end violence against women and girls since she was 16 years old. Freedom Inc. is one of the beneficiaries of The Somebody's Beloved Fund, which supports grassroots organizations that build power around racial justice. I am honored to continue learning from Kabzuag and her colleagues at Freedom Inc. and hope you will join me.

Run River North nominates Jennifer Chung

Jennifer Chung is a Korean American living out in Atlanta with her talented husband and our good friend, John Song. From the mid-2000s until now, she's always been an active voice on YouTube and Instagram. With a lot of the current anti-Asian hate crimes that have been happening, she's really stepped up in sharing her thoughts, and voicing what it means to highlight and appreciate your story in whatever field you're in. She's spoken on many panels and is constantly advocating for the normalization of being Asian and a woman in this landscape of false stereotypes/standards. We love how she creates spaces for important and sometimes, uncomfortable conversations, and trying to speak out for BIPOC. She's someone we truly support and see making ripples in this time of much needed change.

Melissa Polinar nominates Nikole Lim, Jeremy Passion, Gabe Bondoc, and Jesse Barrera

Nikole Lim is an advocate, author and founder of a nonprofit called Freely in Hope, and is based in Northern California. Her life's work is to help end sexual violence that occurs worldwide by uplifting survivors through holistic education, leadership development and using storytelling as platforms for healing. Her book, "Liberation is Here," released in 2020, is an eye-opening account of the origins of her advocacy work and the ongoing progress that's continuing today. I am truly amazed by her tenacity, courage, heart -- and proud to call her friend.

Jeremy Passion was one of the first artists I stumbled upon on YouTube around 2007. I'd like to say he was one of the first ones who inspired me to share my own songs online. Shortly after, I found Gabe Bondoc. And not long after that, we all met in person and became friends. Through the years, we have written songs, toured together and have occupied a space in music that many in the AAPI community call their own. Some of the biggest pop and mainstream artists today have listened and even grown up to Jeremy and Gabe's music. I've always admired how they stayed true to themselves musically and they keep inspiring me in return.

Behind great records are great producers. Jesse Barrera is one of the most prolific ones out there. He originally began his career in a rock-alternative band called My American Heart from San Diego and then transformed his wide-ranged musical skill set into producing records full time. I've worked with him for my own records through the years, but I admire him most of all in having a heart for independent artists as well as new, up-and-coming artists.

We have the common thread of using online platforms since the mid-2000s and used a grassroots approach in pursuing dreams of transforming music into a career. With an entertainment industry that's slow to embrace AAPI artists and musicians in the mainstream, we (alongside many others) continue to pave the path. Years later, still making music -- I'd like to acknowledge their work and presence which inspired many all over the world.

Daniel Ho nominates Snehal Desai

Whether with words or by peaceful demonstration, it has been a time to bolster awareness and stand up against the inequities and struggles that people of color have endured for a long time. In recent weeks in Los Angeles, the theater community and Asian American community witnessed a leader step forward and galvanize many to pull together in an effort to demand change. I am inspired to share about Snehal Desai, producing artistic director of East West Players (EWP), the nation's oldest and largest Asian American theater company. His unwavering fortitude is an example of how one person can make a difference. Snehal wrote a statement on March 31, 2021 to the Ovation Awards and LA Stage Alliance, which are meant to celebrate the entire Southern California theater community. He called out long-standing acts of ignorance, omission and being grossly overlooked. Out of a necessity to pave a separate path and be represented fairly, his message echoed across platforms. Days later, following Snehal and East West Players' call for solidarity, the LA Stage Alliance closed down with over 50 theater companies revoking their membership. I had the opportunity to collaborate with Snehal in a concert I was invited to perform at EWP months earlier. I observed his creative guidance firsthand. As an artistic director, Snehal is ever-mindful and aware of others. He embodies the characteristics of the best kind of leader: sincere, considerate, inclusive, passionate. He is a thoughtful listener and takes every opportunity to recognize his team and staff as he works to build experience and credentials that will elevate their careers in the arts. He is adept at presenting prevalent Asian American topics and giving minorities a voice, directing new musicals and adapting classics with a refreshing cultural twist -- the Los Angeles production of "Allegiance" (starring George Takei) and an imaginatively refreshing take on "Mamma Mia!" -- are just a couple that I have been delighted to see. Snehal is a visionary and I admire his forward-thinking approach to challenge us to think beyond borders. His clarity and determination to tell our stories make him a standout individual in the AAPI community. As he works to further champion diversity in identities and issues on and off the stage, his goal is singular, "the status quo is not enough. We must keep working to provide artists of color the opportunities and visibility they deserve ... and to create a space where all communities are welcome."

Jocelyn Enriquez nominates Christina Luna

Christina Luna is a Filipina American entrepreneur, author, recreation commissioner and global Asian music advocate. As founder of The Luna Company -- which is composed of Zion Agency US, Asian American Music Conference (AAMC), and Traverse Music Group (TMG), she has fostered and managed creatives for over 20 years in the music business. Zion manages global music artists and individuals, as well as consults and invests into creative projects. She has nurtured and mentored many talents as well as bridge the gap to rediscover and reignite AAPI trailblazers from the past. I am honored to be a part of the extraordinary Zion family. I have seen firsthand how the AAMC event has focused on ecosystem building and cultivated networks within the Asian American music industry. During Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage month, it is important to reflect on past successes and challenges specifically within the international music space. As such, she continually archives and acknowledges the ongoing strides that Asian American innovators have paved throughout the years. Numerous artists she has managed have gone on to create meaningful art that has promoted and elevated the complexities within our AAPI community. She continues to spearhead projects that elevate and empower through mutual partnerships that have inspired me in the pursuit of my own dreams and endeavors. I am proud to work alongside Christina, see her vision evolve, and wish abundant success in her ongoing journey.

Johnny Lee nominates Jessica del Mundo

I nominate Jessica del Mundo, a longtime Filipino American community advocate who's been behind-the-scenes in the AAPI community for many years. Jessica is a powerful storyteller, committed to stories of the underrepresented. She was part of the Eliseo Silvio mural team to create what's now the largest Filipino public art in the country ("A Glorious History, A Golden Legacy") in L.A.'s Unidad Park. While an undergrad at USC, Jessica was an advocate for diversity and representation, helping to build a Multicultural Greek Council and used the power of media -- bringing in MTV -- to highlight diversity in college life. In her career, first as an investigative producer at Fox News, she was behind the camera, covering subcultures of L.A., producing segments on domestic violence, gangs, immigrant life and mental health. Jessica parlayed those experiences into her work as a media executive -- she was of the producers behind "Chinese Originality" with Panda Express, highlighting Chinese American visionaries such as Connie Chung, Michael Chang and Lisa Ling. She produces multiple AAPI community events, including for Asian Pacific American Heritage Month, Thai Songkran Festival, Filipino Heritage Month and Chinatown Summer Nights. I was lucky to first work with her when she helped us promote the "StandNRock #NoDAPL" music video with Taboo and the Magnificent Seven, supporting indigenous Native Americans fighting the Dakota Access Pipeline, and we ended up winning an MTV VMA for best fight against the system. Most recently, Jessica was a producer behind the "Tonight #StopAsianHate" music video with The Hotel Lobby, and helped us raise money and build connections for StopAAPIhate.org, RethinkRacism.org and HateIsAVirus.org. Jessica is on the board of directors for Search to Involve Pilipino Americans, one of the oldest and largest Fil-Am nonprofits. For SIPA, she volunteered as executive producer of one of the first virtual fundraisers during the pandemic, featuring Jo Koy, Ava DuVernay, Lea Salonga, Black Eyed Peas, etc., all to promote BIPOC unity and raise money for Historic Filipinotown. Jessica was honored as one of the USC Women of Distinction, and recognized for her diverse campaign work with the Clio Award, Silver Anvil and PRism. She continues to amplify AAPI voices, and help organize and promote the projects of many marginalized people. I can't think of someone more passionate about diverse storytelling than Jessica. She has dedicated her life to ensuring that the compelling narratives of our communities are not only told but heard.

Michelle Kwan nominates Sung Yeon Choimorrow

Sung Yeon Choimorrow fights for the dignity and rights of Asian American and Pacific Islander women and girls like no other activist I've seen. Her background in community organizing shines through in her commitment to building power with AAPI women and girls. As the executive director of the National Asian Pacific American Women's Forum, she has led the movement to build a grassroots base of AAPI women and girls nationwide, collectively working toward increased visibility, shattering stereotypes, and creating policy and structural change for our communities -- building unprecedented power for us. NAPAWF's motto is "Be seen. Be heard. Be fierce." But, as I've worked with Sung Yeon in our efforts to end violence against AAPI women, I've come to see that those words are also a personal motto for her. When she learned about the killing of six AAPI women in Atlanta on March 16, Sung Yeon led NAPAWF into action. She publicly mourned and honored the victims. She ensured that NAPAWF's members and staff had safe spaces to process the tragedy and support in responding to it. And she took her concerns to Washington, where the White House has responded with improved policies, including investments in the AAPI community, language access and tens of millions of dollars allocated to community-based services that center women. Sung Yeon has also taken care to correct the narrative about AAPI women -- speaking out against racism and sexism. She made the devastating point that the AAPI women killed in Atlanta were victims not only of anti-Asian hate, but of a brand of racialized misogyny that's been directed at AAPI women long before the pandemic. Her message has resonated with so many of us: 78% of AAPI women have been affected by anti-Asian racism in the past two years, according to a study released by NAPAWF. Sung Yeon has challenged all Americans to see AAPI women as our full, multilayered selves. As Sung Yeon says, she is not Asian today and a woman tomorrow, not an immigrant today and a mom tomorrow. She is all of those things, all the time. Sung Yeon is on a mission to ensure that all AAPI women and girls can thrive as the whole human beings that we are.

Apolo Ohno nominates Tony Chen

Tony Chen is one of the rare few who has managed to reach such a high level of business success while reinventing his view of commerce, people, companies and culture. He has evolved, transformed and found a new calling to utilize the unique talents and skills set that he has honed to curate and create a more conscious and thoughtful advertising technology company. His strength is rooted in his always smiling and happy-go-lucky attitude to embrace challenges and turn them into creative opportunities -- not only via the generosity displayed through his company culture, but just random acts of kindness that resonate through communities. Tony went to Rice University on a full-ride for his musical talent, but decided to go a different path when he decided to bet on an idea that would help film studios drive online traffic and viewership on their YouTube trailers and advertising. He was never shy to tackle a challenge, and he was able to skyrocket performance from a small $5,000 investment into over $2 million of revenue within 12 months at the age of 20. Tony impresses me because he constantly seeks growth and improvement, showcasing his consistent work ethic and doing-what-it-takes attitude. The majority of the Fortune 100 now uses his proprietary technology platform to display their advertising needs. Upon spending more time with Tony, I understood that he wanted a deeper purpose than just making money via the advertising technology business. In his words, "I feel the sense of urgency to help when hateful and inappropriate digital content is spread to hurt communities or people, and I must do something about it. It starts with a spark of an idea like a commitment to ethical, moral, and fundamental truths to create a movement of positivity. We try to do what we can and be that spark to our customers and clients." We are at the precipice of a very peculiar time in our history. Living in an externally wealthy time but rife with internal and mental poverty is a true crisis. I see Tony and his life mission as a catalyst to help the latter. We are constantly distracted and shown what we should look like, what we should have, and what is liked or disliked that dramatically impacts our mental health and overall happiness. There must be a way to improve the types of advertising and content to uplift rather than drag down. His platform and team has grown nearly 20 times and is an official YouTube partner, but I see his real value in how he curates and creates a culture of impact, values and family. Life coaching, consistently checking in with his team to ensure they are doing OK through the past 18 months, has been something that cannot be taken for granted. When someone like Tony shows me that they have even loftier aspirations aside from the monetary gain, I listen with all my attention. Instead, making the digital video space a safer and more responsible place harnesses the power of diversity and inclusivity equals a home run. Being able to tackle an unspoken industry issue is something I admire in the face of rising mental health issues in this country. In tandem, he has sharpened his focus to launch a nonprofit organization, whose focus is to combat global challenges such as socioeconomic disparities, marginalized group oppression and systemic racism. They are building a task force of global minds and organizations who will concentrate their efforts to launch campaigns designed to inspire positive change, and educate existing businesses and consumers on how to live their most valuable, socially responsible lives. The recent Anti-Asian American attacks have accelerated his efforts both via resources and donation. He's a friend with big dreams of a planet filled with love and unity.

Kristi Yamaguchi nominates Alysa Liu

Effervescent on the ice. It's the first thing I feel when I think about describing Alysa Liu. She skates with such joy, energy and personality that anyone watching can't help but smile and want to cheer her on. Her love for what she does shines through. Don't get me wrong, there's also that inner competitor in her that allows her to skate with attack and fierceness. So with that combination, there's no limit to what Alysa can achieve in her career. I mean come on, she's only 15 (16 this year) and look at what she has already done -- world junior bronze medalist, two-time U.S. national champion, in 2019 being the youngest U.S. champion ever, first American woman to land a quadruple lutz in competition, first female skater to land two triple axels and a quad lutz in the same program. And now Alysa is finally age eligible to compete at the international senior level, so with the 2022 Olympic Winter Games in Beijing around the corner, she is the rising star of these Games to watch for. It can possibly be a home away from home coming for Alysa as her father immigrated from China in the '90s. I see her as an incredibly positive role model for the AAPI community and know she will inspire the next generation of AAPIs, and particularly athletes, to go for their dreams.

Alex & Maia Shibutani nominate Bing Chen

Bing Chen is an impact entrepreneur and powerhouse. Using his unique skills, forward-thinking business acumen and convening power, he leverages storytelling to deliver greater socioeconomic equity. As YouTube's former global head of creator development and management, his work as a principal architect of the multibillion-dollar influencer ecosystem has already impacted life as we know it -- from inspiring a whole new creative economy on Instagram, Twitch and Pinterest to reshaping digital advertising. His current endeavors will continue to shift culture across multiple industries for years to come. Trust us. Bing is a general partner and co-founder of AUM Group, a top multicultural film fund whose latest film was the second-highest acquisition at Sundance Film Festival this year; and is president and co-founder of Gold House. Gold House is the premier collective of Asian creative voices and leaders working to unite Asians and Pacific Islanders to advance multicultural representation and advocate for socioeconomic equity. Notably, Gold House is responsible for creating the AAPI film market via its #GoldOpen movement that proved to Hollywood that there is a viable audience exists for AAPI films, from "Crazy Rich Asians" to "Parasite." Prior to and during the pandemic, Gold House has worked to uplift small businesses across the country through grants and the nation's leading AAPI founder accelerator. Most recently, Bing and the team at Gold House collaborated with GoFundMe to launch the single-largest fundraiser for AAPI attacks to date that's raised over $5.5 million and deployed millions more directly to attack victims. Amazingly enough, Bing finds the time to advise several digital media companies, including Google and Snap, while also doing philanthropic work for multiple global nonprofit organizations. In our often-chaotic world, Bing Chen, as a creative, compassionate, insightful and inspiring individual, continues to lead with clarity and purpose.

Stella Abrera nominates Ted Shen

Ted Shen is one of the finest human beings I have ever known. His soft-spoken and gracious manner belies a fierce intelligence, an unwavering moral compass and an altruistic drive to help others. Ted is broadly admired as an artist and businessman, and beloved as a husband, father and dear friend to many, including -- especially -- to me. Whenever I face a seemingly impenetrable challenge, in my career or beyond, I can turn to Ted as a source of wisdom and as an example of how to lead a life of excellence, empathy and purpose. Ted passionately supports the arts, education and medical research. Never seeking the spotlight himself, his philanthropy has allowed generations of artists to flourish. He has delivered music, theater and dance to all reaches of our community -- not just through programs and initiatives he has supported, but as a musician, librettist and composer himself. Ted has written and composed several musical theater productions, most recently the powerfully moving and topically relevant "Broadbend, Arkansas." It is profoundly important to celebrate the extraordinary AAPI figures -- among our families, friends and greater communities -- who impact society positively and indelibly. We need such paradigms of courage and calm in the best of times, and we urgently need them now, as a storm of violence and hate encircles the Asian community. Today, I pay my respects to Ted and all those on this inspiring list. Thank you, "GMA," for all that you do, and for giving us many reasons to celebrate AAPI Heritage Month!

Mirai Nagasu nominates Michelle Hanabusa

My nomination is Michelle Hanabusa, fellow figure skater and founder of the movement Hate Is a Virus. She has taken her persistence and drive that she learned as an athlete and funneled it into a safe space for AAPI members to connect. Instead of ignoring the racist slurs and rise of hate crimes, she has stepped up as a leader to help us express our true feelings. We fight the anger and fear by wearing the clothes that Michelle has designed because we are a generation of voices who will fight for what we stand for. I grew up believing that I had to become a doctor or a lawyer because that was the path of least resistance, but I connected with Michelle on 5 a.m. practices when I saw her fighting to make a place for Asian American females in sport. She has pivoted her Olympic dream to one in the fashion industry with a brand, Uprisers, that allows us to wear streetwear that is representative of us. Michelle has raised over $350,000 to combat those who think that calling us the creators of the "Kung-flu" virus is OK. It's not OK and I'm so proud of Michelle for being a trailblazer.

Vincent Zhou nominates Katherine Zhu, Karly Hou, Bree Zhang and Youyang Gu

Katherine Zhu is a Chinese American rising golf star. She began her golf career at the age of 6. Currently, Katherine is captain of the women's golf team at UC Berkeley. Katherine got to where she is today because of the hard work she puts in daily. Continuous input and unremitting efforts are inevitable in life. She is consistent, focused and goal-driven. She maintains an intense training schedule while balancing a rigorous course load, which reminds me of myself as a student athlete. We are both passionate about our competitive sports and dedicated. Post-graduation, Katherine would like to play professional golf to take her game to the next level. Life is full of experiences and she hopes to experience the variety that life has to offer.

Karly Hou is the founder and CEO of Wave Learning Festival, a nonprofit working to combat long-standing educational inequities exacerbated by the pandemic. When COVID sent students around the world home, she saw students struggling to adjust, parents overburdened and educators under-supported. She decided to take action and reached out to friends to start Wave, a free online learning platform bringing together a global community of 1,000 volunteers to provide diverse live seminars taught by college students around the world, 24-7 tutoring, college application help, career mentorship and community. Since its launch just a year ago, Wave has already served 13,000-plus students in the U.S. and around the world. They have goals to continue expanding in 2021 and beyond, reaching tens of thousands more low-income students and setting up nationwide chapters to work closely with local schools.

Bree Zhang is the president of the class of 2022 and Pre-Dental Society at Brown University. An aspiring future dental professional and community health advocate, she spearheads oral health educational initiatives for children and elderly, works with community health centers to increase access to care for low-income uninsured populations, and seeks to integrate dentistry with primary care and behavioral health as an American Student Dental Association Advocacy Fellow at the Harvard School of Dental Medicine.

Youyang Gu is the creator of covid19-projections.com, a widely used site dedicated to accurate modeling of the COVID-19 pandemic. From April 2020 to October 2020, the site featured a prediction model, which combined machine learning with a classic infectious disease SEIR model to make death forecasts for the U.S. and more than 70 countries. This model was cited by the CDC to help inform public health decision-making. Starting November 2020, Youyang focused his efforts on estimating the number of true COVID-19 infections in the U.S. Beginning in December 2020, covid19-projections.com also began tracking and modeling vaccine rollouts on its path to herd immunity. Youyang is currently on the Technical Advisory Group at the World Health Organization to help inform on COVID-19 mortality assessment. He has also been using his elevated platform to raise awareness on recent AAPI issues.

Celeste Ng nominates Nicole Chung

I first became a fan of Nicole Chung's writing through her profiles. So many of her subjects -- Kristi Yamaguchi, John Cho, Amy Tan -- were heroes and role models in my own life, but it was the way Nicole wrote about them, and her many essays about her own experience, that really got me: many of the questions she had about identity, Asian American-ness and belonging were the same questions I find myself asking every day of my life. Her memoir, "All You Can Ever Know," explored these themes and more with such ease and grace you'd never know it was breaking radically new ground. Nicole writes honestly, thoughtfully, and movingly about what it means to forge an identity as an Asian American woman, as transracial adoptee, as a daughter and sister, and as a mother. Beyond her own writing, though, what makes Nicole extraordinary is how much she does to elevate other voices as well. As managing editor at The Toast and now as the editor-in-chief of Catapult magazine, she routinely shines a spotlight on up-and-coming writers in the AAPI and BIPOC communities and beyond, helping them to tell their stories about everything from processing trauma through art to finding friendship through shared fandom of a niche French cartoon. Between telling her own stories and fiercely carving out space for others to tell theirs, too, Nicole Chung is already pushing our conversation forward, broadening and deepening our understanding of what it means to be Asian American. I can't wait to see what she does next.

Alexandra Chang nominates Connie Wun

When I think of personal and community inspirations, I think of Connie Wun. Wun is the co-founder of AAPI Women Lead, an organization that focuses on ending violence against Asian and Pacific Islander women, girls, and gender non-conforming communities. The group runs the #ImReady Movement, which aims to raise visibility of AAPI women and our stories, as well as strengthens our political and social platforms. This spring, AAPI Women Lead has also been hosting a series of Solidarity in Action events, including ones on self-defense, community safety and community bystander intervention. And Wun herself has long been a community-based educator, researcher, writer and speaker whose overarching goal is to advocate and work for women and girls of color. Her work is a reminder that we deserve better, and how together we can, as she says, "build a world where we take care of each other."

Kevin Kwan nominates Alan Chikin Chow

Alan Chikin Chow is a dazzling young actor and digital creator with the motto, "Unity through laughter." His short-form videos live on the playful side of joy, revel in the silliness of friendship, and bring moments of lightness and fun to his millions of fans on TikTok. On top of this fun, Alan weaves in whip-smart truths about identity, race and gender. This year has left us battered and bruised, but Alan has joy flowing through him like electricity, and watching him use joy and creativity to spread unity through laughter is just what the doctor ordered!

Chanel Miller nominates Michelle Zauner

Michelle Zauner has already released two studio albums, "Psychopomp" and "Soft Sounds from Another Planet," with an upcoming album, "Jubilee," under her alias, Japanese Breakfast. She can be seen on stage, singing with her guitar, hair swept up in jagged space buns, eyeshadow yellow as pollen, stunning and vibrant. Her songs make my mind melt, eyes hot with tears, and I've spent evenings belting her song, "Boyish," while biking along the Hudson River. In addition to songwriting, she recently published her first memoir, "Crying in H Mart," navigating her Korean heritage and upbringing. She depicts scenes with her mom so potent with love, the pages feel weighty when I turn them. I believe Zauner can never be pinned down because she's ever-changing, informing us who she is, seamlessly creating through different mediums, churning out albums and unparalleled prose. Above all, she is an artist, and for years we've had the privilege of watching her come into being. People who create a path forward may not realize what they've done, never look back to see the way they've tampered down the tall grass, made a path for us. I look to her as I continue to navigate public life. She shows me we can be loud and expressive or quiet and ruminative. We can create our own definitions of what it means to be biracial and we all deserve to exist as multifaceted beings. Zauner confirms that society never really had a chance of limiting Asian Americans with its small definitions, because who we are is so beyond what people could have previously imagined. Zauner's voice is leading us somewhere we've never been and the world would be hollow headed not to follow.

Jaswinder Bolina nominates Victoria Chang

Victoria Chang is an absolute force of language and literature. She is author of five critically acclaimed collections of poetry -- including "The Boss," "Barbie Chang" and National Book Award long-lister and 2020 L.A. Times Book Prize-winner "Obit" -- two children's books and a forthcoming collection of essays, "Dear Memory," due out this October from Milkweed Editions. On top of all that, she edited the anthology "Asian American Poetry: The Next Generation" and currently serves as program chair of the Creative Writing Department at Antioch University in Los Angeles. Whatever genre she chooses, her writing is formally daring, richly intertextual and utterly original as it interweaves Eastern and Western histories, literatures and pop cultures with her parents' immigrant story, her Chinese and Taiwanese heritage, and her own American upbringing to make a profound art of self, family, culture and place. A leader in every sense of the word, Victoria is an inspiration to me and so many others and her extraordinary books should be on everybody's reading lists.

Angela Duckworth nominates Jim Yong Kim

Jim Yong Kim is an American physician and anthropologist who served as the 12th president of the World Bank from 2012 and 2019. He is also a global health leader who served as the chair of the Department of Global Health and Social Medicine at Harvard Medical School, and a co-founder and executive director of Partners in Health, an organization he co-founded in 1987, which focuses on providing health care to those in the poorest areas of developing countries. Through PIH, Kim was instrumental in designing treatment protocols and making deals for cheaper, more effective drugs. In 2013, Kim was named by Forbes as one of "The World's Most Powerful People." He's inspired me in that he is world class at what he does and yet, at the same time, extremely humble. Kim loves feedback on how to do better and his appetite for huge, complex problems many would think insoluble.

Bonnie Tsui nominates Grace Young

Grace Young has long been celebrated as an award-winning cookbook author and "wok therapist," but she has lately come to new prominence for her tireless efforts to document the toll that the coronavirus pandemic and anti-Asian hate crimes has had on America's Chinatowns. She launched a moving video series called "Coronavirus Stories," in which she talks with restaurant and shop owners in New York's Chinatown, and captures the scale of loss and tragedy in a historic and vital immigrant community. Grace called up journalists near and far to get them to pay attention to the plight of Chinese-owned independent restaurants that were closing across the country; she even started a nonprofit to support local businesses while distributing meals to food-insecure residents in New York's Chinatown community. I adore Grace and have always admired her culinary wisdom; since she became "the accidental voice of Chinatown," her energizing activism during the pandemic has made her a guiding light for us all to follow.

Catherine Chung nominates Ashlyn So and Gitanjali Rao

I nominate Gen Z Asian Americans who have taken the future into their own hands, and are shaking things up and changing the world for the better. I am so proud of and excited for and humbled by them, and what they are doing and what they have yet to do. Two shining stars I've been following are Ashlyn So and Gitanjali Rao, who embody everything about this generation that gives me hope: their boldness, their boundless imaginations, and most especially their compassion and how they channel their gifts to care for others -- especially the vulnerable.

Ashlyn So is a 13-year-old fashion designer who's been sewing from the age of 6 and presenting her avant-garde, dramatic, sculptural and often fantastical clothes at New York Fashion Week since she was 9. Ashlyn has participated in charity work for homeless shelters and worked on anti-bullying campaigns, and sewed masks for health care workers when there was a shortage early in the pandemic. When anti-Asian hate crimes spiked this year and the father of a friend of her friend was murdered, Ashlyn responded by organizing and speaking at rallies to #StopAsianHate, and starting a petition to include Asian American history in school curriculums.

Fifteen-year-old Gitanjali Rao -- scientist and Time's 2020 Kid of the Year -- won the 2017 Discovery Education 3M Top Young Scientist Challenge for inventing Tethys, a cost-effective, smartphone-linked sensor using carbon nanotubes to detect lead contamination in water. This work, she says, was inspired by hearing about the Flint water crisis when she was 10 years old. Since then, she has developed a diagnostic tool for early diagnosis of opioid addiction as well a phone app named Kindly that uses AI to detect and discourage cyberbullying at its early stages. One of Gitanjali's goals is to create a global community of young innovators, and to that end she has set up STEM innovation workshops and mentored thousands of students.

What inspires and moves me about Ashlyn So and Gitanjali Rao is not just their formidable accomplishments, but their immense generosity of spirit: their desire to translate their passions into social change, their commitment to facing head on the problems that challenge humanity, and their buoyancy -- the sense of joy they bring to their serious work.

Charles Yu nominates Evan Low

In 2016, New York Magazine ran a piece titled: "Is There a 'Next Obama' on the Democratic Party Bench?" California State Assemblymember Evan Low was on the list -- and for good reason. At the ripe old age of 32, he was already a leader in both the AAPI and the LGTBQ+ communities. Now 37, Evan has been breaking barriers for over a decade. In 2009, Evan was selected as mayor of the city of Campbell, California, making him, at 26, the youngest openly gay Asian American mayor in the United States. Four years later, he was selected to serve as mayor for a second term. The following year, in 2014, Evan was elected to the California State Assembly for the 28th District, which includes the Santa Clara Valley and Silicon Valley, a seat he has held since then, winning re-election three times. In the Assembly, he chairs the Business and Professions Committee, and has also served on the California Legislative LGBT Caucus and the California Asian & Pacific Islander Legislative Caucus. Evan has been an outspoken advocate for progressive causes, including introduction of AB 1887, a bill that would ban all California state-funded travel to states that enacted laws to discriminate against individuals based upon sexual orientation, gender identity and gender expression, that was supported by Speaker Nancy Pelosi. And throughout the recent wave of anti-Asian harassment and violence, Evan has been an important voice (and amplifier of others' voices) in the AAPI community. All this, and he's not even 40 yet. I can only imagine what he'll do in the years to come.

David Yoon nominates Marie Lu

Marie Lu's been building worlds for years now over almost a dozen books for young adults. I admire not just her tenacity and drive, but her fearlessness. Her stories deal with some of the toughest of subjects -- broken families, nightmarish class dystopias and yes, global pandemics -- but never in any didactic sort of way. Instead, she lets these elements drive her plots to their logical conclusions, for better or worse, whichever serves the story best. It's precisely Marie's loose grip on the wheel of a speeding supercar that gives her novels a thrillingly fearless confidence that, when paired with her gorgeous, cinematic eye for detail, often leaves me screaming, Why the hell haven't all her books been made into mega blockbuster movies? It's not often you find a #1 New York Times-bestselling author that can produce commercially appealing works with such heart and allyship. Though Marie has always written stories featuring diverse casts, she's recently chosen to depict specifically Asian American characters in her "Warcross" series. The daring Emika Chen and her ludicrously hot male love interest Hideo Tanaka are direct and bold challenges to the nonstop erasure, female sexualization and male emasculation of Asian Americans found in media -- something that, as a fellow Asian American starved for representation, I found immensely validating. Nothing escapes Marie's eye, and she's only growing bolder with experience and age. The YA world already knows how awesome she is, but I keenly suspect it's only a matter of time before everyone else catches on to what she's been building for years: epic worlds that sweep you away and leave you seeing your old reality with new eyes undeniably sharper than before.

James Sie nominates Chella Man

I discovered Chella Man on his YouTube channel while doing research for my book, "All Kinds of Other," a young adult novel which celebrates the wide diversity of human expression. All kinds of other could also apply to Chella Man himself, a multidisciplinary artist who is Chinese, Jewish, trans masculine, gender-queer and deaf. You might think of any of these aspects as limitations, but Chella has used them as scaffolding to construct an impressive creative life. The things he has accomplished in so short a time! Chella is a visual artist, a designer of clothes and functional jewelry, an international model, an actor (the first deaf, trans masculine actor to play a superhero in the DC Universe show "Titans"), a filmmaker (watch his short "The Beauty of Being Deaf" to see how he weaves the intersectionalities of his life with such fluidity), and soon, a published author, with his memoir "Continuum" set to hit the shelves in June. Most importantly, he is an important voice for both the deaf and LGBTQ communities. Chella has the soul and speech of a poet, and the fiery heart of an activist. His motto is "Be your own representation," but through his passionate advocacy for inclusivity, diversity and accessibility, he is speaking for all of those who have ever felt marginalized. Only in his early 20s, he is not only breaking boundaries, but dissolving them. If people like Chella are the Earth's next stewards, it gives me hope that the human race might yet survive.

Jennifer Woodward nominates Akbar Hamid

It is with great pleasure that I nominate Akbar Hamid. He is a first-generation son of immigrants who pursued and attained a successful career in communications and marketing, an occupation mostly unknown to the South Asian community. In 2015, Akbar started 5th Column, a flourishing communications and marketing agency. He also formed and currently serves on the Diversity and Inclusion Board of The PR NET, and developed and launched their first-ever BIPOC mentorship program this year alongside his industry peers. He actively mentors Asian and LGBTQ+ youth not only for professional and career development, but to ensure guidance and support in their personal lives. Akbar himself did not have a mentor, therefore he works to ensure that his fellow South Asians do not feel alone and know they are worthy of success. Additionally, he's worked on ongoing campaigns for Developments in Literacy that supports the education of underserved children in Pakistan. I am grateful to call Akbar a friend, a colleague and support the philanthropy he does in a field of work that might not always focus on the well-being of others. With his voice and his actions, the Asian community is empowered. Thank you, Akbar.

Jenny Lee nominates Ally Maki

I met Ally Maki in 2018 when a mutual AAPI friend decided we should meet and be friends. Ally was appearing on two different TV shows at the time (TBS' "Wrecked" and Freeform's "Cloak & Dagger"), and I was deep in revisions of my first YA novel, "Anna K." We immediately bonded over funny "working in the business" stories, but then we both got real with each other and went deep and were soon discussing the struggles AAPI creatives face and deal with on a daily basis in Hollywood. It was then that Ally shared her plans to launch the Asian American Girl Club. I was impressed that she was not just talking about the change we needed, but was actually doing something to create it. AAGC launched a few weeks later and in three years, her dream of creating a safe space for Asian American girls everywhere has been realized. Ally's goal was simple: to "redefine what it means to be a modern Asian American woman through normalization and unification of the next generation." Ally is a true inspiration, not only for AAPI women, but for everyone out there. A strong, smart woman with vision and the backbone to make her dreams into reality. I am honored to call her my friend and I am a proud member of the AAGC. I can't wait to see what Ally comes up with next!

Lisa See nominates Sissy Trinh

Eighteen years ago, Sissy Trinh, a Vietnamese America who grew up in Los Angeles, founded the Southeast Asian Community Alliance to train low-income youth to become leaders and organizers for racial and economic justice in Los Angeles Chinatown, which is home to ethnic Chinese immigrants from across Asia. Over time, the organization evolved to include policy advocacy and coalition building to work on affordable housing and environmental justice. "Not many people realize that Chinatown is the most densely populated and poorest community in the city," Sissy told me recently. "We have folks who are one rent increase away from becoming homeless. We have grocery stores that sell rice by the cup to people who can't afford to buy, physically carry or store an entire bag." She has been inspiring kids to do good work and get on the college or vocational tracks, while also helping seniors surviving on $1,200 a month. When the pandemic hit, I came to admire Sissy's ingenuity and persistence even more. We all remember when food staples and basics like toilet paper disappeared from shelves. Sissy called friends who worked in restaurants and nail salons, and asked if she could buy their gloves and toilet paper. She bought groceries from local stores. SEACA made deliveries to 400 households. All this happened as anti-Asian violence increased. Then came the vaccine challenge. Out of the blue, Sissy received a text from the mayor's office, saying the city would be coming to Chinatown the following week with 800 vaccines and asking if SEACA could help get those into people's arms. "We needed to reach people, many of whom were seniors, who weren't tech savvy and also faced language barriers," she says. Armed with clipboards and walking shoes, volunteers booked all 800 appointments in three days. The program was so successful that another 150 doses were directed to Chinatown. Does she ever feel overwhelmed? "It's been a hard year," she told me. "We've had kids who've needed financial help to keep their families from being evicted. We've had to find funding to pay the funeral costs for parents who passed away from COVID. I've had some crappy days, and then one of the kids will call and say, 'SEACA changed my life.'" Sissy Trinh is not only a hero to me, she's a hero to all the families she's helped over the years. I admire her greatly.

Nancy Wang Yuen nominates Xiao Zhen Xie and #StopAAPIHate

I am in awe of Xiao Zhen Xie, a 75-year-old grandmother who inspires us all to stand up, speak out and take action to stop AAPI hate. On March 17, 2021, she was attacked in downtown San Francisco but managed to fend off the attacker. Let's just say he ended up in worse shape than she did. When her grandson raised over $1 million on GoFundMe for her medical expenses, Xie insisted on donating the money to help defuse racism against the Asian American community. Xiao Zhen Xie is a real-life superhero.

The organization Stop AAPI Hate has been instrumental in bringing awareness to the rise in anti-Asian American and anti-Pacific Islander hate incidents since early 2020. A national coalition addressing anti-AAPI hate amid the COVID-19 pandemic, Stop AAPI Hate has received nearly 3,800 reported hate incidents from March 19, 2020 to February 28, 2021 on its website, stopaapihate.org. It also provides multilingual resources for the AAPI community, and advocates for local, state and national policies in human rights and civil rights protections. The leaders of Stop AAPI Hate are Manjusha P. Kulkarni (executive director of the Asian Pacific Policy and Planning Council), Cynthia Choi (co-executive director of Chinese for Affirmative Action) and Russell Jeung, Ph.D. (professor, Asian American Studies Department, San Francisco State University).

Jennifer Ho nominates Dr. Erika Lee

Dr. Erika Lee is among the most dedicated and influential scholars working in the field of Asian American studies, producing groundbreaking scholarship and even more impactful public facing work by sharing her expertise with a general public that so desperately needs educating on the long, complicated and rich history of Asian Americans. An award-winning historian and author, Dr. Lee is Regents professor of history and Asian American studies, director of the Immigration History Research Center at the University of Minnesota and president-elect of the Organization of American Historians. The granddaughter of Chinese immigrants, Lee was recently elected to the American Academy of Arts & Sciences, and testified before Congress in its historic hearings on anti-Asian discrimination and violence.

Tanuja Desai Hidier nominates Urooj Arshad, Anjali Enjeti, Valarie Kaur, Thenmozhi Soundararajan and Paula Yoo

AAPI identity's no monolith. Nor is the intersectional, multifaceted work of these nominees, who shine a loving light on this identity through their bold, bridge-building vision and art-meets-heart-makes-activist work -- and are shaping, making and abundantly sharing it as they do.

Urooj Arshad has been advocating for LGBTQI+ rights for 21 years, and it still feels this queerphobia-and-Islamophobia-dismantling dynamo's just getting started. Urooj co-founded the Muslim Alliance for Sexual and Gender Diversity. She's senior program manager at Freedom House's Dignity for All LGBTI Assistance Program, supporting under-threat/attack defenders of LGBTQI+ human rights. At the Muslim Youth Leadership Council and Advocates for Youth's LGBTQ Youth Health and Rights Programs, she educated around issues like gender equality and sexual/reproductive health rights and offered a safe space for Muslim women to talk about sexual assault. By centering these issues -- these humans -- Urooj brings the margins deservedly to the page.

For the last four critical years, author, teacher and organizer (co-founder of the Georgia chapter of South Asian Democrats organization They See Blue) Anjali Enjeti has been a tireless force in helping get the vote out in Georgia's AAPI community. Anjali also served on Georgia's AAPI leadership council for the Biden-Harris campaign. And managed to write two super books along the way, hot off the press this spring: "Southbound" (personal essays on her social justice awakening) and her sweeping Partition-set debut novel, "Parted Earth."

Daughter of Sikh California farmers, civil rights leader Valarie Kaur was impelled to take her activist path by the post-9/11 murder of Sikhs (her film "Divided We Fall's" subject). Her 2016 Watch Night Service question ("Is this the darkness of the tomb -- or the darkness of the womb?") went viral, becoming a beacon-of-hope communal call to action for the people. Valarie launched the Revolutionary Love Project to reclaim love as a force for justice in America by centering BIPOC voices and working towards birthing a world where, as her book is titled, we "See No Stranger." And what a world that will be.

Fierce force Thenmozhi Soundararajan (aka Dalit Diva) is a Dalit technologist, artist, advocate and founder of Dalit civil rights organization Equality Labs, mobilizing South Asian Americans towards dismantling eons-long systems of oppression, with the goal of ending caste apartheid, gender-based violence, white supremacy and religious intolerance. Thenmozhi co-authored the landmark " Caste in the United States" report that first documented caste discrimination in the USA and co-founded Dalit History Month. Her cross-pollinating work -- crucial in a time of rising hate crimes, and religious and caste violence -- is creating a more generous, global, expansive and inclusive definition of South Asian identity.

Paula Yoo is a rockstar human: award-winning children's/YA book author, TV writer/producer and feature screenwriter -- and professional violinist who's toured/recorded with multiple symphony orchestras as well as bands Spiritualized and No Doubt. Her latest release is the critically acclaimed and tragically timely YA narrative non-fiction book " From a Whisper to a Rallying Cry: The Killing of Vincent Chin and the Trial that Galvanized the Asian American Movement." Required reading.
TANUJA DESAI HIDIER is author of the groundbreaking debut BORN CONFUSED, considered to be the first South Asian American YA novel, and its award-winning sequel BOMBAY BLUES. When We Were Twins, her album of original songs based on Born Confused, was featured in Wired as the first 'booktrack'; you can watch her Bombay Spleen (Bombay Blues album) music videos "HEPTANESIA" (an MTV Indies Buzzpick) and DEEP BLUE SHE #MUTINY2UNITY (featuring 100+ artist/activists, mostly WOC) here. She is currently working on her next book/album.
Melissa De La Cruz nominates Stacey Lee

I nominate Stacey Lee, author of many historical novels featuring Asian history and protagonists. Her novel "Outrun the Moon" won the PEN Center USA Literary Award for Young Adult Fiction and the Asian/Pacific American Library Association Award for Literature. She is a fourth generation Chinese-American and a founding member of We Need Diverse Books. Stacey brings history to life and focuses on little-known history of Chinese people in America. One of my favorites of her books is "Luck of the Titanic", inspired by the recently uncovered account of six Chinese survivors of the Titanic. The book is vibrant, funny, detailed, and unexpectedly moving. Stacey is a huge talent that the world is just starting to discover and I am thrilled to nominate her!

Sejal Shah nominates Kirin Makker

I met visual artist, activist, architect and professor Kirin Makker in January 2020 right before the pandemic. It changed my life to find a soul sister, a multimedia maker and artist, fellow South Asian American academic near me in western New York. She models collaborative work in her teaching, transcending conventional scripts. Her work explores invisible illness, managing pain, feminist pedagogy and narrative reparation. She moves across and between disciplines as she makes marks on the page, and on the world through her scholarship, guerilla arts and activism. As a biracial/bi-ethnic Asian American artist, her work begins from a point of multiple lenses. Makker is always searching for new ways of seeing, representing and moving through the world. Her Womb Chair Speaks project retools an icon of modernist design, Eero Saarinen's Womb Chair, refashioning both the chair itself -- through collective, aggregative making -- and the womb's conceptualization in culture and medicine through discussion and storytelling.

Samira Ahmed nominates the founders and team at "The Salon"

White actors in brown face, culturally oppressed women, terrorists, Apu. When I was growing up, those racist tropes were the extent of the South Asian rep I saw on screen. Too often, we still see those stereotypes. And damn, they hurt. Representation matters, and every child deserves to see themselves as a hero on the page and on the screen. The Salon is helping make that possible. Started in 2019 by Nik Dodani, Bash Naran and Vinny Chhibber, The Salon supports authentic creative development of South Asian American TV and film through community organizing and empowerment. And this year, The Salon leadership team, working with Reena Singh and Rishi Rajani, launched The Salon Mentorship Program to expand opportunities in TV and film for the next generation of South Asian American creatives. When I visited India when I was 7 years old, I remember being surprised at how strangers treated me like family, opened their arms and opened doors, and I love that The Salon embodies that desi spirit. Especially in creative fields, some doors have been frustratingly, forcefully closed to us for too long and it's so important to wedge that door open for others once you manage to pry it loose. The South Asian diaspora in America is incredibly diverse and has an infinite variety of experiences to share. The Salon is lifting up emerging voices of South Asian American creatives and I absolutely can't wait to hear their stories.
Samira Ahmed is the New York Times bestselling author of numerous books, including the upcoming "Amira & Hamza: The War to Save the Worlds." She has also published "Love, Hate, & Other Filters; "Internment;" and "Mad, Bad & Dangerous to Know." You can find more about her books at samiraahmed.com and on Twitter and Instagram @sam_aye_ahm.
Tenzin Mingyur Paldron nominates Tsering Wangmo Dhompa

Tsering Wangmo Dhompa is the first Tibetan-American professor of literature and creative writing, and the first Tibetan female poet to be published in English. Raised in India and Nepal, Tsering has a Ph.D. in literature from the University of California, Santa Cruz and an MFA in Creative Writing from San Francisco State University. She is currently a professor in the English Department at Villanova University. Her first book of poems, Rules of the House, published by Apogee Press in 2002, was a finalist for the Asian American Literary Awards in 2003. In 2013, Penguin India published Tsering's first full-length book, A Home in Tibet, in which she chronicles her successive journeys to Tibet and provides ethnographic details of ordinary Tibetans inside Tibet. Revolute, a chapbook of 29 poems, was printed this year by Albion Books.
Tenzin Mingyur Paldron is a Tibetan-American artist and scholar from UC Berkeley. He speaks and writes on gender identity, transnational issues, and ethical mindfulness.
Sohla El-Waylly nominates Michelle Zauner

With her lo-fi atmospheric indie pop, Michelle Zauner has been a musical force for years as Japanese Breakfast. With her forthcoming album, "Jubilee," and her memoir, "Crying in H Mart," 2021 seems like it will be the year she really starts to flourish. Her memoir is a lovingly crafted story of grief, loss, race and food. Like the bond Michelle shared with her mother was rooted in food, her bond with the reader is formed in the same way. I feel the expressions of her emotions deeply as she sandwiches them with vivid descriptions of tteokbokki and marinated short ribs. Her music brings just as many evocative feelings as her written work and I eagerly await anything else she wishes to share with us.

Priya Krishna nominates Jenny Zhang

Here's my rule of thumb: when Jenny Zhang writes something, I read it. She has consistently put out some of the best stories that seamlessly blend food with labor, race, politics and everything in between. There is such humanity in everything she writes, whether it's a cultural commentary on what boba tea means to Asian Americans to an essay about a road trip through Northern Michigan with her mom that definitely made me cry. She seems to always know what to say on the most pressing issues affecting the food industry. I can't wait to keep reading her work.

Ronnie Woo nominates Kevin Wong

First and foremost, I love the sincere and genuine passion for helping others that Kevin Wong brings to the table. Kevin Wong is the vice president of communications at The Trevor Project, the world's largest suicide prevention and crisis intervention organization for LGBTQ young people, and works night and day to help keep LGBTQ youth top of mind -- bringing important conversations to the forefront. As a gay, Asian American man in the media world, Kevin knows the importance of mental health and even published an op-ed for Reuters about the Asian American coming out experience, only further proving himself to be a powerful influence amongst many communities. Kevin dedicates his career to bettering the lives of others and is constantly striving to create spaces for underrepresented groups, advocating for more inclusivity and diversity in every project he takes on. It's incredibly exciting and inspiring to see all the positive effects of his hard work grow at such an exponential rate.

Aarthi Sampath nominates Elizabeth Priya Kumar

Elizabeth Priya Kumar jet sets between the city that never sleeps and the city of angels, transforming weddings into magical luxury experiences. For over a decade, Priya has brought the world full-service events that have earned national recognition, including winning planner of the year in 2019 by the Wedding International Planners Association. She was also recently named as one of the best wedding planners in NYC, according to PartySlate. In 2019, her company, Premini, went bicoastal, with teams in NYC and L.A. She was named president of the National Association of Catering and Event Professionals in 2014, a position she held for three years. Priya currently serves on the board of directors for the NYC chapter of the Wedding Industry Professionals Association, in addition to several charitable committees. Priya began her career in corporate events for Fortune 500 companies. With a nudge from her brother (Prem) and sister (Padmini), she went on to create Premini Events in 2010, naming the company in their honor. Premini translates to "a little love," her secret tool. Named a visionary and thought leader for elevated South Asian American weddings, Priya brings a charismatic style of old world depictions and trendsetting design to invoke a style that is urban, luxury and ultra global. Her main focus is to inspire a generation of Indian youth to follow their passion and break the mold into more creative fields. Recently, Priya transformed a bride's opulent wedding into a sentimental small gathering to honor her father who abruptly passed away from COVID. With several projects in the works under the Premini brand, "a little love" is constantly on the move.

Aarti Sequeira nominates Maryanne George

I nominate Maryanne George, who is a singer-songwriter with the worship collective, Maverick Music. I became a Christian here in America and while the church itself is beautifully diverse, I hadn't seen anyone on the worship scene who looked like me. The first time I watched Maryanne sing, I gasped. I've been playing on worship teams since I joined the faith, but I'd never seen anyone on the national (and heck, international now) American Christian music scene who was of Indian descent. God made each and every one of us, and it has never bothered me that I didn't see someone like me writing and singing His praises. But, something shifted when I saw her sing -- and sing so dang well! I watched her voice soar out of that inner place, where our skin color isn't our most defining characteristic ... from her soul ... and I watched her voice affect people of all backgrounds standing around her. It touched me in a way I can't fully put into words, and I immediately DM-ed her and geeked out on her. I love that just by singing her heart out, she added another dimension to the story of the Indian diaspora because frankly, people don't realize that while small, the Indian Christian community has been around for centuries! Seeing her doing the dang thing is inspiring, hopeful and reassuring that even in the midst of all the divisiveness of the past year, God is in the business of bringing unity in the church.

Andrea Nguyen nominates Thi Bui, Ken Concepcion, Michelle Mungcal, Geetika Agrawal and Brandon Jew

Based in the Bay Area, Thi Bui is a gifted cartoonist who uses her art and words to tell stories about refugees and immigrants in America. She is also politically engaged. For example, during the 2020 election cycle, she was instrumental to help turn out the Vietnamese vote via an organization called PIVOT.

Ken Concepcion and Michelle Mungcal own Now Serving, a cookbook shop located in Chinatown, Los Angeles. It's the only shop of its kind in the entire city! They champion authors of every heritage so long as their work is soulful and true. Now Serving put together a thoughtful list of AAPI books to spotlight the broad range of writers, topics and publications that's now available to the reading and cooking public.

Geetika Agrawal serves as the program director for La Cocina in San Francisco, where she works with low-income entrepreneurs to grow their food businesses from ideas into sustainable, successful endeavors. She also leads many of the organization's initiatives to diversify and build a more equitable food industry.

Brandon Jew is the chef and owner of Mister Jiu's in Chinatown, San Francisco. He purposefully located his restaurant in a historic location to pay homage to the foodways of the first Chinatown in America. As a teacher as well as a cook and businessperson, he educates his staff and customers about Chinese American food. His excellent debut cookbook, authored with Tien Lon Ho, involved an all-star cast of AAPI professionals. Brandon is committed to telling the Asian America story, one glorious dish at a time.

Sana Javeri Kadri nominates Alak Nanda

When I began my work in the spice industry in 2016, I'm not sure if I was the only brown girl -- let alone one bouncing off the walls eager to bring my culture, love of color, and bright, strong flavors to life in a mostly stale, tasteless industry -- but it sure felt like it. So nearly five years later, to see bold, wildly creative women like Alak Nanda of PODI Life carving out their own space in the industry is exciting, and a real relief. Her podis are delicious, and infused with so much heart and feeling. The spice business has centered Western taste and experience for hundreds of years. To see Alak proudly center her upbringing, her palate and her cooking techniques is thrilling. I can't wait to watch her ascent.

Tway Nguyen nominates George Lee

George Lee, a 19-year-old Taiwanese vegan chef, has been a constant inspiration for me. He translates his love of food and science, specifically, food science and alternative meat, into informative and digestible recipe videos. He takes pride in his heritage by continuing to innovate and recreate the dishes that he grew up eating into flavorful vegan dishes. Much like my mission to embrace the bold flavors of my roots, George does not shy away from the flavors of his. His cooking style is effortless yet knowledgeable and I admire that, he's someone that I am constantly absorbing information and inspiration from. As a young Vietnamese American chef, it is so important for me to fully embrace where I came from to be able to use that knowledge to explore who I am and what my cooking style looks like, George Lee's videos and overall message reminds me that I am not alone on this journey.

Preeti Mistry nominates Jenny Dorsey

I first met Jenny Dorsey in 2018, and have continued to be impressed with her talent and ambition ever since. She is a professional chef, author and speaker specializing in multiplatform storytelling fusing food with social good. She leads a nonprofit community think tank named Studio ATAO and runs her own culinary consulting business. The tool kits she created with Studio ATAO tackle issues like "Tokenization in Food Media" and "Unlearning Scarcity, Cultivating Solidarity: A Tool kit for the Asian American Community" are both impressive resources and nuanced insights into the food industry landscape. Her 2019 VR dinner experience Asian in America was the first of its kind at the James Beard House. Her unique ability to combine her talents in the kitchen, technology and social change is admirable.

Jessica Woo nominates Joanne Molinaro

I nominate Joanne Molinaro. Joanne is making AAPI history with her storytelling as a Korean American lawyer and content creator. So many Asian Americans can relate to her as a Korean American growing up with some of the same cultural struggles. I love her strength as she stands up against racism and injustice. Her conviction through her stories is so heartfelt and touching. Joanne teaches us how to cook Korean vegan recipes, all the while teaching us important life lessons. She's fierce. She's bold. She empathizes and is just what this AAPI community needs right now.

Anita Lo nominates Zac Zhang

While the Chinese crayfish restaurant Le Sia was much lauded and remained on Eater's Hot List for weeks on end, I bet very few people remember the name of the chef, Zac Zhang. I've eaten at that restaurant over a handful of times and have always been thrilled with every dish. I'll admit that I've only tried two of the sauces that the crayfish (or head-on shrimp, lobster or three types of crab) comes with -- the "numbing and spicy sauce" and the "13 special flavor herbal spices," but they were both so good I had to reorder one of them each time I went back. And it's not just the seafood. The depth of flavor this chef can get from some skewered chives (not to mention the fact that he can actually skewer them!) should make him a household name in culinary circles. Here is a chef who brought a previously absent restaurant concept to Manhattan from China. This is groundbreaking. Here is the model minority myth at work -- a more Westernized chef who had done so would be plastered all over culinary media. We are invited to the party only when we strive to fit in. And a chef who presents as many nose to tail pork dishes such as chef Zhang's deeply soul-satisfying Wok-Fried Hog Hoof Jelly with what appears to be shishito peppers? If he were white and tatted, food journalists would have elevated him to the elite circle of lard lords and he would be invited to all the booze-bound food festivals across the U.S. Instead, his restaurant on east Seventh Street was forced to close due to the pandemic and resulting xenophobia surrounding Chinese immigrants. His second outpost in Hell's Kitchen is hanging on by a thread. Do yourself a favor -- go eat there or order in while you can. And remember his name: Chef Zac Zhang.

Nicole Ponseca nominates Jose Antonio Vargas

I would like to nominate my dear friend, Jose Antonio Vargas. Bestselling author, director, Tony-nominated producer, LGBTQ role model, Pulitzer Prize-winning journalist and all-around bada--. Why does representation matter? Because for many of us, we have to see what's possible so we can be free to dream what's possible for ourselves. Jose is a light for me during particularly trying times and reminds me if he can do it, so can I.

Lea Salonga nominates #RacismIsAVirus

Last year, at the start of the coronavirus pandemic, a few AAPI friends started posting their experiences with anti-Asian racism. One friend wrote that she was spat on as she was walking to the post office in her neighborhood in New York City, one of the biggest melting pots in the world. It boggles the mind that this is still happening in the 21st century. Anti-Asian racism is nothing new, if the recent spate of extremely violent anti-Asian attacks (including the murder of six Asian women in Atlanta) is any indication. #RacismIsAVirus is a campaign that was formed as a response to the violence and xenophobia aimed at AAPI people because of COVID-19. Its founders -- which include Broadway performers such as Ariel Estrada, Albert Guerzon and Diane Phelan, and industry insiders like producer and marketing person Jeremiah Abraham -- aimed to empower Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders as well as their allies to speak out against racism so that all citizens of the USA, regardless of race, can live in peace and dignity.

Courtney Reed nominates Lauren Yee

Lauren Yee has quickly become one of the most influential Asian American's in the playwright world. Her body of work includes a number of highly acclaimed plays such as "The Great Leap," "Ching Chong Chinaman," "King of the Yees," "The Hatmaker's Wife" and "Cambodian Rock Band." American Theatre magazine cited Lauren as the second most-produced playwright in the country for the 2019-20 season. She is the winner of the Doris Duke Artist Award, the Steinberg Playwright Award, the Horton Foote Prize, the Kesselring Prize, the ATCA/Steinberg Award, American Academy of Arts and Letters literature award, and the Francesca Primus Prize. She has been a finalist for the Edward M. Kennedy Prize and the Susan Smith Blackburn Prize. Her plays were the number 1 and 2 plays on the 2017 Kilroys List. It has been my distinct pleasure and an honor to have worked with Lauren Yee in the award-winning "Cambodian Rock Band," a genre-defiant production that brings to light the power of music, human spirit, resiliency, humor and forgiveness. I know firsthand that Lauren cares deeply about her projects and everyone involved. She promotes inclusivity across all communities especially the AAPI community, providing opportunities for involvement. The lessons that Lauren's work impart to the audience have far reaching implications beyond ethnic and racial boundaries. They are lessons much needed for this challenging climate that we live in today.

Telly Leung nominates Huge Ma

I'm nominating Huge Ma, aka TurboVax, for his public service to the New York City community during the initial rush to secure coveted vaccine appointments. He is a 31-year old software engineer and NYC native who is the mastermind behind TurboVax, a user-friendly, easy-to-navigate website that helped a lot of New Yorkers get vaccinated when the government failed to create a central system for securing vaccines. I remember the sigh of relief I felt when the vaccine was announced and made available to my 70-plus-year-old parents who lived in Brooklyn, and then the hours of stress and constant browser refreshing as I hunted for vaccine for them. The city's computer systems were crashing and there wasn't really a centralized system or the technological infrastructure to support the demand. TurboVax stepped up to the plate and created a bot that would post minute-to-minute updates on vaccine appointment availability throughout the city. It also shared important information about the constant changes in vaccine eligibility. TurboVax started to accumulate more and more followers, and created a community of people helping each other secure appointments. As a Broadway performer, I know that my industry is counting on everyone doing their part and getting vaccinated. TurboVax created something that will help us all get back to the things we loved pre-pandemic and I am so proud that he is a fellow AAPI New York native. Bravo, TurboVax -- and thank you, Huge.

Ali Ewoldt nominates Jason Ma and Kylie Kuioka

Jason Ma is a Chinese-American champion of the arts. After a wonderful performing career that included being in the original casts of five Broadway shows, he discovered his voice as a writer, penning musicals that speak to the truth and nuance of the Asian American experience. Through his musical "Gold Mountain," the Chinese workers who helped to build the Central Pacific Railroad are being celebrated and understood by new audiences across the country. His music is beautifully melodic, smart, witty and filled with heart. And he is a generous mentor who leads with kindness and compassion.

At only 11 years old, Kylie Kuioka is already redefining what it means to be an Asian American performer. Her brilliant portrayal of Tootie in the Irish Repertory Theatre's recent from-home, green screen production of "Meet Me in St. Louis" stole everyone's hearts, and emphasized the power of diversity and representation in casting. Kylie has already shown herself to be a dedicated philanthropist, hosting a lovely duet series to support the York Theatre's Flood Recovery Fund. This young lady has an incredible career ahead of her.

David Henry Hwang nominates Lauren Yee

In the 2019-2020 theater season, before the pandemic shut down stages around the country, playwright Lauren Yee penned two of the top 10 most produced plays in America: "The Great Leap" and "Cambodian Rock Band." It's hard enough to get plays and musicals with Asian American characters produced at all -- theaters and producers worry that they won't be able to find actors (totally untrue) or that their audiences aren't sufficiently interested. Lauren's shows have proven to be hits with audiences and critics alike -- whip-smart, funny, sometimes heartbreaking, and bursting with fresh takes on AAPI stories and history. Her plays expose Hollywood's stereotyping and caricaturing of Asians for the lazy and racist storytelling they are. But Lauren's now taking on Hollywood, too, writing the upcoming Apple TV series "Pachinko," based on the novel by Min Jin Lee. As the current horrific spike in anti-AAPI hate and attacks prove, representation not only keeps the arts vital and exciting, it can also be literally a matter of life and death. Lauren's work presents us in all our emotional depth, absurd contradictions and sheer joyfulness as simply human.

Alice Lee nominates Yuh-Jung Youn

I nominate Yuh-Jung Youn because she is making AAPI history right now. She's the first Korean woman to win an Oscar for her role in Minari and is one of the few Asian women ever to win an Academy Award. Aside from accolades, she was part of a widely viewed and celebrated film about an Asian immigrant family trying to make it in America, which is such an important story that so many people can relate to, not just those in the Asian community. And while many people are just getting to know her and her work, I've actually watched her in Korean dramas and movies since I was a little girl, and remember she was always brilliant. She's already a legend in South Korea! Yuh-Jung Youn, to me, is a strong Asian woman who hustled, followed her dreams, provided and sacrificed for her family, and now (not that she needs it), is getting the global recognition she deserves. She's continuing to make history the way she always has been -- it's just that now we're all getting to see it. Also, she hasn't aged one bit.

Alex Wong nominates Ashley Park

I would like to nominate Ashley Park. I first worked with Ashley on "The King and I" on Broadway, but perhaps she is best known for her recent role in the Netflix series, "Emily in Paris." Ashley has always been a ray of light and she is on the rise to become a star. She has been a huge AAPI advocate, and she has been using her platform to spread awareness, joy and love. It makes me so proud to see another fellow Asian in the entertainment industry on the rise as it's been a difficult journey for us to be seen in Hollywood.

Jose Llana nominates Christine Toy Johnson

Few people have done more to promote and advance AAPI representation in the theater arts than Christine Toy Johnson. Christine is an award-winning writer, actor, director and filmmaker based in New York City. An avid advocate for inclusion, she is a member of the elected leadership of the Dramatists Guild of America and serves as chair of their Diversity, Equity and Inclusion Committee. She is a founding member of the Obie Award-winning Asian American Performers Action Coalition (AAPAC), served on the board of the Tony-honored Alliance for Inclusion in the Arts for over 15 years and the Council of Actors' Equity Association for 28 years (chairing their Equal Employment Opportunity Committee for 22 years). Christine is as talented an actress and writer as she is a fierce advocate for social change.

Paolo Montalbán nominates Dax Valdes

Dax Valdes is a Filipino American actor, choreographer, director and teaching artist based in NYC, and I've admired him for years. However, only a few months ago, I discovered what a huge positive impact he was having on the AAPI community, when the incidents of hate and violence accelerated against Asian Americans -- especially women and the elderly. As a senior trainer for the grassroots anti-harassment organization Hollaback!, and in association with the AAPI advocacy group Asian Americans Advancing Justice (AAJC), Dax has personally trained tens of thousands of people on how to intervene when they see anti-Asian hate and harassment, including over 40,000 people in the last seven weeks alone ... and it's all free! As a bystander intervention trainer, Dax brings empathy and connection to a whole new level. I watched him teach 3,100 attendees over Zoom, and he brought me to tears due to the vulnerability and grace of his storytelling. It's a testament to his experience as a director and choreographer that 100% of the trainees feel equipped to do at least one thing to mitigate anti-Asian American or xenophobic harassment if they see it happening. Finally, he's even delivered Hollaback! training to people in Ukraine, Turkey, Israel, India and Indonesia -- which officially makes him a goodwill ambassador of the AAPI community both locally and globally. Dax is a teacher of teachers! He's a superhero saving lives all around the world. "Start seeing Bystander Intervention not as a big heroic moment, but a series of smaller thoughtful gestures."

Anna Sui nominates Stevie Shao

I discovered Stevie on Instagram. Stevie Shao is Chinese American living in Seattle and is someone with a strong social conscience. This past summer was a very dark time with the coronavirus raging and protests breaking out everywhere. The continual protests from city to city were shown on the TV daily with thousands of people carrying protest signs, and hundreds of stores boarded up and painted by local artists with messages. I was looking for a protest artist who was optimistic and aesthetically pleasing to work with on my Spring '21 Heartland collection. Stevie's artwork struck me immediately. There was comfort, whimsy and beauty in her imagery. "Take Care" and "Chill, Baby" were her messages. She's a social activist on the streets and on her canvas. She makes "topics such as police brutality, immigration and the pandemic more approachable for her audience." Stevie's modern-day, fairy tale-like imagery is so appealing, colorful and joyous while providing group therapy. Her graphic art appears both commercially, and for promoting community activities and events. She has also started mentoring young people through local art and design programs. Stevie continually sends messages of social justice and equality within her playful, promising and reassuring world.

Prabal Gurung nominates Bing Chen

I'm nominating the president and co-founder of Gold House, Bing Chen. Gold House is the unifying cultural voice for AAPIs, starting out by focusing on reshaping public opinions through media. Gold House proved the AAPI film market by asserting to studios there was a viable audience for AAPI films, from "Crazy Rich Asians" to "Parasite." The nonprofit is the dominant marketing reason why they and dozens more were number 1 during opening weekend at the box office. They're now doing similar damage in small businesses by ensuring more C-suite executives. On #StopAsianHate, Bing Chen and Gold House have collaborated with 100 others to launch what's still the single-largest fundraiser for AAPI attacks to date ($5.5Million-plus to local grassroots orgs and millions more directly to victims). Gold House invests in companies that pronounce and extend life for multicultural communities like AUM Group (they had the second-highest acquisition at Sundance this year). Previously, Bing built the global creator ecosystem at YouTube from scratch which invented influencer marketing and gave hundreds of millions an opportunity to create viable creative careers. He's been named Forbes' 30 Under 30, The Hollywood Reporter's top 50 Agents of Change, The Hollywood Reporter's 35 Under 35 Next Gen Executives, Magic Johnson's 32 Under 32, the Asia Society 21 and many more honors.

Leyna Bloom nominates Damian Bao

Damian Bao is the first openly trans casting director and producer that I have ever met and seen work in the entertainment business. Not only is he a valuable force in the AAPI community, he is an advocate for: the LGBTQI+ community, people of color, women, people with disabilities, and those who are often marginalized and historically underrepresented in the mainstream media. I met Damian by chance in 2016 at a casting call that I was not supposed to be at. He made me feel welcome anyway. It was the first time I ever felt humanized as talent. He was the first person in my career to ever take the time to know me beyond the superficial and properly look at my portfolio, while at the same time asking me about my story and truly listening to me. He did not make me feel like I was just another face or number. 2016 was also the last time I met an Asian American trans person in a position of power in entertainment. Fast forward to 2019, Damian cast me as Wye in "Port Authority," making me the first trans lead of color in a feature film at the prestigious Cannes Film Festival. Along with other queer and trans people in the cast, it was all of our first time to be seen in such a beautiful way on the big screen. As a casting director, Damian uses his position of power to help thousands of Black and brown bodies, especially queer ones, be seen and recognized and, most importantly, respected in all forms of art spaces in today's society, creating the blueprint for the future of media. He has given many of us the first opportunity to be seen, heard and auditioned in these often closed spaces. A lot of queer folks of color working in entertainment are now in important positions because of his courage and vision for the future. I am nominating Damian Bao to highlight his leadership and kindness. Through it all, he has fought tirelessly both publicly and behind the scenes for not only me, but so many others, to create real equality and change. He is a great example of what other gatekeepers in the industry should aim to be.

Gene Luen Yang nominates Paula Yoo

Paula Yoo's nonfiction masterpiece "From a Whisper to a Rallying Cry: The Killing of Vincent Chin and the Trial that Galvanized the Asian American Movement" is the most significant book I've read in a long, long while. Most Asian Americans know that Vincent Chin's murder terrorized our community, that it was the beginning of us calling ourselves a community in the first place. But we don't know the details. We don't know the humanity. That's what struck me about Paula Yoo's book. She tells a profoundly human story. She helps us understand all the actors in that 40-year-old tragedy, even those who may not deserve understanding. If you want to make sense of today's Asian America, you must read Paula Yoo's book.

Connie Wang nominates Tiffany Diane Tso

I had the pleasure of working with Tiffany Diane Tso at Refinery29, where she reported on news, and issues related to culture, advocacy and policy. I see Tiffany as representative of a talented next generation of journalists who are guided by their guts as well as their hearts. Her deep empathy for other people and perspectives, her skepticism of the status quo, and the journalistic rigor and care with which she approaches her work is inspiring and, frankly, instructive as contemporary media wrestles with our allegiances to objectivity and independence. She is also the co-founder of the intersectional Asian American Feminist Collective, which focuses on building community and solidarity -- and we recently just featured her and fellow co-founder Senti Sojwal in a photo feature on Refinery29 about the diverse Asian Americans who are effecting meaningful changes in the lives of fellow Asians. It's not easy to balance, but Tiffany's careful work as both a journalist and an activist reinforces her effectiveness at both functions.

Joe Zee nominates Bao Nguyen

In Bao Nguyen's Bruce Lee documentary, "Be Water," there is a clip from a 1971 talk show where the interviewer asks Lee, "So do you consider yourself Chinese or do you consider yourself American?" The context of that statement is important, that as an Asian American, you couldn't be both, at least not in the reality of that interviewer, a Caucasian male. But Bao's documentary smartly tackles those very issues at hand, by underscoring a well-crafted, nuanced tone with which Bao -- an Asian American and son of Vietnamese refugees -- tells the story of this martial arts hero. On the surface, the film is deft storytelling of the world's most famous Asian kung fu master, but it's really Bao's careful and intimate direction that emphasizes the racial walls Asians have had to scale in Hollywood. It's easy to say that as an Asian growing up in Canada and America, I rarely, if at all, ever saw faces that looked like mine reflecting back on movie and TV screens, but Bao's documentary helps you find solidarity in that thought. I am not a martial arts expert, I wouldn't even say I am a martial arts fan, but Bruce Lee was an early personal hero, one that exuded masculinity, leading man charisma and aspiration. I love documentaries because I am fascinated by real-life storytelling and I love the way Bao has directed this one. It is, under Bao, more than a movie. It is about life, it is about injustice, it is about the invisibility that we, as a community, have had to face for decades, if not centuries. Bao recently directed a short PSA highlighting the hate crimes that have plagued our community and even in the simplicity of that short video, the passing of the flame from candle to candle, as famous AAPI faces, cloaked in masks, described the history of anti-Asian hate, do you understand the full scope of our inequities. We can raise our voice as one, but -- as told by Bao -- we are stronger together. I know we will look back at this moment and see the work that Bao has contributed as a director and storyteller to be significant for Asian Americans everywhere.

Alex Lau nominates Yin Chang and Moonlynn Tsa

When I think of someone in the AAPI community that has gone above and beyond to make change in the community, I immediately think of Yin Chang and Moonlynn Tsai. They might possibly be two of the sweetest and most giving people I have ever met. Heart of Dinner was started because they saw a need in the Chinatown community that wasn't being fulfilled and they immediately took it upon themselves to solve the problem. As residents and business owners of Chinatown, I truly view Moonlynn and Yin as leaders of the neighborhood, which is incredibly important in a time where we need young members of the AAPI community to step up and become advocates for the older generation. It came as no surprise to me when they created Heart of Dinner, a food relief initiative that has been delivering groceries and care packages to the senior citizens of the New York City Chinese community. A large percentage of the Chinese elderly have found themselves isolated from their families due to the coronavirus. Every week, Heart of Dinner delivers over 1,000 meals to households in need. A customized handwritten note is attached to each bag, but all have a similar message: "我們愛您" (We love you). Heart of Dinner is larger than food. It's about bolstering communities in a time where teamwork and compassion is needed now more than ever. There is an expression that goes, "A rising tide lifts all boats." Moonlynn and Yin is the rising tide that is helping our community thrive and build for a better present and future.

Anuj Shrestha nominates Jasjyot Singh Hans

Jasjyot Singh Hans' art is seductive yet dark. Like a razor blade folded within the petals of a flower. The "Nightmare" series, often logged in his sketchbooks, contain sensual bodies pulsing with life trapped within prisms of anxiety, deformation and abstraction. The luscious black brush lines keeping the image coherent in spite of the metaphysical terror within. His ongoing series of figure drawings, typically tagged with the phrase "Man Smut Monday," catalogs various nude male bodies in glorious color; multicolored fantasies that serve as counterpoint to the stark black-and-white dreamscapes of his other work. His comics and 'zines range in style and subject matter, from showcasing South Asian immigrant fashion trends, confessionals regarding contemporary perceptions of body image to nuanced reflections on his experience as a Sikh man living in the United States. These serve as the collective document of an immigrant experience living within the fragmented, paranoid hallucination that is life in post 9/11 America. Jasjyot's work speaks from a perspective that transcends ethnic and cultural barriers, connecting to the fears, hopes and desires to which we can all relate. Jyasjot Singh Hans is an artist, colleague and inspiration.

Jasmine Chong nominates Sugar Vendil

Sugar Vendil is an interdisciplinary artist based in New York City. Her artistic practice is strongly rooted in rigorous discipline as a musician and gradually expanded into performance that integrates music, movement and unconventional approaches to the piano. She is a proud second-generation Filipinx American. I am nominating Sugar because of how she consistently draws upon the nuances of her identity, utilizing music, movement and fashion/costume as a vehicle for exploration. One of her works, "Islander," is a music and movement suite from the lens of a second-generation Filipinx American, examining the residue colonialism has left behind through a reflection of folklore, history and personal experience, and explores the tension, fragmentation and loss that exists within one's identity. The ancestral sarunay and loom are counterpointed by the piano, various keyboards, and electronics. As her close friend, upcoming collaborator and fellow Southeast Asian woman, we often share intimate conversations revolving around race and cultural identity, and I consider it such an honor to be privy to her creative process, seeing how her unique approach manifests itself in her body of work. Being Asian in America comes with its own intricacies and Sugar's ability to weave these ideas in her pieces in a compelling and poignant way is something I am always in awe of.

Kaisar Anvar nominates Erkin Abdulla

My name is Kaisar Anvar. I'm a graduate from Yale University, Class of 2017, Masters in Piano Performance. I have been studying music and playing the piano for almost 26 years now, and it is one of the biggest parts of my life. When I was living back home, I always looked up to one specific Uyghur artist - an artist that I admire, I support, and maintain mutual contact with. He is one of the most influential and unique artists among the Uyghur community. Everyone in Xinjiang began listening to his songs and music, and continuously praised his talent. He is an artist that brought the art of Flamenco to the Uyghur music by writing and composing songs that highlight both Uyghur traditional musical elements as well as Flamenco musical elements. His name is Erkin Abdulla. While living in California with his wife and children, Mr. Abdulla has been delivering his music to the Uyghurs with his unique voice and the global approach to his compositional style. His humble personality highlights the most important element of who he is as a person, a musician, and a father. I was, and still is fortunate enough to maintain my contact with him to discuss musical topics, as well as learning about contemporary folklore ideas of Uyghur music. I nominate Mr. Abdulla, simply because of him not only as an artist who has been revolutionizing the art of Uyghur music via the context of Flamenco, but also as a profound human being.

Yesh nominates Stephanie Mei-Ling, Shruti Rya Ganguly and Jayne Lies

Stephanie Mei-Ling a Black-American/Taiwanese documentary photographer based between Brooklyn and Los Angeles. Through her work she explores such layered issues as the complexity of intersectional identity; society's fetishization of marginalized subcultures; and the appropriation, reappropriation, and reclaiming of cultural narratives.

Jayne Lies a Hong Kong film director, photographer, and creative director based in NYC. Her work strives to document and connect the human condition across time and space - a voice for people who exist on the margins of life.

Shruti Rya Ganguly is an award-winning filmmaker and writer based in Oslo and New York City. She launched her production company honto88 and is a co-founder of the resistance revival chorus. She was on Obama's ECCO committee of 30 entertainment leaders, and chaired its Asian Caucus, and is on the Creative Council for Emily's List. I deeply admire these women, not only their personal stories and strength but also as female Asian American storytellers. Their stories are always heartwarming, profoundly human, and relevant today and tomorrow for our next generation. We need women like Stephanie, Jayne, and Shruti, we need their stunning work that keeps us inspired, keeps moving us, and keeps elevating their own narratives of their communities.

Kim Saira nominates Emma Tang

Emma Tang is a 19 year old Asian American activist and a first year student at New York University. She is the founder of a youth coalition on Instagram @intersectional.abc, and has also previously worked as a youth vote organizer for the 2020 election at a non-profit organization. Emma has done on-the-ground organizing work since she was 16 years old, and has helped organize rallies in Denver, Portland, SLC, and New York for Black Lives Matter. More recently, she has been doing on-the-ground for Stop Asian Hate, including organizing rallies in New York, and creating virtual healing spaces and AAPI self defense classes online. Emma has really inspired me in terms of my own activism work, and her insight helped me develop a stronger voice and courage to navigate the activism space.

Eva Chen nominates Kelly Marie Tran

Growing up, I never saw a lot of Asian faces in mainstream Hollywood roles. Frankly, the most prevalent one for me was the news anchor Connie Chung and, later on, Sandra Oh and Lucy Liu. The number of big stars in Hollywood could be counted on one hand. I am hopeful, however, about a new generation of actors, ones that represent diversity and innate activism, and can inspire people worldwide. Kelly Marie Tran, an actress starring in Disney's "Raya and the Last Dragon," represents a new young Hollywood. She is Disney's first Southeast Asian princess, and I love that she isn't afraid to speak up and highlight both the good and bad experiences she has had in Hollywood. I hope that young people -- like my daughter one day -- will look and see more reflection of themselves on screen in actresses like Kelly.

Eugene Lee Yang nominates Jenn Fang

The overarching theme of "silence" has permeated the discourse around our cultural identities, particularly over this past year's troubling rise in anti-Asian hate, but it's the loud, proud and inimitable voices that ultimately define us. Most importantly, those of Asian American women. As a gay man, I've long looked up to the resilience of the many women in my life who have, in their own unique ways, defied patriarchal norms while fiercely representing their heritage. Jenn Fang (@reappropriate) is a shining example of someone who consistently turns that much-needed perspective into community engagement, thoughtful critique and fierce activism. Jenn is the founder of Reappropriate.co, one of the Internet's oldest AAPI feminist and race activist blogs, and a contributing writer to numerous publications. I first became familiar with her work from her 2015 NBC News article about this country's dire need for Asian American studies programs. Even today, much of our community's efforts is centered on spreading awareness and basic education about our diverse histories -- Jenn has been fighting for these types of progressive measures for years. She has studied our history. She acknowledges and invests in our relationships with other marginalized groups. And she speaks out in order to share that knowledge so that people like me -- and you -- can join and amplify the movement. I often think about my grandmother, who had long been taught to keep her feelings close to the chest, and how radically brilliant she is when she finds the rare, private moments to uninhibitedly express her opinions. The legacy of the strength of our mothers and sisters is carried on by feminists like Jenn who put a megaphone to those thoughts that, stereotypically, are expected to be buried. In the grand tradition of Grace Lee Boggs and Yuri Kochiyama, Jenn and many Asian American women today continue to prove that they will not be defined by "silence," but in fact, reappropriate it by shouting louder and prouder than any man could ever dream to.

Bretman Rock nominates Sienna Lalau

I first came across Sienna Lalau back when we were teenagers growing up in the same town on the island of O'ahu, Hawaii, and attending rival high schools. She has been dancing since she was 3 or 4 years old and began choreographing routines when she was 10. You could just tell she was going to be somebody and make a name of herself on the mainland because growing up, those special people really stood out. She's 20 years old now and has already worked with some of the biggest names in the biz, from Jennifer Lopez to BTS to Ciara and Missy Elliott. She even won a VMA for best choreography for BTS' "On." She represents the AAPI community so well, and deserves so much more recognition, love and praise from the industry overall. From one baddie to another, I'm very proud of Sienna and all of her success.
Bretman Rock is an Asian-American digital superstar, known for his outlandish comedy that is followed by over 35 million fans globally. Born in the Philippines, Bretman moved to Hawaii as a child where he resides on the island as a proud queer first-generation immigrant. Beyond his online stardom, Bretman has quickly gained notoriety in traditional media - starring in campaign specials and now his own reality series with MTV's Following: Bretman Rock, available to stream now on MTV on YouTube.
Alex Wassabi nominates Roi Fabito, a.k.a. Guava Juice

I've known Roi Fabito, aka Guava Juice, since we were middle schoolers. Roi was born in the Philippines and moved to North Carolina, where we met. Both born entertainers, we shared a love for making people laugh, and being Filipino, we had an instant connection and began creating content like parodies and sketches that became viral hits on YouTube. Roi's creativity, charm and giving nature makes everyone that comes in contact with him feel welcome and important. As an influential public figure with a growing media empire and one of the top family-friendly YouTube channels, he brings fun lightheartedness to the internet and is an amazing role model/influence for his fans all over the world.

Alex Aiono nominates Jude Weng

After years of work in the art of filmmaking and the wisdom gained from her varied experiences, it's hard to classify Jude Weng as a rising talent. Rather, she is an exceptional person with exceptional talent who infuses her work with diversity and inclusivity. While directing her first feature film, "Finding Ohana," Jude personally ensured that there was representation on and off camera. Already cast with actors of AAPI descent, Jude called our producers, networks and others to ensure our crews will be diverse. With a heart of gold, an unmatched work ethic and an exceptional eye for filmmaking, Jude works with the biggest names and networks, and is currently working on an upcoming Amazon feature starring Awkwafina and Karen Gillan. With people like Jude in this industry, I can exhale a little bit knowing our AAPI community will feel empowered. Thank you, Jude!

Michelle Kim nominates Hyejin Shim

Hyejin Shim is a second-generation queer Korean American organizer and writer. She is the co-founder of Survived & Punished, a coalition of volunteers and grassroots organizers working together to eradicate criminalization of survivors of domestic and sexual violence. I've learned so much from her over the years, including from her writing on the Asian American identity and solidarity work in the context of the social justice movement. Every day, Hyejin models what it means to center survivors of violence while dismantling systems of oppression, and makes visible radical organizing done by Asians throughout history and now. I am grateful for her continued work and I hope more folks get an opportunity to learn from Hyejin. "In honor of the eight victims, and in honor of their memory, let us commit to protecting each other and loving each other while we are still here, not only in these moments of crisis, but in all the quiet, unseen, and humble moments that constitute our lives." -- Hyejin Shim, at the post-Atlanta shooting community vigil in San Francisco Chinatown

Cassey Ho nominates Hosts of Asian Boss Girl

"AsianBossGirl" ("ABG") is a podcast for the modern day Asian American woman hosted by Melody Cheng, Helen Wu and Janet Wang. These women started "ABG" as girlfriends while balancing full-time jobs in finance, technology and media with corporate careers spanning over a decade. Growing up in the '90s, for them, it was no secret that Asian women were lacking in almost all media outlets, and those who were present mostly represented the Hollywood, fashion or beauty industries. They decided to create a platform to share their experiences of being young Asian women in America that are not often represented, a platform that spoke to Asian Americans working in corporate America. Their podcast tackles a range of topics that have always been considered taboo within their culture -- stories ranging from dating and sex, to microaggressions observed within the workplace, to family and mental health. The purpose of their podcast was never to be "the" role model for the modern day working woman. It was a desire to share stories that they didn't hear in mainstream media -- about what it's like to be a double minority in corporate, to deal with the physical and mental expectations from an Asian family, of what it's like to have anxiety attacks, of dealing with imposter syndrome. Everything that encompasses what it's like to be an Asian woman in her 20s and 30s, from their perspective, and from the perspective of the guests that they bring on. What once started as a passion project has now become a life mission for them -- to continue highlighting the nuanced stories of Asian Americans and to really encourage the idea all of our stories are worthy of being told. Their mission is to continue building a strong community for Asian American women to feel seen, heard and proud of their culture and unique experiences.

Amanda Rach Lee nominates Audrey Nuna

Currently there aren't that many huge headlining AAPI solo musicians in the Western music scene, let alone Asian women musicians. However, I believe that Audrey Nuna could be the one to fill that gap. In a world where Asian women are stereotypically seen as more passive, Audrey's bold music, style and personality are much needed representation in the Asian community and the music industry. As a young (only 22 years old!) up-and-coming artist, she has yet to put out a full album, but even in the few singles she's released so far, it's easy to tell that Audrey has the potential to become a big name. Her music is playful, unique and, above all else, damn good. Her singles "Damn Right," "Paper" and "Time" are among some of my favorite songs that regularly frequent my playlists. Sometimes her vocals shine through in velvety smooth R&B tracks, whereas other times the rap verses in her hip-hop tracks are the clear crowning moment. Recently, I discovered that she helped conceptualize, direct and style some of her music videos as well. This isn't surprising to me, as her personal style is consistent throughout everything she releases. I feel like we still haven't seen everything that Audrey Nuna is capable of. I'm excited to see what she does in the future. Keep an eye out for her!

Chriselle Lim nominates Evan Jackson Leong

Evan Jackson Leong of Arowana Films is an indie filmmaker and always sharing the Asian American experience through his films and documentaries. He created the documentary "Linsanity" of Jeremy Lin and also just recently released "Snakehead," a true Asian American story of immigration.

Aimee Song nominates Alexander Nguyen

I came across Alexander Nguyen's photography through mutual friends in the AAPI community. What struck me about his work was not only that it is beautiful, but it tells meaningful, important stories. When I started speaking to him about working together on a project, he started sharing why he does what he does, and how his craft serves his larger mission to share the Asian American immigrant story and family unit. Similar to my parent's experience immigrating from Korea, Alexander's parents immigrated from Vietnam to L.A. They came here to give him and his family what they believed was a better life. We both share the first-generation Asian American experience, and have witnessed firsthand the hard work and family values instilled by our parents and community. And we've shared similar struggles as they pertain to racism, biases and being children of Asian immigrants. It means so much to see someone share these stories through photography and I am honored to nominate him for the AAPI Inspiration List.

Jen Chae nominates Hannah Song, President/CEO of Liberty in North Korea

I wanted to nominate Hannah Song, who is the president/CEO of Liberty In North Korea, which is an international nonprofit organization dedicated to helping North Korean refugees escape to freedom. Not only has she and LiNK worked tirelessly to build 3,000-mile-long secret rescue routes for those seeking to flee a very dangerous regime, but once refugees cross the North Korean border into China, they are faced with untold dangers, including being sold into sexual slavery or detained and sent back to North Korea to be executed. Hannah has helped these people escape with their lives, but also gives them a way to amplify their stories so that the world can understand the truth about what's happening to North Koreans on a broader scale. Once these refugees have made their way to South Korea, LiNK provides resettlement programs to help facilitate self-efficacy to adjust to a vastly different society from the strict regime they left behind. To date, they have helped rescue 1,201 North Korean refugees. As a fellow Korean American, I am so proud of the work that she stands for and dedicates her life to. She's literally a lifesaver.

Philip Wang nominates Olivia Liang

I'm so embarrassed. Olivia Liang first cold emailed me back in 2016 when she was fresh out of an acting program and shooting her shot -- to be cast in a Wong Fu Productions film or simply be a PA for one. Although I missed the email back then, we finally crossed paths on a project in 2019, and I finally got to see her charisma, drive and, of course, exceptional talent. It was clear that she was going to have a bright future and we're living in it right now. Olivia is currently the lead on CW's "Kung Fu," the reboot of the 1970s series, which used yellowface for its lead and doubled-down on it again in the 1990s. Now, Olivia is getting to represent a new generation of Asian Americans who are no longer staying silent or on the sidelines. Through the show, she's taking back the martial arts stereotype and showing an angle that has always been dismissed in the past ... the human angle. Outside of the show, she continues to be bold and outspoken for her community and others. I love seeing people who have been active in the Asian American community from the beginning of their career reach mainstream success, and continue to stay active and supportive once they've gotten there. This is how we make progress in the entertainment industry -- by building up and bringing up, and I can see Olivia already doing both early in her career, which is so encouraging and inspiring to see. Jia you!

Remi Cruz nominates Soy Nguyen

I first discovered Soy Nguyen's @foodwithsoy content during the pandemic, and was instantly drawn into her captivating energy and personality. I have now fallen in love with her reviews. Her food-scapades across Southern California have encouraged me to try so many different types of food while supporting some really amazing local restaurants that I had never even heard of. Her home cooking content with her mom often reminds me of my own Korean heritage and cooking experiences with my mom. Thanks for keeping me close to my roots, Soy! She inspires me to try new foods, continue making more food content and to be kind to everyone. Soy is such a standout creator representing the AAPI community and also one who encourages her followers to speak out about mental health. She is truly an inspiration and I am honored to know her! Through our love for food, we've become friends and I am so thankful to social media for bringing us together.

Nick Cho nominates Maddy Park

Maddy Park has been making lovely food content on TikTok and YouTube as Cafe Maddy for some time, sharing intimate glimpses into her New York City life and beautifully edited recipes of all sorts. The combination of her soothing voice and softly lit images is almost ASMR-like. But when anti-Asian violence spiked across the country and in her city, she got to work building Cafe Maddy Cab, a donation-funded service for vulnerable Asian Americans to have access to safe transportation in New York City. Her project has raised thousands of dollars, and is a model for seeing a problem and mobilizing like-minded people to provide a resource that's focused on individual safety.

Andrew and David Fung nominate Jack Liang

Jack Liang is one of the newest leading role models in the Asian American community. He's a model and activist and former Facebook employee who is out to change the world. Growing up in the tough streets of deep Brooklyn, Jack Liang wants to impact the world positively by speaking to the youth and for the less privileged Asian communities that don't get highlighted in media.
Andrew and David Fung, otherwise known as The Fung Bros., are YouTube personalities.
Leenda Dong nominates Mylen Yamamoto Tansingco

I met Mylen Yamamoto Tansingco when she was still a professor at Cal State L.A. Her passion to empower those around her is the reason why Mylen's award-winning talent management company Clique-Now is a force in the industry today. Clique-Now proudly represents many top Asian American artists like myself. Her combined client roster reaches audiences of more than 25 million. You might also recognize her through her second company, Cropsticks Co., which appeared on "Shark Tank" and became a Certified B Corporation in 2019. Whether she's putting together a Hollywood deal or mentoring students, Mylen's empathy, organization and strong leadership skills tend to naturally uplift our communities. She is a proud mixed Filipino, Japanese, Chinese American. I've been enjoying the ride we've been on together since 2015 -- and excited for her journey ahead!

Steven Lim nominates Tammy Cho

Tammy Cho focuses on work that dismantles harassment, discrimination and racism. She does this through her work as the co-founder and CEO of Hate Is A Virus, a nonprofit and community of mobilizers and amplifiers dedicated to dismantling hate and racism. Hate Is A Virus started as a grassroots movement last April in response to the first spike in hate crimes against Asians due to COVID-19. Over the past year, they produced national awareness campaigns, educational resources for the community, and raised over $694,000 for essential BIPOC community organizations and small businesses across the nation and are committed to continuing these efforts this year. Her efforts inspire me daily.

Justin Escalona nominates Matthew Cruz

What I find to be the most important skill set when it comes to entrepreneurship is the ability to be multifaceted. Matthew Cruz embodies this to the fullest because when it comes to work, this guy doesn't have a title. He's willing to do anything to make things happen. It's amazing to see another Filipino guy crushing business. Matthew operates the back end of the streetwear brand 1340 COLLECTIVE. He's the reason why celebrities such as Addison Rae, NLE Choppa and Harry Jowsey have been spotted wearing 1340 clothing. Unlike many people, Matthew goes the extra mile when it comes to getting product placements and generating opportunities. He's the type of guy to drive six hours to drop off a PR package to make sure the clothes are worn in a music video. We need more people like Matthew in this world and I'm excited to say that this young man is going to do great things to make the Asian community proud.

Kanwer Singh nominates Gurtej Singh

New York-based Virtuoso, aka Gurtej Singh, has a voice that will melt your heart and feed your soul. He's a self-trained musician and vocalist playing multiple instruments, blending them all together so seamlessly. He revisits and remixes our favorite songs with his special cover blends, mixing two different songs together seamlessly. Virtuoso's original compositions are just as impressive and he's clearly. beginning to make his mark in the music world. On a stressful day, I turn to Virtuoso's page to soothe my being and find peace in the vibrations he shares. Outside of the arts, Virtuoso uses his platform to shine a light on important topics, from social justice issues to philosophies that make life feel that much lighter. As a visible minority, Virtuoso embraces the fact that he stands out and uses it as an opportunity to celebrate the ever evolving communities of the United States. Bringing his South Asian Punjabi roots, alongside his strong relationship with his Sikh heritage, all while embodying some of the most beautiful sounds rooted in the United States, Virtuoso is the future of music in this country and a great representation of the power of diversity that America has so wonderfully embraced. Gurtej is definitely making AAPI history!
Kanwer Singh, professionally known as Humble the Poet, is a MC/Spoken word artist.
Sarah Cheung nominates Sharon Pak

Featured on Forbes 30 Under 30, Sharon Pak is the Korean American co-founder of DTC hair brand InsertNameHere Hair, used by TikTokers and celebrities such as Ariana Grande. As the former marketing director for ColourPop Cosmetics, Sharon leveraged her knowledge about social media to create one of the most popular hair brands that made wearing extensions and wigs fun and accessible. Sharon is one of the hardest-working individuals I know and I really look up to her as an example of the kind of entrepreneur I want to become.

Stephanie Villa nominates Contributors and Members of the Asian Women Alliance

This is an incredibly galvanizing time for so many Asian Americans. Historically, we have been taught to keep our heads down and blend in. This way of thinking is no longer a viable option and in reality was always just an illusion. Trying to "blend in" doesn't work when we are consistently othered by fellow Americans. The hate, snide comments and violence has always been there; but for many Asian Americans, the last year has forced us to confront our own silence and willful blindness. I can't tell you how many conversations I had about relentless doom scrolling, coupled with a constant feeling of being overwhelmed and unsure what to do. This was a huge factor in the creation of the Asian Women Alliance. Beyond fundraising, the goal of the Asian Women Alliance is to put eyes on these organizations and spread information on their resources. We are growing fast and our collective voice is getting louder. This is a first step into speaking up for many of us and am so proud of everyone who has contributed to this fundraiser.

Wendy Nguyen nominates Jimmy Wu

During my time working inside and outside of the juvenile detention centers, I met an unsung hero. Jimmy Wu is currently the executive director of InsideOUT Writers (IOW), a nonprofit organization based in Los Angeles that provides trauma and healing-informed services to previously and currently incarcerated young adults. Jimmy turned his life around. He was incarcerated from the age of 16 to 29, and internalized his time behind cement walls to becoming now an agent of change, working in the exact space where he spent most of his young adult life. In addition to his work at IOW, he is also a voting member of a historic initiative called the Alternatives to Incarceration (ATI) Work Group formed by the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors, where he voted on community safety strategies, and was charged with helping develop a roadmap to prioritize reforms and solutions for all justice-impacted populations. Moreover, he was also involved with The Ride Home Program, which is part of the Stanford Law School's Justice Advocacy Project, providing free and safe transportation, mental health services and re-entry support to nonviolent inmates sentenced to life under California's "three strikes" sentencing law. Personal journeys deepen into resolute purpose, guiding his mission to advocate for change -- Jimmy is an example of someone who turned darkness into light.

Kevin Li nominate Benny Luo

Benny Luo empowers the community through his online publication NextShark, which is the leading source for Asian American news covering culture, issues, entertainment, politics and more. NextShark reports news that isn't always reported on mainstream media channels. When the Asian American community was under attack, NextShark was one of the first to disseminate the important information our community needed to mobilize. He is very supportive of young artists such as myself, and giving with time and resources.

Richie Lee nominates Chris Ngo

Chris Ngo has been able to defy the odds of what it means to be an entrepreneur in the clothing and retail space. Are the numbers there? Yes. But to define this man based off numbers would merely be a brushstroke within the beautiful life he's been able to paint. By creating an umbrella company that oversees multiple clothing brands, Chris has provided the rocket ship to propel the dreams of so many creators like myself. While everyone is shooting threes and getting praise like Stephen Curry, Chris and his company, The Leverage, are doing the work that nobody ever gives enough credit to. They are truly the Draymond Green of the team, providing the vital infrastructure and support to allow a Curry to shine and thrive in a very cutthroat league. No one wants to handle the backend logistics and busy work, that is where Chris steps in. You hear day in and day out how difficult it is to make it in the clothing industry, that is because these companies simply do not have a Chris on their team. I truly believe he needs to be recognized due to how vital his role is in the success of so many independent clothing brands. He has truly imbodied someone I think should be recognized in the community as someone that is motivates and inspires, and backs it up day in and day out.

Gitanjali Rao nominates Emily Tianshi

Emily Tianshi is a 17 year-old scientist, inventor, and environmental advocate from San Diego. Emily is a frequent hiker at Torrey Pines State Park, where she noticed Torrey pine trees' incredible moisture-harvesting abilities. Because there was little research explaining the mechanisms behind it, she started a scientific research project four years ago to examine Torrey pine needles' surface properties and biomimic them into an atmospheric moisture-harvesting device. Emily's invention is patent pending and can help drought-stricken but foggy areas, such as the California and Oregon coastline, Texas, Peru, Chile and Argentina. Emily's research was featured in a National Geographic World Water Day documentary series, "Join the Millions." She was recognized as an international Children's Climate Prize finalist, national Stockholm Junior Water Prize runner-up, Davidson Fellows scholar, Intel International Science and Engineering Fair awardee, and winner of a grand prize at the 2017 Broadcom MASTERS, the nation's premier middle school science competition. MIT Lincoln Laboratory named a minor planet after her. Emily has presented at events hosted by the California Water Environmental Association and Water Environmental Federation, and appeared in Seeker's podcast, "Genius Generation." Surprisingly, Emily started her project in a garage lab using a $20 microscope nicknamed "Dinky Donk." To inspire other students, she co-founded an organization, Clearwater Innovation, with her brother to encourage teenagers to solve environmental problems from home labs. In blog posts and YouTube videos, they feature young scientists finding creative workarounds to a lack of resources. Emily also founded We Impact, a nonprofit organization that hosts free STEM events for underprivileged youth and stands up for social justice issues. As a second-generation Asian American, Emily initiated seven major protests against anti-Asian violence, calling together more than 1,200 people, and organized an expert panel discussion on "Asian American History, Identity and Racism in America."

Dr. Dave A. Chokshi nominates Jaimie Shaff

Jaimie Shaff is a rising star in public health and is making AAPI history right now. Jaimie is the chief data scientist for the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene's COVID-19 response. Jaimie has worked truly tirelessly -- in fact, 24/7 -- to ensure that NYC's leadership has had timely, reliable information on which to base critical public health decisions. Jaimie leads the integrated data team, a team of analysts that has worked with partners across the response to provide the data-driven backbone to the policy decisions NYC has made regarding phased reopening, non-pharmaceutical interventions and vaccine distribution. Jaimie's public health approach is centered on health equity, which is demonstrated in her leadership uplifting community voice and developing targeted analytic partnerships on critical topics such as intimate partner violence, mental wellness and vaccine equity. Jaimie's work to help make our response equitable and inclusive in a city as a diverse as NYC has been enormously complicated and made a substantial impact on the communities we serve that have been historically impacted by structural racism. It is not an understatement to say that without Jaimie's contributions, the city's response to COVID-19 would have suffered.

Munawwar Abdulla nominates Maisam "Maya" Mitalipova and Aziza Rozi

Maisam "Maya" Mitalipova has unparalleled energy in everything she does. Not only is she one of the leading stem cell researchers in the world, creating some of the world's first calf clones at the University of Wisconsin-Madison and continuing her work at the Whitehead Institute at MIT with Embryonic Stem Cells and neurodegenerative diseases, but she is also an avid advocate for the rights of Uyghur people and other persecuted groups in the Uyghur region known as East Turkistan or XUAR, China. Maya can be seen protesting regularly around Boston with her group at the Boston Uyghur Association, and calling Senate and House representatives daily to pass resolutions that will have an impact on the way Uyghurs are treated in their homeland. She does her utmost in spreading awareness of the Uyghur situation while working with a wider community of allies, and provides much needed help to Uyghurs in the diaspora however she can. Furthermore, during the pandemic, Maya learned her skills to help understand and combat SARS-CoV-2 by using human stem cell technology to generate a broad range of cell types, which are then exposed to the virus to define its tropism and test for therapeutic interventions that would inhibit propagation.

Aziza Rozi is slowly carving out her name in the fashion world as a recent graduate from the Parsons New School of Design, specializing in fashion, menswear and contemporary craft. She has been featured in various magazines, including Vogue, and has used her particular set of skills to create a platform to "expose human rights issues against Uyghurs in China while celebrating Uyghur culture through a tailored fashion collection" in the form of Tailor Politics. Aziza uses fashion to challenge broader notions of colonial garment by the influence of Uyghur identity, and traditional dress, in the revival of Uyghur culture in the contemporary. She has also hosted public events and talks to discuss broader issues of displacement across nations.

Dr. Priscilla Chan nominates Dr. Gene Yeo

As a scientist, technologist and entrepreneur who masterfully bridges disciplines to accelerate progress in science and medicine, Dr. Gene Yeo is exactly the type of outside-the-box thinker Mark [Zuckerberg] and I hoped we'd have the chance to work with through our philanthropic organization, the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative (CZI). Dr. Yeo, a professor of cellular and molecular Medicine at the University of California, San Diego, is an integral part of CZI's Neurodegeneration Challenge Network, where he collaborates with a diverse group of scientists, clinicians and engineers to understand disorders like ALS and how technology could help answer the most challenging questions. Dr. Yeo is also someone who stays close to the work in service of his local community. In the early days of the pandemic, Dr. Yeo founded the San Diego COVID-19 Research Enterprise Network (SCREEN), a community-focused effort that set up testing sites across the city and galvanized early research coordination. SCREEN has since grown to more than 800 local researchers. He later helped found the San Diego Epidemiology and Research for COVID Health, which conducted a 12,000-person scientific study to learn more about transmission of the virus and better protect his neighbors. I also love that Dr. Yeo -- himself a fast-rising star in science -- is at the forefront of training and mentoring the next generation of scientists. He is a faculty founder of the Diversity and Science Lecture series at UCSD, centering and elevating the experience of graduate students and postdocs of color, while also celebrating their scientific achievements.
Priscilla Chan is co-founder and co-CEO of the Chan Zuckerberg Initiative.
Payal Kadakia nominates Archana Misra

I nominate Archana Misra, founder of Product of Culture, a woman of color-founded and funded collective that amplifies brown brands and creatives with strategy, content and experiences rooted in culture. Archana created a space for multi-hyphenated brown millennials and Gen Zs to reclaim their narrative, and a haven for thousands of South Asian brands and creatives from across the globe to connect and collaborate. She has helped countless South Asian small businesses throughout her career, especially during the uncertainty of the pandemic. Archana time and time again inspires our community to come together and shows us how powerful we can be as a community.

Anjula Acharia nominates Evelyn Rusli and Angela Sutherland

Evelyn Rusli and Angela Sutherland are women with Asian American heritage who have shown the Asian community and the world that women can disrupt a billion-dollar industry that has failed to protect our world's most precious resource: our children. In a world where leading baby foods have been found to contain dangerous toxins like arsenic, lead and mercury, Yumi provides a safe alternative parents can trust. Yumi is a healthy organic baby food delivery service that has helped parents across America ensure that their babies are eating safe, nutrient-rich foods while at the same time helping parents balance their hectic lifestyles by not having to cook in order to keep their children healthy and well nourished.

Seema Bansal nominates Marianna Hewitt

I proudly nominate Marianna Hewitt, an Asian American woman who has inspired the world as an incredible female founder and who has shown other Asian American women that they, too, can become business leaders and influential in the world of beauty and style. Marianna is an influencer-turned-entrepreneur who began her career sharing beauty tips, personal style, and travel adventures through her blog and YouTube channel. She is the co-founder of Summer Fridays, a skin care beauty staple known for its bestselling Jet Lag Mask. With her genuine drive to inspire others to follow their dreams, Marianna shares her journey to prove that no dream is too big or too ambitious to turn into reality. Marianna is a true inspiration who uses her voice and platform to educate, uplift and empower those around her.

Rohan Oza nominates Rebecca Parekh

Rebecca Parekh is the co-founder and CEO of The Well, a collaboration of doctors and healers working together to create best-in-class wellness spaces, functional health products and original content to help people feel the best that they can. Prior to founding The Well, Rebecca was the COO for Deepak Chopra Radical Wellbeing, where she worked to secure federal funding for complementary and integrative health research, and before that Rebecca was the co-founder and executive director of the Global Foundation for Eating Disorders. Before transitioning to the health and wellness sector, Rebecca spent ten years at Deutsche Bank Securities as head of the US Private Institutional Client Group and head of Cross Product Sales. In addition to her business roles at Deutsche Bank, Rebecca served on the steering committee of the bank's women's network and led the recruiting effort at her alma mater, University of Michigan. Rebecca is an advisor to the Tufts Friedman School of Nutrition Entrepreneurship Program. She also sits on the boards of several nonprofit foundations and social impact companies focused on education and gender inequity. I'm proud to nominate her to this list for her lifelong dedication to furthering the importance of causes in consumer health and wellbeing.

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Who is Making Asian American Pacific Islander History in 2021: The GMA Inspiration List

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Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month celebrates the contributions of one of the fastest-growing groups of people living in the United States. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders contain multitudes. They are a global community with a homegrown and unique perspective on America. Their diversity expands continents and demographics.

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Steve Aoki: Struggles of Growing Up Asian American

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NAME: Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya

AGE: 28

HOMETOWN: Norcross, Georgia

TWITTER: @alonglastname / INSTAGRAM: @alonglastname

How do you introduce yourself?

Hi, I'm Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya. I'm a creative director and design strategist. By day, I'm helping reimagine the relationship between people and finances at Capital One, and by night I focus on bridging the worlds of science and design.

I was born and raised in the suburbs of Atlanta, where my parents met and settled after moving to the U.S. from Thailand (Dad) and Indonesia (Mom).

What inspires you?

Before I began my career in design, I studied neuroscience at Columbia and worked for several years in a lab at Columbia Medical Center. I'm inspired by the extraordinary women who have built the foundation of scientific discovery our society stands on.

I started Beyond Curie, an illustration series that celebrate these badass pioneers, in part because I was so inspired by them but also because I wanted to share the rich history of women driving society forward with the next generation. My hope is that when young women learn about the incredible scientists and engineers in Beyond Curie they will stop wondering: "Can I make an impact in science?" and start asking: "Why the hell are we stopping now?"
SEE THE LIST: NBC Asian America Presents: A to Z - The 26 Emerging Voices of 2017
What challenges you?

Public speaking. It's not something I'm naturally comfortable with, but in the last year, I've worked really hard to get better at it. Before doing the TED Residency in the summer of 2016, I had only done a handful of public speaking events. None of them held a candle to the intensity and visibility of a six minute TED talk, recorded live in one take in crowded performance space. I remember being so nervous, I could barely breathe, and I actually froze for five seconds midway through the talk before regaining my train of thought and finishing the presentation.

I made it through that talk alive, and since then, I've been invited to speak at Unilever, CPH:DOX in Copenhagen, Microsoft and the University of Nevada, Las Vegas. Every talk creates new challenges: How do I better engage my audience? What do I do when they can't project my slides? How do I sound more fluid and natural in my delivery? I'm committed to always improving this craft, and excited to soon join the 2017 class of Fresh Speakers, a speaking bureau that represents next-generation thinkers and doers.

Tell us about the biggest risk you ever took.

I walked into the office of my design agency on a Monday morning last March and quit. Despite having no freelance gigs lined up and an enormous, unproven idea with no realistic plan to achieve it, I still felt strongly (and perhaps foolishly) that this was the right move. I was embarking on the TED Residency, a 14 week idea accelerator where I would incubate The Leading Strand, an organization that uses design to shine a light on breakthroughs happening in science. We paired five neuroscientists and five designers to co-create experiences that translated research in rigorous and visually compelling ways. Little did I know it then, but that leap changed everything, and set me down the path of applying design to hard problems in interesting ways that I'm still following to this day.

What are you reading/watching/listening to these days?

I'm fascinated by relationships and am reading "Power: Why Some Have It and Others Don't" by Stanford professor Jeffrey Pfeffer. [It] has given me incredible insights into how to leverage my skills, talent, and relationships to create work that matters.

There is a fine line between creativity and chaos and because I feel that I often veer close to crossing that line, "Messy: The Power of Disorder to Transform Our Lives" by Tim Harford has been very self-affirming. I've also begun to read "Quiet: The Power of Introversion in a World that Can't Stop Talking" by Susan Cain. As an introvert and former woman in science, I appreciate how she expertly weaves neuroscience, anecdotes, and advice on how to harness the power of being an introvert.

I'm also watching "The Expanse" on Syfy. Based on a best-selling sci-fi book series, the show takes us several hundred years into the future, when humanity has expanded to Mars and the asteroid belt. It's both a visually compelling show that also serves as social commentary, exploring race, conflict, and the potential threat of new technologies.

If you weren't doing what you're doing now, what job would you want to have?

I would want to be an experimental artist who lives abroad and does large-scale provocative work that combines science, technology, dance and design. Perhaps you'll be seeing me dabble in this in the near future.

What's your motto?

"Come out of nowhere." I used to believe that you needed a lot of time, money, experience, and industry recognition to make great impact. But incubating The Leading Strand at the TED Residency showed me that I didn't need any of those things after all. When the program began in April 2016, I only had a crazy dream and largely unproven idea, to use design to illuminate scientific research. I had big plans to pair and support 5 neuroscientist/designer teams to co-create experiences that translate scientific research for the general public to understand and enjoy. But I had no team, no funding, and no exhibit space.

I'm not sure anyone expected the initiative to fully launch in 13 short weeks given my inexperience and the number of obstacles in our way: I hadn't ever run a successful Kickstarter campaign before, given a TED talk or put on an immersive exhibit of that scale, and there was no precedent or model for organizing the kind of designer/neuroscientist collaboration I had in mind. Somehow, after many long days and even longer nights, we pulled it off.
RELATED: 'Beyond Curie' Wants to Introduce You to Female Scientists You May Not Have Heard of
While much of it was a blur, I still remember the feeling of gratitude for my team on opening night. It was my honor to support them and see their collaborations bear fruit. The Leading Strand came out of nowhere. And in this spirit, I continue to bridge these two important spheres of my life, science and design, for the greater good. I firmly believe that disruption often comes out of nowhere, and it's that defiant, rebellious spirit that drives things forward.

I celebrate Asian Pacific American Heritage Month because...

...it's an opportunity to highlight the diversity of our people. Many are quick to group "Asian" into a single monoculture when really, we draw our heritage from a massive population of two and a half billion people. Growing up in a Thai and Indonesian family, my holidays, what I like to eat, and my traditions are totally different from someone who is from mainland China or Pakistan or Polynesia. I'm excited to share my experiences and culture and hope to learn about others as well.
Follow NBC Asian America on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram and Tumblr.

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#RedefineAtoZ: Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya Is Bridging the World Between Science and Design

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NAME: Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya AGE: 28 HOMETOWN: Norcross, Georgia TWITTER: @alonglastname / INSTAGRAM: @alonglastname How do you introduce yourself? Hi, I'm Amanda Phingbodhipakkiya. I'm a creative director and design strategist. By day, I'm helping reimagine the relationship between people and finances at Capital One, and by night I focus on bridging the worlds of science and design.

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More than 30 years after President George H.W. Bush signed a law that designated May 1990 as the first Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, much of Asian American history remains unknown to many Americans-including many Asian Americans themselves.

Often the Asian-American history taught in classrooms is limited to a few milestones like the Chinese Exclusion Act of 1882 and the incarceration of people of Japanese descent during World War II, and that abridged version rarely includes the nearly 50 other ethnic groups that make up the fastest-growing racial and ethnic group in the U.S. in the first two decades of the 21st century.

To many, the resulting lack of awareness was highlighted after the March 16 Atlanta spa shootings that left six women of Asian descent dead. The killings fit into a larger trend of violence against Asians failing to be seen or charged as a hate crime, even as leaders lamented that "racist attacks [are]... not who we are " as Americans. But in fact, while the shootings represented the peak of more than a year of increased reports of anti-Asian harassment and discrimination, the tragedy was also part of a more than 150-year-old history of anti-Asian racism and violence in the U.S.

"Students can go through their whole educational life, not hearing a single fact or historical reference to Asians in America. We need to teach how Asian Americans experience life and race in America, and how Asian Americans have stood up not just for other Asians, but for all Americans to fight against racism," Helen Zia, a Chinese American activist and former journalist, tells TIME. "This kind of learning is essential for all of us to see the humanity of each other."

To help fill the knowledge gap, TIME asked historians and experts on Asian American history nationwide to pick one milestone from this history that they believe should be taught in K-12 schools, and to explain how it provides context for where America is today. Here are the moments they chose.
Get your history fix in one place: sign up for the weekly TIME History newsletter
1765: The first Filipino Americans settle in Louisiana

As early as the year 1765 and through the 1800s, Filipino sailors, known as "Manilamen," who worked as crew or indentured servants aboard Spanish galleons, jumped ship in the Gulf of Mexico and established the first Filipino American communities in what is now known as the continental United States of America. According to historian Marina Espina, author of Filipinos in Louisiana, by the 1880s, the Manilamen set up eight villages in the bayous of Louisiana. The Manilamen fought alongside the U.S. in the Battle of New Orleans in the War of 1812, built houses on stilts similar to the nipa huts of the Philippines, became fishermen who caught and "danced the shrimp" on drying platforms, established ethnic organizations, and intermarried with local Cajun and Creole families, now spanning eight to ten generations of Filipino Americans.
-Emily P. Lawsin, National President of the Filipino American National Historical Society (FANHS) and Lecturer IV in Women's and Gender Studies, American Culture, and Asian/Pacific Islander American Studies at the University of Michigan
1854: People v. Hall determines that Chinese people cannot testify against white defendants

With hate crimes against Asian Americans skyrocketing during the pandemic, many choose the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act as a historic marker for how they are treated in the U.S. Rather, it is the notorious 1854 California Supreme Court case of People v Hall. George Hall had been convicted of murder through the testimony of three Chinese eyewitnesses. On appeal, the court disqualified the testimony. California banned specific groups ("Negros, blacks, Indians, and mullatoes") from testifying against whites, but "Chinese" was not included. This judge became legislator by interpreting, through his convoluted logic, that the Chinese were "Indian" and/or "Black." The opinion spewed vile racism citing the eminent threat that if Chinese people can testify against whites, they would become full equal citizens. This marks the beginning of how discrimination against Asians became the norm.

Hall got away with murder.
-Andrew Leong, Associate Professor of Philosophy, Legal Studies, Latinx and Asian American Studies at the University of Massachusetts Boston
Feb. 19, 1862: President Lincoln makes California's 'coolie trade' ban national

The federal "Act to prohibit the 'Coolie Trade' by American Citizens in American Vessels" put the exclusion of Chinese immigrants at the center of debates about race, slavery, immigration and freedom at the close of the Civil War. The so-called "coolie trade" began in the 19th century and became a global system by the 1830s to circulate indentured Asian workers to plantations that enslaved Black Africans had previously labored upon. Coolies were thought of as suitable replacements to enslaved labor as the Atlantic slave trade was being dismantled. While the indenture system claimed the legitimacy of consent through a labor contract, these formalities concealed the brutal and deadly nature of trafficking workers to dangerous sites like the guano islands of Peru or exploitation in Cuba's sugar cane plantations. The same reckless and cruel disregard for human life that characterized the Atlantic slave trade was also common in the Pacific coolie trade.

Because of this practice, racist perceptions of Asian immigration were fused with the notion of cheap, foreign, disposable labor. President Lincoln's passage of the anti-coolie legislation codified this racist idea about Asians, even as it condemned any form of unfree labor, as would be declared in the Emancipation Proclamation in the following year.

- Jason Chang, Associate Professor of History and Asian American Studies at the University of Connecticut and author of Asian America: A Primary Source Reader.
Read more: In 1968, These Activists Coined the Term 'Asian American'-And Helped Shape Decades of Advocacy
March 28, 1898: The Supreme Court upholds birthright citizenship in United States vs. Wong Kim Ark

Wong Kim Ark is a Chinese American born in San Francisco to Chinese parents in 1873. When he returns from a visit to China in 1895, immigration authorities deny his re-entry, citing Chinese exclusion laws that barred Asians from both immigration and U.S. citizenship. Wong, however, asserted his right as a U.S. citizen to be permitted back into his country. Birthright citizenship is a product of the 14th Amendment to the Constitution that's passed right after the Civil War. Originally, birthright citizenship was meant to benefit persons of African descent, and formerly enslaved African Americans in particular. But the question is whether that principle applies to all people regardless of race-and the case goes all the way to the Supreme Court. In a landmark decision in 1898, the court rules that Wong acquired citizenship at birth and therefore should be allowed entry into the U.S., since the 1882 Chinese Exclusion Act doesn't apply to him.
With the Wong Kim Ark decision, the Supreme Court upholds the principle of birthright citizenship and affirms the universality of American national identity-the idea that anyone born on U.S. soil can be American regardless of race. For Asian Americans this is particularly important because it allowed for US-born Asian Americans-the children and grandchildren of immigrants-to have U.S. citizenship during a time when foreign-born Asians were barred from naturalization on racial grounds. This would not change until the Immigration and Nationality Act of 1952 abolished racial restrictions on U.S. citizenship once and for all.

-Jane Hong, Associate Professor of History at Occidental College and author of Opening the Gates to Asia: A Transpacific History of How America Repealed Asian Exclusion

1905-1906: Chinese businesspeople boycott American goods

In 1905, businesspeople in Shanghai and Guangzhou organized a boycott of U.S. products. At the time, the racist Chinese Exclusion Act barred Chinese laborers from entering the United States, but American immigration officials often turned back even those Chinese whom the law allowed in: merchants, students and diplomats. Inspired by growing Chinese nationalism, the boycott sought to change this frustrating situation.

The boycott did prompt some improvements in the treatment of Chinese immigrants but eventually fizzled in 1906. By then, however, it had inspired a wide range of young Chinese American citizens, who saw in the movement an empowering response to the racism and discrimination they faced in almost every aspect of their lives. Many now began to consider traveling to China to contribute to its future, and hundreds even enrolled in universities for advanced training in fields they saw as crucial to China's modernization. By the 1930s, close to half of all second-generation Chinese Americans had moved to China-though most eventually returned to the United States because of World War II.

-Charlotte Brooks, author of American Exodus: Second-Generation Chinese Americans in China, 1901-1949 and professor of history at Baruch College, CUNY.

Sept. 4, 1907: The Bellingham Riots

Spurred on by the inflammatory rhetoric of the nativist Asiatic Exclusion League, hundreds of white workers swept through the coastal town of Bellingham, Wash., at night, looking for Indian immigrants. The Indians, who were laborers in Bellingham's lumber mills, were predominantly Sikh men from Punjab. The rioters pulled Indian workers out of their bunks, set their bunkhouses on fire, stole their possessions and beat them. Some Sikh men were beaten so badly they had to be hospitalized. Local police rounded up groups of Indians as they escaped the violence, placing them in Bellingham's City Hall and jail. The next day, the entire population of Indian immigrant lumber workers left for their own safety, walking northward across the border into Canada. This is the first known incidence of large-scale, organized anti-South Asian violence in the United States, and was part of a wave of attacks against Asian immigrants that occurred up and down the U.S. and Canadian West Coast in the early part of the 20th century. The Asiatic Exclusion League and other allied organizations, politicians and labor leaders ultimately succeeded in convincing Congress to pass the 1917 Immigration Act, banning the entry of labor migrants from Asia.

- Vivek Bald, historian and filmmaker; author of Bengali Harlem and the Lost Histories of South Asian America

1913: California passes the Alien Land Act

In spring 1913, the California state assembly passed a bill that prohibited "aliens ineligible to citizenship" from owning agricultural land and limited their lease term to three years. Although this racial category-"aliens ineligible to citizenship"-applied to all immigrants from Asia, the architects of this bill specifically had the Japanese in mind. They worried that Japanese immigrants were achieving upwards social mobility and wished to prevent them from becoming independent land owners, a status that many California politicians wished to preserve for the future of the white working class. The passage of this bill led to a diplomatic conflict between Japan and the United States, and U.S. President Woodrow Wilson attempted to prevent the governor of California from signing the bill into law. But California decided to implement the Alien Land Act, and various Western states including Washington, Oregon and Arizona followed its lead. Japanese immigrants and their white allies contested these acts in the courts, but the Supreme Court upheld these laws in 1923. It was not until after World War II that the Supreme Court and California reversed their decisions.
-Chris Suh, Assistant Professor of History at Emory University
January 1943: The first War Relocation Authority field office opens in Chicago

Most students will learn something of the incarceration of Japanese Americans during World War II, when 112,000 people were removed from homes; lost careers, income, and savings; were confined in desolate inland camps managed by the War Relocation Authority (WRA); and suffered multigenerational trauma that lingers to this day, despite decades of community care and activism.

Less well known is the program to resettle Japanese Americans out of camps and off the West Coast during and after the war. Fumbling to reconcile the blatantly undemocratic incarceration with a war waged for democracy, officials promoted the resettlement of the incarcerated as benevolent, government-led assimilation. Despite its many ironies and hypocrisies, this interpretation motivated officials to smooth the transition for resettling Japanese American citizens and noncitizens alike. The Chicago WRA field office (one of the dozens eventually established) shows this process on the ground. Staffers waged a PR campaign to convince Chicagoans of Japanese American innocuousness; they connected resettlers to housing and jobs pre-screened for citizenship, language and racial barriers as well as skills or training. Resettlers in turn shaped the process as they themselves joined the staff and boards of these local social welfare, municipal, and funding agencies, reshaping Chicago's social services to accommodate their specific needs. Resettlement demonstrates a paradoxical model of inclusion, useful as our country struggles for an understanding of our obligations towards resident noncitizens, detained migrants, religious minorities and others.

-Meredith Oda, Associate professor of history at the University of Nevada, Reno, and author of The Gateway to the Pacific: Japanese Americans and the Remaking of San Francisco

1965-1970: Filipino Farmworkers lead the Delano Grape Strike

Successive anti-Asian immigration laws that began in the late 1800s resulted in a massive labor shortage in Hawaii and on the West Coast. However, Filipinas/os/xes could enter freely because their colonial status marked them as United States "nationals," not aliens. Labor recruiters from the Hawaiian Sugar Planters Association flocked to the poorest parts of the Philippines for cheap labor. By the 1920s, thousands of Filipinas/os were arriving annually at West Coast ports. Many of them hoped to attend universities and bring their families out of poverty. However, the vast majority of these immigrants found that the only jobs open to them were in cannery and farm work. They were barred from citizenship, owning land, living in white neighborhoods and marrying white women.

From the 1920s-1940s, Filipino farm and cannery workers formed unions and went on strike throughout the United States. One of the leaders who came out of that movement was Larry Itliong. On Sept. 7, 1965, he led members of the Agriculture Workers Organizing Committee (AWOC), a predominantly Filipino union, to go on strike against Delano grape growers. Larry had the foresight and vision to realize that justice for farm workers could never be realized unless the two biggest groups of farm workers, Filipinas/os and Mexicans, could unify. One week later, Larry called Cesar Chavez to ask him if his organization, the National Farm Workers Association (NFWA), an association made up of Mexican American farmworker families, would join AWOC in the strike. This led to the joining of the two organizations, which ultimately created the United Farm Workers (UFW). The strike, which was supposed to be a short-lived worker's action of several days, turned bloody and agonizing when the growers refused to budge. The UFW was relentless and didn't give up. After five years, the global campaign of the Delano Grape Strike was won, and new contracts were signed in 1970.
-Dawn Bohulano Mabalon, Associate Professor, History, San Francisco State University; Gayle Romasanta, Founder and Writer, Bridge and Delta Publishing; Allyson Tintiangco-Cubales, Professor, Asian American Studies at San Francisco State University
June 19, 1982: The killing of Vincent Chin

In the late 1970s and early '80s there was a global oil crisis that drove the U.S. economy into a recession and led to the collapse of the auto industry. The American manufacturing sector blamed Japan for that. In this climate of anti-Asian hate-one that is eerily similar to today-a Chinese American named Vincent Chin was killed in Detroit because he looked Japanese. This is part of a historical pattern in which Asian Americans are attacked whenever there is a crisis in America.

His killers, who are white, never spent a day in jail. The judge said, "These are not the kind of men you sent to jail." But Vincent's family was denied the right to speak up and say he was a good man who had a whole life ahead of him and was about to celebrate his wedding. In fact, he was killed on the night of his bachelor party. Anybody who was Asian knew that they could be killed like Vincent Chin, and their killers would be let off scot-free. When the killers of Vincent Chin were given probation, Asian Americans across the country came together in a national civil rights movement with Detroit as its unlikely center. Prior to that, there was no mass movement uniting Americans of East Asian, South Asian or South East Asian descent.

This movement contributed to the passing of the Hate Crimes Prevention Act that eventually expanded the notion of who is protected by federal civil rights law, and the idea that all people in America should be protected against hate violence. It not only brought Asian Americans together to fight for justice. The Vincent Chin case was a landmark moment where people of all different Asian backgrounds came together with other Americans from other races to fight racism, to stand up for justice and to make an impact that affects all Americans.

-Helen Zia, Chinese American activist, former journalist and author of Asian American Dreams: The Emergence of an American People
Read more: Violence Against Asian Americans Is on the Rise-But It's Part of a Long History
March 28, 1983: Chol Soo Lee's release from San Quentin's Death Row

In June 1974, Chol Soo Lee, a young Korean immigrant, was wrongfully convicted and sentenced to life imprisonment for a San Francisco Chinatown murder. While serving his life sentence in state prison, Lee was convicted and sentenced to death in May 1979 on a first-degree murder charge for defending himself during an armed prison-yard assault by an Aryan Brotherhood gang member. Two years earlier in 1977, Sacramento Union investigative reporter K.W. Lee began to shed light on a problematic police investigation and subsequent trial for the San Francisco Chinatown murder. His investigative series generated widespread support for a remarkable grassroots social movement, known as the Free Chol Soo Lee movement, which brought together diverse groups of immigrant and American-born Asians in a common cause of justice and freedom for Lee. The efforts of the Free Chol Soo Lee movement eventually led to a retrial of the San Francisco Chinatown murder case, in which a jury acquitted Lee in September 1982. Despite this acquittal, Lee remained on Death Row in San Quentin due to his first-degree murder conviction for the prison-yard killing, which was also set for a retrial. However, faced with the prospect of high legal expenses and the uncertainty of yet another trial, Lee agreed to a downgraded second-degree murder charge without admission of guilt in the deadly prison-yard altercation and was released from San Quentin's Death Row on March 28, 1983, based on time served.

There are many reasons why this pivotal movement has been largely forgotten, but one is that the life of Chol Soo Lee, who unexpectedly passed away in 2014, problematizes idealized norms of moral virtue often expected of those who are symbols of racial justice movements, especially as Lee continued to experience significant trauma after serving nearly ten years in state prison. Yet, the Free Chol Soo Lee movement also highlights the politicization and empowerment of young people who formed the backbone of this incredible pan-Asian movement. Many of these young activists went on to distinguished public service careers guided by an enduring vision of social change and justice. The history of the Free Chol Soo Lee movement thus provides us with valuable lessons in imagining new and different possibilities for our present and future, particularly in relation to contemporary social movements, coalition building, and the criminal justice system in the United States.
-Richard S. Kim, Professor of Asian American Studies at UC Davis

Write to Olivia B. Waxman at olivia.waxman@time.com.

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11 Asian American History Moments You Should Know

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More than 30 years after President George H.W. Bush signed a law that designated May 1990 as the first Asian American and Pacific Islander Heritage Month, much of Asian American history remains unknown to many Americans-including many Asian Americans themselves.

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Samoan NBA player

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Dr. Isabella Aiona Abbott "The First Lady of Limu"

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Dr. Isabella Aiona Abbott "The First Lady of Limu"

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Dr. Aiona Abbott was a world renown expert on seaweed and other algaes of the Pacific Ocean. Watch this interview with her to find out more.

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We advance learning and discovery through storytelling that profoundly touches lives.

How much do you know about limu, seaweed or marine algae? Isabella Aiona Abbott may know more about it than anyone else. She learned about its many uses, varieties and their Hawaiian names from her mother who learned from her mother whose mother lived during the times of the kapu system, when women could gather limu but not eat or even touch taro. Now a world-renowned expert on marine algae and Professor Emerita at the University of Hawai'i, Dr. Abbott joins Leslie Wilcox for an engaging conversation.

Air Date: Tue, Jun 17, 2014 7:30 PM

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Isabella Aiona Abbott / Long Story Short with Leslie Wilcox - PBS Hawai'i

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We advance learning and discovery through storytelling that profoundly touches lives. How much do you know about limu, seaweed or marine algae? Isabella Aiona Abbott may know more about it than anyone else.

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Check out this link to find out about 68 different scientists from all over the continent of Asia.

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Check out this link to learn about over 60 scientsts from all over the continent of Asia.

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Dr. Isabella Aiona Abbott "The First Lady of Limu"

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Dr. Isabella Aiona Abbott "The First Lady of Limu"

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Dr. Aiona Abbott was the world's expert on seaweed and other algae species.

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We advance learning and discovery through storytelling that profoundly touches lives.

How much do you know about limu, seaweed or marine algae? Isabella Aiona Abbott may know more about it than anyone else. She learned about its many uses, varieties and their Hawaiian names from her mother who learned from her mother whose mother lived during the times of the kapu system, when women could gather limu but not eat or even touch taro. Now a world-renowned expert on marine algae and Professor Emerita at the University of Hawai'i, Dr. Abbott joins Leslie Wilcox for an engaging conversation.

Air Date: Tue, Jun 17, 2014 7:30 PM

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Isabella Aiona Abbott / Long Story Short with Leslie Wilcox - PBS Hawai'i

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We advance learning and discovery through storytelling that profoundly touches lives. How much do you know about limu, seaweed or marine algae? Isabella Aiona Abbott may know more about it than anyone else.

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Sometimes in the march to progress and inclusivity, we find ourselves taking a path that leads us in the opposite direction than what we intended.

Such is the case with the term "Asian Pacific Islander" or API, a now commonly used way to describe people of Asian American and Pacific Islander descent in the United States. An even more shorthanded version is Asian Pacific American, or APA.

There are now API and APA organizations, scholarships, grants, academic disciplines, a national Asian Pacific American Heritage Month and in Washington state, a Commission on Asian Pacific American Affairs (CAPAA).

The original term, Asian American, came out of the pan-Asian student movement of the late 1960s, as part of an effort to unify what had been disparate Asian American groups into an umbrella that acknowledged a shared history, identity and reject the antiquated and geographically subjective term "Oriental."

By the 1980s, the U.S. Census expanded the definition, presumably to be more inclusive, grouping Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders together into the category of Asian Pacific Islander. By 1997, the federal Office of Management and Budget (OMB) changed back to allow different categories for "Asian" and "Native Hawaiian and other Pacific Islander," but the umbrella API and APA terms have stuck.

Now, some Pacific Islander, also known as Pasifika, community leaders say it's time to disaggregate Pacific Islander from Asian Americans and take the "P" back to speak truth to the reality of the Pacific Islander experience.

Pacific Islander or Pasifika people are those originating or living in Micronesia, Melanesia and Polynesia. Pacific Islander communities face significant health and socio-economic disparities compared to other groups. In most measures, such as poverty rates and health outcomes, Native Hawaiian and Pacific Islander (NHPI) people fall behind white Americans as well as behind Asian Americans. Nowhere are those disparities more evident than with COVID-19.

In Washington, the state with the third highest number of NHPI in the country, Native Hawaiians and Pacific Islanders have a seven times higher rate of COVID-19 cases than white and Asian American people.

Joseph Seia, the founder and executive director of the Pacific Islander Community Association (PICA) of Washington, said merging Asian American and NHPI together makes the specific needs of NHPI people invisible.

Seia said the experience of NHPI people is actually much more akin to the experience of urban Native American people, as the majority of NHPI are also indigenous to their original lands and suffered displacement, dislocation and subjugation due to colonization - including colonization and oppression by Asian countries.

Nuclear weapons testing on Pacific islands like the Marshall Islands, for example, left residents with radiation sickness and a multitude of cancers. And in Samoa, a rapid shift from a traditional diet and lifestyle brought on by colonization created an astronomical rise in diabetes beginning after World War II, with nearly a third of the population now having the disease. The experience of NHPI is also similar to Native Americans in that small numbers ( under 1% NHPI in Washington, for example) makes it easier for NHPI to be overlooked.

"I think we just have to stop using the racist term [Asian American Pacific Islander]. I think we have to just bury that term. For a lot of Asian organizations, drop the 'P,'" Seia said.

Unless the organization is actually centering the work, needs and leadership of NHPI people, they should make way for NHPI-led organizations that are. To not do so, Seia said, leaves NHPI people without advocates at policy tables where critical decisions are being made that impact the health of their communities.

Dakota Camacho is a Seattle-based Chamorro artist whose family is from Guahan, also known as Guam. Camacho said that not only does lumping Asian Americans and NHPI together not make any political sense, but the erasure of NHPI does a disservice in other ways as well.

"It also means that we get left out. That is a problem because we matter and because we have ancestral intelligence and knowledge and language and culture that is beautiful. We have so much to offer to the world that can enrich people's lives," Camacho said.

Retaining a sense of cultural pride and self determination in the face of colonization is a victory in itself.

"To live through a moment where your grandparents were made to believe their whole life by different foreign occupations that our people are dumb, that our cultures are useless, that our language has no value," Camacho said, "you begin to internalize that those things are true about you."

It's part of Camacho's mission to use Pasifika art and culture to resist that mental colonization.

"Our indigenous knowledge is essential to the survival of all of us," Camacho said. "Indigenous culture is really just a set of practices, beliefs, and values that our ancestors have honed over time to orient us towards having a healthy and holistic relationship to the environment, to ourselves, to our community and to all life on this planet, the seen and the unseen, the big spirits in the mountains, the elements."

Camacho has a simple remedy for the disaggregation problem. "Just be Asian," Camacho said. "[If you focus on Asian Americans], just be Asian." Don't claim to represent NHPI communities if it is not actually authentic to the work you do or the communities you center. Then, support NHPI-led organizations and efforts and ensure they have their own, independent seat at the table.

Making that change will help us all get back on a more inclusive path.

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Why it's time to retire the term 'Asian Pacific Islander'

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Sometimes in the march to progress and inclusivity, we find ourselves taking a path that leads us in the opposite direction than what we intended. Such is the case with the term "Asian Pacific Islander" or API, a now commonly used way to describe people of Asian American and Pacific Islander descent in the United States.

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Food Vlogger

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Pike Place Market - AMERICA'S #1 CHOWDER + Must-Eat Market Tour in Seattle | American Food!

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Food Vlogger

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Eating SEATTLE'S CHINATOWN & MONSTER Japanese Katsu Burger Challenge

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Learn Japanese Holidays - Obon - 日本の祝日を学ぼう - お盆

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http://www.japanesepod101.com/video Learn more about Japanese culture with JapanesePod101.com! Ever wondered what the most important Japanese holidays are, and how they are celebrated? Then this 25-lesson video series is for you! With this series, you'll learn the what, why, when and how of 25 well-known holidays in Japan.

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The Brothers Cazimero - "Home in the Islands"

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TAIKO Studios presents the story of Luna is a vibrant young Chinese American girl who dreams of becoming an astronaut. From the day she witnesses a rocket launching into space on TV, Luna is driven to reach for the stars. In the big city, Luna lives with her loving father Chu, who supports her with a humble shoe repair business he runs out of his garage. As Luna grows up, she enters college, facing adversity of all kinds in pursuit of her dreams.

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CGI Animated Short Film: "One Small Step" by TAIKO Studios | CGMeetup

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Starring
Kelly Marie Tran and
Awkwafina

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Disney's Raya and the Last Dragon | Official Trailer

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Starring Auli'i Caravalho and Dwayne Johnson

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Dwayne the Rock Johnson
Jason Momoa
and more!

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Polynesians are making their mark on Hollywood this year with at least 2 major blockbusters starring Polynesians in main roles. 'Aquaman' which is still out in theatres, stars Jason Momoa - the 1st Polynesian to play a Superhero character ever and Dwayne 'the Rock' Johnson - credited for bringing the 'Fast & Furious' franchise back to life now stars in his own spinoff 'Hobbs & Shaw' which is set for release later this year. We take a look at other projects you can catch them in this year AND other Polynesians you can look out for in Hollywood movies or TV series that are either out now or being released this year. Have we missed anyone? Let us know!
DWAYNE 'THE ROCK' JOHNSON

SAMOAN

Fast & Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw

The Rock reprises his role of Luke Hobbs in this 'Fast & Furious' spin off. "Hobbs & Shaw" blasts open a new door in the Fast universe as it hurtles action across the globe, from Los Angeles to London and from the toxic wasteland of Chernobyl to the lush beauty of Samoa.
OTHER POLY ACTORS IN THE FILM INCLUDE - And introducing young Samoan ELIANA SU'A who plays Dwayne's daughter in the movie. You can also catch her in another movie coming out this year called 'Simmer' Josh Mauga, Cliff Curtis, Leati Joseph Anoa'i aka Roman Reigns, John Tui, Ping Moli Jr, Kelemete Misipeka & Hio Pelesasa plus other Poly Stuntmen like Tanoa'i Reed.
'Fast & Furious presents: Hobbs & Shaw' is set for release in August 2019

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Jungle Cruise
Poly stuntmen Tanoa'i Reed & Sala Baker lend a hand in this one too.
Based on Disneyland's theme park ride where a small riverboat takes a group of travelers through a jungle filled with dangerous animals and reptiles, but with a supernatural element.

Set for release in October 2019

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Ballers (HBO Series)
Jumanji 3 is also expected to be released late 2019
The Rock stars in this series as a retired football superstar trying to reinvent himself as a financial manager for current players in sun-soaked Miami. Trailer for Season 4 out now below and Season 5 is due for release mid 2019.

JASON MOMOA

HAWAIIAN

Aquaman
Also stars Aotearoa's own Temuera Morrison who plays Jasons father. As Jason has said himself, Temuera is one of his favourite actors and he gave him a role in Frontier Season 3 where he plays Te Rangi.
It's blown past the billion-dollar global box office mark making it DC's Highest Grossing film EVER!

Lego Movie 2

Jason voices his Aquaman character for the Lego Movie 2 which came out earlier this year.

Frontier (Netflix Series)

Jason stars as ferocious outlaw Declan Harp who takes his fight against the Hudson's Bay Company across the Atlantic this season. Temuera Morrison also joins him in Season 3. Catch up on the full Series on Netflix.

COMING UP -

He's wrapped filming on Apple's upcoming future-based drama series SEE and he's also been cast as as Duncan Idaho in the upcoming Denis Villeneuve film DUNE

COOPER ANDREWS

SAMOAN

Shazam!

Another DC Universe movie, Cooper plays Victor Vasquez - foster father to Billy Batson aka Shazam.

You may recognise Cooper from Den of Thieves which came out last year and also starred Hawaiian UFC star Max Holloway. There's a few other Polys in this 'Den of Thieves Date Night Scene. and it could be the first time the Tongan language is heard in a major Hollywood movie too ;)

The Walking Dead (AMC Series)

Cooper plays Jerry a survivor and resident of the Kingdom in a recurring role since 2016. Season 9 is out now. Check him out in this featurette.

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KJ APA

SAMOAN

The Hate U Give

'The Hate U Give' had a very limited release here in NZ last month at the Rialto cinemas about 4 months after it first came out in the US . KJ plays the main character Starr's boyfriend Chris.

Riverdale (CW Series)

KJ plays the main character Archie in CWs 'Riverdale' based on the Archie comics and it's just been renewed for a 4th season.

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FRANKIE ADAMS

SAMOAN

The Expanse

Frankie stars as Bobbie Draper, a member of the Martian Marine Corps, one of the toughest and best members of her squad. Season 4 is due out some time this year and you can also catch Frankie in a cameo role in Nikki Siulepas 'Same but Different'

BEULAH KOALE & TAYLOR WILY

SAMOAN

Hawaii 5-0 (CBS Series)
Other Poly guest stars this season - Eric Scanlan as Natano Reigns & Moronai Kanekoa as Marcus Nash
Beulah joined the main cast of Hawaii 5-0 in 2017 and plays Junior Reigns. Taylor Wily (Teila Tuli) has had a long time recurring role in the series first appearing in 2010. He plays the role of Kamekona Tupuola.

SISA GREY

SAMOAN

SMILF (Showtime series)

Sisa plays a recurring role as Samoan nanny Ida. She's joined on the series by newcomer Patricia Fa'asua who has just graduated from Yale School of Drama and has hit the ground running with a role in SMILF as Sisa's characters sister! In one scene they get to have a phone conversation in Samoan which could be the first time the Samoan language has been used on mainstream American TV.

Sisa also co-stars in an episode of the mini-series 'I am the Night' starring Chris Pine which is out now and you'll be able to see her in a recurring role on the DC Legends of Tomorrow series this year.

KALIKO KAUAHI

HAWAI'IAN

Superstore (NBC Series)

Kaliko is known for her role as Sandra on NBC's Superstore - a hilarious workplace comedy about a unique family of employees at a supersized megastore. You can also catch her on Disney's 'Ravens Home' where she plays Principal Kwan.

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RENA OWEN

MAORI

SIREN (Freeform TV Series)

Beth Heke lives ;) Rena stars as Helen Hawkins in this fantasy thriller based in a small coastal town known for its mermaid legends. The folklore comes to life, with the arrival of mysterious ocean creatures and a series of vicious attacks. The show is shot on location in Vancouver but you can catch it on demand here in NZ.

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KELEMETE MISIPEKA

SAMOAN

Ray Donovan / Hobbs & Shaw / Mr Robot

We've got him listed with the Poly boys who are in Hobbs & Shaw which is coming out this year but he also recently had a guest role in Ray Donovan for a couple of episodes which you can check out in the video below. He plays drug dealer Fetu Autufuga and speaks Samoan in it.

He's just wrapped filming on Mr Robot with Rami Malek & Christian Slater in New York.

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LEHI FALEPAPALANGI*

TONGAN

Future Man (Hulu Series)

Lehi Falepapalangi is a Tongan living in La'ie, Hawaii. He has recently returned from LA, wrapping up on season 2 of the Hulu series Future Man (featuring Josh Hutcherson) as the reoccurring character Chisel Pitboss a post-apocalyptic jail warden of his village. Lehi has also Guest-Starred in Hawaii Five-0 this season as an armed boar-hunter who took the main characters hostage and you'll also see him in the feature film "The Islands," directed by Tim Chey playing the Koa warrior Kapu which is due for release in March.

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CODY MAFATU EASTERBROOK*

SAMOAN

Universal Kids (NBC)

Cody is on NBC's Universal Kids which is currently airing 40 episodes and is filmed in Toronto. He's an actor, entertainer, reporter, television host, educator and world traveler with an infectious zeal for life. He's explored over 35 countries including giving service for two years in South America and was recently noted as one of the top 5 travelers in the world.

Check out one of his travel videos to the Marshall Islands below and the rest of his channel here.

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OTHER POLYS TO WATCH OUT FOR

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POLYS IN HOLLYWOOD - thecoconet.tv - The world's largest hub of Pacific Island content.

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Polynesians are making their mark on Hollywood this year with at least 2 major blockbusters starring Polynesians in main roles. 'Aquaman' which is still out in theatres, stars Jason Momoa - the 1st Polynesian to play a Superhero character ever and Dwayne 'the Rock' Johnson - credited for bringing the 'Fast & Furious' franchise back to life now stars in his own spinoff 'Hobbs & Shaw' which is set for release later this year.

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Aloha Spirit (Part 1) | A Titan’s Story: Marcus Mariota

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The first Samoan to play in the NFL was Offensive Lineman Al Lolotai, a Samoan, who was a member of the 1945 Washington Redskins. The first Polynesian to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame was "Squirmin" Herman Wedemeyer, a Hawaiian, in 1979. The first Polynesian to win the Heisman Trophy, was quarterback Marcus Mariota, a Samoan, in 2015. And, Inaugural Polynesian Football Hall of Fame Inductee Junior Seau, is the first Polynesian to be inducted into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Legends such as Kevin Mawae, Kurt Gouveia, Jesse Sapolu, Jack "The Throwin' Samoan" Thompson, Troy Polomalu and Olin Kreutz have contributed to Polynesian Football lore.

The Polynesian influence and prestige in American football is at an all-time high, and rapidly expanding. Today, there are over 60 NFL players of Polynesian ancestry. Polynesian football players have become part of the American football lexicon.

The Polynesian Football Hall of Fame will continue to share this storied history and recognize its greatest participants.

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The first Samoan to play in the NFL was Offensive Lineman Al Lolotai, a Samoan, who was a member of the 1945 Washington Redskins. The first Polynesian to be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame was "Squirmin" Herman Wedemeyer, a Hawaiian, in 1979.

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Micronesian Scientist becomes first Pacific Islander to reach the ocean's deepest point!

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It is a place that has been visited by fewer people than have flown to the moon - pitch black, 11km down, the last frontier.

Last month, Nicole Yamase became the first Pacific Islander, the third woman, and, at 29, the second-youngest person to visit Challenger Deep, the deepest known part of the Mariana Trench.

The roughly 50km-long, 6km-wide Challenger Deep lies within the territorial waters of Federated States of Micronesia (FSM) and FSM president David Panuelo said it was "fitting that a Micronesian has finally seen the bottom of the Challenger Deep", adding that Yamase's work was "awe-inspiring in its importance and breathtaking in its beauty".

Yamase took personal mementoes into the submersible for the 10-hour mission, which took her nearly 11km below the ocean's surface. They included the FSM flag, a traditional mwaramwar cowry shell necklace, and a small model wooden canoe, a gift from her father and symbol of her navigator heritage.

She said the once-in-a-lifetime opportunity to explore the depths of the ocean that sustained her ancestors, made her feel more connected to her culture and appreciate the complementary nature of science and traditional knowledge.

"Our ancestors were scientists from the very beginning. They observed and collected data ... they tested and tried new things," she said.

Yamase grew up in Palau, Saipan and Chuuk and Pohnpei, and is now studying a PhD on the effects of climate change on macroalgae and nearshore marine plants at the University of Hawaii.

The expedition was organised by deep sea explorer Victor Vescovo, owner of the DSSV Pressure Drop, a support ship used to transport the DSV Limiting Factor, the only Triton 36000/2 submersible built to dive to full ocean depth (nearly 11,000m).

Vescovo is on a mission to map the seafloor. He also wants to expand access to independent scientists and inspire tomorrow's explorers. He said it was important having a Micronesian scientist make the journey, given Challenger Deep lies in FSM's territorial waters, adding: "I think more women need to be involved in science."

To reach Challenger Deep Yamase first flew to Guam where she joined the roughly 30-person crew of the Pressure Drop for the daylong journey to the southernmost part of the Mariana Trench.

The expedition was organised by deep sea explorer Victor Vescovo. He and Yamase travelled nearly 11km below the ocean's surface. Photograph: Nick Verola/Verola Media

On the morning of the dive, Yamase wriggled into the confines of Limiting Factor, seated beside Vescovo for the descent to the seafloor.

Surrounded by oxygen tanks and blinking control panels, there would be no bathroom break for ten hours but the ship's Austrian chef insisted they follow tradition and bring his apple strudel along as a snack.

During the four-hour descent to and ascent from the seafloor, Vescovo and Yamase kept the mood light by listening to music (ABBA) and watching movies (Blue Planet).

Although a myriad of mysterious sea creatures inhabit the depths, Yamase described Challenger Deep as akin to a desert or moonscape where "marine snow" - tiny particles of organic material - float down from above. They also spotted waste - pieces of rope - on the seabed.

Increasingly, the seafloor is a place of competition and potential conflict as industrialised nations and corporations eye deep-ocean resources with plans to extract mineral-rich polymetallic nodules in what remains largely uncharted territory.

Yamase hopes her experience will inspire Pacific Islander women to pursue STEM and higher education. "If I can do it," she said, "they can do it too." And while women traditionally stayed near the shore, she called her experience a way to break gender boundaries and expectations.

"We belong on shore," said Yamase. "We belong all the way at the bottom, and everywhere in between too."

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Micronesian scientist becomes first Pacific Islander to reach ocean's deepest point

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It is a place that has been visited by fewer people than have flown to the moon - pitch black, 11km down, the last frontier. Last month, Nicole Yamase became the first Pacific Islander, the third woman, and, at 29, the second-youngest person to visit Challenger Deep, the deepest known part of the Mariana Trench.

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Mirai Nagasu, Nathan Chen, The Shib sibs, Karen Chen, Madison Chock, Vincent Zhou!!!!

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Asian Americans skate into Olympic spotlight in record number - CNN

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Karen Chen, Nathan Chen, Madison Chock, Mirai Nagasu, Maia and Alex Shibutani and Vincent Zhou, reflect a growing trend of representation in figure skating.

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Attracting over 4 million visitors every year prior to the COVID pandemic, Oahu's Waikiki Beach is famous for its hotels, white sand beaches, and 9-foot-tall bronze statue of Hawaii's surfing legend and famed Olympic swimmer, Duke Kahanamoku. But another, more mysterious monument, made up of four large boulders, also rests on Waikiki's oceanfront, its significance long unknown to visitors and even locals. Titled "Nā Pōhaku Ola O Kapaemahu A Me Kapuni," or "The Stones of Life," the monument, though erected in 1997, has a history on Waikiki that spans six centuries, its story tarnished, changed, and suppressed over time.

But the award-winning animated short film, Kapaemahu, is changing all that, revisiting, revitalizing, and celebrating the true magic and meaning behind the stones.

"There was a lot of effort to peel away the layers to uncover what had been hidden for so long and intentionally suppressed," says Joe Wilson, a writer, co-director, and producer on Kapaemahu along with partner Dean Hamer and lead director Hinaleimoana Wong-Kalu. "This film is a great metaphor for calling us all to try to see what's in front of us and understand it more deeply than just what's on the surface."

The eight-minute 2D animated short takes place in the 15th Century, as four tall, deep-voiced, gentle Mahu - individuals who are a mixture of both male and female in mind, body, and spirit -sail from Tahiti to Hawaii and introduce their gifts of science and healing to the inhabitants of Waikiki. The Mahu are in-turn gifted by the islanders with a monument of four boulders in their honor. After transferring their powers into the stones, the Mahu disappear. As time passes, foreigners inhabit the island and wars rage; the once sacred and revered stones, and their story, are forgotten and buried under a bowling alley in 1941. Though the stones are recovered in the 1960s and placed back as a monument on Waikiki 37 years later, their true story was not fully recovered. But the power of the Mahu still calls out to those who pass by and are willing to listen.

Winner of the Atlanta Film Festival's Best Animated Short Award, the Grand Jury Award at Animayo, the Audience Award at Outfest, the Special Jury Prize at Hiroshima International Animation Festival, and many others, Kapaemahu is now an Oscar contender. Wilson and Hamer are both award-winning documentary filmmakers, known for their films like Leitis in Waiting (2018) which highlights transgender stories in the Pacific. They first began thinking of an animated film surrounding the story of the stones 10 years ago while working on a documentary film, Kumu Hina, about their fellow Kapaemahu director Wong-Kalu, a native Hawaiian teacher, cultural practitioner, and Mahu who "grew up being taught that Mahu, the concept of it and the understanding of it, was not something to be proud about."

"I grew up learning that being Mahu was bad by direct and indirect comments, and inferences and looks and glances and being referred to negatively as 'Mahu,'" remembers Wong-Kalu. "And the culmination of all those life moments that you'll never forget - and I will never forget them - made me feel less than. I look back on this journey and there are still times where I feel that little tremble, that quiver, because I remember the hurt that was associated with the word. It was not until after I graduated high school that I began to learn the rightful history of the Mahu and the stones I grew up laying on at the beach as a child."

Mahu, and Mahu entertainers in particular, were demonized in the 1960s; when the historic stones resurfaced, the Mahu were completely erased from the story. That is, until Hamer, Wilson, and Wong-Kalu discovered a handwritten manuscript from 1906 - describing the story of the stones - at UH Mānoa's Hamilton Library in 2015, conveyed by James Harbottle Boyd, a member of the Hawaiian nobility and close confidant of Queen Liliuokalani. It was written by Thomas Thrum, who later published the story in the Hawaiian Almanac.

"We felt secure that we had found at least the most authentic story that had been passed down by the elders," says Hamer. "But unlike our documentary work, our story is not about people we can go to for an interview. That's what drove our move to animation; the film grew very organically from there."

Academy Award-nominated animation director Daniel Sousa, known for his earthy and mythical animation styles in shorts like Fable (2006) and Feral (2012), was brought onto the Kapaemahu team to bring new, sun-kissed animated life to an ancient story. From golden sands and a glistening green and orange ocean to the rust red tones of the islanders, Kapaemahu 's whole canvas represents the saturated sunsets of Hawaii; the film is accompanied by narration from Wong-Kalu in Olelo Niihau - the only form of Hawaiian that has been continuously spoken since before the arrival of foreigners - and chants by contemporary Hawaiian music composer and performer Kaumakaiwa Kanakaole, who also identifies as Mahu.

"It was an amazing opportunity to create this very lush and beautiful world based on traditional Hawaiian and Polynesian art patterns, and to try to step inside the skin of people from that time period," says Sousa, who drew inspiration for the animation's rough textures from Hawaiian tapa cloth and even from the stones themselves. "Dean and Joe provided a wealth of photographic references, and we tried to create these characters that were very statuesque and infuse every part of the film's landscape with that stone texture and richness as well."

"The biggest challenge was the joint effort of trying to create a story that connects with the audience on a human level," he adds. "The original story, in a way, is pretty dry; there isn't much there. And we're trying to flesh out these characters so that we can relate to them and sympathize with them."

That is one of the reasons Wong-Kalu was used as a model for the Mahu characters Sousa created.

"In doing a film that's either going to be sensitive or contentious, you can't just expect to call upon somebody else to be your poster child, or to be your model from which you derive your images and storylines," explains Wong-Kalu. "You have to be willing to put yourself out there. Being the kind of storytellers that we native Kanaka are, we do best when the story is reflective. So, the fact that my image was used and having this story parallel my own life in 2020, that I, too, would have a healer come from the southern islands and heal my life in ways that I could never imagine, it was a really wonderful process."

Sousa says he also derived inspiration from Henry Moore sculptures for their portrayal of, as he says, "very large female figures, broad shoulders, with a kind of imposing presence with very small heads, that feel almost like superheroes."

It was a risky choice that Wong-Kalu says, in the end, elicited a powerful and positive image for the story and the characters. "From the perspective of male to female transgender, the very elements that make you more masculine or more manly, are the things that you try to either tone down or do something about, so that it's not glaring in your face," she notes. "When I first saw the larger-than-life superhero images of those people with larger framed bodies and smaller heads, I was thinking, it emphasizes all of the things that we in the Mahu community sometimes fear and run away from the most, or that make us think 'Oh my goodness, here we go again.'"

She continues, "But as we went on with the character design, I realized that the way they were being drawn is exactly the way they were meant to be, because these are larger than life people and the memory of their names exists in large stones. You can't get any more honor than that, to have a great stone represent your story and represent your name."

Sousa believes animation also provided an avenue for the Mahu character traits to represent more than just their physicality. "Another thing that separates animation from live-action is that it's a kind of a metaphoric space," he shares. "So, when you create a character that looks larger than life, you're saying something more about their interior being than what they look like physically. These characters look larger than life because their souls are larger than life. If you did this in live-action, it wouldn't have come across that way. So, it's very specific to this medium of storytelling."

Wong-Kalu also inspired Sousa's suggestion to Wilson and Hamer that the story be told through the point of view of a child, speaking to both Wong-Kalu's profession as a teacher as well as taking the opportunity to touch the hearts of younger generations.

"I think that was really a great breakthrough," says Hamer. "Hina is a teacher, so we thought this would be a great way to capture her passion for children, and it was in the back of our mind that the child in this film would be based on one of Hina's own students."

Kapaemahu 's positive impact on young children has already been proven. Among its many awards, the film was nominated Best Children's Film at the Ottawa International Animation Festival and won the Children's Jury Award from The Chicago International Children's Film Festival. "What better judges than young and innocent minds that have yet to become jaded by the ravages of aging and time," says Wong-Kalu.

But still, it's not the awards by which Wong-Kalu and the team measure the film's success. "What means more to me than winning any award is that the film is resonating with children," explains Wong-Kalu. "I care about two primary things: that my work uplifts the name of my islands and my people, and that paramount to any award or being featured at any festival, that just one person finds some value, some merit, or sees themselves in the film and helps them to be closer to their truth."

In June of 2022, Kapaemahu will be the centerpiece of a major exhibition at the Bishop Museum in Honolulu, exploring the contemporary history of Nā Pōhaku Ola Kapaemahu and related themes. The team is also trying to make their animated short available in tourist centers, on TVs in hotel rooms, and on Hawaii airlines.

"Many of us who grew up in marginalized communities rarely or never get to see ourselves reflected in our society," says Wilson, he, and Hamer, both being gay men. "We're erased from history and are told, day after day, that we don't belong. The symbolism of this animated story is told in a grand and beautiful way. That's because that history has been invisible for so long; it needs to be seen so that it has an impact, and so young people or families with young people who fit somewhere in this invisibilized gender spectrum can see themselves out there and see their future possibilities, because there is a culture that has a place for them."

Wong-Kalu adds, " Kapaemahu is about teaching, it's about youth, and it's about the next generations. This entire story is a mirror of my journey as well and when I reflect now, looking at the final product, if there's anything that I want shown after I pass from this earth, at my funeral, it would be this animation."

Victoria Davis is a full-time, freelance journalist and part-time Otaku with an affinity for all things anime. She's reported on numerous stories from activist news to entertainment. Find more about her work at victoriadavisdepiction.com.

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'Kapaemahu' Helps Revive Hidden Hawaiian History of Healing and Aloha

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Attracting over 4 million visitors every year prior to the COVID pandemic, Oahu's Waikiki Beach is famous for its hotels, white sand beaches, and 9-foot-tall bronze statue of Hawaii's surfing legend and famed Olympic swimmer, Duke Kahanamoku. But another, more mysterious monument, made up of four large boulders, also rests on Waikiki's oceanfront, its significance long unknown to visitors and even locals.

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Vice President of the United States of America.

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Kamala Devi Harris ( KAH-mə-lə DAY-vee; born October 20, 1964) is an American politician and attorney who is the 49th vice president of the United States. She is the first female vice president and the highest-ranking female official in U.S. history, as well as the first African American and first Asian American vice president.

A member of the Democratic Party, she served as a United States senator from California from 2017 to 2021, and as the attorney general of California from 2011 to 2017. Harris became vice president upon inauguration in January 2021 alongside President Joe Biden, having defeated the incumbent president, Donald Trump, and vice president, Mike Pence, in the 2020 election.

Born in Oakland, California, Harris graduated from Howard University and the University of California, Hastings College of the Law. She began her career in the Alameda County District Attorney's Office, before being recruited to the San Francisco District Attorney's Office and later the City Attorney of San Francisco's office. In 2003, she was elected district attorney of San Francisco. She was elected Attorney General of California in 2010 and re-elected in 2014. Harris served as the junior United States senator from California from 2017 to 2021. Harris defeated Loretta Sanchez in the 2016 Senate election to become the second African American woman and the first South Asian American to serve in the United States Senate. As a senator, she advocated for healthcare reform, federal de-scheduling of cannabis, a path to citizenship for undocumented immigrants, the DREAM Act, a ban on assault weapons, and progressive tax reform. She gained a national profile for her pointed questioning of Trump administration officials during Senate hearings, including Trump's second Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh, who was accused of sexual assault.

Harris sought the 2020 Democratic presidential nomination, but withdrew from the race prior to the primaries. Biden selected her as his running mate in August 2020, and their ticket went on to win the general election in November. She assumed office as vice president of the United States on January 20, 2021.

Early life and education (1964-1990)

Kamala Devi Harris was born in Oakland, California, on October 20, 1964. Her mother, Shyamala Gopalan, a biologist whose work on the progesterone receptor gene stimulated advances in breast cancer research, had arrived in the United States from India in 1958 as a 19-year-old graduate student in nutrition and endocrinology at the University of California, Berkeley; Gopalan received her PhD in 1964. Harris's father, Donald J. Harris, a Stanford University professor emeritus of economics, arrived in the United States from British Jamaica in 1961 for graduate study at UC Berkeley, receiving a PhD in economics in 1966. Of Afro-Jamaican descent, Donald Harris met his future wife, Shyamala Gopalan through the civil rights movement.

Kamala Harris and her younger sister Maya lived in Berkeley, California, during and after her parents' studies. They stayed briefly on Milvia Street in central Berkeley, then at a duplex on Bancroft Way in West Berkeley, an area often called the "flatlands" with a significant black population. When Harris began kindergarten, she was bused as part of Berkeley's comprehensive desegregation program to Thousand Oaks Elementary School, a public school in a more prosperous neighborhood in northern Berkeley which previously had been 95 percent white, and after the desegregation plan went into effect became 40 percent Black.

A neighbor regularly took the Harris girls to an African American church in Oakland where they sang in the children's choir, and the girls and their mother also frequently visited a nearby African American cultural center. Their mother introduced them to Hinduism and took them to a nearby Hindu temple, where she occasionally sang. As children, she and her sister visited their mother's family in Madras (now Chennai) several times. She says she has been strongly influenced by her maternal grandfather P. V. Gopalan, a retired Indian civil servant whose progressive views on democracy and women's rights impressed her. Harris has remained in touch with her Indian aunts and uncles throughout her adult life. Harris has also visited her father's family in Jamaica.

Her parents divorced when she was seven. Harris has said that when she and her sister visited their father in Palo Alto on weekends, other children in the neighborhood were not allowed to play with them because they were black. When she was twelve, Harris and her sister moved with their mother to Montreal, Quebec, where Shyamala had accepted a research and teaching position at the McGill University-affiliated Jewish General Hospital. Harris attended a French-speaking primary school, Notre-Dame-des-Neiges, then F.A.C.E. School, and finally Westmount High School in Westmount, Quebec, graduating in 1981. Wanda Kagan, a high school friend of Harris, later told in 2020 that Harris was her best friend and described how she confided in Harris that she had been molested by her stepfather. She said that Harris told her mother, who then insisted Kagan come to live with them for the remainder of her final year of high school. Kagan said Harris had recently told her that their friendship, and playing a role in countering Kagan's exploitation, helped form the commitment Harris felt in protecting women and children as a prosecutor. After high school, in 1982, Harris attended Howard University, a historically black university in Washington, D.C. While at Howard, she interned as a mailroom clerk for California senator Alan Cranston, chaired the economics society, led the debate team, and joined Alpha Kappa Alpha sorority. Harris graduated from Howard in 1986 with a degree in political science and economics.

Harris then returned to California to attend law school at the University of California, Hastings College of the Law through its Legal Education Opportunity Program (LEOP). While at UC Hastings, she served as president of its chapter of the Black Law Students Association. She graduated with a Juris Doctor in 1989 and was admitted to the California Bar in June 1990.

Early career (1990-2004)

In 1990, Harris was hired as a deputy district attorney in Alameda County, California, where she was described as "an able prosecutor on the way up". In 1994, Speaker of the California Assembly Willie Brown, who was then dating Harris, appointed her to the state Unemployment Insurance Appeals Board and later to the California Medical Assistance Commission. Harris took a six-month leave of absence in 1994 from her duties, then afterward resumed as prosecutor during the years she sat on the boards. Harris's connection to Brown was noted in media reportage as part of a pattern of Californian political leaders appointing "friends and loyal political soldiers" to lucrative positions on the commissions. Harris has defended her work.

In February 1998, San Francisco district attorney Terence Hallinan recruited Harris as an assistant district attorney. There, she became the chief of the Career Criminal Division, supervising five other attorneys, where she prosecuted homicide, burglary, robbery, and sexual assault cases - particularly three-strikes cases. In 2000, Harris reportedly clashed with Hallinan's assistant, Darrell Salomon, over Proposition21, which granted prosecutors the option of trying juvenile defendants in Superior Court rather than juvenile courts. Harris campaigned against the measure, which passed. Salomon opposed directing media inquiries about Prop21 to Harris and reassigned her, a de facto demotion. Harris filed a complaint against Salomon and quit.

In August 2000, Harris took a job at San Francisco City Hall, working for city attorney Louise Renne. Harris ran the Family and Children's Services Division representing child abuse and neglect cases. Renne endorsed Harris during her D.A. campaign.

District Attorney of San Francisco (2004-2011)

In 2002, Harris prepared to run for District Attorney of San Francisco against Hallinan (the incumbent) and Bill Fazio. Harris was the least-known of the three candidates but persuaded the Central Committee to withhold its endorsement from Hallinan. Harris and Hallinan advanced to the general election runoff with 33 and 37 percent of the vote, respectively.

In the runoff, Harris pledged never to seek the death penalty and to prosecute three-strike offenders only in cases of violent felonies. Harris ran a "forceful" campaign, assisted by former mayor Willie Brown, Senator Dianne Feinstein, writer and cartoonist Aaron McGruder, and comedians Eddie Griffin and Chris Rock. Harris differentiated herself from Hallinan by attacking his performance. She argued that she left his office because it was technologically inept, emphasizing his 52 percent conviction rate for serious crimes despite an 83 percent average conviction rate statewide. Harris charged that his office was not doing enough to stem the city's gun violence, particularly in poor neighborhoods like Bayview and the Tenderloin, and attacked his willingness to accept plea bargains in cases of domestic violence. Harris won with 56 percent of the vote, becoming the first person of color elected as district attorney of San Francisco.

Harris ran unopposed for a second term in 2007.

Public safety

Non-violent crimes

In the summer of 2005, Harris created an environmental crimes unit.

In 2007, Harris and city attorney Dennis Herrera investigated San Francisco supervisor Ed Jew for violating residency requirements necessary to hold his supervisor position; Harris charged Jew with nine felonies, alleging that he had lied under oath and falsified documents to make it appear he resided in a Sunset District home, necessary so he could run for supervisor in the 4th district. Jew pleaded guilty in October 2008 to unrelated federal corruption charges (mail fraud, soliciting a bribe, and extortion) and pleaded guilty the following month in state court to a charge of perjury for lying about his address on nomination forms, as part of a plea agreement in which the other state charges were dropped and Jew agreed to never again hold elected office in California. Harris described the case as "about protecting the integrity of our political process, which is part of the core of our democracy". For his federal offenses, Jew was sentenced to 64 months in federal prison and a $10,000 fine; for the state perjury conviction, Jew was sentenced to one year in county jail, three years' probation, and about $2,000 in fines.

Under Harris, the D.A.'s office obtained more than 1,900 convictions for marijuana offenses, including persons simultaneously convicted of marijuana offenses and more serious crimes. The rate at which Harris's office prosecuted marijuana crimes was higher than the rate under Hallinan, but the number of defendants sentenced to state prison for such offenses was substantially lower. Prosecutions for low-level marijuana offenses were rare under Harris, and her office had a policy of not pursuing jail time for marijuana possession offenses. Harris's successor as D.A., George Gascón, expunged all San Francisco marijuana offenses going back to 1975.

Violent crimes

In the early 2000s, the San Francisco murder rate per capita outpaced the national average. Within the first six months of taking office, Harris cleared 27 of 74 backlogged homicide cases by settling 14 by plea bargain and taking 11 to trial; of those trials, nine ended with convictions and two with hung juries. She took 49 violent crime cases to trial and secured 36 convictions. From 2004 to 2006, Harris achieved an 87 percent conviction rate for homicides and a 90 percent conviction rate for all felony gun violations.

Harris also pushed for higher bail for criminal defendants involved in gun-related crimes, arguing that historically low bail encouraged outsiders to commit crimes in San Francisco. SFPD officers credited Harris with tightening the loopholes defendants had used in the past. In addition to creating a gun crime unit, Harris opposed releasing defendants on their own recognizance if they were arrested on gun crimes, sought minimum 90-day sentences for possession of concealed or loaded weapons, and charged all assault weapons possession cases as felonies, adding that she would seek prison terms for criminals who possessed or used assault weapons and would seek maximum penalties on gun-related crimes.

Harris created a Hate Crimes Unit, focusing on hate crimes against LGBT children and teens in schools. In early 2006, Gwen Araujo, a 17-year-old American Latina transgender teenager, was murdered by two men who later used the " gay panic defense" before being convicted of second-degree murder. Harris, alongside Araujo's mother Sylvia Guerrero, convened a two-day conference of at least 200 prosecutors and law enforcement officials nationwide to discuss strategies to counter such legal defenses. Harris subsequently supported A.B. 1160, the Gwen Araujo Justice for Victims Act, advocating that California's penal code include jury instructions to ignore bias, sympathy, prejudice, or public opinion in making their decision, also making mandatory for district attorney's offices in California to educate prosecutors about panic strategies and how to prevent bias from affecting trial outcomes. In September 2006, California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed A.B. 1160 into law; the law put California on record as declaring it contrary to public policy for defendants to be acquitted or convicted of a lesser included offense on the basis of appeals to "societal bias".

In August 2007, state assemblyman Mark Leno introduced legislation to ban gun shows at the Cow Palace, joined by Harris, police chief Heather Fong, and mayor Gavin Newsom. City leaders contended the shows were directly contributing to the proliferation of illegal guns and spiking homicide rates in San Francisco. (Earlier that month Newsom had signed into law local legislation banning gun shows on city and county property.) Leno alleged that merchants drove through the public housing developments nearby and illegally sold weapons to residents. While the bill would stall, local opposition to the shows continued until the Cow Palace Board of Directors in 2019 voted to approve a statement banning all future gun shows.

Reform efforts

Death penalty

During her campaign, Harris pledged never to seek the death penalty. After a San Francisco Police Department officer, Isaac Espinoza, was shot and killed in 2004, U.S. senator (and former San Francisco mayor) Dianne Feinstein, U.S. senator Barbara Boxer, Oakland mayor Jerry Brown, and the San Francisco Police Officers Association pressured Harris to reverse that position, but she did not. (Polls found that seventy percent of voters supported Harris's decision.) When Edwin Ramos, an illegal immigrant and alleged MS-13 gang member, was accused of murdering a man and his two sons in 2009, Harris sought a sentence of life in prison without parole, a decision Mayor Gavin Newsom backed.

Recidivism and re-entry initiative

In 2004, Harris recruited civil rights activist Lateefah Simon to create the San Francisco Reentry Division. The flagship program was the Back on Track initiative, a first-of-its-kind reentry program for first-time nonviolent offenders aged 18-30. Initiative participants whose crimes were not weapon- or gang-related would plead guilty in exchange for a deferral of sentencing and regular appearances before a judge over a twelve- to eighteen-month period. The program maintained rigorous graduation requirements, mandating completion of up to 220 hours of community service, obtaining a high-school-equivalency diploma, maintaining steady employment, taking parenting classes, and passing drug tests. At graduation, the court would dismiss the case and expunge the graduate's record. Over six years, the 200 people graduated from the program had a recidivism rate of less than ten percent, compared to the 53 percent of California's drug offenders who returned to prison within two years of release. Back on Track earned recognition from the U.S. Department of Justice as a model for reentry programs. The DOJ found that the cost to the taxpayers per participant was markedly lower ($5,000) than the cost of adjudicating a case ($10,000) and housing a low-level offender ($50,000). In 2009, a state law (the Back on Track Reentry Act, A.B. 750) was enacted, encouraging other California counties to start similar programs. Adopted by the National District Attorneys Association as a model, prosecutor offices in Baltimore, Philadelphia, and Atlanta have used Back on Track as a template for their own programs.

Truancy initiative

In 2008, Harris issued citations against six parents whose children missed at least fifty days of school, the first time San Francisco prosecuted adults for student truancy. San Francisco's school chief, Carlos Garcia, said the path from truancy to prosecution was lengthy, and that the school district usually spends months encouraging parents through phone calls, reminder letters, private meetings, hearings before the School Attendance Review Board, and offers of help from city agencies and social services; two of the six parents entered no plea but said they would work with the D.A.'s office and social service agencies to create "parental responsibility plans" to help them start sending their children to school regularly. By April 2009, 1,330 elementary school students were habitual or chronic truants, down 23 percent from 1,730 in 2008, and down from 2,517 in 2007 and from 2,856 in 2006. Harris's office prosecuted seven parents in three years, with none jailed.

Attorney General of California (2011-2017)

Nearly two years before the 2010 election, Harris announced she planned to run. She also stated she would only run if then-Attorney General Jerry Brown did not seek re-election for that position. Brown instead chose to run for governor and Harris consolidated support from prominent California Democrats. Both of California's senators, Dianne Feinstein and Barbara Boxer, House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, United Farm Workers cofounder Dolores Huerta, and mayor of Los Angeles Antonio Villaraigosa all endorsed her during the Democratic primary. In the June 8, 2010 primary, she was nominated with 33.6 percent of the vote, defeating Alberto Torrico and Chris Kelly.

In the general election, she faced Republican Los Angeles County district attorney Steve Cooley, who led most of the race. Cooley ran as a nonpartisan, distancing himself from Republican gubernatorial candidate Meg Whitman's campaign.[citation needed ] The election was held November2 but after a protracted period of counting mail-in and provisional ballots, Cooley conceded on November 25. Harris was sworn in on January 3, 2011; she is the first woman, the first African American, and the first South Asian American to hold the office of Attorney General in the state's history.

Harris announced her intention to run for re-election in February 2014 and filed paperwork to run on February 12. The Sacramento Bee, Los Angeles Daily News, and Los Angeles Times endorsed her for re-election.

On November 4, 2014, Harris was re-elected against Republican Ronald Gold, winning 57.5 percent of the vote to 42.5 percent.

Consumer protection

Fraud, waste, and abuse

In 2011, Harris announced the creation of the Mortgage Fraud Strike Force in the wake of the 2010 United States foreclosure crisis. That same year, Harris obtained two of the largest recoveries in the history of California's False Claims Act - $241million from Quest Diagnostics and then $323million from the SCAN healthcare network - over excess state Medi-Cal and federal Medicare payments.

In 2012, Harris leveraged California's economic clout to obtain better terms in the National Mortgage Settlement against the nation's five largest mortgage servicers - JPMorgan Chase, Bank of America, Wells Fargo, Citigroup and Ally Bank. The mortgage firms were accused of illegally foreclosing on homeowners. After dismissing an initial offer of $2-4billion in relief for Californians, Harris withdrew from negotiations. The offer eventually was increased to $18.4billion in debt relief and $2billion in other financial assistance for California homeowners.

Harris worked with Assembly speaker John Pérez and Senate president pro tem Darrell Steinberg in 2013 to introduce the Homeowner Bill of Rights, considered one of the strongest protections nationwide against aggressive foreclosure tactics. The Homeowner Bill of Rights banned the practices of "dual-tracking" (processing a modification and foreclosure at the same time) and robo-signing and provided homeowners with a single point of contact at their lending institution. Harris achieved multiple nine-figure settlements for California homeowners under the bill mostly for robo-signing and dual-track abuses, as well as prosecuting instances in which loan processors failed to promptly credit mortgage payments, miscalculated interest rates, and charged borrowers improper fees. Harris secured hundreds of millions in relief, including $268million from Ocwen Financial Corporation, $470million from HSBC, and $550million from SunTrust Banks.

From 2013 to 2015, Harris pursued financial recoveries for California's public employee and teacher's pensions, CalPERS and CalSTRS against various financial giants for misrepresentation in the sale of mortgage-backed securities. She secured multiple nine-figure recoveries for the state pensions, recovering about $193million from Citigroup, $210million from S&P, $300million from JP Morgan Chase, and over half a billion from Bank of America.

In 2013, Harris declined to authorize a civil complaint drafted by state investigators who accused OneWest Bank, owned by an investment group headed by future U.S. treasury secretary Steven Mnuchin (then a private citizen), of "widespread violation" of California foreclosure laws. During the 2016 elections, Harris was the only Democratic Senate candidate to receive a donation from Mnuchin. Harris was criticized for accepting the donation because Mnuchin purportedly profited from the subprime mortgage crisis through OneWest Bank; she later voted against his confirmation as treasury secretary in February 2017. In 2019, Harris's campaign stated that the decision not to pursue prosecution hinged on the state's inability to subpoena OneWest. Her spokesman said, "There was no question OneWest conducted predatory lending, and Senator Harris believes they should be punished. Unfortunately, the law was squarely on their side and they were shielded from state subpoenas because they're a federal bank."

In 2014, Harris settled charges she had brought against rent-to-own retailer Aaron's, Inc. on allegations of incorrect late charges, overcharging customers who paid off their contracts before the due date, and privacy violations. In the settlement, the retailer refunded $28.4million to California customers and paid $3.4million in civil penalties.

In 2015, Harris obtained a $1.2 billion judgment against for-profit post-secondary education company Corinthian Colleges for false advertising and deceptive marketing targeting vulnerable, low-income students and misrepresenting job placement rates to students, investors, and accreditation agencies. The Court ordered Corinthian to pay $820million in restitution and another $350million in civil penalties. That same year, Harris also secured a $60million settlement with JP Morgan Chase to resolve allegations of illegal debt collection with respect to credit card customers, with the bank also agreeing to change practices that violated California consumer protection laws by collecting incorrect amounts, selling bad credit card debt, and running a debt-collection mill that "robo-signed" court documents without first reviewing the files as it rushed to obtain judgments and wage garnishments. As part of the settlement, the bank was required to stop attempting to collect on more than 528,000 customer accounts.

In 2015, Harris opened an investigation of the Office of Ratepayer Advocates, San Diego Gas and Electric, and Southern California Edison regarding the closure of San Onofre Nuclear Generating Station. California state investigators searched the home of California utility regulator Michael Peevey and found handwritten notes that allegedly showed he had met with an Edison executive in Poland, where the two had negotiated the terms of the San Onofre settlement, leaving San Diego taxpayers with a $3.3billion bill to pay for the closure of the plant. The investigation was closed amidst Harris's 2016 run for the U.S. Senate position.

Privacy rights

In February 2012, Harris announced an agreement with Apple, Amazon, Google, Hewlett-Packard, Microsoft, and Research in Motion to mandate that apps sold in their stores display prominent privacy policies informing users of what private information they were sharing, and with whom. Facebook later joined the agreement. That summer, Harris announced the creation of a Privacy Enforcement and Protection Unit to enforce laws related to cyber privacy, identity theft, and data breaches. Later the same year, Harris notified a hundred mobile-app developers of their non-compliance with state privacy laws and asked them to create privacy policies or face a $2,500 fine each time a non-compliant app is downloaded by a resident of California.

In 2015, Harris secured two settlements with Comcast, one totaling $33million over allegations that it posted online the names, phone numbers and addresses of tens of thousands of customers who had paid for unlisted voice over internet protocol (VOIP) phone service and another $26million settlement to resolve allegations that it discarded paper records without first omitting or redacting private customer information. Harris also settled with Houzz over allegations that the company recorded phone calls without notifying customers or employees. Houzz was forced to pay $175,000, destroy the recorded calls, and hire a chief privacy officer, the first time such a provision has been included in a settlement with the California Department of Justice.

Criminal justice reform

Launch of Division of Recidivism Reduction and Re-Entry

In November 2013, Harris launched the California Department of Justice's Division of Recidivism Reduction and Re-Entry in partnership with district attorney offices in San Diego, Los Angeles, and Alameda County. In March 2015, Harris announced the creation of a pilot program in coordination with the Los Angeles County Sheriff's Department called "Back on Track LA". Like Back on Track, first time, non-violent, non-sexual, offenders aged between 18 and 30[failed verification ] - 90 men participated in the pilot program for 24-30 months. Assigned a case manager, participants received education through a partnership with the Los Angeles Community College District and job training services.

Wrongful convictions and prison overcrowding

Harris's record on wrongful conviction cases as attorney general has engendered criticism from academics and activists. Law professor Lara Bazelon contends Harris "weaponized technicalities to keep wrongfully convicted people behind bars rather than allow them new trials". After the 2011 United States Supreme Court decision in Brown v. Plata declared California's prisons so overcrowded they inflicted cruel and unusual punishment, Harris fought federal supervision, explaining "I have a client, and I don't get to choose my client." Harris declined to take any position on criminal sentencing-reform initiatives Prop36 (2012) and Prop47 (2014), arguing it would be improper because her office prepares the ballot booklets. John Van de Kamp, a predecessor as attorney general, publicly disagreed with the rationale.

In September 2014, Harris' office argued unsuccessfully in a court filing against the early release of prisoners, citing the need for inmate firefighting labor. When the memo provoked headlines, Harris spoke out against it, saying she was unaware that her office had produced the memo. Since the 1940s, qualified California inmates have the option of volunteering to receive comprehensive training from the Cal Fire in exchange for sentence reductions and more comfortable prison accommodations; prison firefighters receive about $2 a day, and another $1 when battling fires.

LGBT rights

Opposing Prop 8

In 2008, California voters passed Prop8, a state constitutional amendment providing that only marriages "between a man and a woman" are valid. Legal challenges were made by opponents soon after its approval, and a pair of same-sex couples filed a lawsuit against the initiative in federal court in the case of Perry v. Schwarzenegger (later Hollingsworth v. Perry). In their 2010 campaigns, California attorney general Jerry Brown and Harris both pledged to not defend Prop8.

After being elected, Harris declared her office would not defend the marriage ban, leaving the task to Prop8's proponents. In February 2013, Harris filed an amicus curiae brief, arguing Prop8 was unconstitutional and that the initiative's sponsors did not have legal standing to represent California's interests by defending the law in federal court. In June 2013, the Supreme Court ruled, 5-4, that Prop8's proponents lacked standing to defend it in federal court. The next day Harris delivered a speech in downtown Los Angeles urging the Ninth Circuit to lift the stay banning same-sex marriages as soon as possible. The stay was lifted two days later.

Gay and trans panic defense ban

Michelle-Lael B. Norsworthy v. Jeffrey Beard et. al.

In February 2014, Michelle-Lael Norsworthy, a transgender inmate at California's Mule Creek State Prison, filed a federal lawsuit based on the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation's failure to provide her with what she argued was medically necessary sex reassignment surgery (SRS). In April 2015, a federal judge ordered the state to provide Norsworthy with SRS, finding that prison officials had been " deliberately indifferent to her serious medical need". Harris, representing CDCR, appealed the order to the Ninth Circuit Court of Appeals, arguing that psychotherapy, as well as the hormone therapy Norsworthy had been receiving for her gender dysphoria over the preceding fourteen years, were sufficient medical treatment, and there was "no evidence that Norsworthy is in serious, immediate physical or emotional danger". While Harris defended the state's position in court, she said she ultimately pushed the California Department of Corrections and Rehabilitation to change their policy. In August 2015, while the state's appeal was pending, Norsworthy was released on parole, obviating the state's duty to provide her with inmate medical care and rendering the case moot. In 2019, Harris stated that she took "full responsibility" for briefs her office filed in Norsworthy's case and others involving access to gender-affirming surgery for trans inmates.

Public safety

Anti-truancy efforts

In 2011, Harris urged criminal penalties for parents of truant children as she did as District Attorney of San Francisco, allowing the court to defer judgment if the parent agreed to a mediation period to get their child back in school. Critics charged that local prosecutors implementing her directives were overzealous in their enforcement and Harris's policy adversely affected families. In 2013, Harris issued a report titled "In School + On Track", which found that more than 250,000 elementary school students in the state were "chronically absent" and the statewide truancy rate for elementary students in the 2012-2013 school year was nearly thirty percent, at a cost of nearly $1.4billion to school districts, since funding is based on attendance rates.

Environmental protection

Harris prioritized environmental protection as attorney general, first securing a $44million settlement to resolve all damages and costs associated with the Cosco Busan oil spill, in which a container ship collided with San Francisco-Oakland Bay Bridge and spilled 50,000gallons of bunker fuel into the San Francisco Bay. In the aftermath of the 2015 Refugio oil spill, which deposited about 140,000gallons of crude oil off the coast of Santa Barbara, California, Harris toured the coastline and directed her office's resources and attorneys to investigate possible criminal violations. Thereafter, operator Plains All American Pipeline was indicted on 46 criminal charges related to the spill, with one employee indicted on three criminal charges. In 2019, a Santa Barbara jury returned a verdict finding Plains guilty of failing to properly maintain its pipeline and another eight misdemeanor charges; they were sentenced to pay over $3million in fines and assessments.

From 2015 to 2016, Harris secured multiple multi-million-dollar settlements with fuel service companies Chevron, BP, ARCO, Phillips 66, and ConocoPhillips to resolve allegations they failed to properly monitor the hazardous materials in its underground storage tanks used to store gasoline for retail sale at hundreds of California gas stations. In summer 2016, automaker Volkswagen AG agreed to pay up to $14.7billion to settle a raft of claims related to so-called Defeat Devices used to cheat emissions standards on its diesel cars while actually emitting up to forty times the levels of harmful nitrogen oxides allowed under state and federal law. Harris and the chair of the California Air Resources Board, Mary D. Nichols, announced that California would receive $1.18billion as well as another $86million paid to the state of California in civil penalties.

Law enforcement

California's Prop 69 (2004) required law enforcement to collect DNA samples from any adult arrested for a felony and from individuals arrested for certain crimes. In 2012, Harris announced that the California Department of Justice had improved its DNA testing capabilities such that samples stored at the state's crime labs could now be analyzed four times faster, within thirty days. Accordingly, Harris reported that the Rapid DNA Service Team within the Bureau of Forensic Services had cleared California's DNA backlog for the first time). Harris's office was later awarded a $1.6million grant from the Manhattan District Attorney's initiative to eliminate the backlogs of untested rape kits.

In 2015, Harris conducted a 90-day review of implicit bias in policing and police use of deadly force. In April 2015, Harris introduced the first of its kind "Principled Policing: Procedural Justice and Implicit Bias" training, designed in conjunction with Stanford University psychologist and professor Jennifer Eberhardt, to help law enforcement officers overcome barriers to neutral policing and rebuild trust between law enforcement and the community. All Command-level staff received the training. The training was part of a package of reforms introduced within the California Department of Justice, which also included additional resources deployed to increase the recruitment and hiring of diverse special agents, an expanded role for the department to investigate officer-related shooting investigations and community policing. The same year, Harris's California Department of Justice became the first statewide agency in the country to require all its police officers to wear body cameras. Harris also announced a new state law requiring every law enforcement agency in California to collect, report, and publish expanded statistics on how many people are shot, seriously injured or killed by peace officers throughout the state.

Later that year, Harris appealed a judge's order to take over the prosecution of a high-profile mass murder case and to eject all 250 prosecutors from the Orange County district attorney's office over allegations of misconduct by Republican D.A. Tony Rackauckas. Rackauckas was alleged to have illegally employed jailhouse informants and concealed evidence. Harris noted that it was unnecessary to ban all 250 prosecutors from working on the case, as only a few had been directly involved, later promising a narrower criminal investigation. The U.S. Department of Justice began an investigation into Rackauckas in December 2016, but he was not re-elected.

In 2016, Harris announced a patterns and practices investigation into purported civil rights violations and use of excessive force by the two largest law enforcement agencies in Kern County, California, the Bakersfield Police Department and the Kern County Sheriff's Department. Labeled the "deadliest police departments in America" in a five-part expose, a separate investigation commissioned by the ACLU and submitted to the California Department of Justice corroborated reports of police using excessive force.

Planned Parenthood

In 2016, Harris's office seized videos and other information from the apartment of an antiabortion activist who had made secret recordings and then accused Planned Parenthood doctors of illegally selling fetal tissue. Harris had announced that her office would investigate the activist in the summer of 2015. She was facing increasing criticism for not taking public action by the time Planned Parenthood filed a lawsuit against the activist.

In 2011, Harris obtained a guilty plea and a four-year prison sentence from a stalker who used Facebook and social engineering techniques to illegally access the private photographs of women whose social media accounts he hijacked. Harris commented that the Internet had "opened up a new frontier for crime". Later that year, Harris created the eCrime Unit within the California Department of Justice, a 20-attorney unit specifically targeting technology crimes. In 2015, several purveyors of so-called revenge porn sites based in California were arrested, charged with felonies, and sentenced to lengthy prison terms. In the first prosecution of its kind in the United States, Kevin Bollaert was convicted on 21 counts of identity theft and six counts of extortion and sentenced to 18 years in prison. Harris brought up these cases when California Congresswoman Katie Hill was targeted for similar cyber exploitation by her ex-husband and forced to resign in late 2019.

In 2016, Harris announced the arrest of Backpage CEO Carl Ferrer on felony charges of pimping a minor, pimping, and conspiracy to commit pimping. The warrant alleged that 99 percent of Backpage's revenue was directly attributable to prostitution-related ads, many of which involved victims of sex trafficking, including children under the age of 18. The pimping charge against Ferrer was dismissed by the California courts in 2016 on the grounds of Section 230 of the Communications Decency Act, but in 2018, Ferrer pleaded guilty in California to money laundering and agreed to give evidence against the former co-owners of Backpage. Ferrer simultaneously pleaded guilty to charges of money laundering and conspiracy to facilitate prostitution in Texas state court and Arizona federal court. Under pressure, Backpage announced that it was removing its adult section from all its U.S. sites. Harris welcomed the move, saying, "I look forward to them shutting down completely." The investigations continued after she became a senator, and, in April 2018, Backpage and affiliated sites were seized by federal law enforcement.

Transnational criminal organizations

During her term as attorney general, Harris's office oversaw major investigations and prosecutions targeting transnational criminal organizations for their involvement in violent crime, fraud schemes, drug trafficking, and smuggling. Significant arrests and seizures (of weapons, drugs, cash, and other assets) under Harris targeted the Tijuana Cartel (2011), the Nuestra Familia, Norteños, and the Vagos Motorcycle Club (2011), the Norteños (2015), the Crips (2015), the Mexican Mafia (2016), and businesses in the Los Angeles Fashion District accused of operating a major money-laundering hub for Mexican narcotics traffickers (2014).

In summer 2012, Harris signed an accord with the Attorney General of Mexico, Marisela Morales, to improve coordination of law enforcement resources targeting transnational gangs engaging in the sale and trafficking of human beings across the San Ysidro border crossing. The accord called for closer integration on investigations between offices and sharing best practices. In 2012, Governor Jerry Brown signed into law two bills advanced by Harris to combat human trafficking. In November, Harris presented a report titled "The State of Human Trafficking in California 2012" at a symposium attended by U.S. Secretary of Labor Hilda Solis and Attorney General Morales, outlining the growing prevalence of human trafficking in the state, and highlighting the involvement of transnational gangs in the practice.

In early 2014, Harris issued a report titled, "Gangs Beyond Borders: California and the Fight Against Transnational Crime", addressing the prominent role of drug, weapons, and human trafficking, money laundering, and technology crimes employed by various drug cartels from Mexico, Armenian Power, 18th Street Gang, and MS-13 and offering recommendations for state and local law enforcement to combat the criminal activity. Later that year, Harris led a bipartisan delegation of state attorneys general to Mexico City to discuss transnational crime with Mexican prosecutors. Harris then convened a summit focused on the use of technology to fight transnational organized crime with state and federal officials from the U.S., Mexico, and El Salvador.

U.S. Senate (2017-2021)

After more than 20 years as a U.S. Senator from California, Senator Barbara Boxer announced in January 2015 that she would not run for reelection in 2016. Harris announced her candidacy for the Senate seat the following week. Harris was a top contender from the beginning of her campaign.

The 2016 California Senate election used California's new top-two primary format where the top two candidates in the primary would advance to the general election regardless of party. In February 2016, Harris won 78% of the California Democratic Party vote at the party convention, allowing Harris's campaign to receive financial support from the party. Three months later, Governor Jerry Brown endorsed her. In the June 7 primary, Harris came in first with 40% of the vote and won with pluralities in most counties. Harris faced congresswoman and fellow Democrat Loretta Sanchez in the general election. It was the first time a Republican did not appear in a general election for the Senate since California began directly electing senators in 1914.

On July 19, President Barack Obama and Vice President Joe Biden endorsed Harris. In the November 2016 election, Harris defeated Sanchez, capturing over 60% of the vote, carrying all but four counties. Following her victory, she promised to protect immigrants from the policies of President-elect Donald Trump and announced her intention to remain Attorney General through the end of 2016.

Tenure and political positions

On January 28, after Trump signed Executive Order 13769, barring citizens from several Muslim-majority countries from entering the U.S. for ninety days, she condemned the order and was one of many to describe it as a "Muslim ban". She called White House Chief of Staff John F. Kelly at home to gather information and push back against the executive order.

In February, Harris spoke in opposition to Trump's cabinet picks Betsy DeVos, for Secretary of Education, and Jeff Sessions, for United States Attorney General. In early March, she called on Sessions to resign, after it was reported that Sessions spoke twice with Russian Ambassador to the United States Sergey Kislyak.

In April, Harris voted against the confirmation of Neil Gorsuch to the U.S. Supreme Court. Later that month, Harris took her first foreign trip to the Middle East, visiting California troops stationed in Iraq and the Zaatari refugee camp in Jordan, the largest camp for Syrian refugees.

In June, Harris garnered media attention for her questioning of Rod Rosenstein, the deputy attorney general, over the role he played in the May 2017 firing of James Comey, the director of the Federal Bureau of Investigation. The prosecutorial nature of her questioning caused Senator John McCain, an member of the Intelligence Committee, and Senator Richard Burr, the committee chairman, to interrupt her and request that she be more respectful of the witness. A week later, she questioned Jeff Sessions, the attorney general, on the same topic. Sessions said her questioning "makes me nervous". Burr's singling out of Harris sparked suggestions in the news media that his behavior was sexist, with commentators arguing that Burr would not treat a male Senate colleague in a similar manner.

In December, Harris called for the resignation of Senator Al Franken, asserting on Twitter, "Sexual harassment and misconduct should not be allowed by anyone and should not occur anywhere."

In January, Harris was appointed to the Senate Judiciary Committee after the resignation of Al Franken. Later that month, Harris questioned Homeland Security Secretary Kirstjen Nielsen for favoring Norwegian immigrants over others and claiming to be unaware that Norway is a predominantly white country.

In May, Harris heatedly questioned Secretary Nielsen about the Trump administration family separation policy, under which children were separated from their families when the parents were taken into custody for illegally entering the U.S. In June, after visiting one of the detention facilities near the border in San Diego, Harris became the first senator to demand Nielsen's resignation.

In the September and October Brett Kavanaugh Supreme Court confirmation hearings, Harris questioned Brett Kavanaugh about a meeting he may have had regarding the Mueller Investigation with a member of Kasowitz Benson Torres, the law firm founded by the President's personal attorney Marc Kasowitz. Kavanaugh was unable to answer and repeatedly deflected. Harris also participated in questioning the FBI director's limited scope of the investigation on Kavanaugh regarding allegations of sexual assault. She voted against his confirmation.

Harris was a target of the October 2018 United States mail bombing attempts.

In March 2019, after Special Counsel Robert Mueller submitted his report on Russian interference in the 2016 election, Harris called for U.S. Attorney General William Barr to testify before Congress in the interests of transparency. Two days later, Barr released a four-page "summary" of the redacted Mueller Report, which was criticized as a deliberate mischaracterization of its conclusions. Later that month, Harris was one of twelve Democratic senators to sign a letter led by Mazie Hirono questioning Barr's decision to offer "his own conclusion that the President's conduct did not amount to obstruction of justice" and called for an investigation into whether Barr's summary of the Mueller Report and his statements at a news conference were misleading.

On May 1, 2019, Barr testified before the Senate Judiciary Committee. During the hearing, Barr remained defiant about the misrepresentations in the four-page summary he had released ahead of the full report. When asked by Harris if he had reviewed the underlying evidence before deciding not to charge the President with obstruction of justice, Barr admitted that neither he, Rod Rosenstein, nor anyone in his office reviewed the evidence supporting the report before making the charging decision. Harris later called for Barr to resign, and accused him of refusing to answer her questions because he could open himself up to perjury, and stating his responses disqualified him from serving as U.S. attorney general. Two days later, Harris demanded again that the Department of Justice inspector general Michael E. Horowitz investigate whether Attorney General Barr acceded to pressure from the White House to investigate Trump's political enemies.

In July, Harris teamed with Kirsten Gillibrand to urge the Trump administration to investigate the allegations of Uyghur genocide by the Chinese Communist Party; in this question she was joined by colleague Marco Rubio.

In December, Harris led a group of Democratic senators and civil rights organizations in demanding the removal of White House senior adviser Stephen Miller after emails published by the Southern Poverty Law Center revealed frequent promotion of white nationalist literature to Breitbart website editors.

Before the opening of the impeachment trial of Donald Trump on January 16, 2020, Harris delivered remarks on the floor of the Senate, stating her views on the integrity of the American justice system and the principle that nobody, including an incumbent president, is above the law. Harris later asked Senate Judiciary chairman Lindsey Graham to halt all judicial nominations during the impeachment trial, to which Graham acquiesced. Harris voted to convict the president on charges of abuse of power and obstruction of Congress.

Harris has worked on bipartisan bills with Republican co-sponsors, including a bail reform bill with Senator Rand Paul, an election security bill with Senator James Lankford, and a workplace harassment bill with Senator Lisa Murkowski.

Following her election as Vice President of the United States, Harris resigned from her seat on January 18, 2021, prior to taking office on January 20, 2021, and was replaced by California Secretary of State Alex Padilla.

Committee assignments

While in the Senate, Harris was a member of the following committees:

Caucus memberships

2020 presidential election (2019-2020)

Presidential campaign

Harris had been considered a top contender and potential frontrunner for the 2020 Democratic nomination for president. In June 2018, she was quoted as "not ruling it out". In July 2018, it was announced that she would publish a memoir, a sign of a possible run. On January 21, 2019, Harris officially announced her candidacy for president of the United States in the 2020 United States presidential election. In the first 24hours after her candidacy announcement, she tied a record set by Bernie Sanders in 2016 for the most donations raised in the day following an announcement.[citation needed ] More than 20,000 people attended her formal campaign launch event in her hometown of Oakland, California, on January 27, according to a police estimate.

During the first Democratic presidential debate in June 2019, Harris scolded former vice president Joe Biden for "hurtful" remarks he made, speaking fondly of senators who opposed integration efforts in the 1970s and working with them to oppose mandatory school bussing. Harris's support rose by between six and nine points in polls following that debate. In the second debate in August, Harris was confronted by Biden and Congresswoman Tulsi Gabbard over her record as Attorney General. The San Jose Mercury News assessed that some of Gabbard's and Biden's accusations were on point, such as blocking the DNA testing of a death row inmate, while others did not stand up to scrutiny. In the immediate aftermath, Harris fell in the polls following that debate. Over the next few months her poll numbers fell to the low single digits. At a time when liberals were increasingly concerned about the excesses of the criminal justice system, Harris faced criticism from reformers for tough-on-crime policies she pursued while she was California's attorney general. For example, in 2014, she decided to defend California's death penalty in court.

Prior to and during her presidential campaign an online informal organization using the hashtag # KHive formed to support her candidacy and defend her from racist and sexist attacks. According to the , Joy Reid first used the term in an August 2017 tweet saying "@Dr JasonJohnson @ ZerlinaMaxwell and I had a meeting and decided it's called the K-Hive."

On December 3, 2019, Harris withdrew from seeking the 2020 Democratic nomination, citing a shortage of funds. In March 2020, Harris endorsed Joe Biden for president.

Vice presidential campaign

In May 2019, senior members of the Congressional Black Caucus endorsed the idea of a Biden-Harris ticket. In late February, Biden won a landslide victory in the 2020 South Carolina Democratic primary with the endorsement of House whip Jim Clyburn, with more victories on Super Tuesday. In early March, Clyburn suggested Biden choose a black woman as a running mate, commenting that "African American women needed to be rewarded for their loyalty". In March, Biden committed to choosing a woman for his running mate.

On April 17, 2020, Harris responded to media speculation and said she "would be honored" to be Biden's running mate. In late May, in relation to the murder of George Floyd and ensuing protests and demonstrations, Biden faced renewed calls to select a black woman to be his running mate, highlighting the law enforcement credentials of Harris and Val Demings.

On June 12, The New York Times reported that Harris was emerging as the frontrunner to be Biden's running mate, as she was the only African American woman with the political experience typical of vice presidents. On June 26, CNN reported that more than a dozen people close to the Biden search process considered Harris one of Biden's top four contenders, along with Elizabeth Warren, Val Demings, and Keisha Lance Bottoms.

On August 11, 2020, Biden announced that he had chosen Harris. She was the first African American, the first Indian American, and the third woman after Geraldine Ferraro and Sarah Palin to be picked as the vice-presidential nominee for a major party ticket.

Harris became the vice president-elect following the Biden-Harris ticket's victory in the 2020 United States presidential election. After the major networks called the election for Biden/Harris, Kamala Harris was recorded calling Biden, saying, "We did it! We did it, Joe. You're going to be the next President of the United States." The quote became one of the top 10 tweets of 2020.

Vice president (2021-present)

Following the election of Joe Biden as U.S. president in the 2020 election, Harris assumed office as vice president of the United States on January 20, 2021. She is the United States' first female vice president, the highest-ranking female elected official in U.S. history, and the first African-American and first Asian-American vice president. She is also the second person of color to hold the post, preceded by Charles Curtis, a Native American and member of the Kaw Nation, who served under Herbert Hoover from 1929 to 1933. She is the third person with acknowledged non-European ancestry to reach one of the highest offices in the executive branch, after Curtis and former president Barack Obama.[citation needed ]

Harris resigned her Senate seat on January 18, 2021, two days before her swearing-in as vice president. Her first act as vice president was swearing-in her replacement Alex Padilla and Georgia senators Raphael Warnock and Jon Ossoff, who were elected in the 2021 Georgia runoff elections.

Harris cast her first of two tie-breaking votes on February 5, 2021. In February and March, Harris' tie-breaking votes in her role as President of the Senate were crucial in passing the American Rescue Plan Act of 2021 stimulus package proposed by President Biden since no Republicans in the Senate voted for the package.

Awards and honors

In 2005, the National Black Prosecutors Association awarded Harris the Thurgood Marshall Award. That year, she was featured along with 19 other women in a report profiling "20 of America's Most Powerful Women". A 2008 New York Times article published later that year also identified her as a woman with potential to become president of the United States, highlighting her reputation as a "tough fighter".

In 2013, named Harris as one of the "100 Most Influential People in the World". In 2016, the 20/20 Bipartisan Justice Center awarded Harris the Bipartisan Justice Award along with Senator Tim Scott.

Biden and Harris were jointly named Time Person of the Year for 2020.

Personal life

Harris met her husband, attorney Doug Emhoff, through a mutual friend who set up Harris and Emhoff on a blind date in 2013. Emhoff was an entertainment lawyer who became partner-in-charge at Venable LLP's Los Angeles office. Harris and Emhoff were married on August 22, 2014, in Santa Barbara, California. Harris is a stepmother to Emhoff's two children, Cole and Ella, from his previous marriage to the film producer Kerstin Emhoff. As of August 2019, Harris and her husband had an estimated net worth of $5.8million.

Harris is a multiracial American and a Baptist, holding membership of the Third Baptist Church of San Francisco, a congregation of the American Baptist Churches USA. Her sister, Maya, is a lawyer and MSNBC political analyst; her brother-in-law, Tony West, is general counsel of Uber and a former United States Department of Justice senior official. Her niece, Meena, is the founder of the Phenomenal Women Action Campaign and former head of strategy and leadership at Uber.

Publications

Harris has written two non-fiction books and one children's book.

References

External links

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Kamala Devi Harris ( KAH-mə-lə DAY-vee ; born October 20, 1964) is an American politician and attorney who is the 49th vice president of the United States. She is the first female vice president and the highest-ranking female official in U.S. history, as well as the first African American and first Asian American vice president.

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Ladda Tammy Duckworth (born March 12, 1968) is an American politician and retired Army National Guard lieutenant colonel serving as the junior United States Senator from Illinois since 2017. A member of the Democratic Party, she represented Illinois's 8th district in the United States House of Representatives from 2013 to 2017.

Duckworth was educated at the University of Hawaii at Manoa and George Washington University. A combat veteran of the Iraq War, she served as a U.S. Army helicopter pilot. In 2004, after her helicopter was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade fired by Iraqi insurgents, she suffered severe combat wounds, which caused her to lose both of her legs and some mobility in her right arm. She was the first female double amputee from the war. Despite her grievous injuries, she sought and obtained a medical waiver that allowed her to continue serving in the Illinois Army National Guard until she retired as a lieutenant colonel in 2014.

Duckworth ran unsuccessfully for a seat in the United States House of Representatives in 2006, then served as Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs from 2006 to 2009 and as Assistant Secretary for Public and Intergovernmental Affairs at the United States Department of Veterans Affairs from 2009 to 2011. In 2012, Duckworth was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives, where she served two terms. Duckworth was elected to the U.S. Senate in 2016, defeating Republican incumbent Mark Kirk. She is the first Thai American woman elected to Congress, the first person born in Thailand elected to Congress, the first woman with a disability elected to Congress, the first female double amputee in the Senate, and the first senator to give birth while in office. Duckworth is the second of three Asian American women to serve in the U.S. Senate, after Mazie Hirono, and before Kamala Harris.

Early life and education

L. Tammy Duckworth was born in Bangkok, Thailand, the daughter of Franklin Duckworth and Lamai Sompornpairin. Under long-standing US law, she is a natural-born citizen because her father was American. Her father, who died in 2005, was a veteran of the U.S. Army and U.S. Marine Corps who traced his family's American roots to the American Revolutionary War. Her mother is Thai Chinese and originally from Chiang Mai. Her father worked with the United Nations and international companies in refugee, housing, and development programs, and the family moved around Southeast Asia. Duckworth became fluent in Thai and Indonesian, in addition to English.

Duckworth attended Singapore American School, the International School Bangkok, and the Jakarta Intercultural School. The family moved to Honolulu, Hawaii, when Duckworth was 16, and she attended Honolulu's McKinley High School, where she participated in track and field and graduated in 1985. Because of a difference in the grade levels between the school systems she attended, Duckworth skipped half of her ninth grade year and half of her tenth. She was a Girl Scout, and earned her First Class, now called the Gold Award. Her father was unemployed for a time, and the family relied on public assistance. She graduated from the University of Hawaii at Manoa in 1989 with a Bachelor of Arts in political science. In 1992, she received a Master of Arts in international affairs from George Washington University's Elliott School of International Affairs. She began a PhD program at Northern Illinois University, which was interrupted by her war service. She completed a PhD in human services at Capella University in March 2015.

Military service

Following in the footsteps of her father, who served in World War II and the Vietnam War, and ancestors who served in every major conflict since the Revolutionary War, Duckworth joined the Army Reserve Officers' Training Corps in 1990 as a graduate student at George Washington University. She became a commissioned officer in the United States Army Reserve in 1992 and chose to fly helicopters because it was one of the few combat jobs open to women at that time. As a member of the Army Reserve, she went to flight school, later transferring to the Army National Guard and in 1996 entering the Illinois Army National Guard. Duckworth also worked as a staff supervisor at Rotary International headquarters in Evanston, Illinois and was the coordinator of the Center for Nursing Research at Northern Illinois University.

Duckworth was working toward a Ph.D. in political science at Northern Illinois University, with research interests in the political economy and public health of southeast Asia, when she was deployed to Iraq in 2004. She lost her right leg near the hip and her left leg below the knee from injuries sustained on November 12, 2004, when the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter she was co-piloting was hit by a rocket-propelled grenade fired by Iraqi insurgents. She was the first American female double amputee from the Iraq War. The explosion severely broke her right arm and tore tissue from it, necessitating major surgery to repair it. Duckworth received a Purple Heart on December 3 and was promoted to Major on December 21 at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center, where she was presented with an Air Medal and Army Commendation Medal. She retired from the Illinois Army National Guard in October 2014 as a lieutenant colonel.

In 2011 the Daughters of the American Revolution erected a statue with Duckworth's likeness and that of Molly Pitcher in Mount Vernon, Illinois. The statue was dedicated to female veterans.

Government service

On November 21, 2006, several weeks after losing her first congressional campaign, Duckworth was appointed Director of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs by Governor Rod Blagojevich. She served in that position until February 8, 2009. While Director, she was credited with starting a program to help veterans with post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and veterans with brain injuries.

On September 17, 2008, Duckworth attended a campaign event for Dan Seals, the Democratic candidate for Illinois's 10th congressional district. She used vacation time, but violated Illinois law by going to the event in a state-owned van that was equipped for a person with physical disabilities. She acknowledged the mistake and repaid the state for the use of the van.

In 2009, two Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs employees at the Anna Veterans' Home in Union County filed a lawsuit against Duckworth. The lawsuit alleged that she wrongfully terminated one employee and threatened and intimidated another for bringing reports of abuse and misconduct of veterans when she was head of the Illinois Department of Veterans Affairs. Duckworth was represented in the suit by the Illinois Attorney General's office. The case was dismissed twice but refilings were allowed. The case settled in June 2016 for $26,000 with no admission of wrongdoing. The plaintiffs later indicated they no longer wanted to settle, but the judge gave them 21 days to sign the settlement and canceled the trial.

On February 3, 2009, Duckworth was nominated by President Barack Obama to be the Assistant Secretary of Public and Intergovernmental Affairs for the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. and the United States Senate confirmed her for the position on April 22. As Assistant Secretary, she coordinated a joint initiative with the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development to help end Veteran homelessness, worked to address the unique challenges faced by female as well as Native American Veterans and created the Office of Online Communications to improve the VA's accessibility, especially among young Veterans. Duckworth resigned her position in June 2011 in order to launch her campaign for the U.S. House of Representatives in Illinois's 8th congressional district.

U.S. House of Representatives

After longtime incumbent Republican Henry Hyde announced his retirement from Congress, several candidates began campaigning for the open seat. Duckworth won the Democratic primary with a plurality of 44%, defeating 2004 nominee Christine Cegelis with 40%, and Wheaton College professor Lindy Scott with 16%. State Senator Peter Roskam was unopposed in the Republican primary. For the general election, Duckworth was endorsed by EMILY's List, a political action committee that supports female Democratic candidates who back abortion rights. Duckworth was also endorsed by the Brady Campaign to Prevent Gun Violence and the Fraternal Order of Police. While she raised $4.5 million to Roskam's $3.44 million, Duckworth lost by 4,810 votes, receiving 49% to Roskam's 51%.

In July 2011, Duckworth launched her campaign to run in 2012 for Illinois's 8th congressional district. She defeated former Deputy Treasurer of Illinois Raja Krishnamoorthi for the Democratic nomination on March 20, 2012, then faced incumbent Republican Joe Walsh in the general election. Duckworth received the endorsement of both the Chicago Tribune and the Daily Herald. Walsh generated controversy when in July 2012, at a campaign event, he accused Duckworth of politicizing her military service and injuries, saying "my God, that's all she talks about. Our true heroes, the men and women who served us, it's the last thing in the world they talk about." Walsh called the controversy over his comments "a political ploy to distort my words and distract voters" and said that "Of course Tammy Duckworth is a hero ... I have called her a hero hundreds of times."

On November 6, 2012, Duckworth defeated Walsh 55%-45%, making her the first Asian-American from Illinois in Congress, the first woman with a disability elected to Congress, and the first member of Congress born in Thailand.

In the 2014 general election, Duckworth faced Republican Larry Kaifesh, a United States Marine Corps officer who had recently left active duty as a colonel. Duckworth defeated Kaifesh with 56% of the vote.

Tenure in the House of Representatives

Duckworth was sworn into office on January 3, 2013.

On April 3, 2013, Duckworth publicly returned 8.4% ($1,218) of her congressional salary for that month to the United States Department of Treasury in solidarity with furloughed government workers.

On June 26, 2013, during a hearing of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, Duckworth received national media attention after questioning Strong Castle CEO Braulio Castillo on a $500 million government contract the company had been awarded based on Castillo's disabled veteran status. Castillo, who committed murder the following year, had injured his ankle at the US Military Academy's prep school, USMAPS, in 1984.

House committee assignments

2016 election

On March 30, 2015, Duckworth announced that she would challenge incumbent Republican U.S. Senator Mark Kirk for his seat in the 2016 Senate election in Illinois. Duckworth defeated fellow Democrats Andrea Zopp and Napoleon Harris in the primary election on March 15, 2016.

During a televised debate on October 27, 2016, Duckworth talked about her ancestors' past service in the United States military. Kirk responded, "I'd forgotten that your parents came all the way from Thailand to serve George Washington." The comment led to the Human Rights Campaign withdrawing their endorsement of Kirk and switching it to Duckworth, stating his comments were "deeply offensive and racist."

Duckworth was endorsed by Barack Obama, who actively campaigned for her.

On November 8, Duckworth defeated Kirk 54 percent to 40 percent to win the Senate seat. Duckworth and Kamala Harris, who was also elected in 2016, are the second and third female Asian American senators, after Mazie Hirono who was elected in 2012.

Tenure in the Senate

According to The Center for Effective Lawmaking (CEL), a joint partnership between the University of Virginia's Frank Batten School of Leadership and Public Policy and Vanderbilt University, Duckworth's "Legislative Effectiveness Score" (LES) is "Exceeds Expectations" as a freshman senator in the 115th Congress (2017-2018), the 11th highest out of 48 Democratic senators.

GovTrack's Report Card on Duckworth for the 115th Congress found that among Senate freshmen, she ranked first in favorably reporting bills out of committee and "Got influential cosponsors the most often compared to Senate freshmen." GovTrack also found that in the first session of the 116th Congress, Duckworth ranked first in favorably reporting bills out of committee and "Got influential cosponsors the most often compared to Senate sophomores."

During the 115th Congress, Duckworth was credited with saving the Americans with Disabilities Act. Specifically, she led public opposition to a controversial bill, H.R. 620, and led 42 senators in pledging to oppose any effort to pass H.R. 620 through the Senate. The Veterans Service Organization and Paralyzed Veterans of America recognized Duckworth's leadership in defending the Americans with Disabilities Act.

In January 2018, when the federal government shut down after the Senate could not agree on a funding bill, Duckworth responded to President Trump's accusations that the Democrats were putting "unlawful immigrants" ahead of the military:

I spent my entire adult life looking out for the well-being, the training, the equipping of the troops for whom I was responsible. Sadly, this is something that the current occupant of the Oval Office does not seem to care to do-and I will not be lectured about what our military needs by a five-deferment draft dodger. And I have a message for Cadet Bone Spurs: If you cared about our military, you'd stop baiting Kim Jong Un into a war that could put 85,000 American troops, and millions of innocent civilians, in danger.

In 2018, Duckworth became the first U.S. Senator to give birth while in office. Shortly afterward, the Senate passed Senate Resolution 463, which Duckworth introduced on April 12, 2018, by unanimous consent. The resolution changed Senate rules so that a senator may bring a child under one year old to the Senate floor during votes. The day after the rules were changed, Duckworth's daughter became the first baby on the Senate floor.

On April 15, 2020, the Trump administration invited Duckworth to join a bipartisan task force on the reopening of the economy amid the COVID-19 pandemic.

Duckworth was publicly critical of Trump's decision to nominate Amy Coney Barrett to the Supreme Court in September 2020. Barrett, a devout Catholic, is a member of a group that considers in vitro fertilization morally illicit. Duckworth said that Barrett's membership in such an organization was "disqualifying and, frankly, insulting to every parent". Both of Duckworth's children were conceived by IVF.

The Center for Effective Lawmaking, a joint initiative of the University of Virginia and Vanderbilt University, ranked Duckworth the fifth most effective Democratic senator in the 116th Congress and the most effective Democratic senator on transportation policy. Professors Craig Volden and Alan Wiseman, co-directors of the Center for Effective Lawmaking, stated, "While still in her first term, Senator Tammy Duckworth has risen to the top five among effective Democratic lawmakers in the Senate. She sponsored 77 bills in the 116th Congress, with four of them passing the Republican-controlled Senate and two becoming law. Sen. Duckworth's active agenda across all stages of the lawmaking process make her a Senator worth watching. In particular, in the transportation policy area, she was the most effective Democrat and second-most effective Senator overall, just behind Senator Roger Wicker, who chaired the committee overseeing transportation issues. As she steps into subcommittee chair roles herself in the current Congress, Senator Duckworth will be even better positioned to advance her policy agenda."

Duckworth was participating in the certification of the 2021 United States Electoral College vote count when Trump supporters stormed the U.S. Capitol. In the wake of the attack, Duckworth called Trump "a threat to our nation" and called for his immediate removal from office through the invocation of the Twenty-fifth Amendment to the United States Constitution or impeachment. Two days later, on January 8, she also called for the resignation of Representative Mary Miller, who had quoted Adolf Hitler during a speech on January 5.

Senate committee assignments

Caucus memberships

National politics

Duckworth has spoken at the 2008, 2012, 2016, and 2020, Democratic National Conventions. She was the permanent co-chair of the 2020 Democratic National Convention. At the 2020 convention she called Trump "coward-in-chief" for not supporting the American military.

Duckworth was vetted as a possible running mate during Joe Biden's vice presidential candidate selection. Fellow U.S. Senator Kamala Harris was instead selected. Biden nominated Duckworth to serve as Vice Chair of the Democratic National Committee, along with Gretchen Whitmer, Keisha Lance Bottoms and Filemon Vela Jr.

Political positions

Defense budget

Duckworth voted against Senator Bernie Sanders's amendment to reduce the $740 billion National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2021.

Environment

In April 2019, Duckworth was one of 12 senators to sign a bipartisan letter to top senators on the Appropriations Subcommittee on Energy and Water Development advocating that the Energy Department be granted maximum funding for carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS), arguing that American job growth could be stimulated by investment in viable options to capture carbon emissions and expressing disagreement with Trump's 2020 budget request to combine the two federal programs that include carbon capture research.

Foreign policy

During her unsuccessful congressional campaign in 2006, Duckworth called on Congress to audit the estimated $437 billion spent on overseas military and foreign aid since September 11, 2001.

On September 30, 2006, Duckworth gave the Democratic Party's response to President George W. Bush's weekly radio address. In it, she was critical of Bush's strategy for the Iraq War.

In October 2006, The Sunday Times reported that Duckworth agreed with General Sir Richard Dannatt, the British Army chief, that the presence of coalition troops was exacerbating the conflict in Iraq.

Duckworth supports continued U.S. military aid to Israel and opposes the movement for Boycott, Divestment and Sanctions (BDS) against Israel. She voiced her opposition to Israel's plan to annex parts of the occupied West Bank.

In May 2019, Duckworth was a cosponsor of the South China Sea and East China Sea Sanctions Act, a bipartisan bill reintroduced by Marco Rubio and Ben Cardin that was intended to disrupt China's consolidation or expansion of its claims of jurisdiction over both the sea and air space in disputed zones in the South China Sea.

Duckworth was rated by the National Rifle Association as having a pro- gun control congressional voting record. Duckworth, who is a gun owner herself, cites violence in Chicago as a major influence for her support of gun control. She supports universal background checks and the halting of state-to-state gun trafficking.

Duckworth participated in the 2016 Chris Murphy gun control filibuster. During the sit-in, Duckworth hid her mobile phone in her prosthetic leg to avoid it being taken away from her since taking pictures and recording on the House floor is against policy.

In a 2016 interview with magazine, Duckworth stated that gaining control of the Senate and "closing the gap" in the House would be necessary in order to pass common sense gun laws. She also stated that she believed moderate Republicans, who support common sense gun control, would have more power to influence gun control if they were not "pushed aside by those folks who are absolutely beholden to the NRA. And so we never get the vote."

Health policy

Immigration

Duckworth supports comprehensive immigration reform with a pathway to citizenship for those in the country illegally. She would admit 100,000 Syrian refugees into the United States.

In August 2018, Duckworth was one of seventeen senators to sign a letter spearheaded by Kamala Harris to United States Secretary of Homeland Security Kirstjen Nielsen demanding that the Trump administration take immediate action in attempting to reunite 539 migrant children with their families, citing each passing day of inaction as intensifying "trauma that this administration has needlessly caused for children and their families seeking humanitarian protection."

Electoral history

Awards and accolades

In May 2010, Duckworth was awarded the Honorary degree of Doctor of Humane Letters (DHL) by Northern Illinois University. In 2011, Chicago's Access Living honored Duckworth for her work on behalf of veterans with disabilities, bestowing her with the Gordon H. Mansfield Congressional Leadership Award.

Duckworth is heavily decorated for her service in Iraq, with over 10 distinct military honors, most notably the Purple Heart, an award her Marine father had also received.

Former Republican presidential candidate and Senator from Kansas Bob Dole dedicated his autobiography One Soldier's Story in part to Duckworth. Duckworth credits Dole for inspiring her to pursue public service, while she recuperated at Walter Reed Army Medical Center; although, in 2006, Dole endorsed Duckworth's Republican opponent, Peter Roskam.

Personal life

Duckworth has been married to Bryan Bowlsbey since 1993. They met during Duckworth's participation in the Reserve Officers' Training Corps and later served together in the Illinois Army National Guard. Bowlsbey, a Signal Corps officer, is also a veteran of the Iraq War. Both have since retired from the armed forces.

Duckworth and Bowlsbey have two daughters: Abigail, who was born in 2014, and Maile, born in 2018. Maile's birth made Duckworth the first U.S. Senator to give birth while in office. Former senator Daniel Akaka helped the couple with the naming of both daughters; Akaka died April 6, 2018, three days before Maile was born. Shortly after Maile's birth, a Senate rule change permitted senators to bring children under one year old on the Senate floor to breastfeed. This was a symbolic moment for Duckworth, as she had previously introduced the bipartisan Friendly Airports for Mothers (FAM) Act to ensure new mothers access to safe, clean and accessible lactation rooms in airports. The day after the rule change, Duckworth brought Maile with her during the casting of a Senate vote, making Duckworth the first senator to cast a vote while holding a baby.

Duckworth helped establish the Intrepid Foundation to help injured veterans.

Bibliography

References

1. ^ "ประกาศสำนักนายกรัฐมนตรี เรื่อง พระราชทานเครื่องราชอิสริยาภรณ์ให้แก่ชาวต่างประเทศ (พันตรีหญิง ลัดดา แทมมี ดั๊กเวิร์ด)" [Announcement of the Prime Minister's Office on granting decorations to foreigners (Major Ladda Tammy Duckworth)] (PDF). Royal Thai Government Gazette (in Thai). January 15, 2010.

2. House, Jennifer Bendery (November 8, 2016). "Tammy Duckworth Takes Back Obama's Illinois Senate Seat For Democrats". The Huffington Post.

3. ^ Maskell, Jack (November 14, 2011). "Qualifications for President and the "Natural Born" Citizenship Eligibility Requirement" (PDF). Federation of American Scientists. Washington, DC: Congressional Research Service. p. i. The weight of legal and historical authority indicates that the term "natural born" citizen would mean a person who is entitled to U.S. citizenship "by birth" or "at birth," either by being born "in" the United States and under its jurisdiction, even those born to alien parents; by being born abroad to U.S. citizen-parents; or by being born in other situations meeting legal requirements for U.S. citizenship "at birth."

4. ^ Duckworth, Every Day A Gift (2021). Every Day Is a Gift: A Memoir. New York, NY: Hachette Book Group. p. 33. ISBN 978-1-5387-1849-0 - via Google Books.

5. ^ Felder, Deborah G. (February 1, 2020). The American Women's Almanac: 500 Years of Making History. Visible Ink Press. ISBN 9781578597116 - via Google Books.

6. ^ Sweet, Lynn (November 21, 2006). "Gov picks Duckworth for Veterans Affairs". Chicago Sun-Times.

7. ^ "Duckworth Tapped for VA Assistant Secretary" (Press release). United States Department of Veterans Affairs. February 3, 2009. Archived from the original on April 8, 2009.

8. ^ Editorial board (October 8, 2012). "For the House: Duckworth". Chicago Tribune. Archived from the original on May 16, 2012.

9. ^ "Duckworth Defeats Rep. Walsh In 8th Congressional". CBS Chicago. November 2012. Archived from the original on November 9, 2020.

10. ^ https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/true-crime/wp/2016/12/09/ashburn-ceo-sentenced-to-life-in-prison-for-murder-of-estranged-wife/

11. ^ https://www.nbcchicago.com/news/local/duckworth-scolds-contractor-over-phony-war-wound/1957483/

12. ^ "Highlights from the New 115th Congress Legislative Effectiveness Scores". The Center for Effective Lawmaking. February 27, 2019. Finally, we note those new freshmen lawmakers who are off to a promising start in their first two years, scoring in our "Exceeds Expectations" category in their first term in office. Research suggests that performance in a lawmaker's freshman term is highly correlated with subsequent lawmaking effectiveness, as well as with their overall career trajectory.

Among them are two Senators (out of the eleven Senators in their freshman class), John Kennedy of Louisiana and Tammy Duckworth of Illinois. Kennedy sponsored 26 bills, including four that passed the Senate and eventually became law, on issues ranging from national flood insurance and small business disaster loans to mandatory disclosure of corrupt practices among lobbyists. Duckworth shepherded three of her 45 proposed bills into law, including the Veterans Small Business Enhancement Act of 2018.

13. ^ "PVA announces Senator Duckworth as recipient of 2019 Gordon Mansfield Congressional Leadership Award". Paralyzed Veterans of America. September 17, 2019. Thanks to Senator Duckworth's outstanding leadership, harmful changes to the ADA were stopped in 2018. She also supported improvements to air travel for people with disabilities through her sponsorship of the Air Carrier Access Amendments Act (S. 669) and the requirement under the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 to ensure wheelchair damage reporting from airlines.

We're proud to honor Senator Duckworth with the Gordon H. Mansfield Congressional Leadership Award during our 2019 PVA Gala. The PVA Gala is our night to celebrate victories that have improved quality of life for all veterans and people living with disabilities - and the extraordinary leaders who made it happen. Senator Duckworth represents everything this event is about.

14. ^ Carter, Brandon (January 20, 2018). "Duckworth slams Trump: I won't be lectured on military needs by a 'five-deferment draft dodger'". The Hill.

15. ^ Wamsley, Laurel (April 9, 2018). "Tammy Duckworth Becomes First U.S. Senator To Give Birth While In Office". NPR. Archived from the original on April 9, 2018.

16. ^ "Highlights from the New 116th Congress Legislative Effectiveness Scores". "Sen. Tammy Duckworth is also in her first term as a U.S. Senator. Looking back to the previous Congress, it is worth noting that she was one of only two freshmen Senators in the 115th Congress who was designated to be in our "Exceeds Expectations" categories, and she continues to retain that rating into the 116th Congress, in which she rounds out the top five most effective Democratic lawmakers in the Senate."

17. ^ https://www.cnn.com/2021/01/14/politics/jaime-harrison-dnc-biden/index.html

18. ^ Mr. Rubio (for himself, Mr. Cardin, Mr. Cotton, Mr. Kaine, Mr. Young, Mr. Blumenthal, Mr. Hawley, Mrs. Gillibrand, Mr. Scott of Florida, Mr. Manchin, Mrs. Blackburn, Ms. Duckworth, Mr. Cornyn, Mr. Jones, and Mr. Romney) (May 23, 2019). "Text - S.1634 - 116th Congress (2019-2020): South China Sea and East China Sea Sanctions Act of 2019 - Congress.gov - Library of Congress". Congress.gov. 116th United States Congress. Archived from the original on April 24, 2020. A BILL To impose sanctions with respect to the People's Republic of China in relation to activities in the South China Sea and the East China Sea, and for other purposes.

19. ^ "NIU to award honorary degree to 'a true American hero'". Northern Illinois University. Archived from the original on June 6, 2011.

External links

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106th Aviation Regiment, with with four Dame Grand Cross (First Class) of the Ladda Tammy Duckworth (born March 12, 1968) is an American politician and retired Army National Guard lieutenant colonel serving as the junior United States Senator from Illinois since 2017.

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May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month in the United States. AAPI heritage month is a celebration of the accomplishments of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in U.S. society and culture; most often these lists are made up of AAPI doctors, scientists and those holding positions within the U.S. government. Rarely shared are the stories of those within the AAPI community who have stood up against racism and injustice which shaped a much fairer society, and those who have used the arts as a medium of change. The United States has a long history of extreme racists policies against its Asian and Pacific Islander citizens, and throughout the history of this country the AAPI has fought back.

The Chinese in the United States faced great hardships upon their arrival; in 1871, there was a massacre of Chinese immigrants in Los Angeles, California. The Chinese Exclusion Act further legalized anti-Chinese sentiments. Chinese radicals fought against the abuses they faced and did not stay silent. Chinese women in the garment industry made history through strikes and uprisings in the 1980s, and Su Ko Lee led a strike in the 1930s fighting for higher wages.

U.S. citizens of Japanese descent were rounded up and sent to internment camps during WWII; Canada followed suit and sent their Japanese citizens to similar camps. Durning this time, the governments of Perú, Chile, Argentina and México sent many of their Japanese citizens to the United States to be detained.

The U.S. genocide and enslavement of Filipinos during war and colonization is still virtually unknown to many, as is the fact that Filipino labor workers first began organizing and striking in agricultural fields, pioneering the farm labor movement in the United States.

The U.S. government brutalized South East Asia during the Vietnam War; over 2 million tons of cluster bombs where dropped in Lao, simply because if its geographic location to Vietnam, making it the most bombed country in the history of humanity-creating a legacy of death, trauma and amputations. The U.S. government also recruited Hmong child soldiers to fight the Vietcong and caused a major refugee crisis in the region.

U.S. aggressions against Polynesia and oceania

Take a deep breath and repeat after me, "Hawaiʻi is NOT the United States and it is a stolen kingdom." Now exhale. Not only did the United States, and its sugar and fruit companies, steal the kingdom of Hawaiʻi from its people, Hawaiian land has been used for bomb testings, destroying precious ecosystems and its indigenous peoples have been displaced and disenfranchised. Native Hawaiians are often seen as merely "exotic" tourist attractions in their own land.

American Samoa, Guam and the Northern Mariana Islands are all colonies of the United States government whose economies are strangled. Most citizens live in poverty yet have sent hundreds of thousands of men and women to battle for the U.S. military. They have no true rights nor sovereignty over their own affairs and land.

Asia is a large continent

Asia is a very large continent that encompasses countries within East Asia, Eurasia, West Asia, Central Asia, South Asia and South East Asia. Asia is made up of many different ethnic groups, peoples and cultures who practice many different faiths. Even within respective Asian countries there are varying people groups, customs, languages and traditions-not all Asians are "the same".

the global asian struggle continues

To this day, there are still Asian struggles across the globe; Filipina women face grave abuses and exploitation working as nannies and domestic workers in the Arab Gulf States and Hong Kong. Many have their passports taken from them upon arrival, are subjected to verbal, sexual and physical abuses and can rarely escape. Bangladeshi women and children have been killed working in sweatshops that have collapsed while sewing the cheap clothes that we consume; they are also paid very little and work in slave-like conditions. Asians and Pacific Islanders across the globe are fighting against gentrification, racism, sexism, classism, police brutality and capitalism. And anti-Asian sentiments across the globe are becoming normalized due to the Covid-19 outbreak, furthering discrimination.

Asians and Pacific Islanders in activism

Many believe that Asian communities have remained silent. However, Asians and Pacific Islanders have a long history of intersectional activism and have joined global liberation and independence struggles throughout time. Asian and Pacific Islanders have made revolutionary impacts in many different areas, and this blog post is dedicated to honoring the revolutionary efforts of Asians and Pacific Islanders from around the world.

30 revolutionary Asians and Pacific Islanders from around the world to celebrate for AAPI Heritage Month:

1. yuri kochiyama

Yuri Kochiyama was a radical Japanese-American liberation activist and a pioneer of the intersectionality movement. Born in California to Japanese immigrants in 1921, Yuri lived what she felt was an "all American childhood". After the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor her life would drastically change; Yuri's father was arrested by the FBI, accused of being a "threat to national security", was detained for six weeks and died just days after his release. Yuri, her mother and brother were some of the many U.S. citizens of Japanese descent to be held in internment camps; it was in the camps where Yuri developed a deep pride in her Japanese heritage and the experience sparked her passion for activism. She married Bill Kochiyama and they had six children; Yuri and Bill moved to New York City with their children and lived in housing projects surrounded by Black and Latino communities. Yuri advocated for safer streets and integrated schools, this led her to dig deep into the histories of Black Americans and Puerto Ricans. Yuri's daughter remembers piles of radical leaflets all over the dinner table and her mother taping political newspaper clippings to the walls of their home-she said that their home "felt like 'the movement' 24/7." Yuri and Bill would take their children on summer vacations to the Southern United States to see landmarks of the civil rights movement that was taking place. Fate would lead Yuri to a close friendship with Malcolm X, with whom she shared a birthday, that would radically change the course of her life. Yuri had been an advocate for integration, but her friendship with Malcolm was eye-opening; Yuri changed the course of her activism and began to fight for the total liberation of marginalized peoples around the world. Yuri understood that the fight against oppression and capitalism was global and in order to win the fight, marginalized peoples must unite. Yuri joined the Republic of New Afrika, a militant Black nationalist organization based in Harlem. She also joined the Young Lords Party, made up of radical Puerto Ricans in the NYC diaspora, and her work in the Asian struggle movement was extensive. Yuri was opposed to the Vietnam War, supported labor organizing, helped develop ethnic study programs and fought for compensation for Japanese concentration camp survivors. Yuri was present at some of the most iconic moments of the liberation struggle; she was at the Audubon Ballroom listening to Malcolm X speak when he was murdered-Yuri famously rushed to the stage and held his head as he lay dying crying out, "please, Malcolm! Please, Malcolm! Stay alive!" In 1977, the Young Lords famously occupied the Statue of Liberty and laid the Puerto Rican flag across it-Yuri was there. After the 9/11 attacks in New York City, she organized against the racial profiling of Arab Americans, Muslims and the South Asian community. Yuri is one of the founding members of Asians for Mumia, in solidarity with imprisoned former Black Panther, Mumia Abu-Jamal -Yuri was known to sign her Christmas cards with "free Mumia". Yuri unapologetically supported radical, anti-imperial groups around the world who challenged injustice. She is an example of true solidarity amongst marginalized peoples, and her intersectional activism should be mirrored by all.

5. Tilsa Tsuchiya

Tilsa Tsuchiya was a Japanese-Peruvian-Chinese artist famous for her paintings and prints based on Peruvian mythological legends and folklore. Her father was a doctor who immigrated to Perú from Japan, and her mother was of Peruvian and Chinese ancestry. She was drawn to artistic expressions at an early age and began her career as an artist by drawing pictures; she would eventually study at the Escuela Nacional Superior Autónoma de Bellas Artes (National Superior Autonomous School of Fine Arts) in Lima. Her father passed away in the middle of her studies, and her mother just two years later. After the death of her mother, she left school and opened a framing shop with her brother. She would return to school a few years later, studying under prestigious Peruvian artists such as Carlos Quizpez Asín and Manuel Zapata Orihuela. Tsuchiya stood out amongst her classmates due to her creativity. She won a gold medal for painting while in university and graduated with honors. She would continue her studies in France where she expanded her expertise from painting to engraving and printmaking. While her work was deeply influenced by Peruvian mythological legends, she also used her art to push gender narratives and expressions of female sexuality. She is hailed as one of the most influential and celebrated Peruvian artists.

6. Philip Vera Cruz

Philip Vera Cruz was a Filipino leader in the Asian American Movement, a farmworker and a leader in the labor movement. He also organized alongside César Chávez and fellow Filipino labor leader, Larry Itliong. Born in the Philippines in 1904, Vera Cruz moved to the United States in 1926 where he eventually became a farmworker. Farm work in the U.S. at the time was nearly slave labor, and most jobs were held by Filipino workers. Laborers worked ten-hour days for seventy cents per hour in grueling 110-degree heat. They lived on filthy labor camps with outdoor showers, kitchens that were infested with roaches and mosquitoes and toilets so filled with feces that they were nearly impossible to use. Laborers had very little rights on the job, no access to benefits nor healthcare provided to them. Vera Cruz picked grapes, lettuce and harvested asparagus. He joined his first strike in 1948, organized by Filipino farmworkers who worked in asparagus fields. This strike would inspire Filipino laborers across California, and it was one of the acts that sparked the entire farm labor movement in the United States. Filipino workers began to organize all over the state and Vera Cruz would lead chapters in his local unions. While most people associate the Delano Grape Strikes with Mexican Americans and César Chávez, they were started by Filipino-American workers, of which Vera Cruz was one of the early organizers. Filipino workers decided to merge their unions with those of Mexican Americans, creating the now-famous United Farm Workers (UWF). Vera Cruz would serve as the second vice president of the union, and he also served on the managing board. Vera Cruz stayed radical his entire life, fighting for workers' rights and inspiring college students to fight for the underrepresented.

7. junko Tabei

Junko Tabei was a Japanese mountaineer and the first woman to reach the top of Mt. Everest. She was also the first woman to climb the highest peak on every continent. She founded the Joshi-Tohan Club, which was a women-only mountaineering club in Japan-the first of its kind. She wanted to create a space for women in Japan to discover climbing, and as a way to combat the discrimination she had encountered in all-male climbing groups. Tabei refused to take corporate sponsors and funded all her own trips. She funded her climbs through tutoring children in English, accepting paid public appearances and leading mountain climbing tours. She was also an avid environmentalist whose postgraduate studies focused on the degradation of Mt. Everest due to the waste left behind from climbing tourism. Tabei revolutionized the ideals of who a Japanese woman, wife and mother could be. By the end of her life in 2016, she had scaled 70 mountains, many of which were some of the highest in the world.

9. Queen Velu Nachiyar

Velu Nachiyar was a Tamil queen from India who fought against the invading British and their colonial power. Known as the "brave woman", she was born in 1730 as a princess into the Ramnad kingdom. She was the only child of her parents and was raised as if she was a male heir who would one day rule the kingdom. Queen Velu was trained in martial arts, horse riding, war weapons and archery. She became a scholar of foreign languages and spoke fluent Urdu, English and French, along with her native Tamil. She married the king of Sivagangai, with whom she had a daughter, and they ruled the kingdom for more than twenty years. Their kingdom was eventually attacked by the British and her husband killed-Queen Velu and her daughter fled for their lives. After the king's death, Velu took to battle to avenge his murder and to fight back against the colonial oppressors. She formed an army and built alliances with other kingdoms within India to attack the British. One of her closest allies was the sultan of Moysore, whom she impressed by her fluency in Urdu. This friendship led her to more allies who helped her build a powerful army to attack the British. The sultan provided her with a 400 pound salary per month, she was revered as a queen while in exile and was given 5000 calvary and 5000 infantry soldiers to help in her quest of destroying the British, along with plenty of weapons for the battle. In 1780, Velu learned the location of a British weapons storehouse; she arraigned a suicide attack against the storehouse to destroy the weapons. A woman named Kuyili, who was a commander in the army and adoptive daughter of Velu, doused her body in ghee, set herself on fire and then jumped in the armory, blowing it up. This was a devastating blow to the British and a huge victory for Queen Velu. The queen's second adoptive daughter, Udaiyaal, also destroyed a British arsenal in a separate suicide attack-Velu would create a women's army and named it after Udaiyaal. Queen Velu recaptured Sivaganga and is one of the few royals to regain their kingdoms from the British. She ruled for ten more years and at her death left the throne to her biological daughter, Vellacci.

10. Cecil Rajendra

Cecil Rajendra is a Malaysian poet, human rights activists and lawyer. Commonly referred to as the "lawyer-poet", he has spent decades providing legal aid for the poor, pushing to make Malaysia's justice system work for all and writing poetry-his writing is comprised of complex themes such as human rights, environmental concerns and repressive laws. In 1980, Rajendra and friends set up a free legal aid clinic in a little wooden shack in his hometown of Penang. Many workers were confronting sexual harassment, inadequate working conditions, poor housing and even weren't receiving payments for their labor. Rajendra also spearheaded the movement against Malaysia's Internal Security Act, which allowed persons to be held without official criminal charges or trials under specific circumstances as defined in Malaysian law. He created the first mobile legal aid clinic in the country, giving citizens the opportunity to learn about their legal rights. In 2019, Rajendra won the International Bar Association's pro bono award for his groundbreaking work on behalf of Malaysia's most underrepresented citizens. He is also the author of over 25 books, and his poems have been published in over 50 countries.

13. the Polynesian Panther party

The Polynesian Panthers were a liberation activist group that fought for Polynesian and Māori empowerment in New Zealand. Inspired by the Black Power movement in the United States, along with Māori protests within the country, inner city youth in Auckland were emboldened to stand against capitalism and to fight for visibility. Auckland's urban areas were filled with Pacific Islander immigrants, and their Kiwi-born children, who were subjected to police brutality, faced harsh discrimination, disenfranchisement and were constantly called racial slurs-"Black bastards" and "dumb coconuts" were often yelled at young Tongan and Samoan boys. Poverty was rampant, and the lack of opportunities and access to quality education was taking a toll on the new generation of Kiwi-born Pacific Islanders. The undocumented in the community lived in fear of dawn raids where police raided mostly Polynesian homes in the early morning, targeting those who may have overstayed their visas. Founded in 1971 by Fred Schmidt, Nooroa Teavae, Paul Dapp, Vaughan Sanft, Eddie Williams and Will 'Ilolahia, the Polynesian Panthers members were made up of university students, high schoolers and former gang members. They stood against the exploitative nature of capitalism and believed that overthrowing its system was one of the most fundamental paths toward liberation. The group joined the anti-Vietnam War movement, created after school homework help programs in their communities, ran food co-ops and promoted Polynesian languages and visibility in mainstream New Zealand culture; the group also advocated for tenets' rights and fought against slumlords renting in Polynesian communities. Brown Pacific Islander boys couldn't ride their bikes in their neighborhoods without being stopped by the police; they were constantly harassed as police demanded to see their IDs and passports. Those who did not carry them were immediately jailed until a passport was produced. In response, the Polynesian Panthers created the Police Investigation Group (PIG) to monitor the location of police officers and the community and their harassment. They also successfully petitioned to get stoplights placed in their neighborhoods as many Polynesian children were being killed while trying to cross the streets. The group worked closely with Māori activists and stood in solidarity with the oppressed peoples around the world. They are also credited with founding the Pacific Resource Centre, and the fruits of their radical labor are still seen throughout the country today.

14. Arlen Siu

Arlen Sui was a Chinese-Nicaraguan revolutionary icon. She was born in 1955 to a Chinese immigrant father and a Nicaraguan mother. She joined the Sandinista movement when she was 18 years old. Sui was a talented singer, songwriter and musician who played multiple instruments-she loved poetry. She authored the poem, Rural María, which tells the story of poor, suffering mothers in rural Nicaragua. The poem has since been turned into a song sang by varying artists in Latin America. Her concerts on the university campus were often under watch of the national guard, who placed snipers around the university to monitor political activity. Siu also authored many feminist writings that have become widely read and admired in the country. She fought for women to have political importance within the Sandinistas and would eventually be killed at 20 years old in an ambush by national guard. She is hailed as a martyr and one of the first women killed in the revolutionary movement.

15. Adrian Cola Rienzi

In 1833, the British government abolished slavery but still had a fully functioning colonial empire that thrived off the exploitation of its colonies around the globe. With sugar, tropical fruits and other products still in demand, the British, French and Dutch turned to India and indentured servanthood to replace slave labor-they simply exchanged one slave system for another. Colonies such as Guyana and Trinidad and Tobago received the largest number of Indian indentured servants in the Western Hemisphere; between 1835 and 1918, nearly 342,000 Indians arrived in Guyana and 144,000 in Trinidad. Many stayed in the area and created their own unique Indo-Caribbean cultures. Adrian Cola Rienez was an Indo-Trinidadian politician, trade unionist and activist who fought on behalf of marginalized workers and also advocated for religious equality for Trinidad's Hindi and Muslim populations within a system that favored Christianity. Born as Krishna Deonarine in 1905, Rienzi attended law school in England; there he was exposed to anti-imperialism work from Irish classmates and became passionate about the global anti-imperialist fight. He built a friendship with the Indian trade unionist, Shapurji Saklatvala, while living in London, and had close ties with the Universal Negro Improvement Association and the Irish Republican Congress. Rienzi returned to Trinidad and dedicated himself to labor unions, founding various ones on the island. He was the president of the Trinidad and Tobago Trade Union council and founded the Sugar Estates and Factory Workers Union along with the Oil Fields Workers' Union. Rienzi worked relentlessly to improve the plight of the Indo-Trinidadian; he fought for the legal recognition of Muslim and Hindu marriages on the island, the religious right of cremation and the founding of Hindu and Muslim schools.

16. Anna May wong

Anna May Wong, born Wong Liu Tsong, was the first Asian-American movie star. Born in Los Angeles, California, Wong grew up near Chinatown but was sucked into the dream of becoming a film star at an early age. She gave herself the stage name "Anna May Wong" when she was eleven-years-old. Wong and her family lived in a racially diverse neighborhood and were, surprisingly, allowed to attend public school. They faced extreme racial attacks from other students. Wong described their experience as follows, "we tried to walk unconcernedly home from school, always with a larger and larger crowd of our tormentors around us shouting, 'ch*nk, ch*nk, Chinaman. ch*nk, ch*nk, Chinaman.' Yanking our 'pigtails' as they called our straight black braids of hair. Pushing us off the sidewalk into the street. Pinching us. Slapping us...every day was one of torture for us." At the age of 14, Wong decided to try out for her first movie role and was cast as an extra. She would eventually land more prominent roles that typecast her as "exotic" and a "temptress"-perpetuating stereotypes of Asian women, but they were the only roles available to her. Wong also became a notable and an intricate part of the Hollywood fashion and social scene; she grew a fan base for her work, but extreme racism within the entertainment industry prevented her from ever landing a lead role. There were also strict anti-race mixing laws that kept her from sharing on-screen kiss scenes with male leads, who were all white at the time. In an attempt to create her own stories, Wong started a production company that would never take off due to the corruption of her business partner. She persistently pursued the lead role in , a story that centered around Chinese characters, and the part was given to a white actress who played the role in Brown face-Wong was offered a supporting role of a "scheming girl" which she turned down in protest against negative stereotypes. Like many Black actresses of her day, Wong became overwhelmed by the racism and discrimination in Hollywood and left the United States for Europe where she had a successful stage career.

17. Gidra zine Staff

In the 1960s, university campuses around the world were set ablaze by activism for change, anti-war protests and students of color embracing their ethnic identities like never before. Asian Americans were extremely active on the political scene in the United States, debunking all myths of being the silent minorities lurking in the shadows. Built on a coalition of Black and Brown students, Asian Americans were in the front lines of the 1968 protests demanding ethnic studies programs on university campuses. They were arrested alongside Black, Latino and Native American students, and they protested in radical ways across campuses, causing social disruption. The term "Asian American" had just been coined, and Asian-American students were demanding that their voices were heard and their histories taught. They were angry, organized, radical and reaching back deep into their ethic roots and identities. They were not orientals, but Asians loud and proud. In 1969, a group of radical Asian-American students at UCLA created the first Asian-centered radical zine, Gidra-named after a dragon in the Godzilla movie. The publication centered on activism, radical politics, justice and the gentrification of Asian neighborhoods. Its contributors were labor activists, historians and others who were involved in the movement. Gidra addressed controversial issues: they were heavily involved in the anti-Vietnam War movement, they struggled for Asian visibility, supported anti-imperialist and anti-capitalism world views and stood in solidarity with the oppressed peoples of Asia, Africa, Latin America and the Caribbean.

18. Queen Liliʻuokalani

Liliʻuokalani, born Lydia Kamakaaeha, was the queen and last ruling monarch of the Kingdom of Hawaiʻi. She was the first and only queen to rule the Hawaiian islands, reigning from 1891 until they were seized and stolen by the imperial government of the United States of America. Liliʻuokalani ascended to the throne in 1891 after the death of her brother. By the time she would rule, much of the monarchy's power had been dissolved by a new constitution that favored mostly white wealthy landowners and elite businessmen who resided on the island. In the 1800s, pineapple and sugar production in Hawaii was a booming business; much of the wealth and production was owned by white, U.S. businessmen who were constantly at odds with the Hawaiian monarchy and wanted Hawaiʻi to become a part of the United States to protect their financial interests. When Liliʻuokalani's brother, David, was king, he was forced at gunpoint by white militia to sign the Bayonet Constitution; it not only limited the monarchy's power, but also stated that only Hawaiian and white men who were wealthy had the ability to vote. When Liliʻuokalani became queen, she rejected the new "constitution" and proposed her own that restored full power to the Hawaiian monarchy and voting rights for the poor. The audacity of her demands angered the white elite, and they decided that she must be overthrown-a coup d'état was soon in order. Led by the U.S. government and Sanford Dole, of the Dole Food Company, warships came to the shores of Hawaiʻi along with U.S. troops and removed Liliʻuokalani by force; she surrendered knowing that her kingdom was outnumbered. Dole was named the first president of the "Republic of Hawaiʻi", and it eventually became the 50th U.S. state. Queen Liliʻuokalani was arrested after a failed insurrection to restore her to the throne. She was found guilty and sentenced to hard prison labor and fined $5,000. In exchange for a "pardon" for her and her supporters, she reluctantly "yielded" to the U.S. government. Queen Liliʻuokalani remained defiant and demanded a free Kingdom of Hawaiʻi until her death. She was also a gifted songwriter with over 150 songs to her credit, including the famous .

19. Kapitan Pattimura

Kapitan Pattimura was an Indonesian hero, famous for his battles against Dutch colonizers. Born in 1783, Pattimura was of Ambonese origin from the Maluku region of Indonesia. The Dutch have a brutal and oppressive legacy in the Indonesian islands; Pattimura's home island was no exception to these injustices, and racism. Although the island was predominately Christian, the Dutch did not allow Maluku clergymen to receive a salary. After the Dutch re-captured Maluku from the British, Pattimura forged an armed rebellion against the Dutch, fearing that they would continue to limit resources and opportunities to his people. On May 16, 1817, he led a band of rebels and overtook Fort Duurstede, the center of Dutch rule on the island. Pattimura and his army, which included women, killed the residents and fought off Dutch reinforcement. He is held as a Maluku legend and a national Indonesian freedom fighter.

20. Grace lee Boggs

Born in Providence, Rhode Island to Chinese immigrants, Grace Lee Boggs was a radical Chinese American activist, author, philosopher and civil rights leader. Boggs received a PhD in philosophy and poured over the writings of revolutionary thinkers such as Karl Marx; she even translated portions of his works from German to English for the first time. This would lead her on a lifelong quest for critical thinking and challenging ideas. After her studies, Lee Boggs was unable to find work due to her race; she was often told by prospective employers that they didn't hire "orientals". She eventually moved to Chicago to take a position at the University of Chicago's library, and this is where she began her work in activism by fighting for tenants' rights. She joined the Worker's Party and would eventually become a prominent figure in the Detroit Black Power movement and would marry Black activist, James Boggs. Lee Boggs was so involved in the movement, that she's referred to as "Afro Chinese" in her FBI file. She was present at the famous March on Washington and dedicated herself to cross-cultural activism. Lee Boggs and her husband were amongst the founders of the organization National Organization for an American Revolution (ROAR), she also authored multiple books, one of her last at the age of 95 titled Next American Revolution: Sustainable Activism for the Twenty-First Century.

21.Vue Pa Chay

Vue Pa Chay was a Hmong revolutionary hero who led his people in a revolt against French colonization in South East Asia-the region was known then as French Indochina. To fund the expenses of WWI, the French began to impose heavy taxes on the countries of Indochina; the Hmong people, who were marginalized within the region, paid the heaviest burden. One of the tax demands of the French government was opium, and the governments within Indochina put extreme burdens on Hmong people to fulfill the demand. When unable to pay, tax collectors would confiscate livestock and other possessions. Some families were forced to sell their own children to produce tax money and many committed suicide due to the pressures. Orphaned as a child, Chay was raised by relatives in a Hmong village in Northwestern Vietnam, near the border of China. He would eventually marry, have a child and claim that God called him to liberate the Hmong people from Tai and French oppressors; he would do outrageous acts to prove this calling such as making balls of cotton explode. Many began to reverence Chay, and his reputation grew. He began to build a coalition of Hmong nationalists throughout Vietnam, Lao and China, with the aim of organizing a rebellion against the French. While French-sympathizing Hmong considered Chay a madman, Hmong nationalists regarded him as a messiah figure who would restore them to their own kingdom. As the numbers began to grow, the movement became self-sustained with Hmong-made weapons and ammunition. Chay and his soldiers began attacking and won many battles as the French were ill-prepared to fight in the jungle. The French would eventually attempt to squash the rebellion by hiring mercenaries to kill Chay; he was executed and the mercenaries each paid 500 bars of silver. Chay's bravery and passion for independence inspired the governments of Vietnam and Lao to name a military squadron after him.

23. Xanana Gusmão

Xanana Gusmão is an independence leader and politician from East Timor who served as the country's first president and fourth prime minister respectively. He was an active member of (Revolutionary Front for an Independent East Timor), a group committed to abolishing the Indonesian occupation of East Timor. In 1975, the Portuguese left East Timor after over 400 years of colonial rule; nine days later, Indonesian forces invaded that island nation. Gusmão was at the forefront of the resistance, spending days walking throughout various villages recruiting soldiers and gathering support from the community. Gusmão would soon use the international media as a means to draw attention to their struggle and inform the world of atrocities such as the massacre of Santa Cruz -the shooting of over 250 pro-independence protestors. Gusmão was eventually arrested and sentenced to life in prison. The sentence was reduced to 20 years, and he was placed under house arrest in 1999. Gusmão was able to aid in negotiations with the Indonesian government that eventually led to an independent East Timor.

24. Sushma Shimkhada

Sushma Shimkhada was a revolutionary Nepalese sculptor, known for her stunning and creative works. Born in 1936, Shimkhada is hailed as Nepal's first female sculptor, and was a rebel-feminist and ahead of her time. Entering the sculpting scene as a woman anywhere in the world took courage, but attempting to break into the scene in her native Nepal was a particularly daunting task due to cultural gender expectations and the fact that it was a male-dominated space. She proposed radical feminist ideals through her art, with a special focus on the power of the womb as the center of all creation. The womb was a sacred place that birthed creativity and every woman could reach deep into its divine power. She used her work as a medium of Hindu feminism long before anyone was ready to hear her message. While Shimkhada faced discrimination and hardships in her journey as a female sculptor in a male-dominated profession, she would eventually find recognition, win awards for her work and hold international exhibitions.

25. Yellow Pearl

Many are not aware that Asian Americans were active in the 1960s and 1970s political art scene. From poets to visual artists, filmmakers and musicians, Asian Americans led their radical voices through the arts. Yellow Pearl was an Asian-American folk group known for its political messages calling for civil rights, racial solidarity and Asian American visibility and empowerment. The group was founded by Chris Kando Iijima, Charlie Chin and Nobuko JoAnne Miyamoto-three Asian-American artists who became known on the activism scene for their politically-charged lyrics and melodic sounds. Based in New York City, the group wrote songs about the Asian experience in the United States, spoke against global imperialism and preformed before multiethnic crowds. They lent their voices to Black and Latino radical communities, and Miyatmoto would befriend fellow Japanese American activist, Yuri Kochiyama, while performing at a Black nationalists event. Their album, A Grain of Sand: Music for the Struggle by Asians in America, touched on themes of identity struggle, along with racial solidarity amongst oppressed peoples. The song, Somos Asiaticos (We are Asians) was written and performed in Spanish to show unity with the Latino communities in NYC, highlighting the common struggles between peoples of color in the United States. With songs like Imperialism is Another Word for Hunger, Wandering Chinaman and We Are the Children, Yellow Pearl was the radical voice of a generation.

26. Women of the North Vietnamese Army
*Sexual violence trigger warning
War is traumatic and should never be fetishized nor romanticized; war is especially brutal on women and children as they are often subjected to rape, sexual assault and slavery during these times. The United States' inequitable military attacks on the sovereign nation of Vietnam, and its surrounding countries, have left indelible scars throughout South East Asia. The U.S. narrative of Vietnamese women during the war normally consists of portrayals of them as sexually-charged prostitutes, desperately seeking U.S. soldiers for green cards to "escape" from communism. When in reality, U.S. servicemen often violently sexually assaulted, raped and brutalized Vietnamese women. What is rarely told are the stories of the women who, while facing paralyzing traumas as war tore through their land, chose to stand up and fight against an imperial oppressor. North Vietnam was under the communist leadership of Ho Chi Minh, and the area had transformed the lives of women through social and economic empowerment. The North Vietnamese government had outlawed child marriages, spousal abuse and forced marriages. The government also put an emphasis on women working in the industrial industry and outside of traditional cultural gender roles, which frowned upon women working outside of the home. Thousands of women in North Vietnam volunteered to join the Viet Cong to protect their country, and they were respected comrades in the anti-imperial struggle. Viet Cong women participated in active combat, shot down U.S. military airplanes, laid boobytraps, were spies, drove trucks and managed the Ho Chi Minh Trail -ensuring that supplies, weapons and food were transferred to fellow soldiers. The countless women who served in the North Vietnamese army aided in their country's victory over the United States government.

27. the tape family

70 years before the Brown v. Board of Education case famously led to the end of legal segregation by race in schools across the United States, two Chinese immigrants fought for their daughter's right to attend elementary school in San Francisco. Mary and Joseph Tape were from China and came to the U.S. as unaccompanied minors. California has a very dark history of brutal anti-Asian discrimination and policies, and Chinese immigrants in particular suffered profusely under harsh anti-Chinese laws and propaganda. Mary and Joseph adapted to the culture, were able to obtain a middle-class lifestyle and had three children whom they wanted to attend school. In 1880, California passed legislation that guaranteed free, public education to all children, yet Chinese children in San Francisco were denied access to public schools and were forced to attend mission-run schools in Chinatown. The Tape family wanted their daughter, Mamie, to attend a public school in their neighborhood, but she was denied enrollment. Subsequently, they hired a lawyer to fight their case. Tape v. Hurly was the landmark case brought before the Superior Court and argued that being denied access to the school of her choice was in violation of the 1880 law, and it also violated Mamie's rights as a U.S. citizen under the 14th Amendment of the Constitution. The school board would use the "separate but equal" doctrine of the U.S. South to justify their denial of Mamie's enrollment, and it urged the state to commission separate public schools for children of Chinese ancestry. The school superintendent wrote a letter to the state assembly warning that if they didn't approve separate public schools for Chinese students, that white schools would be "...inundated with 'Mongolians.' Trouble will follow." The Tape family lost their appeal and Mamie was denied access to the school in her neighborhood. Despite the outcome of the case, the Tape family's anti-school segregation fight laid the groundwork for future anti-segregation cases in the nation.

28. Ryu Gwan-sun

* Sexual assault, rape and violence against women trigger warning.

Ryu Gwan-Sun was a teenage, Korean revolutionary hero and intricate figure in Korea's independence from Japanese occupation. In 1919, political groups disbanded by the Japanese, along with Christians, teachers and students, began to organize for a free Korea. They met in secret, wrote their own declaration of independence and planned public demonstrations of resistance. On March 1st, the first public gathering took place and demonstrators marched through the streets of Seoul reading their demands out loud and shouting "long live Korean independence!" One of the protesters present at the March 1st uprising was the young Ryu Gwan-Sun-a student from rural Korea studying in the capital. Students and teachers throughout Seoul joined independence demonstrations and many of them were arrested. To squash the uprisings, the Governor-General of Korea canceled school. Gwan-Sun returned to her village where she worked tirelessly to organize and recruit her family and neighbors in the independence movement. She went door-to-door encouraging local villagers to fight against the occupation; she handed out Korean flags, which were outlawed by the Japanese government, and helped plan demonstrations with residents from surrounding areas. Gwan-Sun organized an independence rally at Awunae Marketplace that over 2,000 people from surrounding towns attended. Gwan-Sun, her parents and protestors marched, non-violently while crying out "long live Korean independence!" Soon after, the police arrived and responded with brutal force; shots were fired and many were arrested. Gwan-Sun was one of the detained and both her parents were killed by police gunfire that day. Sent to Seoul for trial, she was offered a lighter sentence to turn in movement leaders-she refused. She was sentenced to a women's prison where female inmates were violently tortured, raped and sexually assaulted. Gwan-Sun herself suffered this violence as occupying forces demanded the locations and safe houses and independence movement collaborators. Despite the torture, Gwan-Sun continued to rebelliously defy Japanese colonial rule and called for an independent Korea and organized her fellow inmates to resist againt the Japanese. Gwan-Sun eventually died from the impact of torture and malnutrition around the age of 19, but remains a heroine of the Korean independence movement and the anti-colonial struggle.

29. Wifredo Lam

Wifredo Lam was a world-renowned Afro-Chinese Cuban artist, who built his career around reviving the Afro-Cuban spirit through art. Lam's father was a Chinese immigrant and his mother an Afro-Cuban. His artistic interests took him to Spain, where he studied under Fernando Álvarez de Sotomayor y Zaragoza-Salvador Dalí's teacher. His years in Spain led him to a friendship with Pablo Picasso and other famous European painters of the era; he also spent time living in France, where he was an intricate part of the thriving art community. Upon returning to Cuba, Lam began reaching deep into his African heritage, creating figures in his work that fused human and plant elements-influences that came from African poetry and culture. In solidarity with the Cuban Revolution, he gifted a painting for the presidential palace that currently hangs in the Museo Nacional de Bellas Artes in Havana. Lam's work can be found in fine art museums all over the world and he held hundreds of exhibits in his lifetime.

30. Haunani-kay Trask

Haunani-Kay Trask is an Indigenous Hawaiian educator, activist, Hawaiian nationalist, author, poet, filmmaker and all-around badass. Born in 1949 to a politically active family, many of whom advocated for Hawaiian statehood, Trask has dedicated her life to advocating for a free and independent Hawaiʻi and to keeping Hawaiian culture alive while brutalized under imperial rule. Trask became heavily involved in the anti-Vietnam War movement while studying at the University of Wisconsin, and she became an active supporter of the Black Panther Party while studying at the University of Chicago. It was during her university studies that she made the connection to the symbiotic relationship that racism and capitalism share, and how the system exploits marginalized communities across the globe. Trask has worked tirelessly advocating for Hawaiian sovereignty, has participated in, and organized, protests for land rights. Trask famously confronted white male anthropologists who claimed expertise on Hawaiian culture and politics and spent years teaching at the University of Hawaiʻi at Manoa on the subjects of Polynesian women, political movements in Hawaiʻi and the Pacific Islands. She is a founding member of the Kamakakuokalani Center for Hawaiian Studies at the university and has written numerous books. Trask anchored and produced First Friday, a monthly public television show highlighting cultural and political issues that impact Native Hawaiians. In 2019, she was awarded the Angela Y. Davis Prize for her work in education, activism and the arts.

"we are not American! We will die as Hawaiians!"

Speech by Haunani-kay Trask

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Tagged: Chinese radicals, AAPI heritage month, black homeschool families, Latino homeschool family, radical homeschool, asian artists

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30 Revolutionary Asians And Pacific Islanders To Celebrate For AAPI Heritage Month - Negra Bohemian

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May is Asian American and Pacific Islander (AAPI) Heritage Month in the United States. AAPI heritage month is a celebration of the accomplishments of Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders in U.S. society and culture; most often these lists are made up of AAPI doctors, scientists and those holding positions within the U.S.

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Na Hoku Hanohano nominee. Ukulele teacher and musician.

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Neal Chin's homepage and store for 'ukulele lessons, news on Neal Chin, and bookings. Neal Chin is an 'ukulele player with a focus on jazz 'ukulele.

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Kyler from the popular Netflix series Cobra Kai

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Joe Seo, Actor: Spa Night. Joe Seo is known for his work on Spa Night (2016), Freedom Writers (2007) and Gridiron Gang (2006).

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YA Author
"Stand Up Yumi Chung!"

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One lie snowballs into a full-blown double life in this irresistible story about an aspiring stand-up comedian.
On the outside, Yumi Chung suffers from #shygirlproblems, a perm-gone-wrong, and kids calling her "Yu-MEAT" because she smells like her family's Korean barbecue restaurant. On the inside, Yumi is ready for her Netflix stand-up special. Her notebook is filled with mortifying memories that she's reworked into comedy gold. All she needs is a stage and courage.

Instead of spending the summer studying her favorite YouTube comedians, Yumi is enrolled in test-prep tutoring to qualify for a private school scholarship, which will help in a time of hardship at the restaurant. One day after class, Yumi stumbles on an opportunity that will change her life: a comedy camp for kids taught by one of her favorite YouTube stars. The only problem is that the instructor and all the students think she's a girl named Kay Nakamura-and Yumi doesn't correct them.

As this case of mistaken identity unravels, Yumi must decide to stand up and reveal the truth or risk losing her dreams and disappointing everyone she cares about.

Book cover by Jennifer Hom

Hear a sample of the audiobook here

Reviews

"[A] well-paced debut... [Yumi's] gradual journey toward self-confidence will resonate with anyone who has had shy or awkward stages."

Interviews & Media

How Jessica Kim Created Her Aspiring Kid Comic (

Funny Females Take Center Stage in New Novels for Kids (Publishers Weekly)

Jessica Kim Gets Funny and Talks Family in "Stand Up, Yumi Chung!" (School Library Journal)

A Fuse 8 Production Review of the Day (School Library Journal)

An Indies Introduce Q&A With "Stand Up, Yumi Chung!" Author Jessica Kim ( Bookselling This Week)

Mochi Magazine - Interview

Booklist Webinar: Introducing Penguin's New Kids on the Block - Interview

Books and Boba Podcast - Interview

Dalsaram [Dallas, TX] - NTTBF interview

Social Distance Book Fest Panel: Family, Friendship & Determination in MG - Panel

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One lie snowballs into a full-blown double life in this irresistible story about an aspiring stand-up comedian. On the outside, Yumi Chung suffers from #shygirlproblems, a perm-gone-wrong, and kids calling her "Yu-MEAT" because she smells like her family's Korean barbecue restaurant. On the inside, Yumi is ready for her Netflix stand-up special.

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FROM BREMERTON WA!!!
Gold Medalist at the 2008 Summer Olympics!

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Nathan Ghar-jun Adrian (born December 7, 1988) is an American competitive swimmer and five-time Olympic gold medalist who formerly held the American record in the long course 50-meter freestyle event.

In his Olympic debut at the 2008 Summer Olympics, Adrian swam in the heats of the 4×100-meter freestyle relay and earned a gold medal when the United States team won in the final. At the 2012 Summer Olympics, Adrian won gold medals in both the 100-meter freestyle and the 4×100-meter medley relay, and a silver medal in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay. He has won thirty-two medals in major international competitions; twenty gold, seven silver, and five bronze in such competitions as the Summer Olympics, the FINA World Aquatics Championships, and the Pan Pacific Swimming Championships. In the 2016 Summer Olympics 4x100-meter freestyle relay a gold was won with Michael Phelps, Caeleb Dressel, and Ryan Held. He was an individual bronze medalist in the 50-meter and 100-meter freestyles.

Adrian was born in Bremerton, Washington, in 1988. He is the son of Cecilia and James Adrian. His mother is Chinese from Hong Kong and works as a nurse for the Bremerton school district; his father is a retired nuclear engineer for the Puget Sound Naval Shipyard. Adrian has an older sister, Donella, who swam at Arizona State University, and an older brother, Justin, who swam at the University of Washington. Adrian started swimming at the age of five because of the influence of his siblings. He graduated in 2006 from Bremerton High School, where he swam for the school team.

Adrian attended at the University of California, Berkeley in fall 2006, where he majored in public health. He graduated with honors in the spring of 2012. Adrian was a five-time individual NCAA champion, winning the 50-yard freestyle in 2009 and 2011 and the 100-yard freestyle in 2009, 2010, and 2011.

At the 2008 Short Course World Championships, Adrian won gold in the 100-meter freestyle and 4×100-meter freestyle relay and silver in the 4×100-meter medley relay. In the 4×100-meter freestyle relay, Adrian combined with Ryan Lochte, Bryan Lundquist and Doug Van Wie won gold in a world record time of 3:08.44. In his second event, the 100-meter freestyle, Adrian won gold in a time of 46.67, just ahead of Filippo Magnini who finished second with a time of 46.70. For his last event, the 4×100-meter medley relay, Adrian combined with Randall Bal, Mark Gangloff and Ryan Lochte, won silver behind Russia.

At the 2008 United States Olympic Trials, Adrian placed fourth in the 100-meter freestyle, qualifying him to swim in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay at the Olympics. He also placed sixth in the 50-meter freestyle.

At the 2008 Summer Olympics in Beijing, Adrian swam the first leg in the preliminary heats of the 4×100-meter freestyle relay, splitting a time of 48.82 seconds. Cullen Jones, Ben Wildman-Tobriner and Matt Grevers completed the relay with a final time of 3:12.23, a world record. This record was broken one day later when Michael Phelps, Garrett Weber-Gale, Cullen Jones and Jason Lezak swam a time of 3:08.24, beating France and Australia in the final. By swimming in the heats, Adrian earned a gold medal even though he didn't swim in the final.

Adrian was training under coach Mike Bottom in the Florida Keys as part of The Race Club swimming training program World Team leading up to the 2008 Olympics.

At the 2009 National Championships, Adrian placed first in the 50-meter and 100-meter freestyle events, qualifying him to swim at the 2009 World Aquatics Championships in Rome.

At the 2009 World Aquatics Championships, Adrian earned gold in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay and the 4×100-meter medley relay. Adrian also placed sixth in the 50-meter freestyle and tenth in the 100-meter freestyle. After Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte and Matt Grevers completed their legs in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay, the United States had a slight deficit behind the Russian team. However, Adrian swam the anchor leg in 46.79 to overtake Danila Izotov for first place. The final time of 3:09.21 was a championship record. In the 4×100-meter medley relay, Adrian contributed in the heats (with Matt Grevers, Mark Gangloff and Tyler McGill) and earned a gold medal when the U.S. team placed first in the final.

At the 2010 National Championships, Adrian qualified to compete at the 2010 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships by winning the 50-meter and 100-meter freestyle titles. His win in the 100-meter freestyle also guaranteed him a spot on the 4×100-meter freestyle and 4×100-meter medley relay teams.

At the 2010 Pan Pacific Swimming Championships, Adrian won a total of four gold medals, the best performance of his career. In his first event, the 100-meter freestyle, Adrian won the gold medal in 48.15, beating Canadian Brent Hayden and world-record holder in the 100-meter freestyle César Cielo. The following day, Adrian lined up alongside Michael Phelps, Ryan Lochte and Jason Lezak to anchor the 4×100-meter freestyle relay. With no competition, Adrian recorded a time of 47.51 and the U.S. team won the gold in a time of 3:11.74. The following day, Adrian then competed in the 50-meter freestyle and the 4×100-meter medley relay. In the final of the 50-meter freestyle, Adrian shocked favorite Cielo, winning in a time of 21.55 seconds; Cielo finished second in 21.57. About an hour and a half later, Adrian competed in the 4×100-meter medley relay with Aaron Peirsol, Mark Gangloff and Michael Phelps. Swimming the freestyle leg, Adrian recorded a time of 47.54, the fastest in the field and the U.S. team won the gold in a time of 3:32.48.

2011 World Championships

Adrian won his first medal, a bronze, in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay with Michael Phelps, Garrett Weber-Gale and Jason Lezak. Swimming the anchor leg, Adrian recorded a time of 47.40. In the final of the 100-meter freestyle, Adrian placed sixth with a time of 48.23, well off his semi-final time of 48.05. In the 50-meter freestyle final, Adrian placed fourth with a time of 21.93 seconds, just one one-hundredth (0.01) of a second ahead behind third-place finisher Alain Bernard. In his last event, the 4×100-meter medley relay, Adrian teamed with Mark Gangloff, Michael Phelps, and Nick Thoman to win gold in a time of 3:32.06. Swimming the freestyle leg, Adrian had a time of 47.64.

2011 National Championships

At the 2011 National Championships, Adrian defended his 50-meter freestyle title with a time of 21.84 seconds. His time moved him to fourth in the world behind César Cielo (21.52), Bruno Fratus (21.76), and Frédérick Bousquet (21.78). He chose to sit out of the 100-meter freestyle in order to prepare for the 2012 Summer Olympics.

At the 2012 U.S. Olympic Trials in Omaha, Nebraska, the qualifying meet for the 2012 Olympics, Adrian made the U.S. Olympic team for the second time by finishing first in his first event, the 100-meter freestyle. In the final of the 100-meter freestyle, Adrian posted a time of 48.10 seconds to finish ahead of Cullen Jones, who had a time of 48.46. He also placed third for the 50-meter freestyle with a time of 21.68, just missing a spot in that event.

At the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, Adrian won his inaugural Olympiad medal, a silver, in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay with Michael Phelps, Cullen Jones and Ryan Lochte, with the team finishing behind France. Swimming the lead-off leg, Adrian recorded a split of 47.89 seconds, and the team finished with a final time of 3:10.38. Adrian's lead-off time was the fastest first leg in the field, and Adrian's inaugural time breaking 48 seconds.

On the fifth day of competition, Adrian won the gold medal in the 100-meter freestyle final, defeating favorite James Magnussen of Australia by one one-hundredth (0.01) of a second. In the race, Adrian set a new personal record with a time of 47.52. Going into the 100-meter freestyle final, Adrian was seeded second with a time of 47.97, which was only the second time he ever broke 48 seconds in the event. In winning the 100-meter freestyle, Adrian became the first American male to win the event since Matt Biondi did in 1988.

Adrian won a second gold medal as a member of the winning U.S. team in the 4×100-meter medley relay on the final day of the competition. He swam the anchor freestyle leg, with Matt Grevers swimming the backstroke leadoff leg, Brendan Hansen the breaststroke second leg, and Michael Phelps the butterfly third leg. The Americans recorded a time of 3:29:35, with the Japanese team taking the silver medal and the Australians receiving the bronze. In the race, Adrian had a split of 46.85, the fastest in the field.

In August 2012, a street in Adrian's hometown, Bremerton, Washington, was renamed "Nathan Adrian Drive" for Adrian's Olympic achievements.

At the 2013 U.S. National Championships, Adrian qualified to swim at the 2013 World Aquatics Championships in Barcelona by placing first in the 50 and 100-meter freestyle with times of 21.47 and 48.10, respectively.

In his first event at the World Championships, Adrian combined with Ryan Lochte, Anthony Ervin, and Jimmy Feigen in the 4×100-meter freestyle relay, with the team finishing behind France. Swimming the lead-off leg, Adrian recorded a split of 47.95 seconds, and the team finished with a final time of 3:11.42. Adrian's lead-off time was the fastest first leg in the field.

Adrian advanced to the 100-meter freestyle final as the top seed by posting 47.95 in the semi-finals. In the 100-meter freestyle, Adrian won bronze in a time of 47.84, only two-hundredths of a second behind second-place finisher Jimmy Feigen. In his second individual event, the 50-meter freestyle, Adrian was just off the podium with a fourth-place finish, finishing with a time of 21.60.

At the 2015 World Championships, Adrian swam in two relays and two individual events. In the 4x100 freestyle relay, the US team failed to advance to the final in the heats, so Adrian could not swim the finals of the relay. In his first individual event, the 100-meter freestyle, Adrian tied for seventh in the final, finishing in 48.31. Nonetheless, Adrian bounced back to break a six-year old American record in the 50-meter freestyle in 21.37 seconds in the semifinals. In the final, Adrian won a silver medal in the 50-meter freestyle, touching second behind Florent Manadou in 21.52. On the same night, Adrian was also part of the winning 4x100-meter mixed freestyle relay along with Ryan Lochte, Simone Manuel, and Missy Franklin. They broke the world record with a time of 3:23.05. Adrian won another gold medal in the 4x100-meter medley relay with Ryan Murphy, Kevin Cordes, and Tom Shields. He anchored in 47.41 to touch the wall at 3:29.93.

At the 2016 United States Olympic Trials, the U.S. qualifying meet for the Rio Olympics, Adrian qualified for his third Olympiad by winning both the 50- and 100-meter freestyle. He finished half a second ahead of the field in the 100-meter freestyle in 47.72. In the 50-meter freestyle, Adrian redeemed his third-place finish from the 2012 Trials by finishing first in 21.51, one hundredth of a second ahead of second-place finisher Anthony Ervin.

In Rio de Janeiro, Adrian won a total of four medals. He won his first medal as the anchor for the 4×100-meter freestyle relay alongside Caeleb Dressel, Michael Phelps, and Ryan Held. The Americans, with Dressel and Held as first-time Olympic competitors, finished with a time of 3:09.92, followed by France and Australia. Adrian's final leg was 46.97 seconds, the fastest of the field. In his first individual event, the 100-meter freestyle, Adrian failed to defend his Olympic title, touching third behind Kyle Chalmers and Pieter Timmers in 47.85 seconds. Adrian won another bronze medal in the 50-meter freestyle, finishing in 21.49 seconds. Another American, Anthony Ervin, won in 21.40 seconds and the defending Olympic champion Florent Manadou took second. He capped off his Olympics with another gold medal in the 4x100-meter medley relay on the final day of the competition, swimming alongside Ryan Murphy, Cody Miller, and Michael Phelps. He anchored the relay with a 46.74 split to bring home the gold in 3:27.95, a new Olympic record.

In May 2017, Adrian became engaged to merchandising director Hallie Ivester after six years of dating. They were married on September 15, 2018 in Rutherford, California and welcomed a daughter, Jacquelyn, on February 9, 2021. In January 2019, Adrian announced on Instagram that he was diagnosed with testicular cancer, for which he underwent surgery.

Adrian appeared in episode 5 of the 2009 season of the Discovery Channel series, MythBusters, to assist hosts Adam Savage and Jamie Hyneman in testing the myth that it is possible to swim as fast in syrup as in water. His test results however, were declared invalid by Savage and Hyneman, because they determined that Adrian was so used to swimming in water, that his technique was completely disrupted when swimming in the syrup. This disruption caused his lap times when swimming in syrup to vary wildly in comparison with his extremely consistent lap times in water.

In 2014, Adrian was inducted into The Robert Chinn Foundation Asian Hall of Fame.

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Nathan Ghar-jun Adrian (born December 7, 1988) is an American competitive swimmer and five-time Olympic gold medalist who formerly held the American record in the long course 50-meter freestyle event. In his Olympic debut at the 2008 Summer Olympics, Adrian swam in the heats of the 4×100-meter freestyle relay and earned a gold medal when the United States team won in the final.

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Terasaki, professor emeritus of surgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, developed the test that became the international standard method for tissue typing. The procedure, which assesses the compatibility of organ donors and recipients, has been used for all kidney, heart, liver, pancreas, lung and bone marrow donors and recipients for the past 40 years.

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Paul Ichiro Terasaki, who spent three years with his family in a Japanese-American internment camp during World War II before becoming a three-time UCLA graduate, a pioneer in organ transplant medicine and a long-time supporter of the campus, died January 25. He was 86.

Terasaki, professor emeritus of surgery at the David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, developed the test that became the international standard method for tissue typing. The procedure, which assesses the compatibility of organ donors and recipients, has been used for all kidney, heart, liver, pancreas, lung and bone marrow donors and recipients for the past 40 years.

In 1984, he founded One Lambda with eight of his former students; the company, which he sold in 2012, now has more than 270 employees and continues to play a central role in the advancement of tissue typing.

"The campus mourns the passing of one of UCLA's most accomplished scientists and most generous benefactors," UCLA Chancellor Gene Block said. "Paul brought great prestige to our university as a distinguished member of our faculty and through his legendary accomplishments in transplant medicine.

"He often said that he owed his career to UCLA because the labs here gave him the freedom to pursue his innovations. On behalf of our faculty and students, the feeling is mutual. We owe him and his family an immense debt of gratitude, and he will be sorely missed."

Beginning with a $10 gift in 1972, Terasaki donated more than $58 million to UCLA over the past four decades plus, including $50 million toward the state-of-the-art Terasaki Life Sciences Building and an endowed chair in surgery at the Geffen School, and a total of more than $6 million to the UCLA International Institute which, among other things, established the Paul I. and Hisako Terasaki Center for Japanese Studies and endowed faculty chairs in that discipline and in U.S.-Japanese relations.

Highly active within the Japanese-American community, Terasaki was involved with the Japanese American National Museum, the Japanese American Cultural and Community Center, and the U.S.-Japan Council. He also sponsored several students' educational trips to Japan.

"Paul and his family endured some of the darkest days for Japanese-Americans but they emerged determined to reach the American dream," said Hitoshi Abe, who holds the Terasaki Chair in the Study of Contemporary Japan and is director of the Japanese studies center. "When he did, Paul never forgot his roots, and he became one of the Japanese and Japanese-American communities' most passionate and generous supporters, in part through his contributions to our work here at UCLA. Our community has lost a great champion."

Terasaki was asked in 2010 whether he could have imagined during his childhood that he would one day be in a position to donate millions of dollars and to have a university building named for him.

"To think that I would ever donate anything to UCLA would have been impossible," he said. "It's quite a distance I've traveled."

Terasaki was awarded the UCLA Medal, the campus's highest honor, in 2012.

"Paul was a groundbreaking scientist, an inspiring alumnus to our students and a great friend to UCLA," said Victoria Sork, dean of life sciences in the UCLA College. "His work has saved countless lives, and his generosity has allowed future generations to further his passions. I am so proud to have his name forever associated with the life sciences at UCLA."

Terasaki was born into a poor immigrant family in the Boyle Heights neighborhood of Los Angeles in September 1929. His parents' primary goal, Terasaki said in a 2010 interview, was to earn a living and educate their children.

In 1941, his father opened a cake shop in Little Tokyo that was very successful. But during World War II, he was forced to sell the shop at a tremendous loss, and the family lost most of its possessions and was forced to relocate to an internment camp under federal orders.

For three years, beginning at age 12, Terasaki lived in a single modest room in the Gila River internment camp in Arizona with his parents, two brothers and an aunt. They were allowed to bring to the camp only what they could carry. Terasaki described his education there with a single word: "deficient."

After the war, the family was uncomfortable with the idea of moving back to California and relocated instead to Chicago's South Side. From age 16 on, Terasaki worked constantly. During his senior year of high school, he took 10- and 12-hour shifts on Saturdays and Sundays as a restaurant busboy, earning 40 cents an hour plus tips. He proudly gave the money to his mother, who kept his paycheck and gave him an allowance until he got married.

When he graduated from high school, Terasaki thought of attending radio repair school. However, following his mother's wishes, he entered the University of Illinois at Navy Pier as a pre-med student. When the family felt it was safe to move back to Los Angeles, Terasaki applied to UCLA and was admitted as a transfer student in 1948, at age 19.

In Los Angeles, Terasaki's father worked at an antique repair shop and his mother in garment factories. When his father became an apartment manager, Terasaki was the handyman, repairing toilets and painting the rooms.

Terasaki earned three degrees from UCLA: a bachelor's degree in preventive medicine and public health, and master's and doctoral degrees in zoology. He then received a postdoctoral fellowship in London for a year, where he worked under Peter Medawar, who later received a Nobel Prize and is often considered the founder of the field of transplantation. (Years later, Terasaki won the Medawar Prize from the Transplantation Society.)

Terasaki began his work on transplant medicine in 1950 with his master's thesis.

In the early 1950s, Terasaki got his first car, a 1939 Plymouth whose clutch was always breaking. He drove it without a floor, which made it easier for him to repair. However, he could see the road when driving, which embarrassed him when he went out with his future wife, Hisako; he recalled that she did not complain about it. They married in January 1954.

After being promoted from researcher, Terasaki served as a UCLA professor of surgery from 1969 until 1999, when he retired. Within a year, he resumed his academic pursuits with the creation of the Terasaki Foundation Laboratory, a research center dedicated to studying and solving the problem of organ transplant rejection and failure.

He published more than 900 scientific articles and trained some 100 postdoctoral scholars at UCLA.

His children have spent a total of 22 years at UCLA. His first son, Mark, earned a bachelor's degree from UCLA (and a doctorate from UC Berkeley); his second son, Keith, earned bachelor's and medical degrees from UCLA; and his daughter Emiko earned bachelor's and master's degrees from UCLA (and a medical degree from Brown University). Terasaki's third son, Taiji, earned bachelor's and master's degrees at UC Irvine.

"I owe my whole career to UCLA," Terasaki said in 2010. "UCLA gave me the opportunity to do the research that led to the development of tissue typing. At many other universities, I would not have had that kind of freedom in the lab."

He is survived by Hisako; their four children; six grandchildren, Mayumi, Paul, Kazuo, Susie, Kenta and Miya; and his brother, Richard.

A memorial service is scheduled for 11 a.m., Sunday, March 6, at UCLA's Royce Hall.

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Paul Terasaki, 86, transplant medicine pioneer, philanthropist, UCLA faculty member and alumnus

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Paul Ichiro Terasaki, who spent three years with his family in a Japanese-American internment camp during World War II before becoming a three-time UCLA graduate, a pioneer in organ transplant medicine and a long-time supporter of the campus, died January 25. He was 86.

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A play written and performed by George Takei. The play is inspired by a true story of a soldier and family going through the wrongful imprisonment of Japanese Americans during WWII

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Storyline

Allegiance illuminates one of American history's lesser known chapters as it tells the story of Sam Kimura, transported back nearly six decades to when his younger self and his sister Kei fought to stay connected to their heritage, their family and themselves after Japanese Americans were wrongfully imprisoned during World War II. An important story told with great resonance and intimacy, Allegiance explores the ties that bind us, the struggle to persevere and the overwhelming power of forgiveness and, most especially, love

Did You Know?

Trivia

Screenings on February 19, 2017, in movie theaters nationwide, commemorating the 75th anniversary of presidential order for internment of Japanese and Japanese/Americans, in response to the bombing of Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. See more "

Goofs

The title card states that only one character is based on a real person: Mike Masaoka. Two other real persons are depicted: Ben Masaoka, Mike's brother who was killed in combat, and Dillon Myer, the head of the War Relocation Authority. See more "

User Reviews

Details

Release Date:

13 December 2016 (USA)

Also Known As:

George Takei's Allegiance

Box Office

Budget:

$1,000,000 (estimated)

Opening Weekend USA:

$784,850, 19 February 2017

Cumulative Worldwide Gross:

$902,012

Company Credits

Technical Specs

See full technical specs "

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Directed by Lorenzo Thione. With Aaron Albano, Belinda Allyn, Marcus Choi, Katie Rose Clarke. Allegiance illuminates one of American history's lesser known chapters as it tells the story of Sam Kimura, transported back nearly six decades to when his younger self and his sister Kei fought to stay connected to their heritage, their family and themselves after Japanese Americans were wrongfully imprisoned during World War II.

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Michelle Yeo
Lucy Liu
Lana Condor

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Short Bio: Sarah Kuhn is the author of the popular Heroine Complex novels -a series starring Asian American superheroines. The first book is a Locus bestseller, an RT Reviewers' Choice Award nominee, and one of the Barnes & Noble Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog's Best Books of 2016. Her YA debut, the beloved Japan-set romantic comedy I Love You So Mochi, is a Junior Library Guild selection and a nominee for YALSA's Best Fiction for Young Adults. She has also penned a variety of short fiction and comics, including the critically acclaimed graphic novel Shadow of the Batgirl for DC Comics and the Star Wars audiobook original Doctor Aphra. Her newest novel, From Little Tokyo, With Love -a modern fairy tale with a half-Japanese heroine-is due out in May 2021. Additionally, she was a finalist for both the CAPE (Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment) New Writers Award and the Astounding Award for Best New Writer. A third generation Japanese American, she lives in Los Angeles with her husband and an overflowing closet of vintage treasures.

Long Bio: Sarah Kuhn is the author of Heroine Complex-the first in a popular series starring Asian American superheroines - for DAW Books (Penguin/Random House).

Pitched as " The Devil Wears Prada with superheroes," the first book chronicles the adventures of Evie Tanaka, a put-upon personal assistant who is forced to pose as her diva superhero boss and must embrace her own hidden talents in order to protect our world from a demonic invasion.

Also featured in this book: evil cupcakes, hot romance, and supernatural karaoke battles! Heroine Complex Book #1 is a Locus Bestseller, an RT Reviewers' Choice Award nominee for Best Urban Fantasy, and one of the Barnes & Noble Sci-Fi and Fantasy Blog's Best Books of 2016! You can learn more, check out buy links and praise, and read an excerpt right here! And check out the exclusive cover reveal on io9!

Book #2 in the series, Heroine Worship, is an Amazon Best Book of the Month, a Book Riot pick for Best Books We Read in May, a Den of Geek Summer Reading Pick, a Ripped Bodice Best Book of the Year, and a nominee for RT's Seal of Excellence. Check out the cover reveal on Barnes & Noble's Sci-Fi/Fantasy Blog!

The adventure continues with Book #3, Heroine's Journey, and the novella Unsung Heroine-and a whole new trilogy kicked off in 2020 with Haunted Heroine! The latest book in the series, Hollywood Heroine, releases in July 2021.

Sarah's YA debut, the Japan-set romantic comedy I Love You So Mochi, came out in summer 2019 from Scholastic and is a Junior Library Guild selection and a nominee for YALSA's Best Fiction for Young Adults. Her newest novel, From Little Tokyo, With Love-a modern fairy tale with a half-Japanese heroine-is due out in May 2021 from Viking Books/Penguin Random House.

Sarah is also an in demand writer for licensed work. Her DC Comics YA graphic novel about Batgirl Cassandra Cain (with artist Nicole Goux), Shadow of the Batgirl, graced many Best of 2020 lists, including Nerdist, The AV Club, Den of Geek, and more. Her Star Wars audiobook original, Doctor Aphra, will be released as a hardcover in 2021. She is also writing a middle grade graphic novel series about the Archie Comics gang (with artist J. Bone) for Little Bee Books. The first volume, The Riverdale Diaries: Hello, Betty!, came out in 2020.

Other projects include a short in the upcoming DC anthology Wonderful Women of History about actress Keiko Agena (with artist Lynne Yoshii), The Ruby Equation (with artist Sally Jane Thompson) for the Eisner-nominated romance comics anthology Fresh Romance, a story for the anthology series Jem and the Holograms: Dimensions (with artist Siobhan Keenan) for IDW, a comic book continuation of the cult classic movie Clueless (with co-writer Amber Benson and artist Siobhan Keenan) for Boom! Studios, and a series of Barbie comics (with artists Alitha Martinez and Yishan Li) for Papercutz.

Sarah also wrote the geek girl romantic comedy novella One Con Glory, which has been dubbed " Pride and Prejudice at Comic-Con." One Con Glory earned praise from io9 and USA Today and is in development as a feature film. Learn more about One Con Glory here!

Additionally, she has written personal essays on Sailor Moon cosplay, Asian American representation, and geek girl culture for The Toast, Uncanny Magazine, The Mary Sue, Apex Magazine, AngryAsianMan.com, Syfy Fangrrls, and the Hugo-nominated anthology Chicks Dig Comics. A longtime entertainment journalist, her articles on everything from Oscar season to Vulcan mating rituals have appeared in Back Stage, Geek Monthly, IGN.com, The Hollywood Reporter, StarTrek.com, Creative Screenwriting, and The Oakland Tribune.

Sarah has been featured as a guest speaker/panelist at such events as San Diego Comic-Con, New York Comic-Con, YALLWEST, the Los Angeles Times Festival of Books, the Vancouver Asian Film Festival, Asian American Comic-Con, Santa Monica Public Library's "Women to Watch Out For," the California Library Association Conference, WonderCon, and GeekGirlCon.

Additionally, she was a finalist for both the CAPE (Coalition of Asian Pacifics in Entertainment) New Writers Award and the Astounding Award for Best New Writer. A third generation Japanese American, she lives in Los Angeles with her husband and an overflowing closet of vintage treasures.

Email Sarah or find her on Twitter and Instagram. If you are press interested in covering Heroine Complex, please contact Alexis Nixon. If you are press interested in covering From Little Tokyo, With Love, please contact Tessa Meischeid. For work, blurb, and other professional inquiries, please contact Sarah's agent, Taylor Haggerty at Root Literary.
Cupcake art by Sina Grace. Superheroine art by Paul Horn. Banner design by Jeff Chen. Headshot by CapozKnows Photography.

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Short Bio: Sarah Kuhn is the author of the popular Heroine Complex novels -a series starring Asian American superheroines. The first book is a Locus bestseller, an RT Reviewers' Choice Award nominee, and one of the Barnes & Noble Sci-Fi & Fantasy Blog's Best Books of 2016.

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First Asian-American Manager in Major League Baseball. Played major league baseball for the Cincinati Reds and was the catcher for the Chicago White Sox. His Grandparents were sent to the Tule Lake Segregation Center (a Japanese internment camp) located in Northern California in 1942. His father was born in the internment camp.

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Wilbur Donald Wakamatsu (born February 22, 1963) is an American former professional baseball player, scout, coach, manager, and current Bench Coach of the Texas Rangers. Wakamatsu was drafted in the 11th round of the 1985 Major League Baseball draft by the Cincinnati Reds. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball for the Chicago White Sox. He was hired as bench coach of the Kansas City Royals for the 2014 season. He was the manager of the Seattle Mariners for the 2009 season, as well as the majority of the 2010 season. He was the Toronto Blue Jays' bench coach for 2011 and 2012, after which he was replaced by DeMarlo Hale. During the 2013 season he worked as a scout for the New York Yankees in the Dallas/Fort Worth area.

Wakamatsu was a three-sport star at the Bay Area's Hayward High School in California, and ultimately chose baseball over football due to his lack of size. He and former Oakland Raiders head coach Jack Del Rio were baseball and football teammates while there.

He was also an All- Pac-10 catcher during his last three years at Arizona State University, where he was a teammate of Barry Bonds and Alvin Davis. He was drafted by the New York Yankees as the last pick of the 1984 Major League Baseball draft, but decided to return to ASU.

Wakamatsu was drafted in the 11th round of the 1985 Major League Baseball draft by the Cincinnati Reds. He reached the Double-A level before the Reds released him before the 1989 season.

Shortly after the Reds released him, he signed with the Chicago White Sox, who assigned him to the Double-A Birmingham Barons. He spent 1990 and most of 1991 with the Triple-A Vancouver Canadians before getting his only call to the big leagues in May 1991. Wakamatsu played 18 games in the majors as a backup catcher for the White Sox in 1991, working in all of his starts for knuckleballer Charlie Hough.

After the 1991 season the White Sox granted Wakamatsu free agency, and he signed with the Los Angeles Dodgers shortly after. He spent 1992-1996 playing at the Double-A and Triple-A levels in the Dodgers, Texas Rangers, Cleveland Indians, Seattle Mariners and Milwaukee Brewers organizations before his playing career ended at age 33.

Following his playing retirement, Wakamatsu became a minor league manager in the Arizona Diamondbacks system, managing the Arizona League Diamondbacks in 1997, the Class-A High Desert Mavericks in 1998, and the Double-A El Paso Diablos in 1999. In 1998 he was named Manager of the Year in the California League, after leading the High Desert Mavericks to the playoffs.

He spent 2000 managing the Erie SeaWolves, the Anaheim Angels' Double-A affiliate, and then the next two seasons as a roving catching instructor in the Angels organization.

From 2003 to 2006, he was the Texas Rangers' bench coach. During the 2006 season, he served as manager for two games while Buck Showalter was in the hospital with an irregular heartbeat brought about due to dehydration, and in 2007, took the third base coach job when Ron Washington took over as manager. He spent 2008 as the bench coach of the Oakland Athletics.

On November 19, 2008, he was named the manager of the Seattle Mariners, replacing interim manager Jim Riggleman, and becoming the first Asian-American manager in the majors.

On April 6, 2009, Wakamatsu won his managerial debut as the Mariners beat the Minnesota Twins 6-1 on Opening Day.

Later in the season, Wakamatsu was officially selected as a coach under Tampa Bay Rays manager Joe Maddon for the 2009 MLB All-Star Game in St. Louis along with Kansas City Royals manager Trey Hillman on June 17, 2009.

Fred Claire, former baseball executive and current writer for MLB.com, stated that Wakamatsu and his staff, composed of bench coach Ty Van Burkleo, pitching coach Rick Adair, hitting coach Alan Cockrell, first base coach Lee Tinsley, bullpen coach John Wetteland and performance coach Steve Hecht, deserved credit for a 24-game improvement. Claire wrote this about Wakamatsu:

"It is the relationships that Wakamatsu has built during his time in baseball that defines him best. He was somewhat of an unknown to the public when he was hired as the Mariners' manager last November, but he is well-known and highly respected within the game."

On May 20, 2010, during a game against the Toronto Blue Jays, Wakamatsu received his first career ejection. As of June 12, 2010, he had a career total of two ejections.

On August 9, 2010, amidst one of the worst seasons in team history, Wakamatsu was fired as Mariners manager. He finished with a record of 127 wins and 147 losses.

On November 8, 2010, Wakamatsu was announced as the new bench coach for the Toronto Blue Jays, under new manager John Farrell.

During 2013, Wakamatsu worked as a professional talent scout for the New York Yankees.

On October 25, 2013, Wakamatsu was announced as the new bench coach for the Kansas City Royals.

On April 19, 2015, Wakamatsu was one of five Royals (also pitching coach Dave Eiland, manager Ned Yost, pitcher Kelvin Herrera and shortstop Alcides Escobar) to be ejected in a game against the Oakland Athletics. Two games prior, Escobar had been injured following an attempt by A's third baseman Brett Lawrie to break up a double play. Considering the slide a dirty one, Royals pitcher Yordano Ventura hit Lawrie in the elbow the following game and was immediately ejected. In the series finale, A's pitcher Scott Kazmir hit Lorenzo Cain in the foot and warnings were given. Yost and Eiland were immediately ejected for arguing. Later in the 8th inning, Kelvin Herrera threw a 100 mph fastball behind Lawrie and a trio of ejections followed (Herrera, Wakamatsu and Escobar). The Royals would end up winning the game 4-2 despite the ejections. Wakamatsu was actually ejected twice, as when a warning has been issued, the pitcher and manager are automatically ejected. Wakamatsu was the acting manager. This was the cause of his first ejection, the second being him arguing with the home plate umpire.

The Rangers hired Wakamatsu as their bench coach before the 2018 season. When manager Jeff Banister was fired in September 2018, Wakamatsu took over as interim manager. He finished with a record of three wins and seven losses. He returned to his position as bench coach for the following season.

Wakamatsu is married to Iowa native Laura Lynn Mullin. He resides in North Richland Hills, Texas with wife, and their three children, sons Jacob and Lucas and daughter Jadyn. Both his sons are also baseball players. Jake was drafted by the Toronto Blue Jays in the 48th round of the 2011 MLB Draft and currently plays in the Kansas City Royals organization. Luke was drafted in the 20th round of the 2015 MLB Draft.

Born to a Japanese American ironworker father and an Irish American dental assistant mother, he is fourth generation Japanese American and the first Asian-American manager in Major League Baseball history. His paternal great-grandparents emigrated from Japan to Orting, Washington in the early 20th century and settled in Hood River, Oregon, where Wakamatsu was born. His father was born in the Tule Lake War Relocation Center, a Japanese American internment camp located in Northern California near the Oregon border. Close friends and players call him Wak (pronounced "wok").

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Wilbur Donald Wakamatsu (born February 22, 1963) is an American former professional baseball player, scout, coach, manager, and current Bench Coach of the Texas Rangers. Wakamatsu was drafted in the 11th round of the 1985 Major League Baseball draft by the Cincinnati Reds. He played as a catcher in Major League Baseball for the Chicago White Sox.

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From Nicole B.

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Asian American and Pacific Islander Transportation - Transportation History

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Posts about Asian American and Pacific Islander Transportation written by Media Relations Manager

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I'm a little bias but this man was my hero growing up and to this day a constant reminder to be the best you can be while being a compassionate, kind, and giving human being. In becoming the world's celebrated 'ukulele artist he has always given back to the community with performances, appearances, and even recently been helping launch the 'ukulele lending project at a few public libraries across the state. This is a nice video of him talking about some of his experiences in between songs including his time playing for the Queen with Bette Middler. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NVb-_14ZXeE
-From Neal C.

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TEDxTokyo Jake Shimabukuro - 05/15/10 (English)

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Yah, you know that song... "Somewhere over the rainbow" Brudda Iz's version is THE MOST played version of this song...

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OFFICIAL Somewhere over the Rainbow - Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwoʻole

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Jake Shimbukuro plays Stars and Stripes for Song of America